Before holiday recess, the fifth grade “WIN” (What I Need) class at the Upper Elementary School made a holiday favorite in the Zone for Imagination, Innovation and Inspiration (Zi3) room - - gingerbread houses.
But, before students could begin assembling their tasty creations, their math skills were put to the test. 
As part of the “STEM” (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) challenge, each student was given an imaginary $20 budget to purchase materials. A graham cracker cost $1.25, a bag of icing cost $0.50, a gumdrop cost $0.30, or four for $1.00, and a chocolate chip cost $0.12, or 10 for $1.00. Once students purchased their materials and determined a total cost, which couldn’t exceed $20, they drew blueprints of their gingerbread houses and then started building.
The gingerbread houses had to be built using only the materials purchased and were required to have a base, walls, roof and, most importantly, a suitable entrance for a “gingerbread friend.” Once complete, they also had to be able to withstand the “harsh winds of Candy Land” - - or the force of a hairdryer.
“It was a fun activity that incorporated math skills the students have been learning and studying in class,” Mrs. Sorensen, “WIN” teacher, said.
The fifth grade “WIN” class is designed to give enrolled students additional reinforcement of topics covered in the fifth grade curriculum. Lessons and activities are driven by student needs and interests.
At the end of the STEM challenge, students brought their gingerbread houses home.