The Tallest Structure

Students address both science inquiry and math processes by building structures to create the tallest one they can. After checking the national science standards the room is set to encourag... See More

Students address both science inquiry and math processes by building structures to create the tallest one they can. After checking the national science standards the room is set to encourage building activities. This is done by putting out trade books about structures and increasing the block section of the room. As one reads through this article, one learns how teacher’s questions can effect student exploration and outcomes. Encouraging young children to count their blocks to measure how tall a structure is encourages both the gathering of data and counting skills.

Looking for Early Engineering

This article about young children building with blocks is an excellent example of STEM implementation in the elementary grades. Ingrid Chaffour and colleagues demonstrated how preschool chi... See More

This article about young children building with blocks is an excellent example of STEM implementation in the elementary grades. Ingrid Chaffour and colleagues demonstrated how preschool children develop inquiry skills as they try to build tall towers with the blocks. There is also a Venn diagram explaining the integration of math and science.