STEM at Home!
We love to see what you're doing!
A CELEBRATION OF
STEM AT HOME!
Enjoy this video of the various STEM challenge photos and videos shared during remote learning. It was such a joy to receive each them!
ULTIMATE SANDCASTLE CHALLENGE
Can you build the ultimate sandcastle?
CURRICULAR COMPETENCY
[Critical Thinking] I consider more than one way to proceed and make choices based on my reasoning and what I am trying to do
STEPS
1. Watch the video: How To Build The Ultimate Sandcastle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pb0Z38GWhI&feature=youtu.be
2. Take note of the strategies that are being used in the video and consider how you will incorporate these suggestions to better the strength and design of your sandcastle. The video highlights the following tips:
Tip 1: Use wet sand
Tip 2: Build a ‘Volcano’
Tip 3: Compact your base
Tip 4: Detail with wooden tools
Tip 5: Walls
Tip 6: Raise the Towers
Tip 7: Add Crenellations (Fancy tops to your walls!)
Tip 8: Make a drawbridge
3. Collect your materials
- Ruler
- Multiple Buckets of water
- Optional: Piece of wood (See video)
4. Consider a design for your sandcastle! Draw a prototype.
See Ultimate Sandcastle Inspiration sheet for some epic ideas!
5. Select at least 3 criteria from Mrs. Byron’s Sandcastle challenge criteria sheet before you begin!
6. Head to the beach or the sandbox and have fun!
7. Don’t forget to send a photo of your ultimate sandcastle to Mrs. Byron -> laura.byron@abbyschools.ca
Sunny days are ahead and I cannot wait to see what you create!
Mrs. Byron 🍎
NATURAL TIE DYE CHALLENGE
Can you create a dye from food items in your fridge or pantry to transform an article of clothing?
*This STEAM project requires parent participation in all aspects, especially around the stove or with cutting food items*
LEARNING:
Applied Design, Skills & Technologies
BIG IDEA: Designs grow out of natural curiosity
CURRICULAR COMPETENCY: Demonstrate their product and tell the story of designing and making the product
MATERIALS:
A white cotton item (Socks, a shirt, etc.)
Elastic bands
Food item(s) - See “Natural Fabric Dye Inspiration” sheet
Strainer
Vinegar or salt – See “Mordant” sheet
STEPS:
1. Use rubber bands to create a pattern on your fabric
- See “Rubber Band Pattern Ideas” sheet
- If you dip dye, you do not need elastics.
2. Prepare your fabric for dyeing
- See “Mordant” sheet for different ways to prepare your fabric to best hold the dye
3. Make the dye
- Chop or mash up the food item and bring it to a boil, simmering for 45+ minutes!
- See “Natural Fabric Dye Inspiration” for ideas!
- See “Easy Natural Dye Suggestion” sheet for more specifics around water and food item rations
- Strain mixture into a glass dish to enjoy watching the process
4. Dye your item!
- Pull your item out of the mordant or out of the water, leaving the elastics on (Press some of the water out, but leave damp)
- Depending on the look you are going for, you may place your item into the dye, part of the dye, spoon on the colour or use a squirt bottle.
- Leave for 6-24 hours (You can leave it in the dish or move it to a zip lock bag)
5. Rinse & Dry
- Rinse with cold water until the water runs clear & remove the elastics (EXCITING!)
- Toss it in the dryer on its own
6. Demonstrate your product and tell the story of your design and making process!
OPTION A – Video Story
Create a video that highlights your process along the way. Use the "photo story" printable as a guide for what to discuss.
Option B – Photo Story
Complete the attached "photo story" sheet that walks you through the process. Include a photo of the final product(s)
Option C – Final Product share
Simply send us a picture of the final product!
E-mail your natural tie dye process story to Mrs. Byron (laura.byron@abbyschools.ca), e-mail your teacher or share on our Facebook group and inspire others!
