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!
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).
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
Disclaimer: I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you downloads of value and information about educational resources. The links below may be Amazon affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure here.
You've (almost) made it! Testing season is (hopefully) behind you, and now it’s time to…
A hands-on engineering challenge that brings the classic fairy tale to life! This Three Little…
Create Stop Motion Animation Films with Students in 8 Simple Steps! Is the creativity and…
Black History Month is the perfect time to spotlight trailblazers who changed the world—and to…
STEM and STEAM drive innovation and progress in our world. From medical breakthroughs to space…
You are never too old for a picture book, and you are never too old…
This website uses cookies.
View Comments
Hi. I'm in 6th grade and we are going to build a wooden tower and we would love to have any ideas on how to make one? I love this website and I hope there are future ideas on this amazing website!
Thanks for your comment! Try thinking about how to make it as stable as possible by changing the rotation of the blocks you are using (if you are using blocks), and possibly putting them at slight angles. If you are not using blocks make sure your wooden pieces are as straight as possible and that your surface is also flat and not in a place where there will be a lot of vibrations (foot or road traffic). Let us know if you have more specific questions!
Great information. Lucky me I ran across your site by chance (stumbleupon).
I have book-marked it for later!