In this post, I will share some STEM challenges I did with children (ages 5-9) during summer vacations.
Since this group of kids was really interested in sensory activities, I planned challenges like the 'stretchiest' slime challenge and making oobleck challenge. For the slime challenge, I provided the basic ingredients (glue and borax solution) and then children tried adding other household materials (lotion, shaving foam, toothpaste, dishwashing soap, clay) to make their slime stretchy. Kids loved to play with their slime and test their stretchiness. For the oobleck challenge, I provided corn starch and water and let children figure out the required amounts to make something which can be a solid ball when squeezed in their fists but turns into liquid as they open up their fists. Oobleck can turn messy but children had a blast while playing with it.
The other STEM challenge was building a catapult using craft sticks, rubber bands and plastic spoon. Kids experimented with different configurations and tested out how far they could shoot a pom pom. We also did the balloon rocket challenge. The children tested different sizes of balloons and recorded how far each balloon went. The children also learned to trouble-shoot when the balloons got sticky (because of their spits which got into balloons when they were inflating them) and stopped moving on the strings. Using a balloon pump or using a different balloon for each run were some of the solutions presented by children.
Building tower with flyers and scotch tape was an another hit challenge for the kids which incorporated teamwork and engineering skills. Another engineering challenge was building a marble roller coaster using pool noodles. This challenge did not only keep the children engaged for more than an hour but it also familiarize them with the concepts of energy, speed, momentum, etc.
While the kids enjoyed and learned from each challenge, I also had a great learning experience setting up and explaining each challenge; and giving the right amount of help to the kids to get them going. I loved watching them learn while exploring and experimenting with the provided tools and coordinating with each other to complete the assigned challenges. Unfortunately, I could not take enough pictures as I was too engaged in observing the process of their learning.
In the next post, I will share some projects which we did during our summer camp. So stay tuned!
Since this group of kids was really interested in sensory activities, I planned challenges like the 'stretchiest' slime challenge and making oobleck challenge. For the slime challenge, I provided the basic ingredients (glue and borax solution) and then children tried adding other household materials (lotion, shaving foam, toothpaste, dishwashing soap, clay) to make their slime stretchy. Kids loved to play with their slime and test their stretchiness. For the oobleck challenge, I provided corn starch and water and let children figure out the required amounts to make something which can be a solid ball when squeezed in their fists but turns into liquid as they open up their fists. Oobleck can turn messy but children had a blast while playing with it.
Children love demonstrating the 'stretchiness' of their slime
Making Oobleck challenge
The other STEM challenge was building a catapult using craft sticks, rubber bands and plastic spoon. Kids experimented with different configurations and tested out how far they could shoot a pom pom. We also did the balloon rocket challenge. The children tested different sizes of balloons and recorded how far each balloon went. The children also learned to trouble-shoot when the balloons got sticky (because of their spits which got into balloons when they were inflating them) and stopped moving on the strings. Using a balloon pump or using a different balloon for each run were some of the solutions presented by children.
A 5-year old designing and testing her catapult.
Balloon-rocket setup and a 9-year old recording the measurements.
Building tower with flyers and scotch tape was an another hit challenge for the kids which incorporated teamwork and engineering skills. Another engineering challenge was building a marble roller coaster using pool noodles. This challenge did not only keep the children engaged for more than an hour but it also familiarize them with the concepts of energy, speed, momentum, etc.
A tower made with flyers with the child's initial 'M' on the top
Children (in pairs) experimenting with different configurations of pool noodles to design a working marble roller coaster
Building a parachute challenge was another exciting challenge for the children. For this challenge, children had the option to choose materials (plastic bag, coffee filter or paper napkin) and decide the shape (circle, square, etc.) and length of the strings for their parachutes. Older kids helped the younger ones in cutting and tying strings. The best part was to throw the parachutes in the air to test out whose mini figure (attached to the parachute) can have the smoothest and the safest landing.
Children's writing about the parachute's function and design; and also testing their designed parachutes.
While the kids enjoyed and learned from each challenge, I also had a great learning experience setting up and explaining each challenge; and giving the right amount of help to the kids to get them going. I loved watching them learn while exploring and experimenting with the provided tools and coordinating with each other to complete the assigned challenges. Unfortunately, I could not take enough pictures as I was too engaged in observing the process of their learning.
In the next post, I will share some projects which we did during our summer camp. So stay tuned!
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