Tinkering for Young Learners Explorations
We developed the set of resources on this page to support hands-on and playful engagement for young learners through two investigations: Ramps and Rollers and Light and Shadow.
Ramps and Rollers
We are exploring things that roll, trajectory, creating slopes, and more. It is the continuation of our marble machines activity, but uses everyday materials and focuses on younger learners (ages 3-6).
Jump right in and try out a prompt, then share your process or project on social media with the hashtag #RampsAndRollers. We are constantly curating our community gallery with social media contributions from kids, families, and educators!
Our team's investigations of ramps and rollers with young learners are part of a project called STEAM Starters supported by the California Department of Education to co-create versions of tinkering activities with preschool teachers and their classes. This work continues with educators, families, and people like you. We hope this page serves as a resource to support your own ramp and roller explorations with younger learners at home or in the classroom. This activity is still evolving, so we will update this page with new materials, links, and ideas as we continue to learn.
Ramps and Rollers Prompts
We're exploring ramps and rollers through a series of prompts and activity invitations. As each new prompt is launched, we'll add it to this collection.
Getting Started
We’re building a collection of resources to support explorations of ramps and rollers. Do you have ideas for other resources you wish you had? Let us know.
Testing Different Objects
Look around your house. Can you find different objects that will roll? Here is just one suggestion of what you and your child could do at home!
Materials Treasure Hunt
Engage learners in a materials treasure hunt. Try it out with your child, and let us know what you discover!
Community Gallery
Roll yourself!
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Build a ramp.
Draw what you notice.
Use a timer.
Compare how different objects roll.
Find a ramp or hill outside.
Light and Shadow
We developed the set of resources on this page to support hands-on and playful engagement with light, color, shadow, and reflection. Get started with your own light and shadow explorations by checking out ideas for setup and materials. Jump right in and try out one of our light and shadow prompts, then share your process or project on social media with the hashtag #BlockBendBounce. You might end up featured in our community gallery of what kids, families, and educators are exploring!
Our team's investigations of light and shadow with young learners (ages 3 to 6) are part of a project called STEAM Starters supported by the California Department of Education to co-create versions of tinkering activities with preschool teachers and their classes. This work continues with educators, families, and people like you. We hope this page serves as a resource to support your own light and shadow explorations with younger learners at home or in the classroom. This activity is still evolving, so we will update this page with new materials, links, and ideas as we continue to learn.
Getting Started
Exploring light and shadow can launch learners in all different directions: they can engage with storytelling, color mixing, numbers and counting, geometric shapes, and more. What questions are the children you work with asking? What are they noticing? We hope this set of starting points will give you ideas for how to support their explorations. Download the set.
Light and Shadow Prompts
We're exploring light and shadow through a series of prompts and activity invitations. As each new prompt is launched, we'll add it to this collection.
Blocking Light: Calling all kids, families and educators! We're exploring light and shadow. A shadow is created when light is blocked. To get started, find a light source and an object to test. Share what you make with us using the hashtag #BlockBendBounce. Interested in sharing the prompt with your friends, class, or community? Download the prompt as images, a video, or a gif to share.
