Wooden Plank STEM Challenges
We just LOVE our MindWare KEVA planks and have been having a lot of fun building with them lately. Not only are they a blast to play with, they are an excellent STEM learning tool. Here are a few wooden plank STEM challenges you can do at home or in the classroom. These STEM challenges can be done alone, but try working in small teams. It takes a lot of communication and collaboration to successfully complete these as a team!
Structural STEM Wooden Plank Challenges
1) Using exactly 10 planks, create a structure that is at least as tall as _____________ (you can use a set height, such as 12 inches or 30 cm, or the KEVA box stood on end, or a step stool). See how many different structures you can make that meet the criteria!
2) Using only planks (and no fasteners, tape, glue, books, etc), bridge a span of 10 inches (or 25 cm).
Wooden Plank STEM Challenges with Balls
If you have a set of planks but not the balls, you can use ping pong balls instead. We have KEVA planks, but you could also use KAPLA, CitiBlocks, or another wooden plank toy.
1) Create a straight wooden plank track that is at least 4 feet long!
2) Create a wooden plank track that turns around 180 degrees and returns the ball back to you.
3) Design a structure that makes a lot of NOISE when you release the ball! This is a fun one because the ball makes a very satisfying noise against the wooden planks. Think about bouncing the ball off of planks, having it bank a turn, or using some planks as dominoes.
4) Create a ball track with multiple entrances or exits!
Download FREE task cards for these these wooden plank challenges and more (includes metric units, too!): 
Keep them at a STEM station or building station. Blank cards are included in the download if you would like to write more challenges. Enjoy!
KEVA Plank Options
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KEVA Contraptions, 200 pieces plus balls
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