KINDERGARTEN ENGINEERS
It's no secret that fairytales are some of the first stories our children see and hear. The 3 Little Pigs, Goldilocks, and Jack and the Beanstalk have become a beloved and familiar part of childhood. That is why St. Peter's kindergarten teachers, Mrs. Burrow, Mrs. Koclanis, and Mrs. Sustr, are using these stories and characters to teach STEM concepts (science, technology, engineering, and math) to their students. Over the past week, fairy tales have been the stepping stones to learn more about structure, function, and engineering for our kindergarteners.
After reading the story Jack and the Beanstalk, the teachers tasked the students with building the tallest, self-standing "beanstalk" they could using only pipe cleaners. They had to plan and draw out their project design, and if their method of building didn't work, they could change and try again. The kids were learning about engineering concepts like strong foundations and lightweight tops.
Next, the teachers gave the students the chance to help Goldie figure out how to build a belt drive to spin her friends. The kindergarteners followed along with the story and problem solved to keep it going by creating a moving part. The kids were problem-solving and building simple machines while continuing to build on basic engineering principles.
Our kindergarten classes continued exploring what it's like to be an engineer as they read the fairy tale The Three Little Pigs. They identified the construction materials each pig used and considered the structure and function of each one. The teachers gave each student a material that represented one from The Three Little Pigs story (toothpicks, craft sticks, and craft bricks). The students used these materials, along with their newfound knowledge of the design process, to model their own version of the little pig's home. They were challenged to plan ahead and think about if their building plan and materials would work. The classes wrapped up this fun activity with a visit from the "big bad wolf" (a fan) to see if the completed models could withstand the wolf's huffing and puffing.
What a fun way for our kindergarten students to begin learning about engineering concepts! These engaging activities are excellent for ensuring that St. Peter's students have a solid foundation to grow and flourish in their STEM skills.
