STEAM - Thinkerella · Thinkerkids will pull the sock end over the cut part of the plastic bottle until it is snug.. 3. Next, Thinkerkids will dip the sock part into the bubble solution

April 4th - 10th, 2016(Monday through Sunday)

Maker Movement Kids Weekpresented by

science • technology • engineering • art • mathSTEAM

©2016 Thinkerella. All Rights Reserved.

Maker Movement Kids Week is geared toward inspiring children to become the next generation of makers, doers, builders, shapers and inventors.

This week seeks to make education more child-centered, more relevant and more sensitive to each child’s remarkable capacity for learning. It represents expanded opportunities, learning through firsthand experience, and the basic human impulse to create.

Maker Movement Kids Weekpresented by



PROJECT SUPPLIES FOR THE WEEK

• Plastic bottle with the end cut off• The bottom of a sock• Pencil• Lab coat• Fingertip• Index card• Baby wipe• Safety goggles• Bamboo stick or chopstick• Pipe cleaner• Popsicle stick• 2 clothespins• Piece of bubble wrap• Piece of construction paper• Paint• Mini marshmallow• Toothpick

What You’ll Need...


Theme: Science

Lesson Name: Snake Bubbles

Required Materials & Supplies (per kid):• Plastic bottle with the end cut off• The bottom of a sock

(per class):• Dish detergent• Water• Bowl(s)

Lesson Description/Overview:Thinkerkids will make Snake bubbles. The science behind it: Bubbles form because of the surface tension of water. Hydrogen atoms in one water molecule are attracted to oxygen atoms in other water molecules. They like each other so much, they cling together. Bubbles enclose the maximum volume of air in the minimum amount of bubble solution, so that’s why they are always round. As you do this experiment, you are creating hundreds of tiny bubbles. As the air wiggles through the fabric, bubbles are continuously being made. The bubbles attach to each other when they come out of the fabric. It’s all thanks to the same hydrogen bonds that make bubbles possible!

Step-By-Step Instructions:1. While passing out supplies, ask Thinkerkids what they remember about surface tension. 2. Thinkerkids will pull the sock end over the cut part of the plastic bottle until it is snug..3. Next, Thinkerkids will dip the sock part into the bubble solution.4. Last, Thinkerkids will blow into the bottle from the other end. Tell them to NOT breathe in. 5. Clean up and explain the science behind it.

Time to Complete Lesson: 20 Minutes

Learning Objectives:By the end of this activity, Thinkerkids will:• Make a bubble snake• Understand surface tension

Real-World Application:Water insects are able to walk water because of the wax secreted on their legs combined with surface tension’s elastic-like cover.

How ThinkerKids Can Continue the Learning:Try this at home with a 2 liter bottle, a shirt, and a rubber band. How big can you make your snake?

SCIENCE MONDAY

Project“The science of today is the technology of tomorrow.”

- Edward Teller, physicist

Notes

Fun Fact:• Studying science teaches you

how to question, investigate, report and communicate.

Famous Scientists:• Albert Einstein• Leonardo da Vinci• Marie Curie• Nikola Tesla

Doodles


TECHNOLOGY TUESDAY“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”- Arthur C. Clarke, futurist & writer

Fun Fact:• Students studying technology

through a hands-on approach achieve significantly more than students taught traditionally.

Famous Technologists:• Admiral Grace Hopper, Navy• Jeff Bezos, Amazon• Larry Page, Google• Marty Cooper, Cellphones

Notes

Project

Doodles

Theme: Technology

Lesson Name: It’s Your Identity

Required Materials & Supplies (per kid):• Pencil•IndexCard• Fingertip•BabyWipe• LabCoats•SafetyGoggles

(per class):• Examplesofthe3typesoffingerprint

patterns (attached)• Ink Pads (number needed varies by num-

ber of Thinkerkids at each class)

Lesson Description/Overview:Thinkerkidswillmarktheirfingerprintsontoanindexcardandstudythemtoseetheirpatterns.Thesciencebehindit:Everyhumanbeinghasdifferentfingerprints.Likeasnowflake,notwoarealike.DetectivesandFBIagentsusetechnologytofindfingerprintsincrimescenesandtomatchthemtopossiblesuspects.Thereare3differentfingerprintpatterns,thewhorl,whichlookssortof like an expanding circle, the loop which looks a little like a mountain, and the arch, which looks like an arch.

Step-By-Step Instructions:1. While passing out supplies and putting on lab coats and goggles, have short discussion on

fingerprints.2. Thinkerkids will draw a vertical and a horizontal line across their index card, dividing it in 4

equal squares.3. Nexttheywillplaceoneoftheirfingersontheinkpadandputitinsideoneofthesquareson

theindexcard.Theyshoulddothistotwofingersoneachhand.4. Next,theywilllabeleachfingerprintastoleftorrighthandandwhichfingeritis:thumb,

index, middle, ring, or pinky.5. Thinkerkidswillexamineeachfingerprintandputaletterineachsquare,Wforwhorl,Lfor

loop, and A for arch.6. Theywillobserveanddetermineifalloftheirfingerprintsarethesamepattern.7. Wipefingertipsoffwithbabywipes.8. Clean up and explain the science behind it.


