Capital Area Intermediate Unit 15

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Storytime STEM Pack: The Snail and the Whale

Storytime STEM Pack: The Snail and the Whale
Subject Elementary School Engineering Reading Science STEM
STEM Concept: Sound and Engineering Design

Vibrating matter can make sounds and sound can make matter vibrate.

People use a variety of devices to communicate (send and receive information).

Developing and Optimizing Design Solutions

This Storytime STEM-Pack includes all the materials you need to engage kids in science activities that explore how vibrating matter can make sound, and how sound can travel through an object. Children apply this learning to engage in an engineering design task. After reading the popular children’s book The Snail and the Whale, children work in teams of four to design a communication device to help solve a problem on the speedboat out at sea.  Included in this set, you'll find:

  • Detailed instructions (i.e., lesson plan) for the learning activities
  • 1 paper cup, 1 piece of string, 1 paper clips, 1 metal spoon, 1 pencil, to make a spoon gong system,
  • 12 paper cups, 12 plastic cups, 12 foam cups
  • 1 roll of heavy cotton twine
  • 1 roll of thin cotton twine
  • 1 roll of masking tape
  • 1 box of paper clips
  • Communication Cards (6 small problem cards)
  • 1 Engineering Design Concept Card (8.5x11)
  • Word wall cards to use in context
  • A copy of The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson
The entire activity takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.  This STEM-pack is suitable for grades K-2.


IMPORTANT NOTES: PLEASE READ!

NOTE: Storytime STEM-packs users will need to submit a list of any kit consumables that were used while in your classroom so they can be replenished for the next reservation. 

Email STEMLibrary@caiu.org with the name of your kit, type(s) and amounts of materials consumed during the time you borrowed the kits. 

Able to replenish the items yourself through the stash of typical school supplies? Awesome! Please consider doing so and pay it forward. 
Quantity
1
Availability
May 2026
0% 
 100% available

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