Fall Lego STEM Challenge Cards

STEM, LEGO, bricks, and holidays perfectly match for fun challenges and the changing seasons. From screen-free quiet time to vacations and more, these printable Fall LEGO task cards are the way to go! Get the kids away from the screens and encourage them to build and problem-solve with the bricks they already have. LEGO activities are perfect all year round!

What is STEM?

Let’s first start with STEM! STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. So, a good STEM project will intertwine two or more of these learning areas to complete the project. STEM projects often focus on solving problems and can be based on real-world applications.

LEGO is a fantastic tool for developing STEM skills, and it doesn’t just have to be about using Powered Up functions or Mindstorms! Good ole 2×2 and 2×4 bricks will do the trick for our younger engineers. These types of challenges make the perfect stepping stones to more involved LEGO STEM projects later on!

LEGO Challenge Cards vs LEGO Task Cards

Task cards and challenge cards are similar but different educational tools used for kids in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities. While they share similarities, they serve slightly different purposes and have distinct characteristics:

Task Cards

Task cards are instructional cards that provide specific tasks or activities for students to complete.
They often include step-by-step instructions and guidelines, making them suitable for learners who need clear directions.
Task cards are typically designed to reinforce specific concepts, skills, or knowledge in a structured manner.
They can be used to teach or review specific STEM topics or concepts, such as solving math problems, conducting experiments, or building simple machines.
Task cards are ideal for individual or small group activities where students follow instructions to complete a task.

Challenge Cards

Challenge cards, on the other hand, are designed to encourage creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
They present open-ended problems or challenges without providing explicit step-by-step instructions.
Challenge cards often involve real-world scenarios or hands-on activities that require students to apply their STEM knowledge and skills in novel ways.
These cards promote inquiry-based learning, where students explore, experiment, and discover solutions independently or collaboratively.
Challenge cards are suitable for fostering creativity and independent thinking in STEM, as they encourage students to find their own unique solutions to problems.

Task cards provide structured instructions for specific STEM activities while challenge cards present open-ended problems, requiring creative and critical thinking. Both types of cards can be valuable tools in STEM education, and educators can choose the one that best suits their teaching objectives and the needs of their students.

STEM Resources To Add

Here are a few resources that will help you introduce STEM more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

How to Get Started with LEGO Task Cards

We try not to use many fancy pieces, if at all, so anyone can look at these LEGO ideas!

Watch the video:

Discovering how to use the LEGO pieces you already have to make something cool is a great skill for young kids to learn early on. You don’t always need more of something. Instead, use your imagination and work with what you already have!