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STEM Storytime - Turning Trash into Toys

Virtual

Student
Grades
: Early Years - Grade 3
Time
: LIVE: 1.00 PM ET - recording available within 24 hours
Date:
April 9, 2024
Cost
: FREE
Hands holding world made of plastic trash
Lexie and Lennie the squirrels

Join Lexie and Lenny to read Lisa Lucas's book, "When the Earth Shook" and complete a hands-on science activity about upcycling waste! 

In this 45-minute activity, students will learn about how waste contributes to climate change and a solution for this problem. Using everyday household items, they will turn a waste item into a fun new toy. 

For this activity, students will need: 

  • Plastic water bottle with cap (cut in half horizontally prior to session) (Alternative: plastic or cardboard single-use cup) 
  • Ribbon or string (approx. 40-50 cm)  
  • Tinfoil (Alternative: ping pong ball) 
  • Tape  
  • Scissors  
  • Optional: Construction paper, markers, stickers to decorate 

Quick description of activity: Students will be making a cup-and-ball toy using the plastic water bottle. A piece of foil will serve as the ball. For safety reasons, please cut the water bottle in half prior to the session. See the following image for a sample of the finished product: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R-izRKVSRkLlfQe28s9SFbPxUss3d4HC/view?usp=sharing

This activity is targeted at students in Grades 1 to 3. Younger students may still enjoy the activity and book but may require more adult help and support. This activity can be done in teams.  

To find out more about this activity or register, click here. 

Join us for our weekly STEM Storytime series on Tuesdays at 1pm ET in English! If you cannot make it to a live session, feel free to register and you will be sent a link to the recording afterwards. 

You can register for upcoming sessions or access on-demand STEM Storytime events on our STEM Storytime Page