Teaching to different age groups

Modify The Same Activities For Different Ages

If doing different things with different children is too difficult, modify the same activities for different ages to keep everyone engaged in the learning process. This is another way to empower older children to mentor younger children.

As a K-7 STEM teacher, Greg Baker from Kenosha, Wisconsin, often adapts the same activity for different grade levels.

“One of my favorite engineering activities that can be used with any age group is structure-building with everyday items (index cards, plastic cups, etc.).”

Tasked with building the tallest structure possible, the primary grades focus on balance and a solid base, while the older kids discuss weight distribution, force and the engineering design process.

"All of the students are still building structures, but while primary thinks about the ‘what’ and ‘how’ behind their build, older students are starting to explore the ‘why,’” Baker says. “As with all good STEM activities, we always end with a reflection on how they can improve their design for next time.”

PBS SoCal Early Learning Coordinator Sandra Cruz encourages families at home to find everyday occurrences and materials to explore concepts such as scientific inquiry and the engineering design process.  PBS At-Home Learning resources are designed specifically to guide students of all ages to organically continue thinking about these next steps.

“The scientific inquiry process and engineering design process is not age-specific,” Cruz says. “If we can light that spark that helps kids explore and investigate their everyday world, that may just light a fire.”