Dear Mr. Henshaw STEM Experiment + STEM Project for Grades 3, 4, 5

Leigh Botts from Dear Mr. Henshaw needs your help! This STEM project encourages problem-solving as students plan and construct a device that will help protect Leigh's lunch from a sneaky thief. Perfect for blending literature with science, it allows students to explore engineering concepts using simple supplies while promoting teamwork and critical thinking.

What’s Inside This Resource:

• Student Letter: A pleading letter from Leigh introduces the challenge, linking the story to a real-world engineering task.

• Design Loop Graphic: A visual students can attach to their science journals, serving as a step-by-step guide throughout the activity.

• Detailed Instructions: Choose to print the guide as a packet or have students record each stage in their journals for an interactive experience.

• Teacher Tips: Practical guidance for crafting a clear problem statement with time constraints, materials, and success criteria tailored to your classroom.

Skills Your Students Will Build:

✔ Problem-Solving: Identify obstacles and create inventive solutions.
✔ Engineering Design: Navigate the design loop—plan, construct, test, and refine. This page can easily be enlarged for a classroom poster.
✔ Critical Thinking: Assess their prototype’s performance and pinpoint ways to enhance it.
✔ Teamwork: Collaborate effectively to accomplish shared goals.

Versatile Classroom Application:

Whether as guided instruction or part of an integrated literature and science unit, this STEM activity encourages students to think creatively, document their process, and meet science and engineering standards. The rubric included is based on engineering concepts, but can also be used as a nonfiction writing rubric for cross-curricular options.

Why Educators Love This Resource:

⭐ “My students were fully engaged, combining their passion for reading with STEM!”
⭐ “Simple to set up and encourages creativity and teamwork.”
⭐ “A seamless connection between literature and science for cross-curricular learning!”

Encourage your students to solve Leigh’s challenge and experience the excitement of engineering with this standards-aligned STEM adventure!