I am BEYOND excited about this challenge! I've already been wearing my shirt that I made!
Mrs. Byron 🍏
Pendulum Paint Challenge
Callen Schaub - Montreal Artist
Mrs. Byron's "How to"
Can you create a pendulum that will help you create a Callen Schaub inspired spin painting?
CURRICULAR COMPETENCY
I make my ideas work or I change what I am doing
MATERIALS
- Existing structure (Chairs, tripod, options are endless...) or Cardboard boxes, paper towel roll, broom, etc.
- String
- Cup
- 1 part Paint : 1 Part Water
- Tape
- (Mess Stopper!) Drop cloth, old sheets or do it outside
- White paper or canvas
- Paper plate
STEPS
1. Watch the following video of Callen Schaub (Artist from Montreal, Canada). This compilation is sure to get the inspiration flowing! I LOVE it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSqrwzZd7Ck
2. What is a pendulum? Strengthen your understanding.
A pendulum is an object (or in your case a cup or bucket) that is suspended from a fixed point and can swing freely. The motion of the object will be regular and repeating The friction from the air eventually brings it to a stop. Examples of a pendulum are: Swings, tire swings, a wrecking ball, etc.
3. Build a pendulum!
You might find an existing structure that you can attach the string and cup to that will be fixed and secure. You may also build the pendulum structure from scratch, using cardboard boxes, Lego, etc. See the images I have complied on the “Pendulum Paint Inspiration” sheet!
4. Prepare the area for paint
5. Test the pendulum before you add paint. Poke a hole (or more than one) in the cup and tape the hole(s) with a tape underneath. Add water to the cup. Take a look at the patterns you are creating with the water. Try different swings. Make changes as needed. Let gravity do the work.
6. Focus on the goal, “I make my ideas work or I change what I am doing” by making changes throughout the process
Did the water come rushing out into a blob? What could you change? Did the water go beyond your drop sheet? What could you do?
7. Prepare the paint with water and add to your cup. Less is more to start. Be prepared to place a paper plate under the cup when you want to stop the paint or add another colour.
8. Let the creativity flow!
9. Please share a video of your pendulum in action or share a picture of your final product. Tell me what changes you made, to make your vision work!
E-mail your final product to laura.byron@abbyschools.ca, share in our facebook group or share it with your teacher. I cannot wait!
Mrs. Byron 🍏
Summer STEM Choice Board:
How many challenges can you do!?
Make it Move: Force & Motion Car Challenge!
Can you make a small car move across the room, without touching it? How can you use gravity, force and/or magnets to do this?
CONTENT:
Science: Types of Forces
CURRICULAR COMPETENCY:
Safely manipulate materials to test ideas and predictions
MATERIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Small “matchbox” car, like a hot wheels car [It cannot have a pull back feature] or you may build a Lego car
Magnets
Magnet wand
Straws
String
Balloons
Cardboard
Paper
Elastics
Tape
Whatever you can imagine!
STEPS:
1) Collect your materials
2) Consider how you might use gravity, magnets or force to move the car (The force cannot come from your hand pushing the car)
3) Begin your trial & error process! What various materials did you test? Complete the associated printable to track your progress along the way.
4) Share a video of what worked!
5) Reflect on the process. By testing various materials, how did you improve your ability to move the car (without touching it)?
PARENTS: Here are some soft suggestions if, after much trial and error, you need to offer some guidance. You will find many more examples on-line as well! You might also recommend the use of a ramp alongside these ideas.
V R O O M! V R O O M!
Mrs. Byron 🍎
Caine's Arcade Cardboard Challenge
Can you create a cardboard arcade game that is functional, has a purpose (Ex. There is a way to win or gain points) and can be enjoyed by another person?
Who is Caine?
When Caine Monroy was 9 years old, he created an elaborate cardboard arcade in his dad’s used auto parts shop. Passionate about arcades, he started to build his own and added to his ideas in his dads shop day after day. One day he finally got a customer. This customer made a short video about Caine’s arcade and he soon became an internet sensation! People young and old lined up to play Caine’s arcade games.
