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Van Gogh and the Sunflowers - Read Aloud Story Book Inspired By Vincent van Gogh

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Johnny Appleseed READ ALOUD for kids --- educational story for children

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Wikki Stix PUNKIN CHUNKIN STEM Challenge for Kids

The punkin chunkin challenge is designed for kids in 3rd-5th grades. The challenge can be completed indoors, but where possible, get the kids outside to demonstrate the launching capabilities of their designs!

Objective: Kids will use cross-disciplinary STEM skills to design and engineer a pumpkin launching contraption for distance using simple materials.

STEM Skills Presented:
Science: Kids will use skills within the scientific method to construct a pumpkin launching device using simple materials.

Technology: Kids will watch a video of a Punkin Chunkin event and use technology to document the planning and design phases of the challenge.

Engineering: Kids will design and engineer a simple pumpkin launching device using only the challenge materials.

Math: Kids will use geometric shapes, spatial and mathematical relationship skills, and measurement to complete the punkin chunkin design and launch.

What is PUNKIN CHUNKIN?

Show kids the pumpkin chunkin event video below for punkin chunkin inspiration!

Punkin Chunkin Challenge
Materials needed:

Green, Orange, Yellow Wikki Stix - 50 total per team/individual

One challenge directions printable here (download Punkin Chunkin directions here) for each student or team

One Cardboard Tube (TP roll size)

2 Straws (paper or plastic)

Directions:
Kids should have access to a hole punch and scissors. The kids do not have to use ALL supplies, but no additional supplies will be given. Time limit is 25 minutes to plan and construct a Wikki Stix pumpkin and a contraption that will somehow launch the pumpkin for distance. This challenge can be completed individually or in teams. Each team (or individual) will be allowed 2 opportunities to launch the created pumpkin. The farthest distance for each team (or individual) will be recorded.
Invite the kids to take digital photos of the planning and design phases. Photos are a great way to document learning, but in viewing the photos after the challenge, kids will gain valuable insights into the successes and failures of their constructed designs.

After the kids have finished the designs, go outside to test them out! Kids can use a tape measure or yard stick to measure and record the total distances all pumpkins travel from the launching devices.

Wikki Stix Slingshot Punkin Chunkin Device

The slingshot device above was designed by a 4th grade team. The kids constructed an orange pumpkin from Wikki Stix and a slingshot design for punkin chunkin. The team predicted that the pumpkin would deploy from the pouch using an underhand launch method. The design of the slingshot was genius, but the original orange pumpkin was too large and heavy to stay in the cardboard pouch. The girls went back to redesign the pumpkin. The smaller created pumpkin fit nicely into the pouch and traveled the farthest distance on the 2nd try!

Wikki Stix Push-Pop Pumpkin Launcher

A 3rd grader individually constructed the Wikki Stix push-pop pumpkin launcher! In true push-pop fashion, the student used a straw to propel a created green Wikki Stix pumpkin out of the cut cardboard tube. The pumpkin traveled the farthest distance on the very first try!

Wrap Up: PUNKIN CHUNKIN Challenge Response

Print the Punkin Chunkin Challenge response questions here ( download the Response Sheet pdf here) for each student. Come together and invite the kids to share how they would change their design next time or what difficulties they experienced in the design and engineering phase.

By offering STEM challenges to kids, they will gain valuable problem solving tools that can be applied to problems encountered in their everyday world. The punkin chunkin challenge is just one of many STEM/STEAM challenges available here at Wikki Stix! For more ways to encourage inquiry and problem solving skills, please see the free lesson plans below!
STEM and Project-Based Learning: SPIDERS! STEM Challenge for Kids: Bucket Pouring System Design STEM Education for Kids: a Make It Move Challenge STEM Education for Kids: Chain Link Building Challenge STEM Education for Kids: Tower Building Challenge STEAM Education for Kids: Mondrian Construction and Design STEAM FOR KIDS: Exploring and Constructing Tessellations STEAM Education: Kandinsky's Concentric Circles STEAM for Kids: Wikki Stix Parachute Man Design Challenge Parts of a Plant Cell STEAM Activity for Kids: Constellation Design Challenge Beyond Memorization: Activities to Promote Critical Thinking with Wikki Stix Open-Ended Engineering in Early Childhood SHAPES! A STEM Building Challenge for Kids!

