In our classroom, we recently tried a simple activity that turned into one of the most powerful learning moments we have had all year. It was inspired by the classic Save the Sam and Save Fred challenges, but we gave it our own twist and called it the Save Gummy STEM Challenge.
At the start, the setup looked easy. A plastic cup was placed upside down like a boat. Underneath it was a gummy ring, the life saver. On top of the cup lay a red and green gummy worm, our Gummy. The only tools students were allowed to use were paper clips. The rule was clear. No hands could touch Gummy or the cup directly.
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As soon as the challenge was introduced, the classroom filled with excitement. Students gathered in small groups and began discussing their ideas. Some were confident and quickly said they knew exactly what to do. Others looked a little unsure but were curious to try.
The first attempts began almost immediately. One group tried to lift the cup quickly using paper clips, but the cup slipped and Gummy fell. Another group tried to hook the life saver without thinking about balance, and the entire setup collapsed. There were small gasps, laughter, and a few disappointed faces. Some students even said their Gummy had an “injury” because it fell off the cup.
But something interesting started to happen. Instead of giving up, the students leaned in closer. They began to talk more, think more, and observe what went wrong. One student said they needed to go slower. Another suggested using two paper clips together for better control. A different group decided to pause and make a plan before trying again.
This is where teamwork truly came to life. Students started assigning roles. One would hold the paper clip steady, another would guide the movement, and another would watch closely and give instructions. They began to listen to each other, adjust their strategies, and support one another.
There were still failures. Gummy fell again in some groups. The life saver slipped away just as they were about to grab it. Some students became frustrated for a moment, but they did not stop. They tried again with more care. Each failure became a lesson.
One group stood out. Their first three attempts did not work at all. Gummy kept falling, and the life saver seemed impossible to reach. But instead of rushing, they stopped and talked through every step. They decided to lift the cup just a little, not all at once. They used two paper clips to keep it steady. Slowly and carefully, they created just enough space to pull out the life saver. Then, with steady hands, they placed it around Gummy without touching it.
When they succeeded, the entire group cheered. It was not just about finishing the task. It was about how they worked together to get there.
Across the classroom, similar moments were happening. Some groups succeeded quickly, while others took more time. Some needed help to rethink their approach. But every group was engaged, thinking, and learning.
After the activity, we reflected together. Students shared what they found difficult and what helped them succeed. Many said that going slow made a big difference. Others said that listening to their teammates was the key. A few students proudly shared how they changed their plan after failing the first time.
The most meaningful part was hearing students talk about not giving up. Even those whose Gummy fell multiple times were able to explain what they learned. They understood that mistakes were part of the process.
This activity turned out to be much more than a simple challenge. It became a real example of teamwork, patience, and problem solving. Inspired by Save the Sam and Save Fred, our Save Gummy challenge brought those same powerful ideas into our classroom in a way that felt fun and meaningful.
In the end, not every Gummy was saved perfectly on the first try. Some fell, some had “injuries,” and some needed many attempts. But every student learned something important. They learned to think, to try again, to work together, and to believe that they could solve a problem with effort and teamwork.
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