4 Easy STEM Challenges for Third Grade
Are you trying to integrate more STEM challenges into your classroom? Are you struggling to find ideas that are quick to set up and don’t necessarily require you to spend a ton out of pocket? Hands-on science is the backbone of my third grade classroom - we absolutely LOVE any activity or lesson that lets us build with our hands and think outside of the box. I have four easy STEM challenges for third grade. These ones are quick, easy, and won’t cost an arm and a leg!
Text: 4 Easy STEM Challenges for Third Grade
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What Makes a Good Stem Challenge?
Before we dive into the challenges, let’s talk about what makes a good STEM challenge! For me it comes down to a few core things. It has to be engaging. Hands-on challenges are a great way to increase engagement. Another key area is doing a STEM challenge that is student-centered. Students want to be doing the challenge, not watching their teacher do it. And a good STEM challenge should be open-ended so students have freedom to explore and discover while creating.
paper chain challenge
One of the EASIEST stem challenges for third grade is one that uses almost NO supplies at all… the paper chain challenge! For this challenge, all you need to give your students is tape and a single piece of paper. It’s that easy (and that cheap!) Then, challenge them to see how long of a paper chain they can make using only one piece of paper and tape. (Want to extend the challenge: limit your student to 12 inches of tape!) My students have loved this challenge and I’m confident your students will too!
Build a Bridge
Let’s look at some examples. In this free Reading into Science unit, students read about famous bridges and then they get to build bridges in an engaging STEM challenge. Using materials like large popsicle sticks, clothespins, classroom books and tape, students will design and create a bridge. You can even challenge students to design a bridge that will hold up something heavy, like textbooks. This engaging resource for third grade combines paired informational text, reading skills and a STEM challenge in a way that is sure to leave your students ready for the next one! You can grab it for FREE below.
create the tallest tower
This tower has been created with toothpicks and gummy candy!
If your students love building the bridges, they will inevitably love trying to build the tallest tower in the class. In this integrated science and reading unit, students will read about real-world skyscrapers. Then they will engage in a STEM activity to build the tallest tower using whatever materials you have in class. This STEM activity is left purposely open-ended so that you and students can choose materials that you already have on hand. Students could build towers using things like index cards and tape, toothpicks and gummy candy, spaghetti and mini marshmallows, playdough and bamboo skewers. The list could go on and on. Students will love creating and competing with each other to build the tallest tower.
droplets on a penny
This STEM challenge requires a penny (or a nickel… any coin with a defined lip around the edge), water, and an eyedropper/pipette. Begin this challenge by asking students to make a hypothesis: “How many drops of water do you think will fit on top of the penny?” Record their answers. Then, begin the challenge. I can almost guarantee that they will be very surprised by the answer. “The Sci Guys” on YouTube break down this experiment in greater detail. The scientific explanation starts at the 2:20 mark.
Well, there you have it, four engaging and easy STEM challenges for third grade. And they’ll hardly cost you a thing! w Do you have any favorite STEM Challenges? If so, I’d love to hear about them!
