Storytime STEM: Giraffes Can't Dance In Stock Now

STEM Concept: Engineering Design

Developing and Optimizing Design Solutions

This Storytime STEM-Pack includes all the materials you need to engage kids in an engineering design task that also explores the concept of sound.  The activity is launched by reading the popular children's book Giraffes Can’t Dance with them, stopping mid-way to demonstrate with rubber bands how Cricket uses a string instrument, which works by making strings vibrate. Children are then challenged to work with a partner to build a musical instrument. They solve the problem of providing music for a parade that Giraffe and his friends would like to have.  Children discuss how musical instruments are an example of a man-made system, and explain how their instrument makes sound, before participating in a parade. At the end, children reflect on how they acted as engineers.  Included in this set, you'll find:

  • Detailed instructions (i.e., lesson plan) for the learning activities
  • 1 plastic box with three rubber bands (thin, medium, wide) and a craft stick
  • Rice, beans, pasta pieces
  • 24 4 oz. paper cups
  • 24 8 oz. paper cups
  • 24 12 oz. paper cups
  • 1 roll of masking tape
  • Animal Cards (8.5x11)
  • Sound Concept Card
  • 1 Engineering Design Concept Card (8.5x11)
  • Word wall cards to use in context
  • A copy of Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae

The entire activity takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.  This STEM-pack is suitable for grades PreK-2.