One of the most frequently asked questions I get every year (and throughout the year, until it happens) is, “When’s HESS Week?” The kids just love these things! I learned about the HESS Toy Truck STEM Giveaway in 2018, during my first year as a STEAM teacher. Every year since then I’ve applied for the mini grant and have been blessed with several grant awards (2018, 2020, 2021, 2022).
The neat thing about the grant is that you not only receive 12 sets of that year’s collectable truck, but you also have access to the STEM curriculum! This is a two week challenge for us, meaning each grade level works through two challenges.
I’m one that prefers to see and learn via pictures and videos, so rather than type out long, detailed descrptions of the above, check out our recap video below. Also be sure to click the download arrow above to access and/or view all the challenge files.
- Challenge Slide Deck
- Challenge Pictures
- Challenge Videos
- Challenge Recording Sheets
I am reflective during and after challenges, so that the next time we do a challenge it runs more smoothly for all involved. I made some lengthy notes this past year, to consider for the next time we do this challenge:
- 5K: Tow Rabbit — keep as is–perfect.
- 5K: Garages — keep as is–perfect.
- 1st: Add something to the rolling, rolling, rolling — too short as is. Change data sheet so it includes more than one test per inclined plane variation.
- 1st: 2 or 4 wheels — keep as is–perfect.
- 2nd: Obstacle course test driving — have each group choose ONE to make….have each group travel around and test each desgin and collect data. Change data sheet to reflect these changes.
- 2nd: Climb it — Change data sheet to record only two trials per hill climb. change data sheet so it is more visually descriptive and easier to read. Make it clear what a fully wound up car is and where start line is.
- 3rd: RV slingshot: keep as is. Change data sheet exclude average. Also remind students to remove the “HESS little friends” and to put the bottle of rocks in bottle inside the RV…as most of our stools don’t allow for bottles on top of the RV. AND make it clear where the start line and pull back line should be during set up.
- 3rd: Impossible loads — make it clear where start and finish line is (three tiles was good this year for travel path.
- 4th: Sngles and slopes — recording sheet is GREAT and works well…just need to be more clear on where start line is for ATV and also what a fully wound up car is.
- 4th: Wash out. Set up — make sure kids follow it exactly as it is laid out. Need to be more clear on start line and how to record measurements. TEN data collection points is TOO MUCH. Four worked well this year. Maybe take pics of what to measure for each data point and add to recording sheet.
- 5th: Runaway truck — worked great for all classes this year. Need to incorporate recording sheet next year. Revamp it based on this year’s observations. Add in more shopping materials (have kids verbally explain what their prototype looks like in real life). USE wood for ramp next year — the cardboard caves in. Also, make the ramp more narrow so thit acts like a guide for the truck, making it more likely to hit what students made. Keva plank bins were a good mountain.
- 5th: Pay Load — worked well. Need more bricks (LEGO). Make recording sheet LARGER
- ALL: Put team survey on shame sheet as recording sheet next year. Make everything larger to read…don’t print two per page. MAYBE — transition to class recording sheet on Smartboard instead and a paper teamwork survey???
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