Door number 6 of our Festive Countdown Calendar will launch the start of our Sledge Making Competition for primary aged children.

The aim of the competition is to design the best model sledge that can be used on a steep slope, without gaining so much speed, that a nasty accident could happen.

Designing the sledge engages children in a fun festive way with all things STEM. Science through learning about forces and friction, technology in the properties of materials used to make the sledge, engineering in the creative problem solving of the designs and finally mathematics in hill gradients and calculating average speeds.

The sledges can be made from plastic food containers, such as a small margarine tub. How to build the slope and ideas for materials to provide friction, will be revealed at the launch. Children can get as creative as they like and decorating the sleighs with tinsel, or natural materials such as pinecones, is very much encouraged.

All submissions will receive a certificate and prizes will be awarded to submissions that are placed in our gallery.

The competition launch officially begins on the 6th December as part of our festive countdown. Follow the link below for our Festive Countdown Calendar and access a new STEM challenge or activity each day. Don’t forget to check back on day 6 for the competition launch!

thestemhub.org.uk/festive-challenge