A Fun STEM Activity for the First Day of School
Do you want to have your students complete a meaningful STEM challenge on the first day of class? How will they get supplies? How will they use the supplies? And how will they know the Engineering Design Process without any instruction? Well, I’ve got you! This post will explain how elementary students can complete an easy name tag STEM activity on the very first day of class.
This fun STEM challenge will have the students create a name tag that they can wear. Seems simple right? It is because the students will be so engaged that you will have the chance to observe how they design and ask them questions. However, it will also be challenging for the students because there are some building constraints. For example, they are going to be given limited supplies, have the time limit of one class period, and they must make their name tag easily visible.
The name tag project should be completed on the first or second day of your elementary STEAM class. The challenge serves many purposes such as introducing the students to the Engineering Design Process, allowing you to learn names, and creating such an engaging environment that your students will be begging to return to your class. All of these purposes are very important to address from the start.
Your students will complete this simple STEAM challenge in one class period. Begin by introducing the challenge to the class and explaining the expectations/constraints. (Here is a resource to walk you through it). You will address classroom procedures as they arise throughout the project. For example, discuss how a student must raise their hand when they have a question. Or as the students move to the tables/desks you can model what this looks like. Also, when interacting with materials you can share your expectations and model examples of appropriate behavior.
If the students finish early you can have them share their name tag, how/where they will attach it to their body, and why they used the materials they selected. At the end of class collect the name tags so the students can use them for your first month of class.
If you want student engineering pages and step-by-step instructions you can find them here.
As far as materials go you can divide them up in various ways.
You can give each student the same amount and same type of materials. For example, a student could have a baggie that has an index card, wine cork, 1 clothespin, a cardboard tube, and a couple of random toy pieces.
You can set materials on a table and discuss how students will work together to share the materials.
You can hand out baggies to students that contain different things. If you do this, determine ahead of time if you are going to allow the students to trade items.
You can also set out different materials at each table so 1 table is working with 6 items that another table does not have.
This is an easy challenge to differentiate. One way is to have the constraint of not being able to make the name tag into a necklace. Also, the more you limit the supplies the more challenging this STEAM challenge will be. Another way to differentiate is to determine if the students will use items that will easily attach their name tag to their body such as tape, clothes pins, string, etc.
The engagement you are going to see in your students during this project will amaze you! Participating in this type of challenge right out of the gate sends many positive messages. In your class students are going to be required to think outside of the box, there is not just one right answer, and the students need to collaborate to be successful!
Here’s to your best year yet!
P.S. If you are looking for free STEM goodies connect with me here!
