Mötespunkt för pedagoger att dela naturvetenskapliga idéer
Some scavenger hunts can always be a fun way to test and see if the children has a conception of the subject matter.
I have found two good ones:
STEM-Building-Challenge-and-Scavenger-Hunt-Frugal-Coupon-Living (PDF 281 kB) This one includes some building challenges also. It was found from Frugal Coupon Living where you can find a whole lot of other resources.
The other one is a JPG. (Click on it for more proper size)
Make a card for each child – why not let them draw themselves?
It doesn’t matter if you make a nice board like the one belowor just stick them up with blue tac.
And, when all have put up their picture can you summarize it on a separate sheet:
Build a sculpture, make a picture, or design a mandala with nature. Can you make a self-portrait or build a sculpture?
Try to use as many natural items as possible such as sticks, leaves, rocks, bark, reeds, and anything else you have around the area! Go on a nature hunt and take a paper bag to collect goodies.
You may need to sparingly use string or twine, but please remember not to litter and bring these extra supplies back inside! Do your best not to use any man-made materials!
Encourage kids to not pick leaves off trees or break branches off of trees! Use items that are already on the ground as much as possible!
A part awakening scientific reasoning can be found in comparation and distinguishing between options..
I found some easy examples shaped in the form of ”Would You Rather…? over at the blog LittleBinsForLittleHands. One cover the topic of Nature the other Science. (They have other also if you want)
Ta da! The marble has turned into a ping pong ball!
The ping pong ball is much less dense than the corn, so it quickly makes its way to the top of the corn. The marble is more dense than the corn, so it sinks down into the corn. This is the same concept as the ping pong ball floating in water – the ball is less dense than the water, so it floats. Everyone expects a ping pong ball to float in water, but the way it behaves in the corn is really fascinating!
Grab some jars with lids that will seal tight. In each jar put a food that you want to observe.
Seal up the jars and place them somewhere where they won’t bother you. Being by a window will cause a lot of condensation in the jars due to the heat from the sun beating into the jars. This can make things mold quite a bit faster. You could try them in the dark if you want to prevent that. Or do both and compare!
Start with predictions, which rots the fastest, which will grow mold first, or last…
The worst part of the entire process is opening those jars when the project is done.
I warn you it is a disgusting science experiment.
The experiment was found at the blog TeachBesideMe
A simple experiment where you can think about units of length, estimation of length and how can so much paper fit on a still quite small roll.
The roll will probably roll longer than the kids guessed.
NB! Check that you have sufficient space to roll it out before you start to roll it with the children. It’s quite a stretch on a full roll!
I found a alphabet made out of robots from the littlebinsforlittehands blog
NOTE: A suggestion for each letter robot is provided, but feel free to use your creativity when assembling the robots! You can even borrow pieces from other letters!
STEAM Integration: Introduce the alphabet robots as part of your STEAM curriculum. Discuss the science behind robotics, the technology used in building robots, and the engineering principles involved in their design.
Letter of the Week: Dedicate each week to a different letter of the alphabet and its corresponding robot. Explore words that start with the featured letter and encourage hands-on exploration with the associated robot craft.
Collaborative Projects: Foster teamwork and collaboration by assigning group projects where students work together to design and build a giant alphabet robot display for the classroom.
This letters of the alphabet robot activity seamlessly integrates STEM concepts into the creative process:
Science: Children learn about the basics of robotics, including how robots are built, how they function, and the real-world applications of robotics technology.
Technology: As they color and assemble the robots, kids engage with simple engineering principles and learn about the technological components that make them work.
Engineering: Through hands-on construction, kids develop fine motor skills and spatial reasoning abilities, which are essential for engineering and design.
Arts: Creativity is at the heart of this craft activity, as kids express themselves through color choices, decorations, and storytelling, reinforcing the A in STEAM.
Mathematics: This activity offers plenty of opportunities for mathematical learning, from counting robot parts to identifying shapes and patterns in their designs.
If you want to start with a challenge for the children present this video from NASA for them. Have them reflect over what they learnt and try to build an airplane.
Or, why not let them make one first attempt first at constructing an airplane, watch the video second, and then try to build a second airplane and see if it will out do the first.
In the end of the blog will I share twoPDF-files with some models you can build (Thanks to the STEAMpoweredFamily blogg)
Lift is the force that helps an airplane stay up in the air. Different paper airplane designs create lift in different ways. For example, some airplanes have wings that are longer or wider, while others have wings that are more curved. These features help the airplane catch the air as it moves forward. When the air moves faster over the curved or longer wings, it creates a force called lift, which pushes the airplane up. So, designs that have bigger or curved wings tend to generate more lift and can fly higher and farther.
Drag is the force that tries to slow down an airplane as it moves through the air. Some paper airplane designs have sleek and streamlined shapes, while others may have more folds and creases. Smooth and streamlined designs help reduce drag because the air can flow smoothly around the airplane. Less drag means the airplane can move through the air more easily and go faster and farther.
Weight is the force that pulls objects down towards the ground. Lighter paper airplanes can stay in the air longer because they are not pulled down as much by gravity. So, using lightweight paper or making a lighter airplane by using less paper can help it fly longer distances.
Balance and stability are important for a paper airplane to fly well. Some designs have features like fins or small folds at the back, which help keep the airplane steady and balanced in the air. This stability allows the airplane to fly straighter and farther.
When you use a launcher, you can pull it back and let it go to launch the plane. The launcher has a lot of power, so when you release it, the plane gets a big push forward. This extra power helps the plane go faster right from the start.
The angle at which you launch the plane is also important. By launching the plane at a slightly upward angle, it helps it go higher into the sky. When the plane goes higher, it can stay in the air longer and fly farther.
How to Make Awesome Paper Airplanes (PDF, 956 kB)
How to Make a Paper Airplane with Launcher (PDF, 378 kB)
Building and measuring lengths
Build a car model. When building a car, consider where it is best for the balloon to be and how the weight of the Lego can balance as the car goes. When building the back of the car (where the balloon is attached), remember not to leave too much space around the mouth of the balloon, otherwise there is a risk that the balloon will fly off without a car.
Inflate the balloon and let your racer go.
If the racer didn’t succeed the first time, rebuild and try different models. When the drivers are ready, a measurement session can be held where each racer is put in turn to ride. The distance can be measured with a tape measure or with an iPad tape measure using the app.
Engineers develop and solve problems.
How to build a car where the balloon stays. Try to get the car to move without giving it speed with your hand.
Idea taken from STEAM Turku
