Literacy in STEM

Select a book title and corresponding STEM challenge that you would like to use in your STEM class and then email Cathy Gregos. The STEM teacher and Ms. Gregos will coordinate a date and time for the STEM challenge and co-teach the lesson.

Format

Each Literacy in STEM program begins with a reading of the approved book and discuss the engineering challenge presented within the story.

Introduce the collaborative engineering challenge based on book that encourages students to be curious, ask questions, and be creative. These learner-centered STEM challenges helps inspire the next generation's readers, leaders, thinkers, innovators, and problem-solvers!

Authors: Kimberly Derting and Shelli R. Johannes

Illustrator: Hannah Marks

*Named STEM Picture Book of the Year by the National Science Teachers Association NSTA

Book Synopsis: Penny isn't just the fourth little pig- she's an engineer. So when big bad Wolfgang destroys her brothers' homes, Penny comes to the rescue! When Wolfgang returns, Penny must use all her engineering know-how to save her family from his huffing and puffing.

Engineering Challenge: Help Penny engineer the tallest freestanding tower using ONLY index cards.

Parameters: Folding, tearing, crumpling, etc. are all allowed, but NO scissors, tape, glue, etc. The tower must support the weight of a book. Good luck! 🙂

Real Word Connection: Build real world connections to architects and different types of houses. Links to another approved book title, Dreaming Up by Christy Hale which highlights real world architecture around the world.

Materials: Index cards, rulers

Math Extension: Which geometric shapes provide the best structural base? Measure the height of your tower in inches, then convert to metric. Compare/ contrast the two measurements.

​

Author: David Wiesner

*Caldecott Medal Winner 2002

Book Synopsis: This picture book begins a seemingly familiar tale of three pigs preparing to build houses of straw, sticks, and bricks. But when the Big Bad Wolf comes looking for a snack, he huffs and puffs the first little pig right out of the story.... and into the realm of pure imagination! Dialogue balloons pepper a wide variety of illustration styles taking readers through a surprising and dazzling fantasy universe to the surprising and happy ending. You will never look at the "Three Little Pigs" - or artwork - the same way again!

Engineering Challenge: These three little pigs are looking to engineer a paper airplane to fly away from the big bad wolf! Design, test, improve, and enjoy the engineering design process.

Parameters: Pig safety is a must! The airplane design must be able to hold the mass of your pig. He/she must stay on board and record your farthest flight. Good luck! 🙂

Real Word Connection: Airplane engineering taking into consideration mass. How mass affects the flight distance. Click HERE for more resources.

Materials: Copy paper, squeaker pigs, meter sticks, tape, scissors

Math Extension: Measure/ label a runway for pig prototype practice flights and mark in increments. Determine the greatest mass your paper airplane prototype can carry while maintaining a minimum 6ft travel distance.

​

Author: Stephen Krensky

Book Synopsis: When the three little pigs go out to play in the snow, the only thing they are thinking about is riding on their sleds. But the Big Bad Wolf is out too, and he has other ideas in mind. If the pigs are not careful, they may end up in big trouble. In addition to a story that excites young children in Science and Engineering, this book contains parent guided activities designed to encourage and enable parents and grandparents to introduce science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts to young children through materials that can be found around the home.

Engineering Challenge: Build a ramp and sled that will transport your pigs safely across the ice without being eaten by the wolf.

Parameters: Construct a ramp and sled that will hold ALL table partners' pigs (increased mass). May use the foil, popsicle sticks, tape, scissors, index cards, etc. Pig safety is a must! The sled design must be able to transport all the pigs safely down the ramp across the ice (table) without losing any pig members. Good luck! 🙂

NGSS Connections:

• Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
• Make observations and/or measurements of an object's motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion.
• Define the problem (include criteria, requirements for successful solutions, and constraints, time and material limitations). Develop possible solutions (test and compare systematically). Improve design (build and test prototypes using fair tests with one variable change).

Materials: Copy paper, squeaker pigs, meter sticks, tape, scissors, aluminum foil, popsicle sticks

Math Extension: Students may "purchase" construction items using a pre-determined budget.

​

Author: Mordecai Gerstein

*Caldecott Medal Winner 2004

Book Synopsis: In 1974, French aerialist Philippe Petit threw a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Center and spent an hour walking, dancing, and performing high-wire tricks a quarter mile in the sky. This picture book captures the poetry and magic of the event with a poetry of its own: lyrical words and lovely paintings that present the detail, daring, and--in two dramatic foldout spreads-- the vertiginous drama of Petit's feat.

Engineering Challenge: Find the center of mass like a tightrope walker by balancing a popsicle stick upright on your finger. Click HERE for more information. Video HERE.

Parameters: Use only the materials provided, no tape or glue. Good luck! 🙂

NGSS Connections:

• Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
• Define the problem (include criteria, requirements for successful solutions, and constraints, time and material limitations). Develop possible solutions (test and compare systematically). Improve design (build and test prototypes using fair tests with one variable change).
  

Materials: Popsicle sticks, pipecleaners, 3/8" metal washers

Math Extension: Change the number or types of washers on your tightrope walker. Predict and test whether the tightrope walker will balance.

​

How can I do the same lesson for my other STEM classes after Ms. Gregos' visit?

Campuses can choose to either purchase the book for their STEM library or the STEM classes can watch the free read aloud available. All materials required for the STEM challenge must be provided by the campus and can be used for classes following Ms. Gregos' visit. STEM teacher will receive a copy of the presentation introducing the STEM Challenge as well.

How do I get the materials for the STEM Challenge?

All materials required for the STEM Challenges must be provided by the campus. However, these challenges are designed with basic, affordable, and readily accessible materials in mind. Therefore, many of the items are probably already on campus and/or easily obtained. 🙂