STEM Sparks: December 2024
Elementary School Design Brief: Our Living World
Imagine an elementary classroom buzzing with excitement as preschoolers transform into tiny gardeners and pollinators, bringing the magic of plant life cycles to life through hands-on activities and playful learning.
Course Description: In this Building Block, preschool students will be introduced to the life cycles of plants, butterflies, and frogs. They will use a multi-sensory approach as they plant and observe seed growth, experience hands-on lessons, enjoy literature, and share with teachers and students the circle of life.
Context: As a seed is deposited in the ground, a transformation occurs where the seed gathers nutrients and begins to sprout and grow roots. It then pushes through the soil to form a plant. The life cycle of a plant is a continuous process. Ask students to follow directions safely to plant a seed, tend to it, and observe how the seed grows.
Challenge: Using Nano Hex-bugs, students will act out the fourth stage of a plant’s growth by “buzzing around” to pollinate flowers to help promote new seed growth for our classroom plants.
Criteria: Students will each be given one flower to create. They can be grouped into teams to have multiple flowers to pollinate around the tables or classroom. With a few nano “bees” and some cheese powder, the magic of pollution will come alive.
Time Frame: one 30-minute lesson
Evaluation: Students love to see plants grow. Throughout this Building Block, they will continue observing a seed’s growth cycle. Students will move into following directions safely to plant a seed, tend to it, and observe how the seed grows.
ITEEA EbD™-TEEMS PreK: Our Living World
This EbD™ Elementary School Design Brief was authored by Ashley Fore and ITEEA's STEM Center for Teaching and Learning.