This or That STEM Task Cards

I absolutely love teaching coding.  However, students move through the activities at various speeds.  Some students finish in 15 minutes while other students take most of the 55 minute class.  To provide time for the slower workers to complete the assignment I needed an activity for the fast finishers to turn to.  This is where “free build” with non-consumables (Magnatiles, Legos, Smart Coins, Zoobs, Trios, etc) came in. However, after a couple of classes I noticed some issues arising!  Students were building the same items over and over, they were getting louder, and the thinking/problem-solving was decreasing.

What was I to do????

I am always up for a challenge so… I created This or That STEM task cards!

This or That Winter STEM Task Card

WHAT ARE THIS OR THAT STEM TASK CARDS?

This or That STEM task cards are a simple concept.  And who doesn’t like simple things?  They are themed cards (winter, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, etc.) and each card has 2 themed items.  Students select one of the items to recreate and build.  Each seasonal set contains  20 different cards.  

WHY ARE THE TASK CARDS IMPORTANT?

My free build problem was solved because the task cards provided the students with a focused choice.  Students became motivated to build and were using their critical thinking skills.  They had to observe the details of structures and problem-solve how the pieces of the items fit together.  Most of the time I leave a variety of items to build from for example homemade playdough, Legos, Magnatiles, Keva planks, etc.  The choice of material adds to the challenge because the students have to determine the best material for their builds.

WHEN CAN YOU USE THE STEM TASK CARDS?

I use these cards mostly for early finishers.  However, later this month we have STEM night at our school.  I plan on leaving out the This or That STEM task cards with non-consumable building materials.  This way families can tour the space, meet me, and get a taste of building.  I will not have to lead anything or have messy clean-up if any younger siblings get carried away!  

One of the kindergarten teachers in our school uses the task cards as a morning warm-up and later in the day during center time.  She likes the cards because even though her students can’t read yet they use the pictures to determine what to build.  This or That STEM task cards can also be used for the following: STEM Lesson, reward activity, homework, indoor recess, fun Fridays, special party, engineering practice to incorporate the NGSS standards into your science lesson, to enhance a read aloud, etc.

Student with a winter STEM task card

WHERE CAN THE TASK CARDS BE USED?

This or That STEM task cards are very versatile, they can be used in a variety of environments.  I use them in my STEAM classroom.   Teachers in my building use them in their general education classrooms.  However, they can be used while homeschooling or if you have a buddy classroom this would be a great activity to encourage collaboration. 

HOW DO YOU USE THE TASK CARDS?

You are probably wondering how I use the cards.  The process is easy, I just:

1.  Print

2.  Laminate - if I am feeling fancy 

3.  Cut

4.  Pass out or for early finishers I have them in a pile for the students to sort through

5.  Students build their item of choice

6.  Share

Sharing is important because it provides students the chance to improve their communication skills.  Here are the ways I have shared This or That STEM task cards in the past:

•Small group – students share in groups of 3 or 4

•Partner share – students take turns sharing with one other person

•Whole group – students share their build with the entire group

•Gallery walk – students leave their design and card at their spot and silently travel around the room looking at other’s designs.  I often take a few minutes at the end to have students share something they notice.

•Take quick pictures (or have this as a student job) – upload to a google slideshow or to a sharing site like seesaw

There have been times that I display one This or That STEM task card.  This means all students in the class only have the choice of building one of the two objects.  The creativity that emerges is unbelievable!  The students are always amazed at how they each build the same items so differently.  While we are comparing and contrasting models, I have the students state a specific positive about another child’s build.

All in all, This or That STEM task cards have become a staple in my classroom.  Once the students have used the cards they become pros (no more needing directions to complete).  I also use the same deck over and over because there are 20 different cards to choose from.  I am in the process of creating a set for all holidays and seasons of the year.  They are such an easy way to get the students engaged and motivated to engineer!