{"id":230,"date":"2024-08-24T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-24T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/2015\/09\/fall-stem-challenge-for-kids-leaf-sculptures.html"},"modified":"2024-09-17T12:15:53","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T16:15:53","slug":"fall-stem-challenge-for-kids-leaf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/fall-stem-challenge-for-kids-leaf\/","title":{"rendered":"FALL STEM Challenge for Kids: Leaf Sculptures"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>This Fall <a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/steam-preschool-activities-for-stem\/\">STEM <\/a>Challenge will not only get kids outside and engaged with nature, it will also encourage them to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to create a leaf sculpture greater than 6 inches tall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Can you make a leaf sculpture?<\/strong>\u00a0             <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Fall2BSTEM2BChallenge.jpg\" alt=\"FALL STEM Challenge for Kids: Building Leaf Sculptures\" style=\"width:600px;height:901px\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><i>Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate Links&nbsp;<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FALL STEM Challenge for Kids: Leaf Sculptures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Objective: <\/strong>This lesson will engage early childhood children (Preschool to 3rd Grade) in STEM skills to design and build a leaf structure that is more than 6 inches tall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>STEM Skills Presented in this Lesson:<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Science<\/u>:<\/strong> Children will explore their natural world and learn about photosynthesis and chlorophyll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Technology<\/u>:<\/strong> Watch a video clip to introduce children to the terms of color changing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Engineering<\/u>:<\/strong> Design and Build a leaf sculpture that is over 6 inches tall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Math<\/u>:<\/strong> The students will measure their leaf sculptures and record their height to the nearest inch on a group chart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\">Want more ideas? Explore <a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/fall-stem-activities-for-kids\/\">50+ Fall STEM Activities for Kids<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">STEP 1: Nature walk and collect fallen leaves<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Go on a walk. Observe the changes fall brings to the natural world.&nbsp; Talk about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What colors do you see?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How are the leaves changing?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Where are the leaves?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Collect leaves of varying shapes and colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Teacher Notes: <\/strong>Even the youngest child may enjoy and learn from using correct terminology. This helps them to develop a deeper vocabulary base and understanding of scientific concepts.&nbsp; It&#8217;s OK and even encouraged to use the BIG words for science.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Photosynthesis<\/strong> is the name for the way that plants use sunlight to make sugars for their food. Chlorophyll gives leaves their basic green coloring. As the weather cools, leaves shut down their food-making process.&nbsp; The chlorophyll, the green from the leaves &#8211; leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is an ideal Fall Stem Activity for Kindergarten and Preschool<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">STEP 2: Video<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch a short video clip about the colors changing in the fall. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brainpop.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Brain Pop Leaves Video.<\/a> We use Brain Pop in our classroom, but I am including a free video clip from YouTube that I felt best described the process.&nbsp; It does contain ads. Sorry, I couldn&#8217;t find one without ads that was free!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">STEP 3: Set up the FALL STEM Challenge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><u>Materials Needed<\/u><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Collected Leaves<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B000PEN8U0\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B000PEN8U0&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=thedsponit02-20&amp;linkId=BLCUGM3PGE4BJGDA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Wikki Stix<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B0006OKGY0\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B0006OKGY0&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=thedsponit02-20&amp;linkId=ECXHY3HRXRROXP3N\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Ruler<\/a><figure><figure><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"http:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=thedsponit-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B0006OKGY0\" alt=\"\"><\/figure><\/figure><\/figure><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/IMG_5306.jpg\" alt=\"FALL STEM Challenge for Kids: Building Leaf Sculptures\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>1. <\/strong>For this challenge, the children will be asked to design a fall leaf sculpture that is greater than 6 inches high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> Solve the challenge<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First brainstorm ways that you can solve the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Will you twist?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use sticks?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Build a shape?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, try some of these ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/IMG_5322.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Step 4.<\/b> Test your sculpture to see if it is greater than 6 inches.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p> If it is not, then it&#8217;s back to step 3. Brainstorm ways to make the sculpture taller and try some of those ideas.