Pumpkin STEM Activities & Technology Lessons
Fall is here and it’s a perfect time to try these pumpkin STEM activities and technology lessons in your classroom. All lessons have a printable and digital option to meet all types of classroom needs.
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Pumpkin STEM Activities #1: Pumpkin Bridges
Help students learn about structure and design by building a bridge to hold the most amount of pumpkins possible.
Students will go through the Engineering Design Process to accomplish this challenge.
When trying this with my K-5 STEM classes, I used:
If allergies, cleanliness or cost are an issue, unifix cubes work great for pumpkins! They take on a “Minecraft” pumpkin feel!
Click here to get this challenge for your class!
Pumpkin STEM Activities #2: Pumpkin Life Cycle Coding
Teaching the life cycle of living objects is always fascinating. Why not make it even more fun by adding in an element of coding?
Help student solidify their new vocabulary by coding the life cycle of a pumpkin by using robots.
Not sure which robots to use? Check out my robot recommendation list here!
There are 3 ways to try this coding challenge once the cards are printed out and laid out on a grid:
- Teacher lays out the cards on the mat and students code the life cycle in order
- Pair up students. Partner A lays the cards on the mat, Parter B codes in order. Then switch!
- Same as above, but code the life cycle backwards.
- Print & create the dice included ahead of time. Roll the dice and students code the robot to that location. Try adding in two dice for an extra challenge!
Click here to get this challenge for your class!
Pumpkin STEM Activities #3: Pumpkin Science Foldable Books
Integrate the theme of pumpkins in your literacy instruction! There are 3 interactive, foldable books for students to learn more about this fruit.
- The Pumpkin Life Cycle
- Types of Pumpkins
- Fun Pumpkin Facts
As students read, they will have a task on each page to help solidify their comprehension and vocabulary development. There are digital options as well, including pre-made Seesaw Activities, that can make using this lesson even easier.
Click here to get this lesson for your class!
Pumpkin STEM Activities #4: Pumpkin Digital Interactive Notebook
Help students’ build their online literacy skills by trying a digital interactive notebook for the week. I typically use these with 3rd grade and up since these types of lessons have a lot of multi-step directions.
Students will learn and respond about pumpkins from a variety of resources. All of the sources are linked within the entire notebook. No need to search for resources on your own!
Tasks include:
- Before exploration reflection
- Vocabulary
- Videos
- Photograph Observations
- Individual Articles
- Paired Selections & Comparison
- Reading & labeling a Diagram
- Map & Noticings
- Podcast & Reflection
- Digital Creation
Click here to get this lesson for your class!
Pumpkin STEM Activities #5: October Engineer Inspiration Board
Enhance your STEM & Makerspace stations with this student Engineer Inspiration Board. Use this board to inspire young engineers to build various things that represent the month of October.
Using any materials on hand, students have the opportunity to build:
- apple
- scarecrow
- candy
- spider
- fall leaf
- sweater
- corn
- rake
- pumpkin
This is a way to inspire students to be creative and imagine new solutions to design these items. Step-by-step directions are not included to tell students how to build each one.
As a bonus, planning, improving and sharing pages are included to help introduce the Engineering Design Process.
Click here to get this challenge for your class!
Other blog posts you might be interested in:
Fall STEM Activities by Innovative Teacher Podcast
Best Robots for Kids for STEM & Technology Lessons by Naomi Meredith
How to Use a Digital Interactive Notebook in the Classroom by Naomi Meredith
After the Fall STEM Activity by Naomi Meredith
Fall Teacher Self Care by Obsessed with Learning
Halloween STEM Relay by North Dakota Teaching
7 Gratitude Activities for your Classroom by The Gypsy Teacher
Looking for October Content? Here's 3 More Engaging STEM Activities for Your Kids by Sprouting S.T.E.M.S
How to Create Engaging Halloween Activities that Support 5 Literacy Skills by Inspire Teach Grow
4 Fall Science Activities that are Easy and Fun by The Average Teacher
Have you tried pumpkin themed activities your classroom? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ and I would love to chat with you!
