STEM Task Cards: Building Icebreakers

Lesson overview

STEM quick builds are ideal for introductory STEM activities, STEM stations, back to school icebreakers, distance learning games, or introducing a new theme or concept. This packet includes options for a classroom activity or through distance learning with Google Slide, Flipgrid, and printed take-home options.

We love using these quick build challenges as an icebreaker during a live distance learning class!

The STEM quick build challenges in this packet are intended to promote problem-solving and creativity skills. Unlike Stage 2 challenges where students use the full engineering design process to plan and test designs, these activities are short warm-ups to more complex design challenges. Students will have a short time frame to quickly gather materials and find a creative solution for the challenge prompt. 

Download includes:

1. Activity Instructions: Learn how to use task cards for a classroom activity, station rotation, or for distance learning (both live and independent assignment).

2. Editable Task Cards & Student Journals: All task cards and student journals are editable in Google Slides.

3. Digital & Printed Versions: Multiple versions are provided for use in a classroom or with Google Classroom, Seesaw, Flipgrid, and take-home packets.

Materials Required: Students can use common art supplies or recycled materials for the builds. During a distance learning challenge, ask students to be creative and use any materials available in their home. In the classroom, teachers may provide bins of specific materials with task cards. 

Examples of common materials: 

• Paper: newspaper, paper, copy paper

• Index cards

• Paper or plastic cups

• Toilet paper rolls

• Plastic bottles

• Craft sticks

• Rubber bands

• Pipecleaners

• Paperclips

• Straws

Examples of classroom material kits: 

• Magna-tiles

• KNEX

• Legos

• Keva Planks

• Zoob

• Straw Connectors

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