COMPETENCIES EXPLORED
ADTS (Applied Design, Skills & Technologies)
Prototyping
- Identify a general plan, identifying tools and materials
Testing
- Test the project
- Gather feedback and inspiration
- Make changes and test again, repeating until satisfied with the product
STEPS:
1) Watch this incredible short film (10 minutes long)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faIFNkdq96U
2) Pick the type of arcade you would like to create
- I have included an arcade inspiration board for you to consider
- If you have been to Castle Fun Park or Chuck-E-Cheese before, then you may already have a game in mind that will inspire your plan. You might also come up with a completely new game!
3) [Prototyping] Make a plan, identify the tools and materials you will need. You can used the attached printable to work through this prototyping stage.
4) Collect your materials [Cardboard, tape...]
5) Create your arcade machine!
6) [Testing] Test your game, gather feedback from a parent or sibling, make changes and continue to test your game until you are satisfied [Remember, it needs to be a functional, purposeful and enjoyable game!
7) Invite a parent or sibling to play your game
8) Take an image or video of the game in action and share your photo or video with our Facebook Stem group, your teacher or e-mail it to Mrs. Byron (laura.byron@abbyschools.ca)
CHALLENGE: Feeling like a challenge? Make multiple games!
I cannot wait to see what you all create!
This will be so fun!
Mrs. Byron 🍎
Build A Boat: Sink or Float Challenge
We used sticks and Hemp cord
THEY FLOAT!!!!
Using materials from around your home and in nature can you design a boat that will both float and hold as much weight as possible.
WARNING: This may take a few tries or a few different models in order to make it work...
COMPETENCY EXPLORED:
I can keep playing with my ideas, I can usually make them work, even if it takes a few tries.
STEPS:
1) Determine the type of materials you would like to use to create your floating boat.
ex: sticks, leaves, tinfoil, straws, milk jug, bottles, lego, etc
2) Gather your supplies from around your house or out in nature.
3) Put together your unique boat design
4) Once you have completed your design place your boat in a sink full of water. Place some objects on your boat to see how much weight it can hold. You may need to change some details on your boat in order to make it carry a heavier object.
5) Record on your worksheet what worked well, what didn't work well, and what you changed in order for your boat to carry a little more weight. Coins are a great way of measuring how much weight your boat can hold.
SHARE THE LEARNING:
Share a picture with our STEM Facebook group, share it with your teacher or e-mail it to Mme. Schwab!
Watch this video to learn more about why things sink & float!
Watch this video to see and example of a tin foil boat.
Bird Feeder Challenge
FUN FACT!
Did you know that Mrs. Kemp is exploring "The Sounds of Spring" on her music website? Click the photo below to listen to their beautiful songs! You might be hearing them in your backyard soon!
Using materials from around your home and in nature, can you design a bird feeder that will attract a certain kind of bird?
IN THE KNOW
Did you know that different types of birds are attracted to different kinds of feeders? You will want to consider the kind of bird(s) you hope to attract! [See photo to the left]
Should you want to look at different birds or feeder types, here are some helpful links:
Discusses feeder types and the birds they attract:
http://www.birdsforever.com/choosing-bird-feeder.html
Organizes pictures of birds by feeder type and region:
https://feederwatch.org/learn/common-feeder-birds/
COMPETENCY EXPLORED:
[Critical thinking] I can explore with a purpose in mind and use what I learn
STEPS:
1) Select the kind of local bird that you are most excited to attract (Ex. Sparrow, chickadee, Steller's Jay, or other...)
