STEAM Storytime with A Camping Spree With Mr. Magee

We are kicking off our Summer STEAM Storytime series with the fun adventure book,  A Camping Spree With Mr. Magee.

STEAM is the combination of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Integrating STEAM based play is an easy and innovative way to enrich children’s learning.

STEAM Storytime is the combination of hands-on challenges inspired by your favorite picture books.

STEAM Challenge: Can you design and build a camper that floats?

Objective: Design and build a camper that can float inspired by the book, “A Camping Spree With Mr. Magee.”

Materials:

• “A Camping Spree With Mr. Magee” written by Chris Van Dusen
• DUPLO bricks
• Small Figurine
• Water
• Plastic Container
• Water Ramp (optional)

Teaching Strategy:

Read the book, “A Camping Spree With Mr. Magee”.  Discuss how it would feel to be in a camper that was rushing down a mountain and racing through the rapids of a river.

Use the DUPLO bricks to build a camper that can hold a small figurine and float in the water.

Test out your design. Does your camper float? Redesign as necessary.

Build a ramp for your camper to race down the hill and float in the water. Does it still float?

Guiding Questions:

• What would you do if you woke up to your camper in the middle of the river?
• What could Mr. McGee have done to prevent the bear from finding the marshmallows?
• What is your favorite part about camping?

STEAM Integrations:

Science: What other objects can float in the water?

Technology: What tools does Mr. McGee use to go camping in the story? What tools do you need for camping?

Engineering: Design and build a camper that can float.

Art: Draw a picture of your camper design.

Math: Create a graph of different items that can float or sink.

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