In celebration of National STEM Day, Mrs. Kinney’s library at Clarkston Elementary transformed into a vibrant learning space, where students combined literature and engineering to create an unforgettable experience. Students from all grades gathered in the library to read ’Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey and then tackled an exciting STEM challenge inspired by the story.
The book, which humorously recounts the tale of a group of children determined to save turkeys from Farmer Mack Nugget, set the stage for a hands-on engineering activity. After the reading, Mrs. Kinney introduced students to the "Turkey Hideout Challenge" – a STEM project that encouraged creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. Using various STEM bins filled with materials like Keva planks, Lincoln Logs, and Legos, students were tasked with building a safe hideout for their turkeys, protecting them from Farmer Mack Nugget’s watchful eye.
Adding to the experience, Mrs. Kinney shared interesting turkey facts with the students, sparking curiosity about these unique birds. The students learned about the "snood," a fleshy extension on the male turkey's beak, and the "wattle," the bright red skin under its neck. These details added an educational twist to the activity, blending fun with knowledge about animal biology.
"The kids were engaged on so many levels – they got to listen to a story, work with their hands, and even learn some fun animal science,” Mrs. Kinney shared. “Seeing them collaborate to design and build their turkey hideouts was incredible."
Through laughter, creativity, and a bit of friendly competition, students embraced National STEM Day in a way that will stick with them long after the turkeys have hidden away.
