Launchpad - Introducing the topic (10–20 mins)
Step 1Before or after doing some garden work or observing a gardener in your local area, initiate a conversation with the child about the importance of wearing gardening gloves.
Ask the child to consider the following questions:
- Why do we need to wear gloves in the garden?
- What do you need to protect your hands from in the garden?
- Why do gardening gloves need to be strong?
- Do you think they should be waterproof?
Step 2Ask the child if they’d like to design their own unique pair of gardening gloves using paper or cardboard. Explain that the task will involve using their imagination and creativity. To create the outline of a garden glove, help the child trace an outline of their hand onto a piece of paper or cardboard.
Discover - Exploring the topic (20–30 mins)
Step 1To get started, ask the child to think about the type of tasks they would be doing in the garden. For example, pulling out weeds, planting or watering. Once they have thought about the tasks they would do, have them consider special features of the glove that would ensure their hands stayed protected. For example, discuss the materials needed to protect their hands from dirt, thorns and water.
Step 2Provide the child with crayons, markers or coloured pencils to design their glove/s. Encourage them to think creatively about adding special features such as extra strong material on the fingertips, patterns for grip and even decorative elements to make them more appealing to the wearer. If available, encourage the child to use craft materials (fabric scraps, buttons, yarn, etc.) to make the gloves 3-Dimensional.
Step 3Once the child has completed their gardening glove, spend some time reflecting on the science behind their design and the elements in the garden it is meant to protect against.
Discuss garden hazards by engaging the child in a discussion about the specific hazards in the garden that their gardening glove addresses. Prompt them with questions such as:
‘What are some things in the garden that can be rough on your hands?’
‘How does your glove protect against dirt, thorns, and water?’
‘Why is it important to protect ourselves from insects in the garden?’
Step 4Encourage an engineering-focused reflection by discussing the role of materials and design elements in providing protection from the hazards that they recognised. Prompt the child with questions such as:
- ‘What materials did you choose for your glove and why?’
- ‘How did the material you chose help to protect from the hazards that we spoke about?’
- ‘How did you decide on the decorations or special features of your glove?’
Showcase
Make
Record a video documenting the activity, including interviews with those involved sharing their insights and reflections.
Compile photos, drawings, and notes from the activity into a scrapbook, highlighting what was learned and enjoyed.
Use materials from the activity to build a model or prototype of something related to the topic, fostering hands-on learning and creativity.
Create a game related to the activity, such as a trivia game or charades, to reinforce learning in a fun way.
Discuss
Host a show and tell where the child shares their gardening glove design with a family member or friend. Encourage them to explain their design choices and special features. Ask them to share why they made these choices and how it protects their hands in the garden.
Choose a thought-provoking question or topic related to the activity and hold a family debate or discussion to explore different perspectives.
Sit down together to discuss the activity, allowing each family member to share their thoughts, discoveries and questions.
Have each family member prepare a short presentation about what they have learned, using visuals like drawings or props to illustrate key points.
Write
If the activity involved a visit to a museum or community centre, write thank-you notes to any instructors or organisers, reflecting on what has been learned.
Collaborate on writing a fictional story or play inspired by the themes or concepts explored during the activity.
Reflect on what has been learned during the activity and write letters to be opened at a later date, sharing thoughts, goals and aspirations.
If the activity involved outdoor exploration, begin a nature journal to document future outdoor adventures and observations.
Plan
Brainstorm some basic recipes that involve the use of cutting tools e.g. cookies, pastries or pizza. Decide on a suitable recipe you can make with the help of the child and discuss which cutting tools you will need to help you make it.
Take time to reflect on how the activity could inspire new goals, discussing ways to incorporate similar experiences into your routine in the future.
If the activity involved a specific topic or field of study, reach out to experts or professionals for interviews or Q&A sessions to deepen understanding.
If you enjoyed the activity, why not share it with other families within your community? Plan a workshop or invite a friend over to re-create the experience and share your new knowledge.