Tools && Experiments in the STR2EAM Classroom

Experiments are a fun and educational technique to introduce STR2EAM concepts to young learners. Throughout these activities, children can hypothesize (science), use tools and instruments (technology), read charts and document findings (reading), persevere (religion), design and create (engineering), take photos (art), and measure ingredients (mathematics). Teachers should document children's interests and ask questions like "What questions do you have about___?" or "What else would you like to know about?" to create experiments to seek answers and discover more about the world around them. 

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Unboxed! STEM Jr. by Little Tikes Episode 1: Wonder Lab Ultimate STEM Lab for Kids offers a variety of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) experiments. However, let's get our magnifying glass and take a deeper look. During these experiments, the children are practicing reading skills with the labels and directions on the toy, and they are experiencing character development, a component of religion, by working together. Lastly, as the children mix the colors in the milk experiment, they witness art ideas. 

The video displays how the Wonder Lab can be used to explore different learning domains and can be used as a guide for young learners as they begin to explore the STEM and STR2EAM concepts. To my surprise, the complete Little Tikes lab is cost-effective at only $70.32 and can be purchased here. Moreover, the video can inspire age-appropriate experiment ideas, tools, and concepts to incorporate in your next STR2EAM lesson without purchasing the lab system!! I would rate this video a four out of five stars. Although it is a Little Tikes Video, introducing alternative ways to conduct the experiments without the lab would further support other children, who do not have these specific tools, to understand STEM and STR2EAM learning.

 

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The STEM, STEAM, or STR2EAM tools and resources available in the classroom are just as important as the lessons planned. Decoding STEM/STEAM: The Toy Association STEM/STEAM Strategic Leadership Committee Report offers a deeper explanation of what toys support children's development of 21st-century skills and enhance children's learning opportunities. The greatest benefit of this article is the simple explanations throughout that will help educate teachers, parents, and other professionals on the advantages of the interdisciplinary teaching approach that promotes play and inquiry. I would rate Decoding STEM/STEAM: The Toy Association STEM/STEAM Strategic Leadership Committee Report a four our five for the extensive definitions and broad insight into STEM and STEAM learning. However, when opening the article, I expected to see specific examples of tools and toys and where to find them for my classroom. The article failed to include those examples or describe how the tools can enhance experiments or learning challenges. 

 

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11 Experiments That Failed by Jenny Offill is a silly and entertaining children's book that introduces young readers to science (experiments), technology (tools), reading (the actual book), religion (perseverance), engineering (designing and creating), art (the illustrations), and mathematics concepts (measuring). This book has an interesting plot that follows a young girl who thinks of ideas, hypothesizes, conducts experiments, and reviews her findings to determine an outcome. The illustrations are appealing to a young audience and enhance the overall purpose of the book. The word choice is appropriate for preschool or Kindergarten-age children while still introducing new vocabulary words and scenarios that help them understand the scientific method. I would use this book in my preschool classroom to help children witness scientific concepts in a fun and engaging manner, then ask open-ended questions to help them form personal connections with the story. I would rate 11 Experiments That Failed a five out of five for the quality of writing, meaningful purpose, and cohesive illustrations. If you enjoy the book as much as I did, you d the book here. 

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STR2EAM EXPERIMENT EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

SCIENCE: Oil and Water Science Activity Gather the ingredients. You will need a bottle or basin, water, oil, and food coloring. Before beginning the activity:

1. Ask the children what they think the experiment is and will happen when the ingredients are combined.
2. Document their responses on a large notepad to review later.
3. Allow the children to combine the water and oil into a bottle or basin.
4. Observe and record what happens.
5. Drop the food coloring on top and watch as it falls.
6. Ask the children why they think the ingredients reacted the way they did. 

TECHNOLOGY: Children are exposed to technology by using manmade resources like the bottle and food coloring during the oil and water experiment. 

READING: Before conducting the experiment read 11 Experiments that Failed. This book offers children new vocabulary like hypotheses and observation that they can now use during their own experiments. 

RELIGION: The children will witness perseverance, patience, and respect as they work together to overcome any challenges throughout the experiment. 

ENGINEERING: The children will be responsible for designing and creating any additional plans the experiment may need to succeed. 

ART: To incorporate art concepts, the children can choose specific colors to put into the bottles to mix and create new colors. 

MATHEMATICS: This experiment allows for several math domains to be included in one activity. Children can graph their findings, measure the liquids, and count the number of food coloring drops. 

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Resources and References

 

• Awesome Science Experiments for Kids: 100+ Fun STEM/ STEAM Projects

https://www.amazon.com/Awesome-Science-Experiments-Kids-Projects/dp/1939754666/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=C6OF0UXUFOHA&keywords=science+experiments+for+kids+3-5&qid=1638287061&s=books&sprefix=science+ex%2Cstripbooks%2C430&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExUUFGTllXT0M5VEpPJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzIwMzA2MjBHTE8yTFZFQ0I5NyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTc5MzA3MVZVS1BRSVNVUTkxRCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

• Decoding STEM/STEAM: The Toy Association STEM/STEAM Strategic Leadership Committee Report 

https://www.toyassociation.org/App_Themes/toyassociation_resp/downloads/research/whitepapers/decoding-stem-steam.pdf

 

• Learning Resources Primary Science Learning Lab Set, 12 Pieces, Ages 3+

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Primary-Science-%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Lab/dp/B00LD6UI9I/ref=asc_df_B00LD6UI9I/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167141005679&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17302924762272722683&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008493&hvtargid=pla-272947478347&psc=1

 

• Little Tikes Wonder Lab Ultimate STEM Lab for Kids can be purchased on Granterprise.

https://granterprise.com/product/stem-jr-wonder-lab-toy-with-experiments-for-kids/

 

• "Science Questions" is a great resource to learn more about questions to ask children that promote scientific thought and reflection. 

https://kindergartencafe.org/classroom-activities/science/science-questions-to-ask/

 

• "Unboxed! STEM Jr. by Little Tikes Episode 1: Wonder Lab Ultimate STEM Lab for Kids" is a video that can role model appropriate ways to handle tools while offering experiment ideas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5OGKOi77lk

 

• 11 Experiments That Failed by Jenny Offill READ ALOUD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOigboWnInU

 

• 11 Experiments That Failed by Jenny Offill

https://www.amazon.com/Experiments-That-Failed-Jenny-Offill/dp/0375847626/ref=asc_df_0375847626/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312699450644&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8166148757585975202&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008493&hvtargid=pla-491163073102&psc=1