STEM Club: On-Going STEM Challenges With Teacher Angie

In this on-going STEM club, learners will be exposed to the engineering and design process (plan, create, test, improve) as they complete STEM challenges.  A different challenge will be introduced each week of the club. There is a free build the last class session of each month. 

Materials suggested in the challenges include typical items which can be found around the house such as recycle materials (empty boxes, empty toilet tissue or paper towel tubes, egg cartons, etc.) yarn, string, paper plates, Lego or other building materials, straws, craft sticks (popsicle sticks), paper, glue, tape. I encourage learners to be creative with materials and use what they have. 

I run the class as an after school club encouraging conversation, social time and engagement. I often ask learners to suggest challenges and include as many learner interests as possible. I include free build days monthly. 

Monthly challenges include the following but may change due to club member ideas:

September Challenges:

September 24
3D Creations

October Challenges

October 1
Marble Maze

October 8
Rube Goldberg Machines

October 15
Craft Stick (popsicle stick) Bridges

October 22
House of Cards

October 29
Free Build

November Challenges

November 5
Paper Chains

November 12
Water slides

November 19
Cup Stacking Challenges

November 25
Free Build


Additional weeks will be added as time progresses. 

Learners will be engaged in a teacher led mini-lesson to understand the Engineer and Design Process (EDP). The challenge will be presented to learners.  Learners will be guided through the (EDP) as they work to solve the challenge. Learners will share their projects live on camera. 

The class is structured as teacher facilitated with learners actively engaged in a hands-on manner to work through the challenges. I will be the coach in class guiding learners as they plan, create, test their ideas and make changes to improve on their thinking. 

My teaching style is flexible, relaxed and engaging. I see myself as part of the learning environment providing a safe space for budding engineers to give it a go and accept a fail (First Attempt at Learning). Learners will engage with each other and the teacher in a fluid manner throughout the class. They will share success, failure, and suggestions with each other.