Exciting “Art Bot” and “Egg Drop” STEM lessons and activities connected with the amazing book:
“Papa’s Mechanical Fish“ by Candace Fleming
Click on the Lesson Support Button to open a document with detailed information on how to implement the activity with your students.
Overview & Instructions
SPACE
Overview
Overview – 2021 version
SPACE
Step-By-Step Instructions
SPACE
Egg Drop
My kids really enjoyed the book and STEM activity today. We had to make some changes due both the nature of the challenge (the egg part) and Covid (blowing into balloons). We designed our devices and did preliminary testing with ping pong balls. I tried including the balloons with the first class by having them step outside to blow them up. Unfortunately, once they were inside, too many balloons broke and I was uncomfortable with that given our Covid protocols. The second class was asked not to blow up the balloons until they got home. It worked even better as many of them found more innovative ways to provide drag to their devices. (I’ve attached one video.) I asked the kids to take these creations home and test with an egg (with parent permission). Thank you for providing an awesome experience!
Art Bot
My kids loved this! I modeled how to do it with some tips of the trade, along with watching both videos. Some still had trouble, but it’s really a great life lesson, trial and error!!! It was interesting to see their personalities shine. What a great project! I would love to do this lesson each year with one grade level to teach grit!
Art Bot Finished Product