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Fall STEM for Kids: Punkin Chunkin Engineering

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The World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association (WCPCA) is a non-profit organization that supports kids and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) through its annual Punkin Chunkin contest.

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Fall is coming and what better way to celebrate than with this fall harvest glitter slime recipe? It smells like a crisp fall morning and looks like the sunshine streaming through the colourful autumn leaves. An absolutely perfect slime for fall!
Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links
We have our favourite way of making slime. It is our tried and true method that works every time. But sometimes you need to try new things. You never know when you might find something even better! So this time we tried a slightly different recipe and technique for making the slime. It still uses contact lens solution and baking soda for all of us outside of the USA, plus that means it is extremely gentle for my sensitive skin. Which is important. When making slime it is about indulging your senses and it doesn't do anyone any good if it sets off an allergic reaction and covers you with rashes.

A New Foolproof Slime Recipe

What I like about this new technique is that it is a very set method with precise portions. I tend to be a "go with the flow" and "create it by feel" type of person, but many of my readers prefer more exact instructions. Especially because it is easy to over do the contact lens solution with my usual technique if you aren't careful. Many of my readers have asked for very exact directions and measurements, and with this technique and recipe, you've got them!

Check out this step by step video of our new slime recipe technique:

Just be aware it will still require kneading! And it will start out super sticky, but keeping working it and the stickiness will eventually go away.

OK, ready for a splendid, crisp fall morning experience for your senses with slime? Then let's do this!

Fall Harvest Glitter Slime Ingredients

Glitter Slime Directions

This slime reminds me a lot of our Crystal Gemstone Slime. Feel free to use real crystals and stones if you wish!

In a bowl, pour the entire 5 oz bottle of clear glue. Now add a ½ cup of water and ½ tsp baking soda. Mix well.

The next step is to bring some of that fall season crispness and freshness with some sparkles! So add in the glitter. Don't be shy! We want the slime to glitter and shine! Then add a handful of our fall coloured rhinestones. Finally top it off with 3 or 4 drops of harvest spice fragrance oil.

Now it is time for the magic, we need to add the activator which is the contact lens solution. Add 1 tbsp contact solution and watch the slime instantly start to form into a blob. Stir gently so it forms a nice sized chunk of slime. Then pull it out and begin kneading. It will be sticky, but don't panic. Simply keep kneading it and the stickiness will go away leaving you with gorgeous stretchy slime.

Store in an airtight container. I recommend never keeping slime for longer than a few days.

What To Do If Your Slime Breaks Or Gets Hard

One of the most common questions I get asked about making slime is what to do if your slime breaks or gets hard. This can happen if you use too much contact lens solution. Hopefully with this new technique that won't be an issue, but if it is, there are two things you can try to save your slime.

First up you can try dipping your slime in warm to hot water. You want it almost too hot to touch. Definitely have an adult do this. Simply dip it in the water, then work the slime. You might need to dip and knead the slime a few times but this should hopefully bring back some stretch.

Another option is to try adding a squirt of hand lotion to your slime. It should help bring back some stretchy but it can make the slime a bit more "slimey" than normal. But if you need to save a batch of slime, it's worth a try!

Happy slime making!

More Cool Slime Recipes

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Fall is coming and what better way to celebrate than with this fall harvest glitter slime recipe? It smells like a crisp fall morning and looks like the sunshine streaming through the colourful autumn leaves. An absolutely perfect slime for fall! Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links We have our favourite way of making slime .

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If you are looking for apple activities, look no further than this fluffy green apple slime! This laffy taffy slime has such a fun pillow-like texture, smells amazing, and looks like a pale green granny smith apple. Use this apple slime has a fun fall activity for kids of all ages from toddler, preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd graders too. This apple activities for preschoolers is not to be missed!

