Ricky the Rock STEM Challenge

Teach about Force and Motion with Kindergarten STEM!

Can Kindergarteners do STEM? Yes! We’ve found it’s best to connect STEM and story using read aloud books. For this Challenge, students connect to Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll by Jay Miletsky.

We created lesson plans that are included in the Elementary STEM Teachers Club too.

Ricky the Rock STEM Challenge

In the story, Ricky could’t roll like all of the other rocks because of his shape. Ricky’s friends added different materials to Ricky to change his shape.

In this STEM Challenge, students add materials to help their rock roll better. Then, they examine how to push and pull their rock.

Material List:

  • Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll by Jay Miletsky

  • Teacher Demonstration Materials: toy items that can roll or move (cars, balls, etc.)

  • Flat Rocks

  • Paper

  • Tin Foil

  • Tape

  • Rubber Bands

Aligns to NGSS K-PS2-1

Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object.

You can also find this STEM Challenge in the Elementary STEM Teachers Club Membership.

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STEM, STEAM, Maker Education, Makerspace, EngineeringCarly and AdamSTEM, STEAM, Maker Education, NGSS STEM, Engineering, Makerspace ToolsComment