The warm temperatures have departed, the leaves are falling, and everywhere you turn you see the signs of the changing seasons. Before we know it, winter will be upon us. Before that happens take some time to explore fall science through some fun STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) challenges!
Kaleidoscope
Supplies:
- Tube
- Tissue paper
- Contact paper
STEAM Connection:
- Science: Effects of Light; Color Mixing
- Engineering: Putting two pieces together
- Math: Counting the colors you see
Sweeping Leaves
Supplies:
- Real leaves
- Broom
- Fan (hand-held fan for younger children)
STEAM Connection:
- Science: Using natural resources; wind
- Technology: Broom, fan
- Math: Sort leaves by color, shape or size
Touch of Fall Guess Bag
Supplies:
- Fall items
- Brown bags
- Tongs
STEAM Connection:
- Science: Using natural resources; textures – Take a nature walk and collect fall items or explore with magnifying glasses
- Technology: Tongs
- Math: Counting the items; sorting and grouping items
Recycled/Natural Materials Self Portrait
Supplies:
- Mirror
- Paper
- Recycled materials
STEAM Connection:
- Science: Reflection, facial features
- Technology: Mirrors
- Engineering: Creating a face
- Art: Creating 3-D art
Five Little Pumpkins
Supplies:
- Five pumpkins
- Variety of building materials – paper towel rolls, popsicle sticks, clothes pins, unifix cubes, etc
STEAM Connection:
- Science: How do pumpkins grow? Stages of growth; What’s inside a pumpkin?
- Math: How much do pumpkins weigh? Size order – smallest to largest, tallest to shortest
- Engineering: Pose the challenge – Using the materials that we have, how can we create a structure to support these 5 little pumpkins?
Candy Tower
Supplies:
- Any fall candy (gummy pumpkins, marshmallow pumpkins, candy corn, etc
- Toothpicks
STEAM Connection:
- Engineering: Tell your child he or she has been chosen to create a centerpiece for a party. Create the
tallest tower that will stand on its own! - Math: Count how many pieces of candy and toothpicks were used to make the tower