STEM Design Challenge My Most

Magnificent Thing

Created by Stephanie Lee

My Most Magnificent Thing

STEM Design Challenge Engage: Set  the  Hook!    Read  The  Most  Magnificent  Thing  by  Ashley  Spires  and  present  the  challenge…to  build  your  own  magnificent  thing.    It’s  okay  to  be  open  ended  about  this  challenge.    It’s  also  okay  to  set  some  parameters,  such  as  a  Cme  limit,  a  limit  to  the  amount  of  materials,  a  size  limit,  etc.    Be  as  open  ended  or  as  limiCng  as  you  feel  is  necessary  to  meet  the  needs  of  your  students.  

Explore: Let  students  explore  the  materials  that  are  available  to  them.    You  can  provide  them  with  only  one  material  to  use,  such  as  just  rolled  up  newspaper  rods,  OR  you  can  let  them  choose  from  a  variety  of  materials,  such  as  recyclable  items  (toilet  paper  rolls,  milk  jug  caps,  parts  from  broken  toys,  etc.)    Anything  goes.    You’ll  also  have  to  decide  what  tools  they  can  use  –  scissors,  tape,  glue,  staplers,  etc.      

Plan and Create: Students  brainstorm  whole  group,  in  small  groups,  or  individually, the  kinds  of  things  they  might  create.    They  sketch  and  label  a  plan  on  the  recording  sheet,  as  well  as  list  or  draw  materials  needed.    Then  they  create!    Students  will  likely  go  through  trials  and  errors  as  they  build  their  magnificent  things,  but  it’s  all  part  of  the  learning  process.  

Reflect: Students  record  the  final  product  by  drawing/labeling  once  the  “things”  are  finished.    They  review  their  original  plans  and  decide  whether  it  worked  or  not.      You  may  want  to  have  them  share  their  “things”  with  each  other,  another  class,  or  administraCon.    Display  the  magnificent  things  with  the  included  signs  to  explain  their  uses.    Older  students  might  want  to  make  their  own  signs.  

My Most Magnificent Thing Design Challenge Part 1 – Create

Name  _____________________________________    Date  _____________________  

My  Plan   Materials  I  Need  

My Most Magnificent Thing Design Challenge Part 2 - Reflect

Name  _____________________________________    Date  _____________________  

My  Actual  “Thing”  

                         My  plan  worked!  Why?  _______________________  

_____________________________

_____________________________  

                         My  plan  didn’t  work!  Why  not?  _____________________  

_____________________________

____________________________  

My Most Magnificent Thing is

a _______________________________.

Name  _____________________________________    Date  _____________________  

It is used to  ____________________.

Name  _____________________________________    Date  _____________________  

My Most Magnificent Thing is

a _______________________________.

It is used to  ____________________.

Created  by:  Stephanie  Lee  (buzzingforbooks.blogspot.com)  InspiraCon:  The  Most  Magnificent  Thing  by  Ashley  Spires  

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