STEM Shark Tank

STEM Shark Tank is a fun activity that promotes student collaboration, problemsolving and shared learning. Students are divided into small teams and given an item to research and then “sell” to their classmates. Like the show, each team will have to present and persuade their fellow classmates to invest or buy their item. The team with the most “sales” wins.

Submitted by: John Carlo Tulinao, Amberlea, Elementary School, Pendergast Elementary School District

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Orion Heat Shield Experiment

After building a scale model of the crew capsule, Orion (which will be used in the upcoming Artemis missions) teams then designed and tested a heat shield, using an assortment of materials offered. Students added a Hershey's Kiss inside thier capsule, then simulated the heat and turbulence of reentry into Earth's atmosphere with a hairdryer. The goal was to keep the astronauts from melting, while being as budget-friendly as possible with materials.

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Technology Transformations

Students use the design process to transform one type of technology into another. I begin by putting out various electronic items (they do not have to work) and letting each group pick an item. Then we begin the design process. They brainstorm things they can possibly make out of their item or the parts from their technology.

Students then plan, build, improve and create. Finally, they share their final project. For example: one group of students took an electric toothbrush and transformed it into a fake tattoo machine using ink; another group took an RC car motor and plastic pieces and turned it into a boat with a propellor that worked in their pool; another group transformed a beanie hat into a mini backpack and used the wire for straps and created a button.

Submitted by: Misty Schreiber, Las Sendas Elementary, Mesa Public Schools

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