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[21st Century Skills]

This simple activity combines several skills and opens the door for discussion on today's world, specifically keeping in mind the way windmills function and how we could replicate it on a smaller scale. For this activity you will need very few materials: dixie cups, paint (optional), construction paper, scissors, and a split pin for each windmill. Begin by painting the cups if you so choose, then let them dry. Once dry, finish off the windmill by adding two pieces construction paper in the shape of a rectangle formed into an X shape. Attach the two pieces of paper with the split pin and see your final creation! Encourage creativity and allow students to paint or draw on their cup however they please.

To take things further, I would investigate the wind, how windmills function, their purpose, and the optimal materials to create the most life-like windmill that is even capable of spinning!

Idea adapted from: https://thepinterestedparent.com/2016/02/dixie-cup-windmills/

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[21st Century Skills]

Supplies: conductive play dough, insulating play dough, battery pack, and LED pin lights

You can find recipes for the above materials on the link attached. Through this experiment, students will learn that electricity flows in loops called circuits and it always takes the path of least resistance. Furthermore, the conductive dough will allow the electricity to flow while the insulating dough will not. (View link for direct instruction on how to connect your cords from the battery to the dough). Get creative and have fun!

Idea adapted from: https://teachbesideme.com/easy-play-dough-circuits/

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[Science Content Topics]

Consider introducing this idea with the non-fiction book Hurricanes! by Gail Gibbons to give the basic information about hurricanes. Then, with that knowledge, help your students make their own hurricane.

Materials: large round bowl of water, spoon, food coloring.

Steps:
1. Place your spoon in the bowl of water.
2. Stir the spoon in a circular motion around the side of the bowl until the water is moving quickly inside the bowl.
3. Add drops of food coloring into the center of the water.

Watch the color move from the center of the bowl and form bands like clouds in a hurricane!

Idea adapted from: https://inspirationlaboratories.com/make-a-hurricane/

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[Science Content Topics]

This activity will help children learn about shadow science and that shadows are formed when an object blocks light (the sun in this case). Students will trace shadows and then create sidewalk chalk art. Have them trace the shadows at different times throughout the day for best results.

Supplies: sunny day, open space, chalk paint, sidewalk chalk, paintbrushes.

Idea adapted from: https://rhythmsofplay.com/shadow-art-outdoor-science/

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[Science Content Topics]

WARNING: The following activity requires students willing to take on the ultimate task of solving a tough mystery! This plan (linked in great detail below) takes students through a blood analysis, handwriting analysis, fingerprinting, shoe print analysis, facial recognition, and fabric investigation. Each activity within this lab requires various skills that will challenge students to be the ultimate investigator while secretly tackling  science standards left and right.

Various materials necessary, however I would encourage creativity in adapting this to meet the resources you have available!

Ideas adapted from: https://teachbesideme.com/crime-scene-science-lab-lesson/

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[Science Content Topics]

In this exciting science experiment, kids will learn how salt can melt ice! This type of activity will provoke several discussion questions about the effects of adding salt to a piece of ice and the melting process. Extend this experiment to meet the need of every age and level of learner!

Materials: water, container for ice, freezer, tray/baking sheet, salt, liquid watercolors or food coloring, and pipettes or paint brushes.

Idea adapted from: https://typicallysimple.com/ice-and-salt-science-experiment/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=637268958_24667044_167774

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[Engineering and Design]

Prompt students with the question: "How do all the construction workers know what to do?" Then, explain the idea and importance of having a blueprint for any project (view the link below for detailed explanations and student-friendly language when instructing). To extend the lesson through art, have students construct their own blueprint using paper, paint, and LEGO's!

Idea adapted from: https://kidssteamlab.com/lego-printmaking-steam-activity-kids/

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[Engineering and Design]

BONFIRES! The perfect fall activity for students! Okay, so it may not be wise to host a bonfire for kids, but you can incorporate marshmallows into this building activity. Give students some marshmallows and pretzel sticks then let them build. Do not give any instruction, just let them inquire and play with the materials. Then, assuming they haven't eaten all of the building supplies, ask them to build a structure. Again, do not give any further instruction and see where they take things. You may notice younger students making 2D objects and older students beginning to make 3D shapes. Encourage them to build a giant structure then enjoy the marshmallows!

Idea adapted from: https://thestemlaboratory.com/pretzel-and-marshmallow-structures/

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[Creative / Innovative Thinking]

After going through a mini lesson on the science behind wind, allow students to make their own wind art. Discuss patterns, the "why" behind these patterns, and how they can create their own wind image based off of this knowledge (example below).

Materials: paper, any type of paint, feathers or a similar object.

Idea adapted from: https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS707US708&sxsrf=ACYBGNRAD_JyAx0tNTyGpmanokezs09ipw:1568672622872&q=creative+way+to+combine+science+and+art+site:pinterest.com&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjnw9HzsNbkAhUDnawKHVtKB-wQsAR6BAgJEAE&biw=892&bih=711#imgrc=g6YEwIfjieaIYM:

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[Creative / Innovative Thinking]

Encourage students to explore outside (preferably somewhere near trees, water, or various habitats). Have them record their observations of the environment in detail through words, images, and anything else that may be helpful to each individual. Using that information, what patterns did the students notice? Promote imagination in seeing things inside of other things (i.e. the different shapes among clouds, or the pattern that rocks may make along a body of water). They can take photos if allowed to document their findings for further use, for instance, if a student stumbles upon a type of bird they wish to investigate further.

Ideas adapted from: https://www.nagc.org/blog/developing-creative-thinking-skills-through-art-0