STEM Storytime – Build a Playground
Join Let's Talk Science Outreach to read Lois Spangler's book, "The Fort on Fourth Street: A Story about the Six Simple Machines" and complete a hands-on science activity about simple machines!
In this activity, students will learn about the different types of simple machines and some examples of each. Then they will use everyday household items to make 3 types of simple machines that are often found in a playground.
For this activity, students will need:
- 1 piece of construction paper or paper plate
- Tape
- Scissors
1) Roundabout: (wheel & axle)
- 1 small, cut-out circle on cardstock or construction paper
- 1 brass pin (alternatives: toothpick, short pipe cleaner)
- 1 regular or 2 short pipe cleaners
2) Teeter-totter: (lever)
- 1 straw
- 3 craft sticks (alternative: rectangle cut out on cardboard or cardstock)
- 1 regular or 2 short pipe cleaners
3) Slide: (inclined plane)
- 3 craft sticks
- 2 pipe cleaners
Quick description of activity: On a piece of construction paper or paper plate, students will make a round-about, teeter-totter, and slide using the materials above. See the following link for a sample picture of a finished playground: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tM2DccifoxiljCwiYqOERwJjJL65o6-s/view?usp=share_link. Note that the recording will also be sent out afterwards for students who may struggle to complete all 3 during the session.
Please join us for our weekly STEM Storytime series on Tuesdays at 1pm ET in English! For each week that you participate in a STEM Storytime live event, you’ll receive an entry in our monthly draw for a $50 gift card to buy books for your classroom! 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 find upcoming listings on the events section of the Let’s Talk Science website: https://letstalkscience.ca/events?type=storytime.