Collaborative STEM Activity Examples

Discover engaging collaborative STEM activities for your classroom with these practical examples.
By Taylor

Introduction to Collaborative STEM Activities

Collaborative STEM activities are a fantastic way to engage students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while fostering teamwork and communication skills. These activities encourage students to work together to solve problems, think critically, and apply their knowledge in practical ways. Here are three diverse examples of collaborative STEM activities that you can easily implement in your classroom.

1. Marshmallow and Spaghetti Tower Challenge

Context

This activity is perfect for students to explore engineering concepts while enhancing their collaboration skills. It’s adaptable for various age groups and can be used to teach about structures, stability, and teamwork.

In this challenge, students work in small groups to build the tallest freestanding tower using only marshmallows and uncooked spaghetti. The goal is to encourage creative problem-solving and communication.

Students will need the following materials:

  • 20 uncooked spaghetti sticks
  • 10 marshmallows
  • Tape (optional)
  • A ruler (to measure height)

Each group will have 30 minutes to build their tower. At the end of the time, measure the height of each tower and discuss the different strategies used. You can even introduce a twist by limiting the number of marshmallows or spaghetti sticks in subsequent rounds to increase the challenge.

Notes/Variations

  • Encourage students to plan their design before starting the building process.
  • Use a timer to create a sense of urgency.
  • After the challenge, hold a reflection session where teams can discuss what worked well and what didn’t.

2. Solar Oven Project

Context

This project allows students to explore renewable energy and the science behind solar power. It’s a great way to integrate environmental education with hands-on learning. Students will work together to design and build a solar oven that can cook a s’more.

To conduct this project, students will need:

  • Pizza box (or any cardboard box)
  • Aluminum foil
  • Plastic wrap
  • Black construction paper
  • Marshmallows and chocolate for s’mores
  • Sunlight!

Divide the class into small groups. Each group will design their solar oven by following these steps:

  1. Line the inside of the pizza box with black construction paper.
  2. Cover the opening of the box with plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect.
  3. Line the top flap with aluminum foil to reflect sunlight into the box.
  4. Place the s’mores inside, close the box, and place it in direct sunlight.

After about 30-45 minutes, check if the s’mores are ready to eat! Students can discuss the effectiveness of their designs and how solar energy works.

Notes/Variations

  • Experiment with different materials for insulation, such as newspaper or bubble wrap.
  • Hold a competition to see which design cooks the s’more the fastest.
  • Introduce concepts of energy efficiency and environmental impact during discussions.

3. Coding a Collaborative Game

Context

This activity introduces students to coding and game design, emphasizing teamwork and creativity. It’s suitable for upper elementary or middle school students and can be adapted for various coding platforms like Scratch or Code.org.

Students will work in pairs or small groups to create a simple interactive game. Here’s how you can structure the activity:

  1. Choose a coding platform: Introduce students to Scratch, where they can create visual programs easily.
  2. Brainstorm game ideas: Have students collaborate to come up with a concept for their game, focusing on objectives, characters, and rules.
  3. Design the game: Guide students as they code their game. They can use sprites, backgrounds, and sounds to enhance their project.
  4. Test and play: Once the games are completed, students can share their games with the class, providing feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Notes/Variations

  • Set specific themes or objectives for the games to guide creativity.
  • Allow time for students to revise their games based on peer feedback.
  • Encourage students to document their coding process, explaining their decisions in a presentation format.

By incorporating these examples of collaborative STEM activities for the classroom, you can create an engaging learning environment that promotes teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking. Happy teaching!