STEAM Challenge

Looking for some engaging and fun learning activities?

Our STEAM Specialists have pulled together some favourites. They're easy to set up and most can be done with items from around the house or classroom.

Need help with your STEAM stock? Our Specialists have helped schools across the country fit out their classrooms with products to suit their needs. Get in touch today and see how we can help you make the most of your budgets.

	Marble Run
	Use materials from around the house (loo rolls, playdough, toothpicks, cardboard, etc) to build a marble run. Your goal: The marble has to run through in 20 seconds, no more, no less! Materials: 1 Marble, and anything else to help you build the most epic marble run! From paper cups to modelling clay.

	Toothpick Lolly Tower
	Challenge 1: Build the tallest tower you can using a set number of toothpicks (10) and gumdrops (20). Challenge 2: Build an innovative structure with the toothpicks and gumdrops. Think about adding levels and what it may be used for (i.e. Hotel). Materials: Gumdrops/marshmellows, toothpicks

	Cup Stacking
	As a group, build a pyramid out of paper cups. 3 on the bottom, 2 in the middle and 1 on the top. You can't touch the cups with your hands or any other part of your body, even if a cup falls onto the floor! Each person holds on to strings attached to a rubber band to pick up and deposit the cups. Materials: 3m of string, 5 rubber bands, 6 cups.

	Mystery Bag Design Challenge
	Give your kids a bag of "mystery materials" and challenge them to build something with them. Ideas: Pet hotel, suspension bridge, trampoline, vehicle, piece of playground equipment, etc. Materials: A mix of anything you can lay your hands on! Paper plates, straws, string, glue, paper rolls, cardboard, modelling clay, egg cartons, pipe cleaners, etc.

LEGO® Balance Scale

Here's what you need to build a LEGO® Balance Scale:
12 - 1x6 bricks
6 - 1x4 bricks
4 - 1x2 bricks
1 - 6x12 plate
9 - 2x4 bricks
2 - 2x4 plates
1 - 2x2 brick with pin on each side

Now use your LEGO® balance scale to try some experiments. Can you balance a set of rocks and marbles? What happens when you move the fulcrum from the middle of the scale to one of the sides? Now can you change your design based on your new knowledge to build a catapult?

Materials: A mix of anything you can lay your hands on! Paper plates, straws, string, glue, paper rolls, cardboard, modelling clay, egg cartons, pipe cleaners, etc.

	Egg Drop Challenge
	This challenge is for kids to design a contraption using various materials (usually recyclables) to protect a raw egg dropped from a height of 2 metres. Not allowed: Boxes or battery-powered items. Materials: Anything! Popsicle sticks, paper, toilet rolls, tissues, paper cups, modelling clay, dish sponges, sticky tape, etc.