Inspired Classroom is dedicated to supporting teachers, caregivers, and parents with scenario-driven distance learning challenges FREE OF CHARGE thanks to the sponsorship of our amazing partner mentor organizations. Regardless of your school’s plan, we have a virtual challenge experience that fits your needs. Watch this short video to see how an IC Challenge on the MentorIC platform delivers deep learning to your students.
If you have questions, please email Greg Zorbas, Inspired Classroom's Project Manager.
Start Using an IC Challenge Project with YOUR students as easy as 1,2,3,…4!
1. Select an IC Challenge from the TOPIC MENU below.
2. Click the Create an Account button above to register for the selected IC Challenge.
3. Login to your account and Create a Class. Watch this video to learn how to create a class. NOTE: If you wish to teach this as a whole class or with an individual student, click the Guided Mode check box when creating your class.
4. Review all of the materials on your dashboard then GET READY, GET SET, TEACH!
After creating an account, login to your selected challenges directly on the icchallenge.org webpage.
Need help? email Greg: greg@inspiredclassroom.com
MIDDLE SCHOOL IC CHALLENGE TOPIC MENU
MPG Ranch POLLINATORS IN SPACE research project!
Want to send Middle School students to MARS? Engage them in this fun, fast-paced real-world project using research from MPG Ranch. Students and their families are colonizing Mars BUT the scientist’s ship has been delayed so the students are tasked with programming the Great Grasslands Ecosystem (GGE) greenhouse to make sure the cryopreserved bees and plants will successfully thrive and survive. Students learn about life cycles, interdependency, and pollinator habitat as they put together a strategic plan and timeline for the GGE. Urgent messages from Mission Control, the student library, and all the teaching resources will assist classrooms as they struggle with the real-world problem of habitat restoration in the most inhospitable environment.
Already have an icchallenge.org account? Use Join Code: UYXNLUI3
MPG Mountain Lion Challenge
The Mountain Lion Challenge is sponsored by our mentor partners MPG Ranch, a phenomenal biological research station dedicated to educational outreach. This IC Challenge projects uses real time data, video, and field notes gathered by mountain lion trackers over the past several years. Check out the video, Tracking Ghosts, about the study here!
MPG Ranch is very excited about getting the word out in a positive manner about the scientific discoveries on the ranch. They are asking for YOUR students’ help! Explore predator/prey relationships by examining predator interactions, mutually beneficial reactions, and competitive interactions. Students will conduct experiments with revolutionary matrix tool to analyze the impact on biodiversity.
Already have an icchallenge.org account? Use Join Code: UIZ2PMHZ
MPG Ranch and Raptor View Research Institute Golden Eagle Challenge
Students are challenged to research and write their own chapter to help spread awareness about Golden Eagles and other migrating birds and the dangers facing them. Students use Google Earth, videos, and vetted resources in their research. Check out this sample video here!
With the help of mentor partners MPG Ranch and Raptor View Research Institute scientists, students learn about Golden Eagles, habitat, and risks.
Students are challenged to first research Golden Eagles, then design and build a prototype of a game. The game is based on migration pathways.. The purpose of the game is to teach the players about Golden Eagle habitat, the decline of the population, and the biggest risk to the migrating birds in your area and a possible solution. The game must be for players 8-adult.
Already have an icchallenge.org account? Use Join Code: MI2JWK6N
SUPERHERO BEAR: GRIZZLY 399
In the Northwestern United States, there is a magnificent species called the grizzly bear. As prime habitat decreases for these animals that have ranges up to 600 square miles, more and more conflicts are making their survival harder
Grizzly 399 is a magnificent bear that lives in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. View an amazing video about 399 here!
Students will learn about the natural history, habitat, and challenges faced by grizzly bears and then use that knowledge to work through the process of creating a comic strip or graphic novel to build awareness about this endangered animal.
This FREE standards-based curriculum is sponsored by Love the Wild Foundation. Teacher and student resources and step-by-step directions make this an ideal project for face-to-face, hybrid, or remote learning.
Already have an icchallenge.org account? Use Join Code: VJWSGR3U
S.C.A.M.P.E.R. Creative and Inventive Thinking
Liam, Emma, Noah, and Olivia are siblings. Their school is currently closed and they are really trying to stay busy and still have fun but it is difficult. They have played board games, read books, watched TV, and even done school work. They are looking for something new to do. Liam remembered learning about inventors in school so he taught the others about SCAMPERing a new idea. All four of them looked around the house for materials they could use. The four of them used SCAMPER to create a new board game that combined chess, checkers, and charades. They loved it!
After learning how to SCAMPER an original idea, use creativity to invent a new game, toy, or activity from common household items. Write some rules and a description of the new invention and include a photo of it. Upload the idea for others to enjoy or build on their own.
Already have an icchallenge.org account? Use Join Code: 4CIKLN7S
Love the Wild Upcycle Challenge
After learning about upcycling and plastics, create an upcycled product. Be inventive! Be creative! Be useful! Look around the house for items that are no longer needed, especially those made of plastic. Create a new product that can either be used by animals or helps people appreciate animals. Then come up with a clever name for the product. Remember, this is something that people might want to buy or make themselves.
In addition to building something new, write directions on how to make it. The directions and photo of the product might be added to a Green Kids Upcycling Project book so that others can use their old junk to build something useful and make better use of plastics.
Already have an icchallenge.org account? Use Join Code: 5TLTTHCI