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Digital STEM Challenges for Websites and Apps

Posted by Brittany Technology, STEM, Upper Elementary No Comments

STEM goes digital with these fun and engaging design challenges.

Digital STEM Challenges for Websites and Apps

We all want our students to master technology tools and use them to create original works. Digital STEM challenges are designed to allow students to explore digital tools while creating something using the steps of the engineering design process. The best part is that nearly every topic and subject area can be incorporated into these challenges, so they can be used as a part of your daily academic activities, not as an extra thing to fit into your schedule.

How can it be STEM if it is Digital?

I’m glad you asked! I searched far and wide for 10 websites and 10 apps that use engineering design principles and are open ended. It took days and days of trying out hundreds of digital tools until I found the ones that would work for this purpose. My husband likes to joke that I was just playing computer games for a week, but it was important research! When I finally found the perfect 10 websites and 10 apps, I got to work making them into STEM challenges.

In addition to the websites and apps being ideal for a design challenge, I also use digital journals to document the process.

Digital STEM Challenges for Websites and Apps

This is what the digital journal looks like. Students complete 1-3 to help prepare themselves for the task. Step #4 is when they complete the design, and then they come back to reflect on it. I designed 9 different Challenge prompts for each digital tool, so they will become quite familiar with the tool if they do all of the challenges.

Here is an example of a Challenge card for the Animation Tool. It includes I Can statements based on the ISTE Standards for Students, a link to the site, the steps of the Design Process, and 9 Challenges (these are editable for the teacher to use the tool with ANY subject area and topic).

Digital STEM Challenges for Websites and Apps

If you want to use these Digital STEM Challenges at a Makerspace or don’t want to require the digital journal piece, you could print out the challenge cards. Students can access the websites or apps and complete some or all of the Challenges.

Watch this Video Walkthrough to get a peek into how it all works.

What do students do with these when they are finished?

We all know that a very important part of the design process is sharing the finished product. Here are some ideas for what to do when students are finished:
•Create a class eBook in Google Slides where students each get one slide to insert their final product.
•Create a Padlet and have students upload their final product.
•Have a “gallery walk” where students have their final product up on their screen while they walk around to see classmates’ creations.
•Have students present their final product to the class.

Digital STEM Challenges for Websites and Apps

Where can I go for more information?

Digital STEM Challenges for Websites and Apps

I currently have 2 sets of Digital STEM Challenges created. One is based on 10 websites that nearly all require a flash browser for the activities, so I recommend using this version only with laptop or desktop computers.

The second set is based on 10 apps that are all free in the App Store. Use this set if you’re an iPad classroom.

Click on the picture of the version you’d like to check out.

Digital STEM Challenges for Websites and Apps

Some of the challenges for the Apps version are very easy, designed for non-readers. All of the challenges are editable so as the teacher you would be able to adjust the difficulty level for your particular group of students.

Why Teachers LOVE this STEM Challenge

Each program comes with an opportunity to learn something new and practice problem solving, but my students don’t even know they are learning. The challenge prompts are editable, so teachers can design the activity around their current teaching topics. The prompts I wrote are great for grades 3-5, but this resource can really be used with any grade level.
There is no need to make this activity a separate thing to complete in the day, it can be your math, science, ELA, or social studies lesson with the right challenge prompts. They are also a great assessment tool if your school does project based learning or open ended assessments.
Here is some feedback I’ve received from a teacher who is using this resource:
“WOW! This purchase just saved me! What an amazing resource that exposes students to digital tools in a meaningful way! Very thorough. This will get me through the end of the school year. Thank you :)”
Thank you for reading. I hope this post has helped you be able to consider taking STEM Digital in the future. It is totally possible! If you’d like to learn more about integrating technology into your lessons, please consider joining the Facebook Group Technology Teacher Talk.
Don’t forget to pin this post and share it with a friend!
bwsig
Digital STEM Challenges for Websites and Apps

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About Brittany

Brittany is an educator obsessed with educational technology. She develops curriculum materials for elementary technology teachers and classroom teachers who love to integrate technology. On her blog you'll find tons of tech tips and tricks as well as tutorials for edtech tools.

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