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Fall STEAM Activity
Fall STEAM Activity
Basketball Goals!
Welcome to our next STEAM Challenge Activity!
How about a fun sporting challenge?
In this challenge, there are two parts. First, students will design and build a basketball goal that must be the correct size to allow a small ball to pass through the hoop. Second, they will create a device to shoot the ball! Groups or pairs will divide into the basketball goal team and the launching team.
A few videos to get them excited about the Challenge! (and it's good to show them some basketball from the past and present!)
Top 10 NBA Dunks of All Time - House of Hoops - (3:43)
NBA Slam Dunk Contest Top 10 dunks in History - ESPN - (2:44)
Most Impossible NBA Shots of All Time - House of Hoops - (5:54)
Possible Materials:
cardboard - for the backboard
pipe cleaners
netting - nylon net fabric works for this, or coffee filters, or no netting at all if you can't find it
craft sticks - good for the goal and catapult
dowel stick - hold up the goal
masking tape
straws
cardboard tubes
rubber bands
small cups or containers - for catapults (to put ball in)
glue - liquid will work better than glue stick
ping pong balls
Where can you get materials (other than purchasing it all yourself)?
Ask students to each bring in something
Ask parents to donate items
Science Center - I can give you ping pong balls, rubber bands, cups, and straws! (You'll have to return the ping pong balls when you are done.)
See if anything is already in your school's STEAM Lab
LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!!
LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!!
Part 1: Basketball Goal
Design and build a standing basketball goal.
The bottom of the backboard should be at least 6 inches from the tabletop.
The hoop and net must allow the ball to pass through (relatively) easily.
Use the materials in any way you wish, but your group may want to PLAN before creating.
Part 2: Throwing Device/Catapult
Design and Build a throwing device to propel the ball through the air so that it can go through the hoop and net.
The device must rest on the tabletop and operate as the only mechanism throwing the ball.
The group can do this together (build the goal, then build the device) OR split up into two teams and divide the work (one team builds the goal and one team builds the device).
Don't forget about the Engineering Design Process! Give them time to IMPROVE their designs, to TEST them out, and SHARE their results!
Engineers and scientists and many other people in multiple industries do this all the time!
This is also a great time to talk about FAILURE!
Failure is part of life! Failure is OK and good for us! Famous people, inventors, heroes, and more FAIL all the time! We would never improve if we didn't fail!
Troubleshooting:
Can goal be attached to table? Yes - this is probably a good idea so it won't tip over.
Can catapult be attached to table? Yes, but students should be able to easily move it as they are testing it out. They will more than likely move the catapult, not the goal.
Can they use the ball to test the net while building the goal? Sure!
How do you build a catapult? There are lots of videos out there for kids on how to make a catapult with popsicle sticks and rubber bands. Before leading them there, I encourage you to let them try it on their own first. Here is a good basic version: https://www.steampoweredfamily.com/popsicle-stick-catapult/
Extensions
Make it a competition!
Each group can try other groups' goal/catapult
Each group's best shooter can use their own catapult to try to get it into another group's goal
Each group can have a time limit to make as many shots as possible to score as many points as possible
Share with parents or during STEAM Night! Have students show how they made the goals and catapults and let them compete between their family members. Or even set up a station where the families could make their own piece together!
Invite younger students in to try to make them work - maybe a buddy classroom!
Change it up and have them try some trick shots! Can they catapult the ball from the floor to the table? Maybe from one desk to another? Off a chair? Get creative (and silly!)
MOST IMPORTANTLY - HAVE FUN!!!
Adapted from: STEM Challenge Basketball Goals created by Teachers are Terrific!
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