The GREAT PUMPKIN STEM CHALLENGE

5TH GRADE: You must WIN the Pumpkin Parade: Design a WAGON to transport your pumpkin to the parade for judging! You wagon MUST: Be able to hold the pumpkin Be decorative Hold the pumpkin high enough to be seen by the crowd Be pulled for judging To WIN: Your wagon must be sturdy Your wagon must be decorative Your pumpkin must “rise above” the others and be easily seen.

Materials: 4 toilet paper tubes 2 feet of string 2 feet of tape 2 sheets of paper 4 wheels 8 popsicle sticks

4th grade: Great Pumpkin STEM Challenge Standards: S4P3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the relationship between balanced and unbalanced forces. Identify and explain the uses of simple machines ex. lever. EQ: Can you design and create simple machine to lift your pumpkin above the pumpkin patch? Hook: Choose Halloween themed character for groups Resources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lueqE0lxLyc Materials: One mini pumpkin or gourd, 4 large blocks, 4 white blocks, large index card, 1 plastic cup, tape, ruler Lesson: Students will collaborate to design and build a lever system for a mini pumpkin to be suspended over a given height. Criteria: Collaborate with table group to design a lever system that will suspend a mini pumpkin or gourd Create/build your lever system utilizing the given materials Lever system must operate correctly by lifting a mini pumpkin above the pumpkin patch or to a height of 12 inches Differentiation: Provide building materials Students can work independently

3rd grade: Great Pumpkin STEM Challenge EQ: Can you design and create a stand/platform to support a mini pumpkin or gourd? Hook: Choose Halloween themed character for groups Resources: Materials: 4 straws, 2 cardboard tubes, 2 index cards, 2 ft. of tape, 1 ft. of string, 8 popsicle sticks, 2 pipe cleaners, ruler, scissors Lesson: Students will design and create a stand/platform to support a mini pumpkin. Criteria: Collaborate to design a stand/platform that will support one mini pumpkin Your pumpkin must be a minimum of 12 inches above the table Pumpkin stand must be decorative Differentiation: Students can work independently Step by step instructions on the board

2nd and 1st Grade Great Pumpkin Challenge: Build a stand to hold your pumpkin! Must “rise above” the pumpkin patch. (be at least 1 foot tall) Be sturdy and have a welcome sign Materials: 1 box of building blocks 1 popsicle stick 1 note card Tape ruler

Kindergarten Great Pumpkin Challenge: Build a stand to hold your pumpkin! Must “rise above” the pumpkin patch. (be at least 1 foot tall) Be sturdy and have a welcome sign Materials: 1 box of building blocks 1 popsicle stick 1 note card Tape ruler