2) Determine the style of feeder that you need to make
3) Collect recycled items, natural materials and any craft items you might have in the house [See material considerations list below]
4) Begin to build your feeder, keeping in mind the following challenge criteria:
· Functional - You can easily refill it
· Stable – It can support the weight of a bird
· Spill proof – You do your best to create a feeder that doesn’t spill seed
· Purposeful place to eat – You consider a perch or platform for the bird to use while eating
5) Reflect on your learning goal:
"I can explore with a purpose in mind and use what I learn". How did you meet your learning goal? Write one example [Writing response sheet included]
(Remember, you were not challenged to build any style of feeder without purpose - Consider steps 1 and 2, consider your challenge criteria...)
MATERIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Aluminum pie pans, plate or a can
Milk Jugs, 2 ltr bottle, Water bottle or carton
Sticks or Popsicle sticks
Glue, Tape, String or twine
Cups or Plastic Spoons
Any other materials you can find! [Like Lego!]
Paint & Decorative materials [For added joy only]
SHARE THE LEARNING:
Share a picture with our STEM Facebook group, share it with your teacher or e-mail it to Mrs. Byron!
Have fun!
Mrs. Byron
Rube Goldberg Chain Reaction Machine
Video (3).movWesley's Balloon Pop!
(An inspiring example from our school!)
COLLECT MATERIALS:
[Here are some considerations]
Toy Cars, Dominoes, Marbles
Books, Ramps (Cardboard, Tupperware lids, etc.)
Toy tracks, Golf balls, String
Funnel, Yo-Yo, Blocks
Tubes, Rolls of tape, Paperclips
Cans, Cups, Shoelaces
Rubber bands, Trains
Marble run pieces, Game pieces
Aluminum foil, Popsicle sticks
Clothes pins, Slinky, Wind-up toys
Aluminum Foil, Anything can work!
[🌧️The ultimate rainy day challenge!]
Can you create a Rube Goldberg chain reaction machine with at least 3 moving elements, to complete a simple task?
What is a Rube Goldberg machine?
A Rube Goldberg machine is a contraption or invention that is deliberately created in a way that is over-complicated to perform a simple task. This task includes many chain reactions before completing the task. The expression is named after American cartoonist and inventor Rube Goldberg.
COMPETENCY EXPLORED:
(Creative Thinking) I can think “outside the box” to get innovative ideas and persevere to develop them
Select ONE simple task to achieve at the end:
- Drop an item into the recycling bin (Recommended)
- Turn on a light
- Close a door
- Turn on a button
- Pop a balloon
- Water a plant
- Put a toy away in a toy bin
- Ring a bell
- Get a candy
- Another simple task of your choosing
Watch these VIDEOS for inspiration:
GoldieBlox & Rube Goldberg “Princess Machine” (Inspiring)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIGyVa5Xftw
Chain Reaction Machine | Design Squad (Practical)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vblk7RIwa4A
STEPS
1) Select the task to be achieved (See above)
What will happen at the end of your contraption?
2) Watch inspirational videos (See above)
3) Collect materials (See suggested ideas under the videos)
4) Play with the materials and consider how they might work together
5) Consider working backwards*
For example, you might place a can at the end of your table with a recycling bin below. Your goal may be to have the can fall into the bin. You might just work on having your dominoes or blocks tip over and knock the can into the bin. If this is working, what can you add in front of the dominoes to knock them over?
6) [Intermediate Adaptation] I highly recommend increasing the complexity and elements for our older students. For example, adding various materials and elements, moving away from a straight line (Have it turn, jump, bump, etc.), consider various heights and simple machines to make it interesting. I would love to see a zip line!
7) Once you have created your contraption with at least three elements, take a photo or a video! [Be open to share a success or a failure - I had many!] Share the video in this Facebook group, share it with your teacher or e-mail it to Mrs. Byron (laura.byron@abbyschools.ca)
8) Reflection: With a parent, discuss how you worked through your setbacks and failures to develop your ideas and persevere. This can also be written in the form of a journal.
