A Valentine’s Day STEM activity that works across all grade levels is “Design a Heart That Holds”, an engineering challenge that blends creativity, problem-solving, and scientific thinking while naturally scaling in complexity.
The activity begins with a simple premise: students are challenged to design and build a heart-shaped structure that can safely hold weight or protect an object. The heart symbolizes Valentine’s Day, but the real focus is on engineering design, material properties, and iterative testing. This makes the task meaningful without being overly themed, which helps it remain appropriate for older students as well as younger ones.
Students first move into the planning phase. They sketch a heart-shaped design and decide what materials they will use. Younger students may simply draw a picture and explain their idea verbally, while older students can label parts of their design and describe why they chose certain shapes or materials. At this stage, students predict how strong their structure will be and what might cause it to fail.
Next comes construction. Students build their heart using the provided materials, working individually or in small groups. As they build, they are encouraged to notice what is working and what is not. Teachers can prompt thinking by asking how students are making their structure stable or what they might change if it collapses. The focus remains on problem-solving rather than speed or appearance.
Readily available classroom materials
Pencils, markers, and crayons for sketching designs
Paper in various weights (construction, printer, cardstock)
Scissors and student-safe cutters
Tape (masking, clear, washi)
Glue sticks and white glue
Straws and drinking straws of different sizes
Pipe cleaners
Paperclips and binder clips
Craft sticks (popsicle sticks)
Rubber bands
Cardboard pieces from scrap boxes or old packaging
Index cards and sticky notes
Plastic cups and lids
String or yarn
Aluminum foil and paper plates
Clay or play dough
Materials that can be bought easily (inexpensive and classroom-friendly)
Wooden skewers or coffee stirrers
Mini craft sticks or jumbo craft sticks
Small clothespins
Cardboard tubing (from paper towels/toilet paper)
Beads or buttons for weighted testing
Gumdrops, marshmallows, or modeling candy for connectors
Paper straws (colored or patterned)
Balsa wood strips
Foam sheets or craft foam shapes
Binder board or lightweight poster board
Zip ties (small)
Plastic connectors or building kits (like generic brad and joint packs)
Most of these materials are inexpensive, non-hazardous, and easy to source through school supply catalogs, dollar stores, or classroom supply closets. Pick a variety so students can experiment with different shapes and structural ideas.
Once the structure is complete, students test it. The test is simple and consistent: students place weight on the heart or put an object inside it and observe what happens. In younger grades, this might involve counting how many small items the heart can hold before bending or tipping. In older grades, students can measure weight, record data, and repeat tests to improve reliability. Failure is treated as valuable information, not a setback.
After testing, students analyze the results. They reflect on why their heart performed the way it did and identify weak points in their design. Younger students might discuss what broke or fell and how they could fix it. Older students can connect results to scientific concepts such as force, balance, and material strength, using evidence from their tests to support their reasoning.
Students then revise their designs. They make specific changes based on what they observed during testing and rebuild or reinforce their heart. This step is essential, as it reinforces the idea that improvement comes through iteration. The revised structure is tested again, allowing students to compare performance before and after changes.
The activity concludes with reflection and sharing. Students explain their final design, what changes they made, and what they learned about building strong structures. Younger students may share orally or through drawings, while older students can write brief explanations or present data and conclusions. The teacher ties the experience back to real-world engineering, emphasizing that engineers use creativity, testing, and persistence to solve problems that matter.
In early elementary grades, the emphasis is on exploration and creativity. Students can design a heart that holds a small object, such as a marble or a stack of pennies, while learning how different shapes affect strength. The engineering process is kept simple, focusing on trying ideas, seeing what works, and making changes. Teachers can guide reflection through discussion and drawing rather than formal data collection.
In upper elementary and middle school classrooms, students can measure how much weight their heart can hold and compare designs. They can record observations, make predictions, and analyze why certain structures perform better than others. This level introduces mathematical thinking through counting, measuring, and basic graphing, while reinforcing the importance of planning and revision.
At the high school level, the same activity becomes a more formal engineering and physics challenge. Students can calculate load distribution, test different materials for efficiency, and justify design choices using scientific principles. Constraints such as limited materials or maximum weight efficiency can deepen the challenge and encourage real-world problem-solving.
What makes this activity especially effective is its flexibility. The core challenge stays the same, but the depth of thinking, language used, and assessment methods adapt easily to the grade level. It encourages collaboration, persistence, and creativity while reinforcing that failure is part of the learning process.
By framing Valentine’s Day around building, testing, and improving a heart-shaped structure, this activity shifts the focus from parties and candy to meaningful STEM learning. Students come away with a stronger understanding of engineering concepts and a memorable experience that connects problem-solving with creativity and care for others.
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