Build a Shape Fire Pit STEM Challenge

This Build a Shape Fire Pit STEM Challenge can be used in a maker’s space or on your kitchen table. The mats invite children to build a fire pit in the shape featured at the top of the mat.

There are so many different building materials your children can you to build the pit. While I would suggest you grab whatever you have available to you, here are some building material ideas.

KEVA Planks
Craft Sticks
Bristle Blocks
LEGO
Small Twigs
Building Blocks
Unsharpened Pencils

Getting the Build a Shape Fire Pit Set

First, you will need to download the set.

Build a Shape Fire Pit STEM Challenge Set Download

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader you will need to download it. The algorithm page is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, you must go to your download file and open the page. You may be asked if you want the file to open right after downloading it. You won’t have to hunt for it in your download file if you are.

Building Background

There are children who have never experienced sitting by a fire or seen a real-life fire pit. Reading a book about roasting marshmallows while sitting by a fire pit would help them understand this activity.

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Exploring the Build a Shape Fire Pit Set

Once you have downloaded the set, you must decide how you want to share them with your children. At the same time, you could just add them to your maker’s space or put them out for your children to explore. I would follow the steps listed below.

First, identifying the shape of the mat would be helpful.

Second, talking about the parts of the shape would be wonderful. Whether you call where the sides connect vertices or corners, it would be great to count how many each shape has. Some of you may call the lines connecting the corners side or edges. Whatever you call them, it would be great to go over how many each has.

Third, finding objects that are the shape you are focusing on will help children visualize the shape they are going to build. It might be helpful to have one of the objects they find near the mat when they are building their fire pit.

Fourth, the building would finally happen. Children can decide how close or far away they want their build a shape fire pit to be away from the fire. They will need to think about whether the pit needs to fit on a mat or can be bigger than the mat.