Menu
Contact
Join STEMeez
login
Main Menu

  • Launchpad - Introducing the topic (10–20 mins)

    Step 1

    Ask, ‘What could we use to help us water the garden?’

    Step 2

    Either verbally or using a pen and paper, brainstorm a list of objects you could use around the house to help carry water to plants in the backyard. Encourage your child to come up with creative ideas and explain their reasoning behind each suggestion.

    Step 3

    Gather five of the items mentioned. Try to ensure they are made of different materials or structures.

    For example:

    • A paper of paper rolled into a tube and held together with sticky tape
    • A milk carton
    • A plastic container
    • A bucket hat
    • A pair of hands.

  • Discover - Exploring the topic (20–30 mins)

    Step 1

    Once you have gathered the selected items, set them up in the outdoor area where you have access to water.

    Step 2

    Invite your child to test each item as a vessel for carrying water. Encourage them to hypothesise which vessels they think will be most effective and why. Have them pour water into each vessel and observe how it holds and carries the water.

    Step 3

    As your child experiments, encourage them to make observations about each vessel’s performance based on its structure and material. Prompt them to consider factors like its ability to keep water inside, whether it absorbs liquid and how easy it is to use/carry.

    Step 4

    Engage in discussion about why some vessels were more effective than others, encouraging your child to articulate their reasoning and conclusions. You may also like to ask them to consider the cost of the vessel, how readily available it is and any other challenges it might present.

    Step 5

    After testing all the vessels, ask the child to reflect on their initial hypotheses and whether they were accurate. Encourage them to share what they have learned from the activity and any insights they have gained about materials and structural engineering in relation to carrying water.

    Step 6 (optional)

    Use a worksheet to prompt your child to record their findings.

    Step 7

    Once the activity is complete, assist your child in cleaning up the materials and returning them to their proper places.

Showcase

– Sharing the outcomes (15+ mins)
Select any option from the table or try our recommendation.

  • Make

    Create a game related to the activity, such as a trivia game or charades, to reinforce learning in a fun way.

    Record a video documenting the activity, including interviews with those involved sharing their insights and reflections. This may include filming each step of the flower-pressing process or the child explaining the parts of the flower that they have labelled on their flower-press diagram.

    Compile photos, drawings and notes from the activity into a scrapbook, highlighting what has been 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.

  • Discuss

    Choose an object or aspect of the activity to present to the rest of the family, explaining its significance and what the child has learned.

    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 ideas for a follow-up activity or experiment inspired by what has been learned during the initial activity.

    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.

Scroll to Top