I wanted to pursue an open-ended task to kick the year off with my sixth graders, so I created STEM mystery bags. Preparing this task was simple — I rummaged through my storage closets, compiled a random assortment of objects, and tossed them into grocery bags. I chose to use the same starter materials for each bag, but this activity could also work by creating unique bags of items. After an introductory name game, my students broke into small groups, selected a bag, and were prompted to “make something.” In addition to the items shown in the photograph above, my students were allowed to select two additional materials from our Maker Station, which gave them a chance to access and learn about the potential materials that they’ll be incorporating into their projects all year long.
Observing the students working gave me some initial insights into which students are drawn to one another, as well as the class-wide comfort level with ambiguity and open-ended tasks (e.g. students asking, “What are the requirements for the final product?” or “Can we use the materials in any way we want?” versus students being completely comfortable cutting up or taking items apart to meet a group-determined objective.) Best of all, this activity was a perfect illumination of our first STEM class principle — “Imagine Possibilities.” In our concluding gallery walk, we focused on and discussed the wide range of products created by groups starting with the same initial materials.
Here are some photographs that illustrate some of that variety.
Cultivating Questioners 