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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5 Engaging and Fun "Go-To" Activities

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 5 Engaging and Fun "Go-To" Activities

A "go-to" activity for teachers is a reliable, easy-to-implement task they frequently use because it effectively engages students and achieves specific learning goals.

1. Gallery Walk

How it works: Post questions, problems, or topics around the room. Students walk around, discuss in groups, and write responses or comments.

Why it works: Encourages movement and active engagement with content.

2. Four Corners

How it works: Label the room’s corners with choices or categories. Ask a question, and students move to the corner that represents their answer.

Why it works: Promotes movement, discussion, and decision-making.

3. Mystery Bag or Box

How it works: Place an object or related items in a bag/box. Students guess what’s inside based on clues or connections to the lesson.

Why it works: Sparks curiosity and critical thinking.

4. Snowball Fight

How it works: Students write responses to a question, crumple their papers, and toss them across the room. They pick up someone else’s paper to discuss.

Why it works: Combines fun with reviewing or sharing ideas.

5. Scavenger Hunts

How it works: Create a scavenger hunt with questions or tasks related to the lesson.

Why it works: Adds excitement and requires students to synthesize information. More info on the scavenger hunt is here: https://teachers-resources-and-tips.blogspot.com/2024/12/scavenger-hunts-in-classroom-great-go.html



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