Contraptions and Blues Clues: Preschool STEM Engineering Lesson Plan and Downloads

Contraptions and Blues Clues: Preschool STEM Engineering Lesson Plan and Downloads
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STEM-based lessons provide ways in which students can learn through hands-on experiences as well as by absorbing information from lessons and from the world around them. In the STEM classroom, the teacher focuses on a series of open-ended questions and places a big emphasis on the students asking open-ended questions as well.

Contraptions

When learning a new concept, it helps to have some previous comfort level. Since few preschool students have much working knowledge of engineering, why not use Blue’s Clues to provide them with a base for learning this new concept? The episode entitled “Contraptions” looks at simple engineering principles through use of different contraptions such as a hinge, a lever, a pulley and a ramp. By introducing these words and presenting a visual portrayal of how each of these devices work, students are given a chance to interact with simple engineering concepts and gain a better sense of how things are built.

In this episode, Blue and Joe are building simple contraptions. They work on devices like pulleys and levers. Other characters make contraptions as well. The clue hunt begins when Blue decides she is going to build a contraption. The focus of the show is to a) figure out what different contraptions do and b) build some unfinished contraptions. (See the References section for links to this video.)

Lesson Downloads

The first in a series of five articles based on using Nick Jr shows to teach STEM, this lesson looks at Engineering Principles. The downloadable worksheets, of which there are three, as well as the teacher resource sheet, will help make this lesson a success while employing the hands on and open-ended question techniques that are so essential for STEM learning.

Download the Teacher Resources & Worksheets

*The five Nick Jr lessons were developed through a “consultation” with a 3 ½ year old girl; my daughter. She watched each episode several times and these lessons have been used on her with excellent results.

References

This post is part of the series: STEM-Based Lessons Using Nick Jr Shows

Nick Jr. is a favorite with preschoolers across the country and around the world. The lessons in this series incorporate popular shows from this network to help interest and excite pre-k students.

  1. Blue’s Clues to Teach Engineering: a STEM Approach
  2. Dora the Explorer to Teach Science/Green Technology: A STEM Approach
  3. Teaching Math/Technology with Team Umizoomi: A STEM Approach
  4. Bubble Guppies Start To Teach Engineering: A STEM Approach