Pacing Guide

This unit should be implemented to supplement student learning on the concepts of Building and Design.

STEM Labs can be adapted in various ways to fit into any classroom or learning environment. Each STEM Lab includes the following 3 sections: Engage, Play, and Share (optional).

Each STEM Lab in this unit can be completed in as little as 40 minutes

Section Summary

The Engage and Play sections, which contain the primary learning activities, can be completed within 40 minutes. The Share section, which enables students to express their learning is optional, but estimated at around 3-5 minutes per group.

Click on the tabs below to view descriptions of the Engage, Play and Share sections of the STEM Lab.

Engage (20 minutes)

The Engage section is the introductory section designed to capture the student’s attention. This section is intended to be a whole-class activity. It includes a hook, a leading question that personalizes the learning for students, and the build that will be utilized to create a hands-on, exploratory learning experience that places STEM into the hands of young learners.

Play (20 minutes)

The Play section is split into 3 parts in order to structure learning while maintaining student interest: Part 1, Mid-Play Break, and Part 2. In Play Part 1, students will run an investigation, test, and/or make predictions about scientific phenomena using their build as it relates to the key concepts of the unit. The Mid-Play Break includes a discussion of Part 1 and transition to Part 2. In Play Part 2, students will continue to explore their builds and deepen their understanding of key concepts by applying their knowledge in new ways.

The Pacing Guide

The pacing guide for each Lab provides step-by-step instructions on What, How, and When to teach. The STEM Lab Pacing Guide previews the concepts that are taught in each section (Engage, Play, and Share (optional)), explains how the section is delivered, and identifies all the materials that are needed.

Lab 1 - Kit Introduction

Total Time: 40 minutes

Engage	Play	Share
20 mins	20 mins	Optional 3-5 mins per group

Build
None

Engage

Students will be introduced to the VEX GO Kits.

Play

Students will draw and label nine key pieces from the kits. They will share their designs, then do a deeper-dive drawing of four other pieces to study how they function in a build.

Share

Students will discuss how these plastic pieces are similar to other building pieces they have used before.

Main Focus
What is a VEX GO Kit?

Materials Needed

VEX GO Kit
Blueprint Worksheet
Robotics Roles & Routines
Pencils
Lab 1 Slideshow
Pin Tool

Lab 2 - NASA Flagpole

Total Time: 40 minutes

Engage	Play	Share
20 mins	20 mins	Optional 3-5 mins per group

Build
Flagpole

Engage

Students will make a personal connection to building with different materials before viewing a build demo on how pieces in the VEX GO Kit are connected using pins and standoffs.

Play

Students will use limited materials to construct a flagpole. After sharing their designs to other students, they will receive more pieces and be challenged to build the tallest flagpole.

Share

Students will have to determine the tallest structure from all groups by measuring their pieces.

Main Focus
How can I use the pins, standoffs, and the Pin Tool?

Materials Needed

VEX GO Kit
Blueprint Worksheet
Robotics Roles & Routines
Measurement tools
Pencils
Lab 2 Slideshow
Timer
Pin Tool

Lab 3 - Launch Pad

Total Time: 40 minutes

Engage	Play	Share
20 mins	20 mins	Optional 3-5 mins per group

Build
Launch Pad

Engage

Students will make connections to their experiences with bridges and observe a build demo with plates and the GO Tiles.

Play

Students will design and build an elevated Launch Pad to stretch from one tile to another using beams, plates, standoffs, and pins. Students will write out build instructions for their design.

Share

Students will share their building instructions with other groups and discuss their process.

Main Focus
How do I use beams and plates?

Materials Needed

VEX GO Kit
VEX GO Tiles
Blueprint Worksheet
Robotics Roles & Routines
Pencils
Pin Tool

Lab 4 - Spaceship

Total Time: 40 minutes

Engage	Play	Share
20 mins	20 mins	Optional 3-5 mins per group

Build
Spaceship

Engage

Students will make connections to their experiences of being inside of a car. They will then imagine what the inside of a spaceship could be like based off of those experiences and view a build demo of connectors and Slide Beams.

Play

Students will design and build a spaceship with an exposed area for the Astronaut. They will share their designs and then redesign and modify them to be enclosed.

Share

Students will discuss how planning before building affects the build process.

Main Focus
How do I use connectors and the Gray Slide Beam?

Materials Needed

VEX GO Kit
Blueprint Worksheet
Robotics Roles & Routines
Pencils
Lab 4 Slideshow
Pin Tool

Lab 5 - Mars Buggy

Total Time: 40 minutes

Engage	Play	Share
20 mins	20 mins	Optional 3-5 mins per group

Build
Mars Buggy

Engage

Students will talk about features needed in a vehicle for the Astronaut to travel around Mars. The teacher will then demonstrate how to attach and detach wheels and axles from the VEX GO Kit.

Play

Students will design and build a buggy using wheels and axles to move around Mars. After evaluating the way different pieces affect the movement of wheels, students will watch a demo from the teacher on incorporating gears. Students will then modify their designs to include gears.

Share

Students will discuss how gears change the design of their buggy and how wheels and axles might be incorporated in other designs.

Main Focus
How do I use wheels, axles, and gears?

Materials Needed

VEX GO Kit
Blueprint Worksheet
Data Collection Sheet
Pencils
Lab 5 Slideshow
Robotics Roles & Routines
Pin Tool

Lab 6 - Mars Base Build

Total Time: 40 minutes

Engage	Play	Share
20 mins	20 mins	Optional 3-5 mins per group

Build
Mars Base

Engage

Students will talk about the needs of Astronauts when building a base on Mars. Students can look at photos of example moon bases for more ideas.

Play

Students will design and build their first iteration of a Mars Base using only materials from the VEX GO Kit. Students will take a break to discuss the strength of their designs and ideas for improvement before adding on to their Mars Base designs.

Share

Students will discuss the various pieces used to create their Mars Base and the thought process behind those chosen pieces.

Main Focus
How do I use the materials from the VEX GO Kit strategically to create a build?

Materials Needed

VEX GO Kit
Blueprint Worksheet
Robotics Roles & Routines
Pencils
Lab 6 Slideshow
Pin Tool

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