K-5 STEM Contest
DESCRIPTION:
The K-5 STEM competition presents teams with an open-ended design challenge that must be solved within the criteria and constraints indicated. In addition to solving the problem and documenting the process, teams must provide evidence of understanding how the activity could be integrated into the K-5 STEM curriculum (as is, or with team recommended modifications). The team is expected to provide a rationale for the activity, and give suggestions on how it might be effectively integrated at the appropriate K-5 grade level(s).
TEAMS:
Each University will be allowed one team consisting of 2-4 students who must be K-5 education majors. TCNJ is hosting this special event and our K-5 majors will assist in the contest but will not be eligible to participate. Technology Education students are not permitted to participate in this event.
TOOLS AND MATERIALS:
Most materials will be provided at the competition by the contest coordinator. Teams are expected to bring the following tools and materials with them to the contest. These tools and materials are not provided at the site and this list constitutes the only items that contest participants may use outside of the items provided by the contest coordinator.
- Small pieces of abrasive paper (100-220 grit)
- Regular #2 pencils
- Standard rulers (12-18” Imperial or Metric)
- X-acto knife, spare blades, and a cutting mat to protect the table
- Mallet
- Standard size handheld paper hole punch (single punch) or heavy-duty craft hole punch
- White glue and carpenter’s glue
- Glue sticks (roll-up type for gluing paper products)
- Hot glue gun with hot glue sticks
- Masking tape and clear scotch tape
- Calculator
- Scissors
- Markers (various “fine” and “bold” sizes)
- Colored pencils
- Pencil sharpeners
- Up to two other books of choice (books related to elementary technology/engineering education, state standards, design, modeling, math, or science would be of particular benefit)
