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STEM Challenge Days Key Stage 3 and 4 Options
1. Rocket Power
2. Engino - Spanning the Gap
3. Project Eggs Factor
4. Mars Buggy
5. Pick n Mix
6. Egg Safety Test
Option 1: Rocket Power
Students design and make a rocket that must travel a specific height and distance and land in a certain location. Students will:
- Consider features to incorporate into their designs
- Decide what materials to use
- Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of their rocket
- Design a parachute and launch their rocket!
Science: 2 Practical and Enquiry Skills; 4.2 Forces
Technology: 1 Developing planning and communicating ideas
Maths: 1 Mathematical processes and applications; 4.1 Geometrical Reasoning; 4.4 Measures and mensuration
Other: aspects of PLTS (group work)
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Option 2: Engino – Spanning the Gap
Students work in teams to design and make a bridge using wood strips and Engino connectors. Students will be given the brief and resources to:
- Consider key design features of different types of bridges
- Lay out design plans for their bridge
- Construct the bridge with the materials provided
- Test their finished bridges’ strength using weights to create a load
Curriculum Links include:
Science: 2 Practical and Enquiry Skills; 4.2 Forces
Technology: 1 Developing planning and communicating ideas
Maths: 1 Mathematical processes and applications; 4.1 Geometrical Reasoning; 4.4 Measures and mensuration
Other: aspects of PLTS (group work)
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Option 3: Project Eggs Factor
Based on the popular "Project Eggs Factor" competition that is offered to schools, this challenge allows students the chance to do this project within a STEM Challenge Day.
Students will:
- Discuss various methods used in the real world to transport items
- Decide as a team what idea they will use
- Trial a number of concepts and then decide on the final one
- Test out their solution in front of their peers
- Students can then optimise their design and enter the Project Eggs Factor national league tables!
Curriculum Links include:
Science: 2 Practical and Enquiry Skills; 4.2 Forces
Technology: 1 Developing planning and communicating ideas
Maths: 1 Mathematical processes and applications; 4.1 Geometrical Reasoning; 4.4 Measures and mensuration
Other: aspects of PLTS (group work)
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Option 4: Mars Buggy
Working in teams, Student will design and make their own mars buggy, using a super capacitor at the heart of the vehicle. This project consists of the following elements and students will:
- Learn how super capacitors work, and how they can be utilised to power the buggy
- Design the shell and chassis of the buggy to withstand the terrain
- Construct a circuit to power their mars buggy from various components
- Optimise the gearing to ensure the buggy can complete all terrains
- Test their finished design!
Curriculum Links include:
Science: 2 Practical and Enquiry Skills; 3.1 Energy, electricity and forces; 4.2 Forces
Technology: 1 Developing planning and communicating ideas
Maths: 1 Mathematical processes and applications; 4.1 Geometrical Reasoning; 4.4 Measures and mensuration
Other: aspects of PLTS (group work)
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Option 5: Pick N Mix
This challenge encourages students to be innovative and try out their entrepreneurial skills! Selecting from an array of simple electronics components and construction media, students develop a prototype to fulfil a gap in the marketplace they have identified. The challenge supports the work-related learning agenda as students form companies and take on various management roles to ensure their final sales pitch secures the support of a fictious investor.
Tasks include:
- Identifying a market need
- Inventing a new product
- Developing a basic business plan and marketing strategy
- Budgeting and purchasing resources from an engineering store
- Making a prototype from materials provided
- Presenting their product to the whole group
Curriculum Links include:
Science: 2 Practical and Enquiry Skills; 4.2 Forces
Technology: 1 Developing planning and communicating ideas
Maths: 1 Mathematical processes and applications; 4.1 Geometrical Reasoning; 4.4 Measures and mensuration
Other: All aspects of PLTS; Functional skills (English & mathematics)
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Option 6: Egg Safety Test
Egg-headed Student design and develop ideas for a crash test vehicle to transport one important passenger – a chicken egg – down a pre-made ramp. Students work as a team to:
- Brainstorm concept ideas for their vehicle design
- Decide as a group which idea they are going to pursue
- Construct their vehicle using the materials provided
- Test their car by transporting the passenger (unharmed) down the ramp
Curriculum Links include:
Science: 2 Practical and Enquiry Skills; 4.2 Forces
Technology: 1 Developing planning and communicating ideas
Maths: 1 Mathematical processes and applications; 4.1 Geometrical Reasoning; 4.4 Measures and mensuration
Other: aspects of PLTS (group work)
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