For some crazy reason I decided we needed an afterschool makerspace club! It meets every Tuesday; a different grade level each week (Kindergarten through Third Grade) for an hour in our school’s dedicated makerspace. The first time the grade met they helped develop Essential Agreements for the space and had the opportunity to explore and rotate through the different areas (LEGOS, KEVA, magnets, Ozobots).
At their second meeting each grade will have a challenge and for Kindergarten and First Grade it will be building a boat. First we read Pamela Allen’s book, Who Sank the Boat?
LEGO Animal-Step One
The students had to create their animal which will sit in their boat. They used LEGOS to make their critters.
Boat Construction-Step Two
I have been collecting a bunch of “junk” over the last year or so and sticking it in the library storage room; things like old CD, bubble wrap, styrafoam, etc. Students took turns “shopping” for one item at a time. They had unlimited access to a few things such as masking tape, popsicle sticks, rubber bands, yarn.
After completing their boat, they tested them in the “bay” without their animal, just to see if it would float. If they were successful they placed their animal in the boat.
Testing the Boats-Step Three
We added pennies to the boat to see if they could handle the extra “animal” weight. If they were still seaworthy we added waves!
They had so much fun!!
thelibraryteacher 