Time to step up to a new challenge with this DIY Snowman STEM Challenge! Go beyond 

It’s time to put those VEX Robotics pieces the kids got for Christmas to use with this DIY VEX Snowman STEM Challenge. Deceptively easy looking, this VEX build this has quite a few pieces. Is your family up to the challenge?

Supplies

1. Plates

1. White 4×8 plate (8)
2. White 4×6 plate (6)
3. White 4×4 plate (6)

2. Beams

1. White 2×9 beam (2)
2. White 2×6 beam (2)
3. White 1×6 beam (4)

3. Connectors

1. White 1×1 Connector Pin (53)
2. Black 0x1 Sheet Connector Pin (11)
3. White Small Chassis Corner Connector (24)

4. Misc.

1. Black Shaft (1)
2. Black 48.5 mm hub 2xP Wide (1)
3. Black 60 Tooth Gear (1)
4. Orange pitch standoff (1)

Step 1

4×8 Plates (8)

Chassis Corner Connectors (8)

1×1 Connector Pins (16)

2×9 Beams (2)

• Take two of the 4×8 plates and place the Corner Connectors in each of the corners, making sure that the angled edge is facing the center of the plate
• Face the sides of those plates towards each other and attach two more of the 4×8 plates to the unused pins of the corner connectors, creating a box-like framework.
• Take the remaining four 4×8 plates and place them in groups of two. You will use 16 1×1 connector pins and place them in all four corners of each of the remaining 4×8 plates. You will finish step 1 by connecting the groups with 2×9 beams, using the corners connectors.

Step 2

1×1 Connector Pins (4)

• Place the beam-connected plates into the holes of the Corner Connectors that are in the framework of the box, which will completely enclose the inside. This will be the base of your snowman
• Place 1×1 Connector pins in the center four holes of the top of your base. This makes it so that you can easily attach the second part of the snowman.

Step 3

Black 0x1 Sheet Pins (2)

• Take two of the black 0x1 Sheet Pins and place them in the middle of whichever side of the base you would like to be the front.

Step 4

4×6 Plates (4)

0x2 Corner Connectors (8)

• This step is just like step one, except that you will be using the 4×6 plates instead of 4×8 plates
• Place Corner Connectors in the corners of two of the 4×6 Plates, with the angled edges facing in
• Take the remaining 4×6 Plates and connect them to the Corner Connectors, creating the framework of the box.

Step 5

1×1 Connector Pins (24)

4×6 Plates (2)

2×6 Beams (2)

Black 0x1 Sheet Pins (3)

• Lay 1×6 Beams on both sides of each of your 4×6 Plates
• Apply 1×1 Connector Pins on the ends of each of the 1×6 Beams and then 1×1 Connector Pins in the holes immediately surrounding the center hole
• Place 1×1 Connector Pins in the holes of the inner-third of each side of the 4×6 Plates
• Connect the three pieces using your 2×6 Beams
• Complete the middle part of your snowman by placing newly connected pieces in the remaining holes of the Corner Connectors
• Place your three 0x1 Sheet Pins in whichever side of the box that you please.

Step 6

4×4 Plates (6)

Corner Connectors (8)

1×1 Connector Pins (4)

• This step is similar to steps 1 and 4
• Place Corner Connectors in the corners of two of the 4×4 Plates, with the angled edges facing in
• Using two 4×4 Plates, create the box framework by connecting the plates to the exposed connectors of the Corner Connectors
• With one of the remaining 4×4 Plates, place 1×1 Connector pins in each of its corners
• Connect it to the box framework to enclose the box, leaving one side open

Step 7

60 Tooth Gear (1)

48.5 mm Hub (1)

3xP Capped Plastic Shaft (1)

4×4 Plastic Plate (1)

• Push the 3xP Plastic Shaft through the center hole of your 4×4 Plate
• Take the 60 Tooth Gear and push it through the shaft to where it is touching the 4×4 Plate
• Do the same thing with the 48.5 mm Hub, making it resemble a top hat

Step 8

1×1 Connector Pins (4)

• Place connectors in each corner of the opposite side of the top hat

Step 9

Black 0x1 Sheet Pins (7)

.5x Pitch Standoff Orange (1)

Connector Pins (1)

• Place the Black 0x1 Sheet Pins and .5x Pitch Standoff Orange according to the picture above
• Attach the three pieces together and make sure that they all line up

Share your DIY Snowman with us by tagging @hexbug in your pics and using #HEXDIY on social media! For more DIYs click here.