Looking for a simple to prep STEM challenge for the countdown to Christmas?
You'll love this Christmas tree building challenge then!
It's perfect for small groups encouraging them to work together and communicate clearly to problem solve and then implement their strategy as a team.
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To prepare the challenge, you will need to collect only a few things - string, rubber or elastic bands and some cups.
I choose green and red cups seeing as our challenge was to build a Christmas tree but if you're using this task at the beginning of the school year to build team work and communication skills, the color doesn't matter.
At the start of the challenge, organise your class into small groups of 3-5 children. This activity is perfect for buddy classes to do together as an end of year task.
Explain to your groups they are to build a Christmas tree from their stack of cups. I show them how to build a basic pyramid stack of cups by hand at this stage.
Explain to your groups they are to build a Christmas tree from their stack of cups. I show them how to build a basic pyramid stack of cups by hand at this stage.
Easy right?
So they think...
I then explain that they will need to build the same structure from the cups without touching the cups at all with their bodies.
Saying bodies stops the elbows, forearms, chins, mouths, being utilised.
I then supply each group with 1 rubber band, a piece of string for each children and a small stack of cups and set them to work out how to solve the problem of not being able to touch the cups by hand.
I've done this challenge with several classes now and am constantly surprised with the different ways children will come up with to move the cups into position.
Some will loop the lengths of string through the rubber band saving them from having to tie knots. Others have just tried to loop the rubber band around the cup stretching it to hold it.
Others, like these groups, tie the end of the string to the rubber band to stretch it over the top of each cup.
Each method requires the children to work together and communicate clearly.
With the string tied or looped around the one rubber band, they all need to move at the same time and speed to ensure the cup lands exactly where they want it.
You can hear in this short video, how well this group is working together.
We hadn't assigned roles but some naturally took up the role of manager to ensure everyone worked together to reach the goal set.
