Corn Maze STEM Challenge

What You Need:

• 10" paper plate
• Green construction paper
• Clear tape
• Scissors
• Marble
• Green tissue paper (optional)
• Yellow pom-poms (optional)
• Glue (optional)
• Markers (optional)

What You Do:

1. Introduce your child to the activity by telling them they will be creating a corn maze using a paper plate and construction paper. The goal is to move a marble through arches on the maze by tilting the plate in different directions. Discuss how balance and motion will play an important role in moving the marble through the maze.  
2. Plan the maze design with your child by sketching it on paper. Discuss where they will place arches on the paper plate. As a challenge, brainstorm where to place obstacles in the maze. 
3. Create the arches by cutting 4-7 strips of green construction paper. The strips should be ½ to 1-inch wide, and the length of each can vary.
4. Place a piece of clear tape on each end of the strip of construction paper. Tape each end down on the plate, leaving an arch in the middle. Continue to add more strips of paper to create a maze.
5. Invite your child to try out the maze with a marble. Place the marble on the maze and direct your child to tilt the plate in all directions.
6. Engage your child in a discussion about the maze challenge. Ask reflection questions such as:
   • How did you use balance and motion to move the marble through the maze?
   • What was difficult about moving the marble through the loops?
   • Is there anything you would want to change about your design?
7. Optional: Add obstacles to the maze with the tissue paper and yellow pom-poms. Twist the tissue paper to make fallen corn stalks, and glue the yellow pom-poms around the maze to represent corn. Ask your child to think of any other Halloween-themed obstacles they could add to their corn maze!

As an extension for older grades, challenge your child to create a path from start to finish and see if they can guide the marble along the path. You may provide other materials, such as straws or pipe cleaners, to help create a path or additional obstacles. See where your child’s creativity takes them!