I had to opportunity to create a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activity for my after school program that I volunteer at. We were in charge of creating activities for students between grades three and four. These activities took place a week after after a growth mindset activity. This is important because STEM activities are meant to be challenging. It is important to teach students about growth-mindset in order to encourage them to try new ideas in the activities.
The activity that I chose to do with my students was called “Building Bridges”. Students were required to build a bridge between two platforms only using popsicle sticks and masking tape. There were many obstacles that students had to face. Not only did the bridge have to reach between the two platforms, but it also had to hold a roll of masking tape. If students had left over popsicle sticks, they were encouraged to think about the design of their bridge and make their bridge visually appealing. I chose to pair this activity with the book “The Most Magnificent Thing”, by Ashley Spires. This book encourages students to keep trying new ideas and finding their vision when building something visually. This book promotes a growth mindset in students, which will aid them in the STEM process.
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