Submitting Organization: ASSET STEM Education
Grade Levels: 2nd
Subject Area: Engineering
Standards Alignment: Next Generation Science Standards
K-2-ETS1-1, K-2-ETS1-2, K-2-ETS1-3
Description of the Activity: This Active STEM Learning Activity engages students in an engineering design challenge that stimulates creativity while promoting problem solving, communication and critical-thinking skills at the early childhood/elementary level. This lesson fosters Social Emotional Learning Development by promoting active listening, cooperation, respecting others and others’ choices. This lesson also fosters fine motor skills by allowing students to utilize and manipulate materials to build a bubble wand.
Discussion Questions:
Exploratory Questions:
- Which materials worked best for blowing bubbles?
- What did you notice about the kind of wand you used and the size of bubbles you made?
- What did you notice about the coloring of your bubbles?
- Is a bubble always round? (See Extensions)
Before Questions:
- Have you ever blown or seen a soap bubble?
- How do you make a bubble?
- What can you use to help you make bubbles?
- What questions do you have about bubbles?
- Which materials do you think may be best for meeting your challenge?
- How can you work together?
- How will the size of the bubble needed, help you determine which materials to use?
During Questions:
- Which materials do you think may be best for meeting your challenge?
- How can you work together?
- How will the size of the bubble needed, help you determine which materials to use?
- How do you believe engineers work together?
- Why did you choose the materials you are using?
After Questions:
- What challenges did you have while designing your bubble wand?
- What compromises did you make when deciding on the materials to use when making your bubble wand?
- How did you overcome these challenges?
- What would you do differently the next time?
Resources Needed:
- Pipe cleaners
- Twist ties
- Mesh bag from oranges, limes, etc.
- Paper towel tubes
- Drinking straws
- Rubber bands
- Materials to build the wand (see above)
- Bubble solution
- Basin for bubble solution for each group
- Newspaper or disposable table cloth
- Paper towels
- Scissors
- *Timer
- *Camera (for capturing the moments)
* Optional
Link to further resources: