STEM Summer Camp: Build It! Engineering Activities for Ages 6-8
This 4 day STEM camp introduces learners to the Engineering Design Loop through hands-on activities each day. Campers will explore engineering concepts while engaging in practical challenges that promote creativity and problem-solving.
Susan Laforet, M.Ed Curriculum and Instruction
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(175)
Star Educator
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursMastery Evaluation
1 hour per week. After a mini-challenge during the class time, students will be presented with a design challenge. We will brainstorm possible solutions and students will have a plan before class ends. They will complete the challenge on their own prior to the next class.Grading
Certificate of Completion provided at the end of the course.Class Experience
Beginner Level
This dynamic STEM camp features a variety of engaging Design Challenges that students will complete using the Engineering Design Process. During each meeting, the class will be introduced to a specific topic, which will be researched collaboratively. Students can choose to work individually or with a partner, ensuring that each participant leaves with a well-developed solution to the problem. Each session will also include a "mini-challenge" that students will complete in class, adhering to specific criteria and constraints. Participants will independently develop their prototypes to present to the group at the beginning of the next class, with the option to deliver a live presentation or submit a video presentation. This hands-on approach fosters teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking skills in young engineers. Day 1: What is an Engineer - Learn about the Engineering Design process and how engineers work. Day 2: Who Sank the Boat? - Design a flotation device that will hold its cargo above the water for 2 minutes. Day 3: Hurricane! - Design a structure that can withstand hurricane force winds. Day 4: Cross the River - Design a bridge that will hold enough weight for everyone to cross.
Learning Goals
*Learn how engineers work through the Engineering Design Loop.
*Explore the Engineering Design Process through daily hands on investigations.
*Build critical thinking skills through the design challenges.
*Apply principals of science to design challenges
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)4 Lessons
over 2 WeeksLesson 1:
What is an Engineer?
Students will learn about the Engineering Design Process and how engineers work. They will work through each step, investigate strong shapes, and complete a simple design challenge together. No outside assignment for this lesson. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Who Sank the Boat?
This lesson will focus on the science concepts of density and buoyancy. The mini-challenge will be completed together - make a paper boat. A read aloud will present the challenge, connecting literacy skills of sequencing and summarization. After presentation of the challenge, students will design a boat that will carry a load without sinking (after class, on their own) 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Hurricane!
Continuing with the theme of strong structures, students will first explore air resistance through a mini-challenge. Then they will learn about hurricanes and how they affect structures on the coast. The challenge to be completed prior to the next class is to design a structure that can withstand hurricane force wind (a hair dryer) for 30 seconds. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Cross the River
After a read aloud of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, students will apply the principals of civil engineering that we have learned to build a bridge that will span a distance and support the weight of PlayDoh goats. The class will culminate with a game about engineering. 50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Class presentation will be through the Nearpod platform. Games may be played with Kahoot or Gimkit, and some activities will involve Google slides presented by the teacher. Additionally, pre-screened YouTube clips from Crash Course Kids will explain the engineering design loop.
Supply List
A complete supply list may be found at this link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X6Cui8aqU54Vzn0V84YDwg0eclCaIR7w/view?usp=sharing
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined July, 2021
4.9
175reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
Texas Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Master's Degree from Grand Canyon University
I taught 5th grade science in the largest public school system in my state for 17 years. During that time I attended intense science training programs led by Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, and i3Laser through the Smithsonian Institution/Department of Education. I was honored as Teacher of the Year on my campus and a finalist for the District Teacher of the Year. After 17 years, I moved from the classroom to become a STEM instructional coach, supporting teachers across the district in the STEM content areas, and finally as a math and science instructional coach, leading professional development and supporting teachers and students at low performing campuses.Reviews
Live Group Course
$18
weekly2x per week, 2 weeks
50 min
Completed by 4 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-8
1-6 learners per class
