Balancing Robot Center of Mass Challenge
Written by Adi Ackerman, Head Teacher
"Balancing Robot Center of Mass Challenge" is written for 3rd Grade to 5th Grade (Ages 8-11). It also works a grade below or above: younger children can use it with an adult reading it aloud, and older ones as a quick refresher.
4 pages in this set
Balancing robot center of mass challenge for 3rd to 5th grade: build a paper robot that balances on one fingertip with coins, and record 5 trials. Part of our National STEM Day holiday activities collection.
More National STEM Day activitiesNational STEM Day 2026: dates and teaching guide
How do I use this resource?
Students glue the template to thin cardboard, such as a cereal box, and tape coins to the robot's hands until it balances. Talk about why moving the coins below the balance point keeps the robot steady.
What students will practice
- Gives 3rd to 5th grade students hands-on science, technology, engineering and math challenges to plan, build and test.
- Mixes several short activities in one pack, from tracing and counting to coloring.
- Made for 3rd to 5th grade, and prints on US Letter paper for a lesson, a center or home.
Curriculum Links
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FAQ
How do I use the Balancing Robot Center of Mass Challenge?
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Students glue the template to thin cardboard, such as a cereal box, and tape coins to the robot's hands until it balances. Talk about why moving the coins below the balance point keeps the robot steady.
What is the Balancing Robot Center of Mass Challenge?
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Three pages after the cover. The challenge page lists materials and 5 steps and has a The Science: Center of Mass box. The template page has a robot to color, glue to cardboard and cut out, with a red balance dot and gray circles for the coins. The trials page has a table for 5 trials and 3 questions, including Explain center of mass in your own words.
Can I use the Balancing Robot Center of Mass Challenge at home and in the classroom?
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Yes. We made it for 3rd Grade to 5th Grade holiday activities, and it works the same at home or at school. Families print it for one child and keep it where they will use it every day. Teachers print a copy per student or one for the whole room, whichever the day needs.
How many 3rd Grade to 5th Grade National STEM Day resources are there?
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4 printable resources, all free to preview. There are 30 National STEM Day resources in all, from Preschool to 5th Grade, gathered on our National STEM Day activities page. Downloads are included with a ClassWeekly free trial, and every page prints on standard 8.5 x 11 paper.
What age are National STEM Day resources for?
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These are written for 3rd Grade to 5th Grade students, roughly ages 8-11. Many teachers also use them a grade up for review or a grade down as an extension, so use the preview to judge the fit for a particular child.
Can I use these National STEM Day resources for homeschool?
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Yes. Nothing here assumes a classroom of 25, so they work the same one-to-one at the kitchen table as they do in a 3rd Grade to 5th Grade classroom, a learning center, or a tutoring session.
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Resource Details
| Grade | 3rd Grade to 5th Grade |
| Subject | Resources |
| Topic | Holiday Activities |
| Pages | 4 pages |
| Difficulty | Medium |
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