teaching resource

Severe Weather STEM - Build a Storm Shelter Project

Updated: 14 Nov 2024

Design a storm shelter to protect against wind and rain with a hands-on Weather Stem Challenge.

Editable: Google Slides
Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 7 Pages
Years: 4 - 6

Curriculum

ACSIS065

With guidance, plan and conduct scientific investigations to find answers to questions, considering the safe use of appropriate materials and equipment
ACSIS216

Compare results with predictions, suggesting possible reasons for findings
ACSIS069

Reflect on investigations, including whether a test was fair or not
ACSSU078

The Earth is part of a system of planets orbiting around a star (the Sun)
ACSIS087

Decide variables to be changed and measured in fair tests, and observe measure and record data with accuracy using digital technologies as appropriate
ACSIS086

Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment and materials safely and identifying potential risks
ACSIS218

Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations
ACSIS090

Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data using digital technologies as appropriate
ACSIS091

Reflect on and suggest improvements to scientific investigations

AC9S4I02

Use provided scaffolds to plan and conduct investigations to answer questions or test predictions, including identifying the elements of fair tests, and considering the safe use of materials and equipment
AC9S4I03

Follow procedures to make and record observations, including making formal measurements using familiar scaled instruments and using digital tools as appropriate
AC9S4I04

Construct and use representations, including tables, simple column graphs and visual or physical models, to organise data and information, show simple relationships and identify patterns
AC9S4I05

Compare findings with those of others, consider if investigations were fair, identify questions for further investigation and draw conclusions
AC9S4I06

Write and create texts to communicate findings and ideas for identified purposes and audiences, using scientific vocabulary and digital tools as appropriate
AC9S5I02

Plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions, including, as appropriate, deciding the variables to be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests; describing potential risks; planning for the safe use of equipment and materials; and identifying required permissions to conduct i
AC9S5I03

Use equipment to observe, measure and record data with reasonable precision, using digital tools as appropriate
AC9S5I04

Construct and use appropriate representations, including tables, graphs and visual or physical models, to organise and process data and information and describe patterns, trends and relationships
AC9S5I05

Compare methods and findings with those of others, recognise possible sources of error, pose questions for further investigation and select evidence to draw reasoned conclusions
AC9S5I06

Write and create texts to communicate ideas and findings for specific purposes and audiences, including selection of language features, using digital tools as appropriate

teaching resource

Severe Weather STEM - Build a Storm Shelter Project

Updated: 14 Nov 2024

Design a storm shelter to protect against wind and rain with a hands-on Weather Stem Challenge.

Editable: Google Slides
Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 7 Pages
Years: 4 - 6

Design a storm shelter to protect against wind and rain with a hands-on Weather Stem Challenge.

Stay Safe in Severe Weather! STEM Shelter Building Challenge

Help your students understand how severe weather impacts living things and how to design structures that can withstand it. This STEM challenge will engage your students while focusing on creating structures to withstand the strong winds and rain during severe weather.

This weather STEM Challenge is a hands-on design challenge that encourages students to apply what they know about natural resources, materials, and the need for durable shelter while they design and create houses that can withstand high wind and rain.

Build a Shelter Severe Weather STEM Challenge Overview

This resource has multiple components, as described below. Please note that this STEM Challenge is designed to be completed over several days or weeks, and it can also be a take-home STEM activity. To get your students started, they are introduced to the following scenario:

You have been chosen to participate in a Wilderness Survival Reality TV Series. You have been dropped off in the middle of the forest with one goal…SURVIVE!

On day one, your first goal is to build some sort of shelter to keep you safe, dry, and protected from the elements. How can you create a shelter to protect you from sudden rainstorms, high winds, and severe weather? Use what you know about natural resources, different materials, and design to construct a survival shelter. This shelter must be able to withstand the following tests:

Test 1—High Wind Test—Your structure must remain intact when placed directly in front of a high-speed wind source (fan).

Test 2—Water Protection Test – Your structure must protect a person from a rapid downpour of water during three rain events.

What Weather STEM Activities Are Included?

This resource includes everything you need (except building materials) to get your students on track to build durable and waterproof survival shelters. It contains detailed instructions, material lists, and the following graphic organisers and templates to guide students toward the completion of the project.

Survival Shelter Design Planning Sheet
Survival Shelter Materials Needed Planning Sheet
Survival Shelter Sketch Organiser
Survival Shelter Testing Observation Tracker
Build a Shelter Experiment Conclusion Worksheet
Build a Shelter Experiment Reflection Sheet

We recommend downloading this resource and printing it as a packet for students to work from. This helps keep their materials organized and easily accessible during planning and building sessions.

Download and Print Your Weather STEM Design Challenge

This resource is available as a printable PDF file and a fully editable Google Slides document. To get your copy, click the dropdown arrow on the download button and select your preferred file type.

Need Something Quick? STEM Activities for When You’re Short On Time

We understand you don’t always have time for a lengthy STEM project, so we’ve put together even more printable STEM activities and projects. Make sure you check out a few of our favourites before you go!

[resource:5033634] [resource:4993104] [resource:5089158]

Curriculum

ACSIS065

With guidance, plan and conduct scientific investigations to find answers to questions, considering the safe use of appropriate materials and equipment
ACSIS216

Compare results with predictions, suggesting possible reasons for findings
ACSIS069

Reflect on investigations, including whether a test was fair or not
ACSSU078

The Earth is part of a system of planets orbiting around a star (the Sun)
ACSIS087

Decide variables to be changed and measured in fair tests, and observe measure and record data with accuracy using digital technologies as appropriate
ACSIS086

Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment and materials safely and identifying potential risks
ACSIS218

Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations
ACSIS090

Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data using digital technologies as appropriate
ACSIS091

Reflect on and suggest improvements to scientific investigations

AC9S4I02

Use provided scaffolds to plan and conduct investigations to answer questions or test predictions, including identifying the elements of fair tests, and considering the safe use of materials and equipment
AC9S4I03

Follow procedures to make and record observations, including making formal measurements using familiar scaled instruments and using digital tools as appropriate
AC9S4I04

Construct and use representations, including tables, simple column graphs and visual or physical models, to organise data and information, show simple relationships and identify patterns
AC9S4I05

Compare findings with those of others, consider if investigations were fair, identify questions for further investigation and draw conclusions
AC9S4I06

Write and create texts to communicate findings and ideas for identified purposes and audiences, using scientific vocabulary and digital tools as appropriate
AC9S5I02

Plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions, including, as appropriate, deciding the variables to be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests; describing potential risks; planning for the safe use of equipment and materials; and identifying required permissions to conduct i
AC9S5I03

Use equipment to observe, measure and record data with reasonable precision, using digital tools as appropriate
AC9S5I04

Construct and use appropriate representations, including tables, graphs and visual or physical models, to organise and process data and information and describe patterns, trends and relationships
AC9S5I05

Compare methods and findings with those of others, recognise possible sources of error, pose questions for further investigation and select evidence to draw reasoned conclusions
AC9S5I06

Write and create texts to communicate ideas and findings for specific purposes and audiences, including selection of language features, using digital tools as appropriate

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