Christmas STEAM

Christmas STEAM 2023

Today we participated in a STEAM morning with a Christmas theme. All of these activities focused mainly on a maths element. Most activities, involved us working with a partner or small group, meaning we had to use skills involving teamwork and communication. We found that listening to our teammates and working collaboratively made us more efficient and our finished products stronger.

• Activity 1: use 100 cups to build a Christmas tree

We were given 100 plastic cups in a group. We had to work together to build a Christmas tree using all 100 cups. We looked at the shape of Christmas trees and noticed that they started off wider at the bottom and got narrower as we got to the top. We used pompoms to decorate the tree after successfully building it. This activity linked to length and height, shape and symmetry.

• Activity 2: create a jingle bell maze

We were given a range of resources to create a maze that a jingle bell could be moved around in. We had to think about the positioning of pipe cleaners and how to stick objects down without disrupting the movement of the jingle bell. This activity linked to position and direction, shape, and length and height.

• Activity 3: create a parachute for Santa

We were challenged with creating a safe way for Santa to get down the chimney. We decided to make a parachute using napkins, paper plates and string. We had to attach the string equally to help the balance of the parachute when descending. This activity mainly linked to time, position and direction, and length and height.

• Activity 4: Christmas geome-trees decorations

We were given net templates to create a range of Christmas decorations. We had to decorate the nets of 3D shapes and figure out how to create the objects by gluing the tabs carefully so as not to crush the card shape. We then figured out how to attach string, to make this into a hanging Christmas decoration. This activity linked to shape and symmetry.

• Activity 5: create 3D Christmas shapes

We were set the task of creating 3D Christmas shapes using cocktail sticks and mini marshmallows. We had to attach the mini marshmallows to cocktail sticks and then connect them to create different shapes. We created objects such as: Christmas trees, presents and Santa’s sleigh. This activity linked to shape, symmetry, length and height, and area and perimeter.

In December, we took part in a STEAM afternoon celebrating all things Christmas!

The children were split into 4 groups- each with their own challenge! This is how they worked together to help the elves find a solution to the Chaos at the North Pole:

• Children designed and made modes of transport to help the polar bear friend stuck on an iceberg!

Instructions were given for children to follow in order for them to make helicopters and gliders out of paper and card. Opportunity was also given for children to design their own aeroplanes. Children tested which mode travelled the furthest; they had to be very precise and created some very intricate modes of transport.

• Children built magical sleighs to get the reindeer to take flight after one of the elves spilled the magic dust!

Lollipop sticks of different sizes were used and a variety of tapes were available for children to build and create. They had to consider whether the sleigh would be stable enough to carry all the presents and be able to survive the long journey around the world. The children had a great time designing their practical sleighs!

• Children invented snowball launchers to help the elf who had broken his arm win the annual snowball contest!

Plastic spoons and elastic bands were joined effectively to launch snowball pom poms into the air. Children had to manipulate the spoons and use their fine motor skills successfully. The children had lots of fun putting these to the test!

• Children created igloos to help keep Santa warm whilst he was stuck in the snow!

A variety of materials were available such as polystyrene, marshmallows and cotton wall. Children used their imagination along with their cutting, scoring and joining skills to make some fabulous, creative designs.

It was wonderful to see all the children use their problem solving, creativity and communication skills to design and innovate!