#STEMontheCheap – Page 5 – STEMAZing Systems Thinking

Magnets: Float Like A Butterfly, Sting Like A Bee

Learning Objectives Children will… • have an opportunity to test their creativity in this open-ended activity in which children will use magnets and other materials to build systems that defy gravity. Key Question How can you devise a system that defies gravity? (Lección disponible en español AQUÍ) Materials Magnets, large number of strong ones Tape…

Magnets: Fish Tales

Learning Objectives Children will… • make a fishing game. • quantify the strength of magnets by how many big fish and little fish they capture. • use their imaginations to tell stories about their fishing experiences. Key Question How many big fish compared to small fish can you catch? (Lección disponible en español AQUÍ) Materials…

Bingo Chip Genetics (Grandparents, Parents, and Siblings)

Write Your Own Picture Book Template

This template uses the storytelling frame (Rule 4) from Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling. Rule 4: “Once upon a time there was ___. Every day, ___. One day ___. Because of that, ___. Because of that, ___. Until finally ___.” Use it as a tool for letting students demonstrate their understanding of a topic by…

Magnetized Finger Cartesian Diver

Time Flies: Day, Night, Week, Month, Year

Learning Objectives Children will… • create a model of Earth rotating on its axis. • use the model to demonstrate a day and a week by making the model Earth rotate. • use the model to demonstrate a year by revolving around the Sun. • recognize which half of the Earth is experiencing day and…

Sundials for Everyone! Evidence of Earth’s Rotation

Learning Objectives Children will… • learn what a sundial is and how it works. • observe and record the pattern of shadows the sun creates on their sundial. Key Question How can we use simple materials to tell time? Materials Paper Plate Pencil Play-Doh Compass

Star Light, Star Bright

Learning Objectives Children will… • describe patterns in the stars. • learn what a constellation is, some names of constellations, and their mythology. Key Questions Do stars have patterns? When are the stars visible? Materials Constellation Luminary Battery-powered tea light candle Electrical tape Pushpin Paper towel tube Star Deck (optional) Single hole punch Flashlight with…

Phases of the Moon

Learning Objectives Children will… • become part of a model to demonstrate the phases of the moon. • match the phase of the moon they see using the model to phase of the moon cards. Key Questions What are the phases of the Moon and what causes them? What causes day and night on Earth?…

Out of This World Grid Game

A simple game using dice to help young mathematicians practice counting.