Learning Objectives:By the end of this activity, Thinkerkids will:• Identifythe3fingerprintpatterns• Classifyownfingerprintpattern• Explainwhyfingerprintsareimportant

Real-World Application:Policedetectivesusefingerprintstocatchbadguys

How ThinkerKids Can Continue the Learning:Askyourparentstoputtheirfingerprintsonpaperandseeiftheyhavethesamepatternasyou.

Project

Fingerprint patterns taken from www.education.com


ENGINEERING WEDNESDAY

Notes

“When you want to know how things really work, study them when they’re coming apart.”

- William Gibson

Fun Fact:• Engineers solve practical

problems by applying mathematical and scientific knowledge. The word engineer actually comes from a Latin word meaning ‘cleverness’.

Famous Engineers:• Archimedes of Syracuse• Edith Clarke• Gustave Eiffel• Judith Resnik

Theme: Engineering

Lesson Name:GoodGraciousGravity

Required Materials & Supplies (per kid):• 1 bamboo stick or chopstick• 1 pipe cleaner• 1 popsicle stick• 2 clothespins

(per class):• A roll of packing tape or another strong

tape

Lesson Description/Overview:Thinkerkids will construct an object using 3 supplies. They will get this supply to stand, on its own, on a thin bamboo stick, thanks to gravity. The science behind it: We cannot balance the popsicle stick on its own because its center of gravity (the average location for the weight of an object) is too high to let it balance. By adding the pipe cleaner and clothespins, it lowers the center of gravity, allowing it to balance on the bamboo stick. The center of gravity in our bodies is a little bit higher than our waist. That’s because we have more weight in the top half of our bodies.


gravity. Ask if they think a popsicle stick will stand on a bamboo stick with no glue or with no one holding it. Tell them they are going to make that happen.

2. Thinkerkidswillthebamboostickfirmlyontotheedgeofaworkspace(photo1).3. Next, they will wrap the pipe cleaner twice around the popsicle stick and twist, making sure

that the pipe cleaner is in the center and there are equal lengths of pipe cleaner on both sides (photos 2 and 3 for front and back sides of pipe cleaner.)

4. Have Thinkerkids place one clothespin on each end of the pipe cleaner (photo 4).5. Very carefully, have them place the popsicle stick onto the bamboo stick. It may need to be

moved ever so slightly. If it will not balance, the clothespins may need to be moved higher or lower on the pipe cleaner. In other words, there may need to be more of the pipe cleaner inserted into the end of the clothespin.

6. Be amazed (rest of the photos).7. Clean up and explain the science behind it.


Learning Objectives:By the end of this activity, Thinkerkids will:• Vertically balance a popsicle stick on a bamboo stick• Center of gravity• Explain how to change the center of gravity

Real-World Application:Our center of gravity allows us to stand up straight.

How ThinkerKids Can Continue the Learning:Find other thin items at home that you can try to balance.

Project

Doodles


Notes

Doodles

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”

-Pablo Picasso, Artist

Fun Fact:• Studentswhostudyartare

fourtimesmorelikelytoberecognizedforacademicachievement.

Famous Artists:• Frida Kahlo• Grandma Moses• Michelangelo• Vincent Van Gogh

Theme: Art

Lesson Name: Bubble Wrap Art

Required Materials & Supplies:• Piece of bubble wrap• Piece of construction paper• paint

Lesson Description/Overview:Thinkerkids will make bubble wrap art. The science behind it: Printmaking is a process where multiple prints of an image can be made by use of matrix on which the image is created.A composition is created on a surface from which a transfer using ink is possible, such as a plate, stone, piece of wood, potato, etc. Ink is applied, and the image is transferred to a substrate, usually paper. This piece of paper is known as a print. The same matrix can be used to create identical prints. A series of identical prints is known as an edition.

Step-By-Step Instructions:1. 1.ThinkerKidswillusefingerpaintwiththeirfingersortheirpaintbrushestomakedesigns

on their bubble wrap. 2. 2. Thinkerkids will carefully pick up bubble wrap and press, painted side down onto the

construction paper.3. 3. Thinkerkids will clean up and teacher will explain printmaking.


Learning Objectives:By the end of this activity, Thinkerkids will be able to:• Make a print

Real-World Application:The four most popular printmaking techniques are woodcut, etching, lithography, and screen printing.

How ThinkerKids Can Continue the Learning:Try printmaking at home with golf balls and tennis balls. Each will give a unique texture to your prints.

