I have included printable examples in the download. Here are some example trees that could be created. They will measure their progress three times just like in option 1. Here is an example of a simple tree created with five gumdrops and four toothpicks:įor this version, there is no simple tree requirement and the students are only instructed to create the tallest Christmas tree possible with the gumdrops. Then, they will compare and contrast the process of creating the simple tree and the tallest tree. They will measure their progress three more times: twice during and once for the final measurement.Īfter completing both challenges, they will calculate the difference between the simple tree height and their final tree height. Then, they will begin the main challenge: to create the tallest tree possible. They will measure the tree and record the measurement. The students must start the task by creating a simple tree with four toothpicks and five gumdrops. This version is more advanced and has more guidelines that will require your students to think more critically, do more math, and do more writing. For this particular activity, there are two main choices I choose from: a more advanced version and a “free for all” version. You can add in requirements that up the challenge or you can keep it pretty simple. With any engineering activity, you can provide more or less structure and guidelines. There are a few different ways you can incorporate this activity in your classroom. You can easily add in a technology component by having the students record their data on a google spreadsheet, video their progress, or complete an online journal entry about the process and what they learned.
The focus for this Christmas STEM activity is engineering and math, specifically measuring. This Christmas STEM activity is a student favorite and perfect for engaging your students in engineering and math skills while also sneaking in some holiday fun. The holidays are the perfect time to engage your students with activities that you don’t get to do during the regular school year.
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