Module 5: Machines Unite!

Collaborative STEM Challenges
for Grades 4-6

SEL Focus: Collaboration
STEM Focus: Simple Machines Build-a-Thon

Building a collaborative classroom starts with hands-on engagement.

Imagineerz@School’s Machines Unite! module enhances teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving through STEM challenges, strengthening CASEL competencies and increasing student collaboration.

SEL Objectives

Apply their knowledge of these collaboration strategies to work successfully in teams:

Set Group Norms, such as Step-Up/Step-Down and No Put Downs, to establish a respectful and collaborative framework
Apply Perspective to understand someone else’s point of view
Use i-Power to first ask “What can I do to solve the problem?”
Break the Circle to deescalate tensions by responding in a calm, positive way
Identify All-Win solutions that works for everyone

STEM Objectives

Incorporate these advanced physics concepts into their creations:

Apply Friction & Traction to improve wheel efficiency
Use Pulley Systems to redirect and magnify force
Incorporate Gears to transfer rotational energy
Create Systems Interactions to develop a Rube Goldberg machine

Video Lessons

Materials

Materials Needed

8 Builders

20-30 pieces of Each Per Student for All 10 Lessons

Single-Wall Cardboard*
10 in. Skewers
Bobbins
Cut-Up Cereal Boxes or Chipboard (4×6)*
3 oz. Dixie Cups
Bendy Straws
Twine
Paper Towel Rolls (Optional)*

2 Tools

1 Per 2-3 Students for All 10 Lessons

.94 in. Masking Tape
8 1/2 in. Scissors

1 Tester

1 per student

Marbles

* = Not provided in kits

Ordering Materials

Click here to order materials on Amazon

The quantities on the Amazon list reflect what you will need for one classroom of 20-24 students. Please adjust quantities if ordering for more or fewer students.
Remember to ask classroom parents for donations of cardboard, cereal boxes, and paper towel rolls. All other materials can be ordered from the list above.

Best Practices

You do not need to give each student their own set of materials. Just lay out all the materials and let them select what they would like to use — the video will tell them how many they can use.
Spread materials throughout the classroom to avoid crowding.
In addition to cereal boxes and paper towel rolls, you can ask classroom parents for other recycled materials, like egg cartons, but we suggest you avoid the following:
- Styrofoam — Classroom forecast: Snow showers!
- Cardboard — You’ll spend all your time helping cut cardboard, rather than i-Can! coaching!
Request that classroom parents cut recycled cereal boxes in half, both lengthwise and crosswise.

Set Up and Tips

Quick and Easy!

1. Lay Out Our Standard Set of Materials:

- Students use the same communal materials across all 10 lessons, so you never need to assemble individual material kits!
- Simply lay out our standard set of materials before each lesson and replenish individual materials as needed.

2. Set Up Testing Stations (If Needed):

- A few lessons require additional set up, such as creating a square with blue tape to use as a target area.
- All set up instructions as well as tips can be found in the Set Up and Tips document below. Print this document and keep it handy to take a quick look before each lesson.

Set Up and Tips Document

Resources

Keep parents informed about Imagineerz

We’ve pre-written a series of emails that explain the core concepts from each lesson so families can reinforce them at home.

Parent Emails

Know a teacher who might enjoy Imagineerz?

We offer a $100 reward for classroom referrals and a $700 reward for school referrals!

Referral Rewards

So, what did you think?

Help us improve our program by completing this short feedback form after each lesson.