Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way
Family Design Challenges Kit from Pitsco Education
Family Design Challenges Kit from Pitsco Education
Looking for some fun learning? We have been enjoying the Family Design Challenges Kit from Pitsco Education.
This kit is designed for your 3-8th graders, but the entire family can get in on the fun. It comes with everything you need to unleash their creativity and critical thinking. Plus - just for our readers- Pitsco Education is giving away a FREE Family Design Challenges Kit - Click HERE for details.This kit comes with enough materials for 3 weeks of STEM challenges. I love it! The supplies are really a collection of common household objects like straws, clothespins, cotton balls, bottle caps and more. Several of the challenges have some additional common items you'll need to provide.
The challenges use science, technology, engineering and math to get your child engaging their skills in creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving to complete challenges, using the supplies.
The instructional content for this kit was created by the TGR Foundation (Tiger Woods' Foundation) and proceeds go back to the foundation to support high-need students and learning around the world.
The guide is simple, it has 5 days of challenges per week (printed in Spanish and English) for 3 weeks. This could be used in many different ways - as a 3 week STEM camp, or once a week for an entire semester. I think it would make a great Coop class too!
Each day includes:
- challenge
- list of the supplies the student can use
- reflection questions
- plus a redesign challenge
At the end of each week, students can use overall design reflection questions and a quote to wrap up the learning.
The challenges involve:
The challenges involve:
- Move the Marbles
- Build an Alphabet Block
- Build an Arch
- Miniature Amusement Park
- Spin a Marshmallow
- Suspend It
- Car Showcase
- Parachute
- Move the Ping Pong Balls
- Go the Distance
- Move the Can
- Tallest Tower
- Move the Cotton Balls
- Design a Trampoline
This is the perfect way to beat summer boredom (especially now!) and get them thinking. The challenge instructions are intentionally open-ended to encourage them to think outside the box and come up with their own designs.
My testers loved it!
This challenge was to "Move the Marbles". She set right off gathering the supplies allowed and got to work creating.
I absolutely love that these challenges DON'T tell them how to complete them! They get to try, fail, and go back to the proverbial drawing board to try again.
We decided to pick and choose the challenges they were most interested in. In this challenge, she was challenged to create a "Miniature Amusement Park".
I love the "Redesign Challenge" included with each. For example, "how could your amusement park be redesigned to help provide disaster relief?" They help them focus on real-world examples and uses for their creations.
The supplies included are consumable, but the challenges could be done over and over with new supplies. Seeing each other's creations inspired them. This is a great for the entire family!
We really enjoyed this kit from Pitsco Education. You should check out their other items too! Don't forget -to enter the giveaway for a FREE Family Design Challenges Kit - Click HERE for details.
Other Pitsco Education products the Crew is reviewing:
- Elementary STEM Explorer Pack - Grades K-5
- Middle School STEM Creator Pack - Grades 6-8
- High School STEM Innovator Pack - Grades 9-12
- Code Cube Single Kit - Grades 3-5
- Smart Buddies at Home - Grades 3-5
- Arduino Education Student Kit - Grades 6-12
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