1. The GREAT PUMPKIN
STEM CHALLENGE

2. 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.

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

5. 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:
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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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