Incorporating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities into Mother's Day celebrations fosters fun and meaningful family bonding and cultivates crucial skills in children.
STEM activities at home provide an excellent opportunity for kids to engage in hands-on learning experiences that stimulate their curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking skills. By integrating math into Mother's Day festivities this year, parents can encourage children to explore mathematical concepts creatively and practically.
Below are four fun and engaging STEM-inspired activities to enjoy with your child on Mother's Day:
Marble Art Cards
This activity provides an engaging way to explore fluid dynamics and colour mixing principles, making it a fun and educational STEM project.
- To create marble art cards for Mother's Day, gather supplies like cardstock paper, shaving cream, food colouring or liquid watercolours, a shallow tray, and a toothpick.
- Begin by spraying shaving cream onto the tray and spreading it evenly. Add drops of food colouring or liquid watercolours onto the shaving cream, then swirl the colours using the toothpick to create a marbled effect.
- Carefully press a piece of cardstock onto the coloured shaving cream, ensuring full contact. Gently lift the cardstock and scrape the excess shaving cream using a ruler or spatula. Allow the card to dry completely. Once dry, get creative with decorative elements and a heartfelt message.
Ice Cream in a Bag
This activity engages participants in a hands-on exploration of chemistry and thermodynamics, making it a fun STEM activity for all ages.
- Mix 1 cup of half-and-half milk, 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon of sugar, ice, and ¼ cup of salt in 1 small Ziploc bag.
- Fill a larger Ziploc bag halfway with ice and sprinkle salt over it. Place the smaller bag with the ice cream mixture into the larger bag with ice, seal tightly, and shake for about 5-10 minutes until the ice cream firms up.
- Then, carefully remove the smaller bag, wipe off excess salt, and serve the ice cream.
Technicolour Flowers
This STEM-inspired activity involves experimenting with the absorption and transportation of water and nutrients in plants and understanding the principles of colour mixing and diffusion.
- To create technicolour flowers for Mother's Day, begin by gathering fresh white flowers such as roses, carnations, or daisies.
- Prepare several small containers and fill each with water. Add a few drops of different food colouring to each container and mix. Trim the stems of the flowers at an angle and place each stem into a different coloured water solution. Let the flowers sit for several hours or overnight to absorb the colors.
- Once the petals have taken on the desired shades, arrange them in a vase, mixing and matching colours for a stunning technicolour bouquet.
Homemade Bath Bombs
This activity is a wonderful way to explore chemistry and demonstrate principles of chemical reactions, making it a fun and educational STEM activity for all ages.
- Start by gathering your ingredients: 1 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of citric acid, 1/2 cup of cornstarch, 1/2 cup of Epsom salt, 2-3 teaspoons of essential oil (such as lavender or rose), a few drops of food colouring (optional), and water in a spray bottle.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients thoroughly. Slowly add the essential oil, mixing well to distribute the scent evenly. If desired, add a few drops of food colouring for a pop of colour.
- Gradually spray the mixture with water, stirring continuously until it holds together when squeezed. Press the mixture into molds of your choice, packing it tightly. Allow the bath bombs to dry in the molds for 24 hours before carefully removing them.
- Once dry, wrap them in pretty tissue paper or place them in a decorative jar.
Author:
John Bianchette, Vice President of Education and Training of Mathnasium – responsible for developing the curriculum of mathematics that is being taught across the globe in over 1,100 learning centres.
Source: https://www.todaysparent.com/family/stem-inspired-mothers-day-gifts/.
