Learning during the spooky season! - Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District

Recently, first graders at BKW Elementary School have been getting into the Halloween spirit while learning in the classroom. Students participated in a STEAM-based activity centered around Pumpkin Observation Science by utilizing Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics.

Students in Mrs. Thurber’s and Ms. Mundell’s first-grade class brought a pie-sized pumpkin to school for the Pumpkin Observation Scienceevent. — Students in Mrs. Thurber’s and Ms. Mundell’s first-grade class brought a pie-sized pumpkin to school for the Pumpkin Observation Science event.

Each student in Mrs. Thurber’s and Ms. Mundell’s first-grade class brought a pie-sized pumpkin to school for the event. There were six student centers run by an adult who facilitated an activity. Students recorded their findings in a journal as they explored their pumpkins. Three parent volunteers, Mrs. Hand, Mr. Lane, and Mr. O’Donnell assisted the students. Mrs. Shepard, the classroom Teaching Assistant, also participated.

The STEAM pumpkin observation provided students with the opportunity to learn more about pumpkins and how they play a role in our environment.

When observing during the activity, students learned about pumpkins in a variety of ways, including:

Exploring the outside:

Students were able to describe what the pumpkin looks like and feels like.
Students designed their pumpkins to look like a jack-o’-lantern.
Students made predictions about what they might find inside.

Identifying parts:

Students identified pumpkin parts, such as the stem, shell, cavity, pulp, seeds, and fibrous strands.
Counting seeds: Students removed the seeds and predicted how many seeds, then counted the pumpkin seeds to see how close they were in their estimate.

First-grade students did it all throughout the pumpkin observation. From measuring a pumpkin's circumference and height to weighing it, journaling their findings for future reference, and learning about its nutritional value. — First-grade students did it all throughout the pumpkin observation. From measuring a pumpkin’s circumference and height to weighing it, journaling their findings for future reference, and learning about its nutritional value.

Students also utilized STEAM to predict, estimate, measure, and illustrate all factors related to a pumpkin. From measuring a pumpkin’s circumference and height to weighing it, journaling their findings for future reference, and learning about its nutritional value. The overall activity allowed students to access multiple areas of study and solve a few questions or two about pumpkins that they just needed to know!

Everyone had so much fun using STEAM to learn about pumpkins. They even got to taste pumpkin donuts and roasted pumpkin seeds!