SELF-REGULATION: Remember, this activity will take a lot of trial and error, as well as perseverance. Ask yourself, what can I do when I am feeling frustrated? [Take a deep breathe: Smell the flowers/ Blow out the candle] How can I change my idea slightly so that it will work next time? I tweaked my ideas and materials MANY times before I had a clean run.
Have fun my super engineers!
Mrs. Byron
Nature Mandalas
Get outside and go for a walk collecting treasures along the way! If outside is not an option feel free to use items found around your house!
During this pandemic you may notice that your children's ability to self-regulate may be different from the norm. We are all going through something that is so unfamiliar to all of us and this was the perfect activity for our family.
COMPETENCIES EXPLORED
I have strategies for quieting my mind so that I can be more creative.
My son who is high energy and was quite elevated the morning before we completed this activity was able to collect all his materials and get lost in the activity. He was the one who was most engaged and continued to create different patterns.
MATERIALS:
- Items from nature (dandelions, rocks, leaves, bark, sticks, branches, pinecones, etc.)
- Alternative: household items (felts, marbles, cutlery, toothpicks, q-tips, buttons, legos, etc)
STEPS:
Watch/listen to "I am Peace" by Susan Verde https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXA3837uv3w
Refer to the picture of a mandala in this section and talk about the circular shape and the repetition of shapes. Children will then draw a mandala on their "Nature Mandala" worksheet.
Go on a nature walk or into your back yard to collect you materials from nature or gather items from your house if you do not have access to outside space.
Sit with your children and create mandalas out of your items with them. You will be pleasantly surprised at how relaxing this activity really can be.
Take pictures and paste them onto your worksheet or draw your final creation. Don't forget to reflect on the competency explored! Post your worksheets and pictures to our Facebook site (Stenersen STEM) or email them to Mme. Schwab!
Blanket Fort Challenge
Can you build a blanket fort that is STRONG, TALL and BRIGHT enough to complete one (or more!) of these 25 activities?
[See “25 THINGS YOU CAN DO IT A FORT” image]
COMPETENCIES EXPLORED:
(ADST) Make a product using known procedures or through modelling of others
(ADST) Use materials, tools and technologies in a safe manner in both physical and digital environments
(Creative Thinking) My ideas are fun, entertaining, or useful to me and my peers, and I have a sense of accomplishment
MATERIALS:
Required
- Blankets
- Sheets
Optional
- Cardboard boxes
- Clothespins
- Books
- Small fan (Adult supervision required)
- Small lamp or fairy lights (Adult supervision required)
- Dining Chairs (Adult supervision required)
- Whatever materials that will help you!
STEPS:
A great read aloud prior to this book is, "If I Built a House" by Chris Van Dusen. It is sure to inspire creativity! (Linked below!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXW89Pc8B7I
1) Collect your materials
2) Discuss or draw out a plan before starting, how will you meet all of the criteria?
3) Using the various photos and your own imagination for inspiration, build your fort!
4) This challenge must be done with the close supervision of an adult, especially if you will be using a fan, lights or any items that may be unstable. Please be very safe.
5) If you would like to be highlighted in a school photo collage of students engaging in this building activity, upload a photo of you inside your fort and e-mail it to Mrs. Byron (button below), engaging in one of the 25 activities
(This photo may be shared on the school/ STEM website)
Extension ideas:
Have your child draw a detailed picture of their dream house, including what each room would look like. Encourage your child to accompany this drawing with a journal entry, explaining "why" this would be their dream house.
Egg Drop Challenge 2020
Using materials from around your house and yard, can you construct an enclosure that will protect your egg when being dropped from the roof of your house? (Parent to drop the egg!)
Pair this lesson with a read aloud - Horton Hatches an Egg by Dr. Seuss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUgunDvBl90
A useful link to browse through - https://bit.ly/2wqhT5h
COMPETENCY EXPLORED: If I keep playing with my ideas, I can usually make them work, even if it takes a few tries.
Materials:
Recycled materials to create the egg holder out of (bubble wrap, cotton balls, styrofoam, egg cartons...whatever you can find to make your vision come true)
Scissors, glue, tape, stapler...
