Looking for a quick STEM challenge that you can throw together with minimal prep while still getting the fun and meaningful learning experience you love? Challenge your students to create a DIY cell phone stand. This quick STEM project combines creativity and engineering skills while developing 21st-century learners. Let’s dive in.
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The Quick STEM Challenge: Design a Cell Phone Stand
Challenge your middle school students to apply their knowledge of engineering and problem-solving with their passion for all things tech to construct a functional cell phone stand.
Materials Needed:
- Scissors
- Tape
- Rulers or measuring tools
- Random building supplies that you have on hand, such as index cards, cardboard, paper clips, pipe cleaners, wooden craft sticks, etc.
- Old phone or toy phone for testing the cell phone stand prototypes
- Decorative materials (optional)
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Introduce the problem:
- Tell students you need a new cell phone stand that will hold your phone at least 3 inches off a flat surface in both portrait and landscape modes.
- Show students the phone they’ll be using to test their designs, the materials they will have available, and the time they have to complete their challenge.
- Allow students to ask questions about the challenge.
2. Imagine:
- Encourage students to brainstorm ideas individually or in small groups.
- Have them take measurements for the phone or provide them with the measurements if you want to shorten this step.
- Have students create a quick sketch of their ideas.
3. Build:
- Provide students with materials to build their designs.
- Be clear about how much time they have available to build. Consider projecting a timer to support them with time management.
- Remind students that it’s OK to change their design as they begin building. This is part of engineering.
5. Testing and Improve:
- Have students test their stands with your phone.
- Discuss potential improvements and modifications based on testing.
- If you have time available, allow them to improve their designs.
6. Presentation:
- Each student or group presents their cell phone stand, explaining problems they encountered and how they solved them.
- Encourage peer feedback and discussions on the diversity of solutions.
Want a worksheet, lesson plan, grading rubric, and slideshow to go with it?
When to Use a Quick STEM Challenge in Your Classroom:
Icebreaker or Warm-Up Activity
Use a quick STEM challenge as an engaging icebreaker at the beginning of a lesson or as a warm-up activity. It sets a positive tone for the class, sparks curiosity, and gets students thinking critically from the start.
Team-Building Exercise
Use STEM challenges as team-building exercises to promote student collaboration and communication skills. This is perfect for the beginning of the school year, or anytime you need to reset group work expectations. Working together on a hands-on project fosters a sense of camaraderie and encourages the sharing of ideas, creating a positive and cooperative classroom environment.
Formative Assessment
Integrate quick STEM challenges as formative assessments to gauge your students’ strengths and weaknesses relating to engineering. Observing how students approach and solve the challenge provides valuable insights into their communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity skills, allowing you to tailor your instruction accordingly.
Shake Things Up
Inject excitement into lessons by incorporating STEM challenges that deviate from the routine. Surprise students with a quick and unexpected hands-on activity to break the monotony, reignite interest and create an element of surprise that keeps them eagerly anticipating what’s next. This unpredictability adds a sense of fun and adventure to the learning experience.
Elevate STEM Learning in a Flash!
This quick STEM challenge offers a dynamic and time-efficient way to infuse creativity and engineering skills into your middle school classroom. By designing and building their own cell phone stands, students engage in hands-on learning for swift yet impactful STEM activity that keeps students excited and eager to explore the world of STEM. Try it out and watch your classroom light up with innovation!
