Pumpkin-based, Project-based Learning
Source/Author: Nicole St. Amand, LS Director of Educational Technology
January 26, 2016
The kindergarten students embarked on a design-thinking challenge the week of Halloween. The project was a week-long challenge that integrated problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, math, science and even a little cooking!
The challenge:
Students must get a very large pumpkin to their classroom on their own, no adult can help or even talk to them about it. The pumpkin has to stay intact and not get damaged in the process. Students must agree on their group tactic and may use only tools and equipment easily accessible around the school.
Students must get a very large pumpkin to their classroom on their own, no adult can help or even talk to them about it. The pumpkin has to stay intact and not get damaged in the process. Students must agree on their group tactic and may use only tools and equipment easily accessible around the school.
The videos (at the beginning and end of the slideshow below) show how excited these students were when they worked together to solve their problem! At the end of the lesson, the students carved and decorated the pumpkins while discussing the different possible solutions they came up with when working together.
Design-thinking is one of the approaches that makes kindergarten in Shorecrest's Lower School an exceptional educational experience for young students. Design-thinking promotes problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as well as creativity and cooperation.
(photos and videos)
(photos and videos)
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