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:

  1. Materials List: What will you use? (e.g., paper, string, tape, cardboard, LEGOs, pipe cleaners, cups, paper towel rolls, craft sticks, aluminum foil, etc.)

  2. Sketch Your Design: Draw how your trap will work, labeling key parts and mechanisms.

  3. 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?

  4. Building Phase: Work on assembling your trap using the selected materials.

  5. 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 worked well, and what needed improvement?

  • If you could redesign it, what changes would you make?

  • How would a leprechaun try to escape from your trap?



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