STEM Challenge Coconut Tree Engineering Activity Back to School Chicka Chicka

Looking for a fun, hands-on Back to School STEM Challenge for the first week of school? This Coconut Tree Engineering Challenge is the perfect companion to Chicka Chicka 1,2,3, inviting students to plan, build, test, reflect, and improve their own coconut tree while learning the Engineering Design Process. This engaging STEM activity is a memorable way to introduce teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking during the exciting first days of school.

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Save over 50% with the Coconut Tree Activities Bundle! This bundle includes everything you need for a full week of Back to School and First Week of School learning with engaging book companion activities inspired by Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3. Editable Name Hat & Name Craft, Editable Coconut Tree Name Craft, Shape Craft & Geometry Activities, STEM Snack & Engineering Challenge, Counting Number Craft, Addition Craft

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Perfect for kindergarten and first grade, this low-prep STEM lesson uses simple classroom materials to challenge students to design and build a coconut tree strong enough to hold cereal “coconuts.” Students work through each step of the Engineering Design Process while developing creativity, perseverance, collaboration, and early engineering skills.

Whether you’re planning your first week of school, a Back to School STEM center, a beginning-of-the-year makerspace activity, or a hands-on lesson to pair with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, this resource includes everything you need for an engaging and meaningful STEM experience.

⭐ What’s Included

✔ Complete STEM Lesson Plans

✔ Student STEM Challenge Mats

✔ Engineering Design Process Recording Pages

✔ Student Reflection Sheets

✔ Discussion Questions

✔ Printable STEM Kit Labels

✔ Teacher Directions

✔ “Ideas to Try” Challenge Support

✔ Low-Prep Printable Materials

⭐ Students Will Practice

• Engineering Design Process
• Planning & Designing
• Building & Testing
• Reflecting & Improving
• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Fine Motor Skills
• Scientific Observation
• Oral Language & Discussion
• Creativity & Innovation
• Perseverance Through Design Challenges

⭐ Perfect For

• Back to School STEM Activities
• First Week of School
• Beginning of the Year STEM Lessons
• Kindergarten STEM
• First Grade STEM
• STEM Centers
• Makerspace Activities
• Small Groups
• Science Centers
• Morning Tubs
• Fast Finishers
• Book Companion Activities
• Team-Building Challenges
• Classroom STEM Bins

⭐ Why Teachers Love It

Teachers love that this resource includes everything needed to teach a complete STEM lesson—from detailed lesson plans and printable challenge mats to recording pages, reflection sheets, and printable STEM kit labels. The challenge is easy to prep, uses inexpensive classroom materials, and naturally guides students through the Engineering Design Process while keeping them actively engaged from beginning to end.

This activity also makes a fantastic Back to School STEM lesson for building classroom community during the first week of school while reinforcing problem-solving, perseverance, and teamwork in a fun, hands-on way.