Leprechaun Trap Challenge (STEM): St. Patrick's Day

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Leprechaun Trap Challenge (STEM) Instructions: Build a trap to catch a leprechaun using everyday materials. Follow the design process below! Objective: Encourage creativity, engineering skills, and problem-solving by designing a functional trap that could catch a mischievous leprechaun. Planning Sheet: Materials List: What will you use? (e.g., paper, string, tape, cardboard, LEGOs, pipe cleaners, cups, paper towel rolls, craft sticks, aluminum foil, etc.) Sketch Your Design: Draw how your trap will work, labeling key parts and mechanisms. Trap Mechanism: How will your trap trigger when the leprechaun enters? Will it use a pulley, lever, or hidden entrance? Will you include bait like gold coins, glitter, or candy? Building Phase: Work on assembling your trap using the selected materials. Testing & Improvements: Try triggering the trap multiple times. Identify any weaknesses and refine the design. Reflection Questions: What was the most challenging part of building the trap? What ...
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Start a Lesson Effectively - Motivate Students to Learn

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Certainly! Starting a class session effectively is crucial for setting the tone and creating a positive learning environment. Here are three tips for teachers:


1. **Warm-up Activity or Question:**

   - Begin the class with a brief warm-up activity or an engaging question related to the previous lesson or the day's topic. This not only helps students transition into the learning mindset but also serves as a review, reinforcing prior knowledge. It can be a quick quiz, a discussion prompt, or a problem-solving activity. This not only activates students' prior knowledge but also sparks their curiosity for the upcoming lesson.


2. **Clear Learning Objectives:**

   - Clearly communicate the learning objectives for the session. Let students know what they are expected to achieve by the end of the class. This provides a roadmap for the lesson and helps students understand the purpose of the material. Clearly stating the learning objectives also helps in maintaining focus and giving students a sense of direction. You can display the objectives on the board or verbally articulate them at the beginning of the class.


3. **Connect with Students:**

   - Take a few moments to connect with your students on a personal level. This could be through a brief conversation about their day or a topic related to their interests. Establishing a positive and supportive rapport with students helps create a comfortable learning environment. It also shows that you value them as individuals, not just as students. A positive and supportive atmosphere encourages students to actively participate in class discussions and feel more comfortable asking questions.


Remember, the start of a class sets the tone for the entire session, so it's essential to create a positive and engaging beginning that captures students' attention and prepares them for the learning ahead.


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