Magnets - A Family STEAM & Stories event

This program was intended to introduce STEAM concepts through stories and exploration activity stations to families with children ages 3-8 years old.    

Intro song:  Hello Friends (sign language action song for the words hello, friends, math, fun, and time)

Hello friends,
Hello friends,
Hello friends,
It's time to say hello.

Hello science,
Hello science,
Hello science,
It's time to have some fun.   

 

Demonstration and Storytime:

 

·         Read the book Magnets Push Magnets Pull by David A. Adler, illustrated by Anna Raff

·         Show the word card for magnetism.  Talk about what the definition of this word. 

·         Talk about where we see magnets in our world.   

·         Talk about how a metal object can become a magnet when it is touching a magnet.  Hand out large metal paperclips to each child.  Count how many paperclips can stick together in a long line with magnetism. 

·         Instruct on how to use the stations. 

 

Stations: 

 

Station #1- Crazy Hair (inspired by what I saw at https://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2013/10/preschool-lab-magnets.html)   

The children played with two wand magnets and cut up pipe cleaners. 

 

Station #2 – Magnetic Stick Craft (inspired by what I saw at https://intentionalstorytime.wordpress.com/storytime/magnets-science-storytime/)  

The children can take home their own decorative magnet.  Glue small magnets onto one side of a decorated craft stick. 

Supplies:

-          Tape magnet strip cut into small pieces

-          Large craft sticks

-          Coloring pens

-          Small stickers

  

Station #3 – Magnetic letters on magnetic flannelboard 

 

Station #4 – Magnetic or not magnetic (inspired by what I saw at https://intentionalstorytime.wordpress.com/storytime/magnets-science-storytime/)  

The children explore magnetism with wand magnets and a variety of small objects.

 

Station #5 – Magna-tile building toy