Apple Slime

This quick apple slime recipe is perfect for an apple theme or fall theme with kids. All you need are a few simple ingredients to make this outrageoulsy FUN laffy taffy slime recipe that makes epic apple activities! Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler - this apple activitty for preschool is sure to be a hit in September. Use this fall activities with toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners, grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 students for a fantastic activity for strengthening hand muscles, getting craetive, exploring cause-and-effect, and having FUN!

Laffy Taffy Slime

All you need to whip up this fantastic fluffy slime recipe are a few simple materials you probably already have laying around your house:

1/2 cup of Elmer's White Glue

3 Cups of white Foam Shaving Cream

1/2 tsp baking soda

green Food Coloring

1 Tablespoon of saline solution

apple essential oil (optional)

Fluffy slime recipe

Start by adding shaving cream, baking soda and glue to your bowl. Now add geren food coloring. HINT: To achieve a brighter color you will need to add more food coloring due to the abundance of white shaving cream in the bowl.

How to Make Fluffy Slime

The texture of this slime is so delightful! It is fluffy and so much fun to mound and knead.

Green Apple Slime

Personally I like the pastel colored green as it seems to match the fluffyness of the slime, but we also tried getting more dramatic and ended up with this neon green-looking slime.

Apple Activities

Kids will love stretching, sheeting, mounding, and digging into this really cool sime recipe.

Apple Activities for Preschoolers

You can make a lovely apple for a fun fall themed activity. We added a twig and leaf for a fun, natural look.

Fall Activities

This fluffy green apple slime seriously has the BEST texture and is great for helping young learners strengthen their hand muscles while having FUN!

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FLUFFY Laffy Taffy Apple Slime Recipe - Fall Activities for Kids

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If you are looking for apple activities, look no further than this fluffy green apple slime! This laffy taffy slime has such a fun pillow-like texture, smells amazing, and looks like a pale green granny smith apple.

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Download the Task

How many blocks will it take to level out the balance scale? Estimate

Write an estimate you know is too high. Write an estimate you know is too low.

The weight of the apple. The weight of a single cube
Thanks Robert Kaplinsky for the sequel image.
Click the link here to find more of My 3-Act Lessons

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Act 1 - The Apple Download the Task Watch the Video: How many blocks will it take to level out the balance scale? Estimate Write an estimate you know is too high. Write an es...

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Act 1 Watch the video Which girl won by eating more of her apple? Estimate Act 2 Number of slices each apple was cut up into ...

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This blog uses affiliate links. Basically, I make a small commission when you use these links, at no additional cost to you.

Head outdoors for this simple fall math activity for kids!

Playing with fall leaves offers lots of learning opportunities for kids. You can observe and compare the color of leaves, discuss the science behind the color changing, and even use the leaves to learn about math concepts like counting, size, and measurement. We've been lucky enough to have a warmer October than usual, so we headed outdoors to work on some math learning using the colorful fall leaves. This simple math activity combines math learning with a scavenger hunt and my boys had so much fun!

Married to her high school sweetheart, Dyan is a Canadian stay-at-home mom to two boys, J and K. She is also a part-time piano teacher. She likes board games, video games, Instant Pots, and reading. To stay connected, subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get a copy of the free Weekly Autism Planner and follow along on social media.

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Measuring Fall Leaves {Outdoor Math Play}

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This blog uses affiliate links. Basically, I make a small commission when you use these links, at no additional cost to you. Head outdoors for this simple fall math activity for kids! Playing with fall leaves offers lots of learning opportunities for kids.

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https://www.teachwithme.com/downloads/item/3815-measuring-activities-with-apples-and-pumpkins

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11 pages. Common Core State Standard: K.MD.1, K.MD.2, 1.MD.4

Help students practice measurement, by using apples and pumpkins. You can run this packet off as an entire booklet, or use one worksheet each day during your math or science block. I have pages where students measure with blocks, and others where students measure with a real scale and a yardstick.

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11 pages. Common Core State Standard: K.MD.1, K.MD.2, 1.MD.4 Help students practice measurement, by using apples and pumpkins. You can run this packet off as an entire booklet, or use one worksheet each day during your math or science block. I have pages where students measure with block...