&nbsp; Re-measure to see if the sculpture is greater than 6 inches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the sculpture is greater than 6 inches, then the child will record the data on a group T chart. This can be written on the whiteboard or chart paper. On the left will have the student&#8217;s name, and on the right, the height of their leave sculpture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more STEM + Art activities for young learners, grab this ebook, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B00NN4B0P4\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00NN4B0P4&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=thedsponit02-20&amp;linkId=MYJRS3XB2U2KSBWW\" target=\"_blank\">STEAM: Preschool Activities for STEM Enrichment<\/a>, a collection of 25 hands-on STEAM challenges for young learners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/back-to-school-stem-activities\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" data-pin-description=\"STEM activities with Apples for back to school STEM\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/stem-activities-with-apples-for-back-to-school-stem.jpg\" alt=\"STEM activities with Apples for back to school STEM.\" class=\"wp-image-42814\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/stem-activities-with-apples-for-back-to-school-stem.jpg 600w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/stem-activities-with-apples-for-back-to-school-stem-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/stem-activities-with-apples-for-back-to-school-stem-400x600.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/fall-stem-activities-for-kids\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"975\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/fall-STEM-activities-for-kids.jpg\" alt=\"50+ Fall STEM Activities for Kids\" class=\"wp-image-58483\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/fall-STEM-activities-for-kids.jpg 650w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/fall-STEM-activities-for-kids-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/fall-STEM-activities-for-kids-400x600.jpg 400w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/fall-STEM-activities-for-kids-600x900.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/steam-pumpkin-ideas-for-kids\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Pumpkin-STEAM-Activities-for-Kids-.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin STEAM Activities for Kids\" class=\"wp-image-20552\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Pumpkin-STEAM-Activities-for-Kids-.jpg 650w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Pumpkin-STEAM-Activities-for-Kids--600x831.jpg 600w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Pumpkin-STEAM-Activities-for-Kids--217x300.jpg 217w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More <a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/fall-stem-activities-for-kids\/\">Fall Stem Activities<\/a> for Kids <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/fall-stem-activities-for-kids\/\">50+ Fall STEM Activities for Kids<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/stacking-apples-game-for-kids\/\">Apple Stacking Game<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/pumpkin-stem-activity-inspired-by-five-little-pumpkins\/\">Pumpkin STEM Activity <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/stacking-pumpkins-activity-stem-activity-kids\/\">Stacking Pumpkins Activity<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/apple-theme-stem-activity-preschoolers\/\">Apple Theme STEM Activity <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/steam-pumpkin-ideas-for-kids\/\">10 STEAM Pumpkin Activities<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/science-in-motion-apple-game\/\">DIY Apple Game<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/chalk-number-game-with-leaves\/\">Chalk Numbers with Leaves <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/back-to-school-stem-activities\/\">Back to School STEM Activities<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/stem-activities-for-kids\/\">50+ STEM Activities for Kids<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<!-- This site is converting visitors into subscribers and customers with OptinMonster - https:\/\/optinmonster.com :: Campaign Title: September Activity Calendar -->\n<div id=\"om-wwxmndeikdkorrhsuwtr-holder\"><\/div>\n<script>(function(d,u,ac){var s=d.createElement('script');s.type='text\/javascript';s.src='https:\/\/a.omappapi.com\/app\/js\/api.min.js';s.async=true;s.dataset.user=u;s.dataset.campaign=ac;d.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(s);})(document,54930,'wwxmndeikdkorrhsuwtr');<\/script>\n<!-- \/ OptinMonster -->\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/40-activities-for-fall\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-pin-description=\"100+ Fall Activities for Kids \" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/100-fall-activities-for-kids-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"100+ Fall Activities for Kids\" class=\"wp-image-48763\" style=\"width:600px;height:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/100-fall-activities-for-kids-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/100-fall-activities-for-kids-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/100-fall-activities-for-kids-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/100-fall-activities-for-kids-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/100-fall-activities-for-kids-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/100-fall-activities-for-kids-125x125.jpg 125w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/100-fall-activities-for-kids-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/100-fall-activities-for-kids-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/100-fall-activities-for-kids.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Looking for more Fall Ideas? Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/40-activities-for-fall\/\">100+ Fall Activities for Kids! <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=thedsponit-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B00NN4B0P4\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This Fall STEM Challenge will not only get kids outside and engaged with nature, it will also encourage them to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to create a leaf sculpture greater than 6 inches tall. Can you make a leaf sculpture?\u00a0 Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate Links&nbsp; FALL STEM Challenge for Kids: Leaf Sculptures [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":127,"featured_media":3669,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[34,483],"tags":[135,10,284,15,14,12],"class_list":{"0":"post-230","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-science","8":"category-stem","9":"tag-fall","10":"tag-grade-school","11":"tag-leaves","12":"tag-preschool","13":"tag-steam","14":"tag-stem","15":"entry"},"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Fall2BSTEM2BChallenge.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"The Educators Spin On It","author_link":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/author\/theeducatorsspinonit\/"},"mv":{"thumbnail_id":3669,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Fall2BSTEM2BChallenge-200x300.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/127"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=230"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":78366,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230\/revisions\/78366"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}