Hatchet STEM Activities - Novel STEM Challenges Study Survival Science & Math

This is not a run of the mill Hatchet novel study. Join Brian on his survival adventure with three STEM activities, 2 science experiments, a math exploration, and more in this Project Based Learning resource that combines STEM with literacy. I have created these STEM challenges as a way for students to engage with some of the aspects of the story in a hands-on and meaningful way.

Use this STEM novel study in your book club, while doing a Hatchet read aloud, or allow students to choose one or more projects after reading the book as a class.

Watch the preview video above for a better idea of what the activities are.

✅ What You'll Get ✅

• 3 Main STEM Challenges (lean-to, bow, raft)
• 2 Science Experiments (Hooke's law, light refraction)
• Math Activity - how far off-course could Brian's plane have traveled? Differentiated with 3 levels of difficulty.
• Sample images for the challenges and photos of experiment set up and method
• Science/engineering vocabulary terms / word wall cards
• Background information about Hooke's Law, springs, optics (reflection and refraction)
• Recording pages to follow the engineering design process, both standard and graphic organizer format
• Data recording sheets to document testing, many with differentiated options based on how difficult you choose to make the challenge
• Bonus open ended task card STEM challenges!
• Printable posters for each of the main challenges
• NGSS and CCSS alignment
• Hatchet engineering vocab word search
• Rubric
• "I survived" Hatched STEM printables (as well as "I didn't survive", optional)

FAQs

What materials will I need?

You will not need a lot of expensive materials to complete the main STEM activities. Your options are pretty open to use what you have available, such as paper, cardboard, recyclables, tape, craft sticks, string, pipe cleaners, or sticks and twigs found in nature.

For the science experiments, I have designed them to use as many recyclables as possible. For the spring experiment, you will need springs or rubber bands. Springs found in pens are fine. For the refraction experiment you will need a laser pointer, which you may already have or can hopefully borrow for the duration of the experiment.

How long will this unit take to complete?

The main math exercise takes about 15-30 minutes, each of the 2 science experiments take about 45 min each, and 3 STEM main challenges take 1-3 hours each, depending on if students are creating scale models / prototypes or full scale versions, and the design criteria/testing chosen (several options are provided). The activities are all independent of each other though so it's possible to pick and choose.

What skills are used?

Algebraic reasoning, measurement, data collection and analysis, planning, teamwork, perseverance, and creativity.

What Teachers are Saying

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This was really fun to have hands-on learning. It really helps students become more engaged in the story and putting themselves in the character's position on how to problem solve."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "My students are hands on learners and this resource was exactly what I needed to help them visualize what they are reading about in the novel. Differentiated resources were included. "

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I love this resource for hands on activities to go along with Hatchet. It's such a great way for students to really connect to the book and somewhat put themselves in Brian's shoes. Lots of great activities! "

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I had my students work on a couple of these activities after we read Hatchet. They loved pretending to be like Brian! It made them really have to think about what Brian had to go through! "

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