National Fairy Tale Day

Although February 26^th is the official National Fairy Tale Day, we think EVERY day is a good day to celebrate these wonderful “Once Upon a Time” stories.

We are also all about integrating fairy tales and engineering for several reasons:

• The stories are short and easily accessed
• Students are already familiar with most of the stories
• They lend themselves to the creation of unique problem solving challenges.

Whether in the classroom, in a hybrid situation or a virtual setting, using fairy tales to capture children’s imagination usually begins with an interesting “What if….” STEM challenge.

WHAT If... The Three Billy Goats needed a different way to cross?

WHAT IF….Jack wanted a tool to grab the golden egg?

WHAT IF…..Rapunzel had a different way to raise and lower people coming to her tower?

As the children’s minds are spinning with possible options you can have them apply the engineering design process so they question, discuss, plan, create, build and test their solutions.

Whether students have a wealth of materials in the classroom or some recycled items they can use at home, you will be amazed at the creativity and critical thinking skills. 

We are so excited about the increase of STEM related fairy tales being published now. The stories have science and engineering concepts and vocabulary as part of the story line. They are so perfect for a read-aloud when introducing a new science idea to a class as the students readily visualize how the characters are using the concept. 

STEM and Fairy Tales in Picture Books

Fractured Fairy Tales

Even more fun is using some of the fractured fairy tales that have been published. With hilarious storylines, they add a silly twist that kids love and they provide some new STEM challenge opportunities.

As you plan your STEM lessons this spring, we encourage you to include some “Enchanted Engineering” in your curriculum. The combination of well-loved literature and engineering will have you and your class “living happily ever after, “

We hope you and your class “Get Caught Engineering”,

Wendy and Cheryl

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