Learning Goal: I can conduct a scientific investigation.

First, think about the word STEAM. Do you know what it means?

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths.

When we work on science investigations we often need other skills such as technology, engineering, art and maths.

Today you will be given a range STEAM activities that involve two or more of these groups of skills. For these STEAM activities you will need to think like a scientist.

Some of these scientific investigations use simple ingredients you can find in your kitchen  such as salt and pepper. Remember to check with your responsible adults that it is OK before grabbing any kitchen supplies.

Next, choose one of the investigations below and conduct the experiment:

Then, if you are interested, and have time, you might like to do one of the other investigations.

Finally, don’t forget to share some of your  results, thoughts or images of any, or all, of the activities you do with your family, friends or teacher.

Extension: While you have all that salt you may want to make a Salt Pendulum

Add a little bit of food colour to the salt to make the coloured salt)

Goal: I can build a maze that allows a marble/ball to travel the paths from beginning to end?

Today, you will be designing and building a maze for a marble or small ball to travel from one end of a maze you create to the end without getting stuck! Before you begin, think about what you already know about mazes.

First, watch this video to give you ideas about how to build a maze Maze building with straws – kids stem activity – elementary stem project

Next, collect items from around your house that you can use to build the maze such as straws, pencils, pens or clothes pegs. You will also need tape to hold your items down, a piece of thick paper or cardboard (maybe a box lid) to act as the base of your maze and a small ball to travel the maze.

Then, plan your maze by sketching the plan on your card then create your maze!

Finally, test your maze and adjust the paths as you find any problems – describe what happened!

Remember, we would love to see your wonderful creations and hear about what worked really well and what you could improve.

You might like to rule up a page on your books like the attached template and email an image of it through to your teacher!

Building Mazes STEAM Activity

Goal: I can build a boat that will float and hold weight.

Today, you will be designing your own boat that can float and hold weight. Before you begin building, ask the following questions, What do you already know about boats? What do you know about sinking and floating?

First, watch this video

Next, collect items from around your home to build your boat! Remember your boat will need to float so you might think about items such as; straws, tape, glad wrap, aluminium foil, plastic cups, and, something to use as weights such as coins or counters.

You will also need a large container of water or sink, pot of water or bathtub to fill with water.

Then, plan your idea by either writing or sketching it before building your boat from the items you collected. When your boat is ready test it in your container of water.

Finally, add weights to your boat one at a time, to see how long your boat will continue to float. Describe what happened.

Remember, we would love to see your wonderful creations and hear about what worked really well and what you could improve.

You might like to rule up a page on your books like the attached template and email an image of it through to your teacher!

Building Boats STEAM Activity

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(press play to hear today’s lesson explained to you)

Goal: I can design a tool or device that could be used to protect our oceans from pollution caused by rubbish and litter.

Your design could be used to stop the rubbish getting into the ocean, or it could be used to remove the rubbish from underwater environments.

First, watch these short videos about some inventions being used to try to help this problem:

• BTN: Ocean Rubbish Clean Up
• BTN: The Seabin Scooping Plastic From The Ocean

Next, using a bucket of water and some household tools, experiment with the types of tools that could help to stop rubbish entering the water or that could be useful for removing different types of rubbish from the water.

Set up your experiment model by filling a bucket or large container with water, and adding small pieces of rubbish and litter (include different materials such as paper, plastic, leaves, food scraps, liquids, etc.)

Use the following household tools (or similar) to see which most effective:

• Tongs 
• Cutlery such forks, chopsticks, etc.
• Strainer or sieve
• Different types of spoons or scoops (slotted spoon, ladles)
• Tweezers
• Netting, mesh or fabric that could be used to strain liquid through
• Any other things that you think could work!

Draw up a table to list each tool and write down how effective it was:

Then, think about these different types of tools and draw up your design for your own ocean saving tool or device! Label its parts, how it works and what it would be made out of. 

Finally, make sure that any equipment that you used for the experiment gets washed thoroughly before putting it away (no putting dirty kitchen utensils back in the kitchen draw – YUK!).

Today you will be coming up with your own design for your perfect treehouse. If you get a chance, go outside or go for a walk and look up into the treetops for inspiration!

First… watch the video to hear the story “Everything You Need For A Treehouse”

Next… draw a detailed design of your own dream treehouse.

Include:

• Features
• Materials that it would be made out of
• How will people get in and out
• Are there moving parts?
• What makes it special

Then… see if you can make a simple model using things you have at home!

You could use:

• Sticks, leaves or other things from your yard (or that you find on a walk)
• Craft materials like paper, straws, pipecleaners
• Building toys, like Lego or other blocks.

Here are some examples below: