Summer Games STEM Challenges for K-2 (Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade)
Don’t just teach about the Summer Olympics with your students! Engage them in a hands-on learning experience with STEM!
For students in kindergarten through second grade, the Olympics can serve as a captivating backdrop for hands-on, minds-on learning experiences that not only teach fundamental STEM concepts but also promote physical activity, teamwork, and global awareness. Here’s how educators and parents can harness the excitement of the Summer Olympics to inspire K-2 students in STEM.
5 Summer Olympics STEM Challenges for Kids
1. Build a Kayak Course and Test it Using the Force of Magnetism
2. Create a Shot Put Lever and Test Different Fulcrums
3. Make a Javelin and See How Far it Can Travel
4. Build a One-Handed Basketball Game
5. Use the Force of Magnetism to Help a Surfer Ride the Waves
1. Kayak STEM Challenge
The Kayak STEM challenge involves students engineering a kayaker and kayak course, where they navigate the course using magnetism. They can either use the provided printable course or design their own course. After creating their course students will maneuver their kayaker using paper clips and magnet wands. This activity combines creativity with an understanding of magnetic forces, offering a hands-on learning experience that ties into the excitement of the Summer Games.
2. Shot Put STEM Challenge
The Shot Put STEM challenge transforms the concept of shot put from a traditional athletic event to an engaging classroom activity. Instead of throwing a heavy ball, students use a lever mechanism, akin to a seesaw, to launch the ball as far as possible. They experiment with different materials as fulcrums to find the most effective setup for maximizing distance, applying principles of physics and engineering in a hands-on, competitive format that echoes the spirit of the Summer Games.
3. Javelin STEM Challenge
The Javelin STEM challenge invites students to design and test their own javelins, aiming to achieve the greatest throwing distance. Through this activity, students engage in a creative and experimental process, reflecting the individual skill and power of the javelin event in the Summer Games. This challenge not only fosters understanding of aerodynamics and engineering principles but also encourages personal bests, fair play, and enjoyment in learning.
4. Basketball STEM Challenge
The Basketball STEM challenge engages students in designing a unique basketball game that can be played with one hand, using provided materials. This activity emphasizes creativity, engineering skills, and teamwork, encouraging students to combine fun with learning about problem-solving and collaboration in the context of the Summer Games excitement.
5. Surfing STEM Challenge
The Surfing STEM Challenge encourages students to harness the power of magnetic fields to balance a surfer in the air. Participants use a magnetic wand to influence the surfer's path, simulating the dynamic movement of surfing on water. This activity integrates science concepts, such as magnetism and magnetic force, with creative problem-solving, as students experiment with different techniques to achieve optimal control and balance of their surfer.
The Summer Olympics offers a golden opportunity to weave STEM learning with sports, culture, and global citizenship. By engaging K-2 students in hands-on, interactive STEM activities centered around the Olympics, educators and parents can foster a love for learning, encourage physical activity, and instill the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect. So let the games begin, and may the spirit of the Olympics inspire the next generation of STEM enthusiasts!
Engage your students in the Summer Olympics with STEM Challenges!
Check out the Summer Games STEM Challenges Bundle, Perfect for Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade!
Looking for Summer Olympic STEM Challenges for Grades 3-5?
Check out the 3-5 Summer Games STEM Challenges Bundle, Perfect for Third Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade!
Have more questions or need additional resources?
You can get all 500+ STEM Challenges by Carly and Adam as part of the STEM Teachers Club Membership. Save $5 on your first month using coupon Code: CarlyAndAdamBlog.
We hope you have found this blog post helpful. To stay connected with Carly and Adam's teaching tips and classroom freebies be sure to follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Teachers Pay Teachers, and subscribe to our blog!