Money Matters: A STEAM Wallet Design Challenge for Financial Literacy
- steamsquadcv
- Feb 3
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
A tested fan favorite in my upper elementary and secondary classrooms! Looking for a creative and engaging way to integrate design, math, and sustainability into your classroom? This wallet creation design challenge allows students to use the designing thinking process to plan and create their very own wallets. If you use a classroom currency system, the wallets provide a creative yet practical way for students to organize and store their classroom Maker Money. Students love this fun opportunity to use problem-solving with real-world applications.
Why Design a Wallet?
This hands-on challenge encourages students to analyze, design, and construct wallets using accessible materials. Along the way, they’ll explore key concepts like durability, organization, and material cost, all while connecting their creations to real-world constraints.
By participating in this challenge, students:
✅ Develop an understanding of financial organization and the purpose of wallet compartments.
✅ Hone engineering and design skills.
✅ Practice budgeting and decision-making.
✅ Explore sustainability through thoughtful material choices.
How It Works: The 3-Session Breakdown
Session 1: Planning & Brainstorming: Kick off the lesson by introducing students to various wallet designs, discussing features such as compartments, closures, and functionality. Students will sketch their wallet designs and list necessary materials. The math extension? They’ll “purchase” materials with Maker Money to practice budgeting!
Session 2: Building the Wallets: With materials like card-stock, tape, and recycled items in hand, students will start building their wallets. Teachers will guide them through the design and construction process, introducing the engineering design process and real-world constraints to ensure wallets are sturdy and functional.
Session 3: Personalization & Reflection: The final step is personalizing the wallets! Students decorate them with markers, stickers, or stamps, then test their durability. Students will partner up to provide feedback and reflect on the process with prompts like “What would you change if you redesigned your wallet?” to encourage critical thinking.
Beyond the Wallet: Real-World Connections
This lesson connects students to various career fields, including:
🎨 Industrial Design – Exploring how function and aesthetics come together in product creation.
🔧 Engineering – Learning about material selection and durability.
💰 Financial Planning – Understanding budgeting and financial organization.
🌍 Sustainability Experts – Emphasizing eco-friendly design through the use of recycled materials.
Ready to Try It?
Download the Wallet Design Lesson Plan, Maker Mat Worksheet, and Maker Money Resources to bring this hands-on challenge to life in your classroom. Empower your students to create, innovate, and problem-solve—one wallet at a time!
Product in action
Want to see classroom highlights from this unit? Click HERE
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