Are you searching for engaging winter STEM activities to bring seasonal magic into your classroom? Or maybe you need to keep your students engaged during the excitement and chaos before the holiday break?
Either way, check out these exciting hands-on engineering design challenges that will keep your students interested.
Short on time? Grab ready-to-go winter STEM activities here!
Cookie Delivery Challenge
In the cookie delivery challenge, task your students with creating a package that can protect a single cookie as it is shipped in the mail.
First, students imagine themselves as bakers creating the perfect holiday cookie to share with family and friends.
Then, they use household materials to design a package that will keep a single cookie from cracking or crumbling as it travels through the mail. Students will apply real-world engineering skills as they test their package by inserting a cookie and tossing, dropping, and bumping it around.
Finally, they open it up to determine the success of their design. This hands-on challenge perfectly combines festive fun with practical problem-solving!
Snowflake Design Challenge
In the snowflake design challenge, students are tasked with providing scientifically accurate winter decor for a holiday pageant.
Students can research how real snowflakes form and the various shapes they can take. Then, they use household materials to design and build snowflakes with six sides and rotational symmetry.
This winter STEM activity helps students connect mathematical concepts with natural phenomena, making learning both meaningful and memorable.
Hot Cocoa Cup Challenge
Challenge your students to create an insulated cup for hot chocolate.
First, students learn about thermal energy, insulators, and conductors. Then, they apply their knowledge to design a cup that will keep liquids as warm as possible over 30 minutes. Finally, you can celebrate student work with a hot chocolate party!
This engaging challenge brings science to life through a cozy winter activity students love.
Lunar New Year Lantern Project
Learn about the Lunar New Year with this fun winter STEM activity.
Have your students create a lantern that can be illuminated with a battery-operated tealight. Students will use measuring skills, creativity, and the engineering design process to create a tabletop lantern.
You can even extend the project by designing the lanterns in CAD and 3D printing their prototypes!
Looking for more support?
Let me plan the perfect winter STEM challenge for you!
Each of the winter-themed STEM activities includes:
- Detailed teacher notes that include suggestions for facilitating the project during in-person, distance, and hybrid learning
- PDF, Google, and Easel versions of the student project packets
- A slideshow to assist with lesson facilitation
- A rubric for easy grading
- End-of-project celebration certificates
These projects follow the engineering design process, allowing students to practice their teamwork and problem-solving skills.
The building materials are flexible, meaning you can use what you have on hand! Blocks, clean recyclables, school supplies, etc.
Grab these resources today so you can take a break from planning and know your students will still be learning and having fun as you enjoy the winter season!
