Following a brief story and lesson in their STEAM classes with Lisa Richards, kindergarten students at Hampton Street School in the Mineola Union Free School District worked in cooperative groups to create plans that would get a gingerbread cookie across a river, made from a small pool.
Students were given supplies such as straws, clay, masking tape, egg cartons, popsicle sticks and wax paper to bring their drawings to life. Groups were able to test their boat’s ability to sink or swim and then adjust their design. At the end of the class, each group tested their final boat by putting the gingerbread cookie inside and setting sail across the river. The goal was for the gingerbread to escape and not get wet, while reinforcing science and engineering skills.
