Welcome back to our summer blog series, “STEAM Adventure Island!” In our previous chapter, our adventurous friends discovered an ancient map and began their exciting journey on STEAM Island. Join Mia, Liam, Sara, Zoe, and Jay as their adventure continues, and they uncover new secrets at the Whispering Volcano.
The Adventure Continues
Mia, Liam, Sara, Zoe, and Jay still haven’t found Liam’s missing map. Determined to continue their search, they decide to explore a new area of the island called Whispering Volcano, hoping to find more clues.
Journey to the Whispering Volcano
As the young explorers make their way to the Whispering Volcano, known for its soft steam clouds and lush green surroundings, they spot fresh animal tracks leading toward the volcano. Eager to learn more, they follow the tracks, curious about what they might discover.
Discovering the Volcano’s Secrets
As they get closer to the volcano, the ground warms beneath their feet, and little puffs of steam escape from the ground here and there.
- Mia points to different rocks along the path. “These rocks came from inside the volcano,” she explains, showing her friends how to tell them apart by their colors and roughness.
- Liam uses a simple thermometer to check how warm the ground near the steam vents is. He writes down the temperatures on his gadget, explaining, “The heat from inside the earth heats up this place!”
- Sara is amazed by how steep the volcano’s side is. She shows her friends how to make a simple tool to measure the slope using a protractor and a piece of string.
- Zoe is inspired by the bright colors and misty air of the volcano. She starts drawing the scenery with her colorful pastels, trying to capture the warm feelings of the place.
- Jay counts each steam vent they pass and turns it into a fun game. He uses simple math to guess how many vents might be around the whole volcano.
The Parrot’s Surprise
While exploring, a bright flash of color catches their eye—a playful parrot flying overhead. The parrot swoops down and lands on a tree branch, squawking loudly. Intrigued by the bird, the friends approach the tree and notice something shiny in its nest. To their astonishment, it’s Liam’s map! The parrot had taken it to decorate its home.
The Unexpected Discovery
The children carefully think of a kind way to get the map back without scaring the parrot or ruining its nest. Zoe, always prepared with her art supplies, pulls out a shiny silver foil and some colorful beads from her art kit. Speaking softly to the parrot, she offers the sparkling materials in exchange for the map. Fascinated by the new shiny objects, the parrot agrees and swoops down to take them, leaving the map behind.
Lessons Learned and a New Mystery
With the map safely back, the friends gathered to discuss their next steps. “It’s important to remember that animals act by instinct and don’t understand human things,” Mia said thoughtfully. They all agreed on the importance of respecting nature and its creatures.
Just as they were about to leave the clearing, Zoe noticed something strange nearby. “What’s that?” she asked, pointing to a partially buried stone tablet near the base of the tree. The tablet had intricate carvings and strange symbols.
Liam examined the tablet closely. “This looks like it’s part of a larger structure,” he said. “And these symbols match some of the ones on our map near the area labeled the Floating Gardens.”
“Maybe this tablet is a clue to something hidden in the Floating Gardens,” Jay suggested, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“Let’s take it with us and see if we can find more clues,” Sara said, carefully lifting the tablet.
The friends, now even more excited, decided to head towards the Floating Gardens next, eager to uncover the mysteries the tablet might reveal about STEAM Island.
Join the Adventure
To enhance the experience, each chapter of our story comes with a hands-on STEAM activity. This week, your preschooler can explore the science of volcanology by creating your own active volcano.
Sign Up for the STEAM Activity Guide
Sign up with your email to get our complimentary activity guide, which includes detailed instructions for creating the baking soda volcano and all the STEAM extensions. Plus, you’ll receive weekly updates and more exciting STEAM activities for your preschooler!
Sign up now to join the adventure.
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