Project

ART THURSDAY


Theme: Math

Lesson Name: In a Heartbeat

Required Materials & Supplies:• Mini Marshmallow• Toothpick• Lab Coats• SafetyGoggles

Lesson Description/Overview:Thinkerkids will use a marshmallow and toothpick placed on their pulse to observe their pulse inaction.Theywillalsofigureouttheirheartrates.Thesciencebehindit:Ourheartisactuallyamuscle that sends blood throughout our body. Taking our pulse gives us our heart rate, how many timesitbeatsperminute.Theeasiestplacestofindourpulseareinourwristandneck.Funfacts:• Kidshavehigherheartratesthanadults.• Abat’sheartrateis750beatsperminute.• Acamel’sheartrateis30beatsperminute.


our heart and pulse.2. Partner up Thinkerkids so they are in groups of 2 and label them A and B.3. Explain that they will each do the following steps but will take turns. Partner A will do pulse

firstwhilepartnerBcounts.4. Both partners will carefully place their toothpicks in the marshmallow so that the marshmal-

lowcansitflatwiththetoothpickpokingoutofthetop.5. PartnerAwillplacehis/herleftforearmonthetableandfindhis/herpulseinhisleftwrist.

Partner B will assist if needed. 6. Partner A will place the marshmallow carefully onto the pulse. They will look at the top of the

toothpick and notice the tiny jumps it makes with each pulse. Partner A needs to keep his/herarmverystill.Dependingonplaceofpulse,itmaybedifficulttogettoothpicktostayupright. If this happens, arm may be turned a little. When teacher says go, both partners will count the number of jumps. (Teacher will time 15 seconds)

7. When 15 seconds is up, partners will multiply the number by 4 and they will give Partner A’s heart rate per minute.

8. Repeat steps 5-7 with Partner B taking his/her pulse with Partner A assisting.9. Clean up and explain the science behind it.


Learning Objectives:By the end of this activity, ThinkerKids will be able to:• Definepulse.• Find his/her pulse.• Giveheartrateofanimals.

Real-World Application:Dr.visits.Doctorstakeourpulsetofindourheartrate.

How ThinkerKids Can Continue the Learning:Take your pulse for one minute, or 15 seconds and multiply by 4 if you’re good at multiplication. Now do 25 jumping jacks. Take your pulse again. Does exercise make your heart speed up or slow down?

Project

Notes

Doodles

“No employment can be managed without arithmetic, no mechanical invention without geometry.”

- Benjamin Franklin

Fun Fact:• The number or Pi (3.14... the

ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle) can’t be expressed as a fraction, making it an irrational number. It never repeats and never ends when written as a decimal.

Examples of Math:• Ada Lovelace• Hypatia• Pythagoras• René Descartes

MATH FRIDAY


MAKER FAIRE SATURDAY

THINKERKIDS SESSIONS

This free interactive session will feature three hands-on activities focusing on various aspects of STEAM. Each child will receive their very own lab coat to bring home. Get your child’s free ticket by signing up on the registration page at mythinkerella.com.

This interactive session will feature three hands-on activities focusing on various aspects of STEAM. Each child will receive their very own lab coat to bring home. Buy your child’s ticket by signing up on the registration page at mythinkerella.com.

Saturday, April 910:30AM - 11:30AM

Sunday, April 10, 1:00PM - 2:00PM

New Orleans Mini Maker Faire is a fun, casual day of exploration, learning and spectacle. Dress comfortably – makers will be located both inside and outside of Tulane’s Lavin-Bernick Center, and the show will go on rain or shine. Also, you may encounter and make things involving robots, bubbles, soldering irons, LED lights, sewing, water balloons and more! Visit nolamakerfaire.com for more information.

New OrleansMaker Faire®

Mini Saturday, April 9, 201610AM - 5PM

Bricolage Academy3368 Esplanade Avenue


About Thinkerella

The award-winning Thinkerella is a hands-on educational program for girls and boys three to 13 years old that focuses on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) experiments and activities. Through its popular after-school program, workshops, birthday parties, and scout sessions, each ThinkerKids activity tackles and simplifies sometimes complex class material by making it fun and exciting through interactive learning experiences.

Created by local mom Cherie Melancon Franz, Thinkerella aims to inspire the next generation of makers, builders, shapers, doers, and inventors.

By the end of the 2015-16 school year, Thinkerella will have paid over $44,000 in additional income to local, certified teachers who serve as session facilitators and developers of the curricula and all lesson plans, and helped over 2,500 children in Greater New Orleans discover a new love of learning.

Cherie and Thinkerella have earned multiple awards, most notably Gambit’s 40 Under 40, Silicon Bayou’s Top 100 Most Innovative People in Louisiana, and the Millennial Awards Most Outstanding Business.

Thinkerella260 Hickory Avenue, Suite D

Harahan, LA 70123504-232-1394

[email protected]

mythinkerella.com@mythinkerella

facebook.com/ThinkerellaNola

Documents

STEAM - Thinkerella · Thinkerkids will pull the sock end over the cut part of the plastic bottle until it is snug.. 3. Next, Thinkerkids will dip the sock part into the bubble solution