An Egg
STEPS:
Gather recycled materials & craft supplies from around your house
By looking at all of these materials draw a prototype or model of what you are envisioning your final project will look like
Construct your project!
Draw the final project or take a picture with your project and glue it on your worksheet.
Have a parent drop your creation off of the roof of your house or patio, whichever is safe!
Check to see if your egg survived
Reflect on your worksheet by writing about the competency explored.
Discuss with your children that they may have an initial idea that they try out, but we often change our ideas when we realize that they aren't working exactly how we wanted them too. For example, they may start with a padded box, test it (without an egg in it), realize that it may be falling too hard for an egg to stay safe in it, and change the design to have a parachute of some sort to allow for a softer landing.
Extensions could be related to physics! - https://bit.ly/3c6nH3i
Bird Nest Engineering Challenge
Using found materials, can you build a bird’s nest that will hold an egg?
COMPETENCY EXPLORED:
“I can get new ideas or build on or combine other people’s ideas to create new things within the constraints of a form, a problem, or materials”
MATERIALS:
- Natural Materials [Example: Moss, sticks, leaves, feathers, grass, flower petals …]
- String or twine [If needed]
- An Egg [You can use a real egg, a few chocolate eggs or even a golf ball!]
- Challenge adaptation: A larger stick with three branches that you will build the nest on [See Video]
STEPS:
1. Read the book “Mama Built a Nest” by watching the following read aloud on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t3tkn2rys4
1. What were the materials that the bird(s) used to build their nest? Make a list of the materials. Using a paper and pencil, draw out your plan for building a strong nest with these materials and any other materials that you can think of [Sheet attached for this]
2. Prepare to head outside and build your own bird’s nest that will be strong enough to hold an egg! [Egg alternatives: 3 marbles, 3 chocolate eggs, 1 golf ball, etc.]
3. The nest should hold the shape of a nest and not just lay flat
4. Use your list as a guide as you hunt for materials. Bring along some string or twine if needed
5. Once you have completed your nest and it holds your "egg", feel free to upload your photo and your activity sheet to Seesaw [Optional].
6. Reflection: How did the story help you develop your idea for the nest? What challenges did you face when building the nest?
Enjoy!
Frozen Animal Rescue Challenge
Can you save the animals from the ice?
COMPETENCY EXPLORED: I can use trial and error to make changes, solve problems, or incorporate new ideas from self or others
MATERIALS:
- A large plastic bowl or a large rectangular tupperware container
- Water
- Toys!
(select various animals or creatures that you will might have around the house to freeze in the ice – I used sea creatures but you might use Lego people, etc.)
ICE BREAKING/MELTING TOOLS:
(These are just suggestions…)
- Warm water
- Salt
- Play tools (Whatever you can find around the house)
- Rocks
- Use your imagination!
STEPS:
1. Place your toys in the container
2. With the help of an adult, add water and freeze overnight (The longer you leave it, the more solid it will be – 12 hours was perfect for a toddler, 24 hours will give you a more solid freeze)
3. Once it is frozen, collect the various items that you will use to save your animals!
4. Test each item and work until you have saved all of your animals
5. After trial and error with many tools, what tool helped you the most? What surprised you the most?
Perfect Square Exploration
How can you transform a perfect square?
COMPETENCY EXPLORED: I can usually make my ideas work within the constraints of a given form, problem, and materials if I keep playing with them.
MATERIALS:
6" x 6" or any square piece of paper
Scissors
Glue stick
Printout of Perfect Square Worksheet (attached as a photo)
STEPS:
1. Listen to the Perfect square with the youtube link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRqL7GUaavc
2. Have student engage in making their square piece of paper into their own creative masterpiece using scissors and glue. Every piece of the paper must be used to create their masterpiece. No piece can be left behind!
3. Have student complete the worksheet to reflect on their learning.