STEM Challenge: Build a Candy Maze

Course Summary

In this sweet STEM challenge, students will design and build their own candy maze using LEGO bricks or recycled cardboard! As they test and tweak their designs, they’ll learn about spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and creativity.

Course Description

Welcome to the Candy Maze Design Lab! In this sweet STEM adventure, students will use LEGO bricks or recycled materials to design and build their very own maze for candy or marbles to travel through. As they test, tweak, and decorate their designs, they’ll learn about spatial reasoning, sequencing, and creative problem-solving. We’ll start with a quick design challenge warm-up, then students will sketch their maze layout before building. After construction, everyone will test their maze paths and share how they adjusted designs for smoother travel. This one-time class encourages critical thinking and creativity in a fun, hands-on environment—no sugar rush required! By the end of class, students will be able to: - Design a maze using clear start and finish points. - Apply engineering and sequencing skills to create functional paths. - Communicate their design choices and problem-solving process. - Practice collaboration and creativity in a supportive classroom setting.

Syllabus

Part 1: Introduction We’ll discuss what makes a maze fun and how engineers plan designs before building. Part 2: Design & Build Students sketch their maze design and build it using LEGO or cardboard materials. Part 3: Test & Tweak Learners test their maze using candy or marbles, then adjust paths to make them smoother or more challenging. Part 4: Share & Celebrate Each student shares their maze and describes what made their design unique!

Supplies

Option 1: LEGO Build Version - LEGO baseplate or flat surface - LEGO bricks (variety of shapes/sizes) - Small candy, marble, or bead to travel through the maze Option 2: Cardboard Maze Version - Cardboard box lid, shoebox, or cereal box - Scissors (adult supervision recommended) - Tape or glue - Straws, craft sticks, or paper strips to form pathways - Markers or paint (optional for decorating) - Small candy, marble, or bead to roll through the maze Optional: - Stopwatch for timing maze runs - Stickers or labels for decorating your maze theme (Candyland, Pumpkin Patch, etc.)