Early Stage 1 – STEM Activity 10
Don't fall, Humpty!
Description of activity
Students design a structure for Humpty Dumpty so that he can sit safely on the wall without falling off.
The suggested time for this activity is approximately 90 minutes (over 2 or 3 sessions).
Context
Students have observed balls, cylinders, spheres and cones rolling on flat and sloping surfaces and can identify that the way an object moves depends on its shape. In this context, students understand that round objects roll.
Students will have investigated a range of products and structures made to suit their purpose of containing unstable objects. They will produce solutions to prevent a round object from rolling off a flat surface, eg an ‘egg’ off a ‘wall’.
Outcomes
Skills
STe-4WS explores their immediate surroundings by questioning, observing using their senses and communicating to share their observations and ideas
STe-5WT uses a simple design process to produce solutions with identified purposes
MAe-3WM uses concrete materials and/or pictorial representations to support conclusions
Knowledge and understanding
STe-6NE identifies that the way objects move depends on a variety of factors
STe-10ME recognises how familiar products, places and spaces are made to suit their purpose
MAe-14MG manipulates, sorts and represents three-dimensional objects and describes them using everyday language
MAe-15MG manipulates, sorts and describes representations of two-dimensional shapes, including circles, triangles, squares and rectangles, using everyday language
ENe-1A communicates with peers and known adults in informal and guided activities demonstrating emerging skills of group interaction
Resources
- Balls of varying sizes, three-dimensional objects of varying shapes and sizes
- Wooden boards or other surfaces to test movement of three-dimensional objects
- Plastic eggs or plastic egg shakers (percussion instruments)
- Connecting blocks, wooden blocks and/or construction materials
- A low wall or bench, eg lunch seat, garden wall, wooden bench
- Masking tape or sticky tape
- Animation or materials for an enactment of Humpty Dumpty falling off a wall
- Small cardboard crowns and capes to attach to the plastic eggs (optional).
Work, health and safety
- Check relevant Work, health and safety guidelines.
- If working outside, check for spiders and insects in the workspace and use sun protection.
- Provide a padded or soft surface for students to kneel or sit on and to prevent damage to falling plastic eggs.
Evidence of work for assessment purposes
- A labelled sketch of a safe seat on a wall for an egg-shaped object. (The sketch is optional and depends on students’ abilities. In Early Stage 1, modelled ideas may often be regarded as a solution.)
- A photograph of a model of a safe seat on a wall that enables a plastic egg to stay upright.
STEM teaching and learning activities
- Observe the way a variety of cylindrical and spherical objects move, eg balls, plastic eggs, wheels, coins.
- Students sort a variety of three-dimensional objects according to attributes, then predict and test the movement of each using a plank or wooden board.
- Students explore the differences between egg shapes and ball shapes. Students draw two-dimensional shapes by tracing around the egg and the ball. Students discuss how these differences affect the movement of the objects.
- Observe an animation or enactment of the nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty.
- Infer why Humpty fell off the wall.
- Use a plastic egg on a wall to test the inferences.
- Assuming that Humpty wants to continue sitting on the wall, discuss possible solutions to prevent him from falling.
- Examine containers designed to hold eggs, eg egg cartons, egg cups, Easter egg boxes, historical emu egg carvings.
- Discuss and research devices and structures that prevent babies and toddlers from falling when seated, eg car safety seats, high chairs, baby seats.
- Students, in groups, dsign and produce a structure attached to a low wall or bench that enables a plastic egg to remain upright. The egg represents Humpty Dumpty and he needs to be able to get into and out of the structure easily.
Vocabulary list
Curved – bent
Flat – having a level surface
Object – a three-dimensional figure
Roll – to move by repeatedly turning over
Round – shaped like a circle
Shape – a two-dimensional figure
Size – overall dimensions of an object or shape
Key inquiry questions
How does a ball or egg move?
Students observe the movement of a variety of round objects. Encourage students to use specific language, eg curved, flat, pointy, round, roll, slide
How is the movement of an egg shape different from that of a ball?
Encourage students to experiment and describe using specific language, eg round, roll, even, uneven, expected
How do some products suit their purpose?
Students examine the features of products designed to stop unstable people and objects from falling.
Why did Humpty Dumpty fall off the wall?
Encourage students to make a link between the movement of an egg and the shape of Humpty Dumpty.
If Humpty wanted to sit safely on the wall, what can be added to the wall to keep him upright?
Encourage students to make suggestions and justify their choices.
Additional information
The following statements outline some common preconceived ideas that many students hold, which are scientifically inaccurate and may impede student understanding.
Shape and object
The word ‘object’ relates to three-dimensional figures and the word ‘shape’ relates to two-dimensional figures. Therefore, a ball is not a round shape. It forms a round shape when traced. However, the word ‘sphere’ is not yet introduced to Early Stage 1 students and so it is acceptable for students to state that ‘round objects roll’.
Whilst teachers model correct mathematical language, Early Stage 1 students are encouraged to use both formal and informal terms. In Stage 1 students will be introduced to the mathematical language of shapes and objects.
Support materials
- Shape up: student interactive on shape recognition
- Learn to draw shapes with Ziggy: short video
- YouTube video: Humpty Dumpty Sat On A Wall and Many More Nursery Rhymes for Children | Kids Songs animated song (video to 2:05 min)
- Image: Carved Emu Eggs, Australian Museum
- Do large balls rolls faster and further than small balls?: Curiosity Show video
- YouTube video: Stack, Slide or Roll 3D Shape song
Diversity of learners
For additional support- Guide students through the design process.
- Students view their peers’ models and reflect on their own design. They make adjustments if desired.
For extension
- Encourage students to draw and label their planned design before constructing it. They explain their design to their peers and make amendments following discussion.
- Students design a portable structure or device that can be placed onto a variety of flat surfaces that would keep Humpty upright.
- Students compose a recount of Humpty Dumpty using his new wall safety device. What does he like about it?
- Students use a stop-motion animation app to create an animation of their Humpty Dumpty egg getting onto the wall into the designed structure and staying there. The recount could be narrated over the animation.
Review
In this STEM activity students recognise that some everyday products are made to suit their purpose. They manipulated three-dimensional objects and have applied their understandings in the design of a purpose-built structure to prevent an object from rolling. In Stage 1, students will further examine how the purpose of a product influences its design. In Stage 1, students will use the language of three-dimensional objects: cone, cube, cylinder, sphere, prism and the shapes of the flat surfaces.
Working collaboratively, students have used their hands to manipulate a variety of objects and materials, to think creatively in the design process and to provide verbal explanations to justify their design choices. These skills are essential in all Technology courses.
NSW Government