Can You Capture A Turkey?

Gobble Gobble! Our STEM Challenge is a great way to invite students to practice researching and using their imagination, in a way that will get them excited to CATCH A TURKEY!

For this challenge, students must create a strategic plan on capturing a turkey, did you know Turkeys were fast and tricky?!

Are you up for the challenge? Can you capture a turkey?

What you need per group...

• Cardboard Boxes/Cardstock Paper/Construction Paper
• Scissors
• String/Yarn/Rope
• Glue/Tape
• Buttons/Pom Poms/Cotton Balls (pretend food)

What you need per student…

• Can You Catch A Turkey Creator Sheet
• Pen or Pencil

What you need to do...

• Start by breaking students up into groups of three to four or solo if distance/virtual learning.
• Have students create a Team Name.
• Tell students that the objective of this challenge is to CAPTURE A TURKEY, with the fastest time possible.
• Give each group of students the materials needed.
• Have students write down their Team Name on their Creator Sheets.
• Students should start brainstorming which type of “trap” would be the fastest to capture a turkey.
• Have students discuss different ways they could distract or trick the turkey into their trap as well as which type of “trap” is going to work best; cage, drop down, grab bag, etc. Have them write down their answers on their Creator Sheets.
• Students will then within the group choose a trap for their team, and begin working on design ideas, on their own Creator Sheet. Have students write down how they will design their trap in the Plan section of their Creator Sheets.
• Students will then share their ideas with the group, and they will combine ideas or pick the idea they think will be the best one to capture the turkey.
• Have students sketch in the Design section of their Creator Sheet how they plan on trapping the turkey. Tell students to be specific in detail on the type of trap they plan on using.
• Once students have decided on a trap idea, they will begin gathering materials.
• Students will then build their trap.
• After students have created their own inventions, have them test using a rolling ball that they have to capture.
• On the Creator Sheet, students will write down any ideas on how they could improve their project.

We would love to see you try this STEM Challenge. Share your results with us through social media!

Happy Making,

Maker Maven