In the Woods and Along the Shore TK STEM Lab

The final TK STEM lab of the year was focused on birds, insects, and fish. The kids had an amazing time! (I think the adults might have too.) I did a good bit of research online to find the most fun centers out there. I try to do a mixture of science-based, math-related, and hands-on activities. Here is the list I came up with; pictures follow. Remember that we run 10 centers at a time, with 2/3 kids at a station. We do 5 rotations the first time we meet and 5 the next time we meet. That way all the kids get to do everything, but we don't stay for too long in any one place.

• Books about birds, insects, and fish
• Science experiment: ocean in a jar (Link to directions) 
• Plastic insects
• Bird pattern cards to use with pattern blocks (Link to free download) 
• Feed baby birds in nest using clothespin mama bird
• Underwater scavenger hunt (Link to free download)
• Bug hunt
• Feather cutting
• Caterpillar patterning 
• Play doh patterning on fish

*Most of the ideas I found online or adapted from something I found online. I have tried to share links to things I used. I did not pay for anything; I rarely do. I love free downloads!

I started out with wicky-wax worms and quickly switched to curly worms made from pipe-cleaners. The pipe-cleaner worms worked MUCH better. The mama bird's mouth opened and closed via a clothespin. The kids could help her pick up the worms and feed the baby by inserting worms into a hole near the baby's mouth. You can tell they are very on-task!

They loved this activity. Whenever they found a certain fish, they marked it off on their recording sheet. I used sheet protectors and dry-erase markers for easy repeat usage.

The difficult part for me was finding just the right ocean-container and just the right "periscope." The container had to be clear, not opaque, and big enough to tape the picture of ocean animals beneath it. So many containers I found were not see-through enough. The "periscopes" here are small vases. I found that plastic cups had a lift at the bottom which caused the blue water to get under or else a bubble formed. These vases were completely flat on the bottom. I used water, milk, and blue food-coloring to make the ocean. Luckily I began way ahead of time and could work out all the kinks. 

This was such a fun activity which I found online. I had to recreate the pieces on Canva to make them work. You need a patch of grass and an insect which you've trimmed around. Glue the insect face down on the back of the grass. Laminate. When the kids hold a flashlight up behind the grass, they can see the insect hiding. Full confession: I messed up so many times because I would glue the insect face up. It's hard to remember to glue face down! I can't remember where I saw the idea, but I made all my grass and insects using Canva. I made a recording sheet kind of like the ocean one, so the kids could check off each insect as they found it. They loved using flashlights!

This was probably my favorite TK STEM lab of the year. Each time I plan one I get a little better at knowing what they need and how to provide it. I am already looking forward to next year's labs and the improvements that can be made. TK STEM labs are just one of the things I love about the library!