Food is always a fun motivator for students- here are some no prep STEM challenges you can do! All links are to free directions and recording sheets.
Gumdrop Structure Challenge
Challenge students to use 10 gumdrops and 20 toothpicks to build a structure that will support the weight of a large textbook. Go here for free directions, differentiation options for different ages/levels, photo examples of student work, and printable student recording sheets.
The STEM Laboratory has this activity which uses pretzel sticks and marshmallows for building structures in a similar way.
Another challenge is to give students 100 mini marshmallows and toothpicks and compete to make the tallest possible tower.
Pringles Ring STEM Challenge
There are many descriptions online, but basically students work in a small group to make a ring using only Pringles chips. Carly and Adam offer a free recording sheet for this challenge.
Apple STEM Challenge
In this activity from Math Geek Mama for any elementary grade kindergarten and up students use 10 apples, toothpicks, and play dough to build the tallest tower possible. Free student printables included.
Build a Solar Oven
Here is a lesson plan for 7th-9th grade from NASA. The lesson is designed to be completed in one hour and covers experimental design, ,measuring, graphing and data analysis.
NASA’s plan uses plexiglass; if you’d prefer not to use glass Share It Science has this plan designed for 6th grade and Jennifer Findley has this plan for 4th/5th grade (with free printables) both of which use plastic wrap instead.
For More Ideas
I hope you enjoyed these Fun With Food Math STEM Challenges! If you are looking for other no prep STEM projects see my post Simple No Prep Math STEM Projects