Elf Tower STEM Activity and Challenge

Bring some holiday cheer into your STEM classroom with a festive and engaging activity: the Elf on the Shelf STEM Challenge! This challenge encourages creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving as students work to construct a tower sturdy enough to hold a mischievous elf.

Want more Holiday STEM Challenge Ideas? Check out the replay of our December STEM Planning Party!

Simplifying Your Planning Process

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Elf on the Shelf STEM Activity Goal

The goal of the Elf Tower challenge is simple: Build the tallest and most stable tower possible for an elf to sit on. This activity taps into students' engineering skills and their ability to navigate the constraints of time, materials, and balance.

Materials Needed:

For each team, gather these materials:

• KEVA planks (or any similar wooden planks or blocks)

• An elf printable or small elf figure

• A binder clip or game piece holder to attach to the elf

Setup Instructions

1. Set the Stage: Introduce the challenge by explaining that the elf needs a lookout tower to watch over the classroom during the holiday season. How high can the tower go without toppling over?

2. Divide into Teams: Group students into teams of 2–4. This fosters collaboration and teamwork.

3. Time Limit: Give students a set amount of time (15–20 minutes works well) to complete their tower.

Engineering Design Process

Walk students through the Engineering Design Process to guide their efforts:

1. Ask: What is the problem? How can you make a stable and tall tower with the given materials?

2. Imagine: Brainstorm possible designs with your team.

3. Plan: Choose the best idea and sketch it out if time allows.

4. Create: Build the tower!

5. Test: Place the elf on top. Does the tower hold? Measure its height.

6. Improve: If time permits, make adjustments to improve stability or height.

The Elf on the Shelf STEM Challenge is just one of the many exciting activities included in the Christmas STEM Centers. These centers are designed to make learning both fun and educational during the holiday season, providing students with hands-on experiences that promote critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.

For teachers looking to expand their repertoire of creative STEM challenges throughout the year, the STEM Teachers Club Membership offers the best value. Membership gives you access to a wide variety of ready-to-use STEM activities, lesson plans, and resources to inspire your students year-round. Plus, it’s a great way to stay connected with a community of like-minded educators who are passionate about bringing STEM to life in their classrooms.

Have more questions or need additional resources?

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