A Dynamic Duo: Stories and STEM Activities 

A Dynamic Duo: Stories and STEM Activities 

Feb 3, 2025

Step into a world where stories meet science and math, folktales spark curiosity, and "Once upon a time…" leads to engaging hands-on activities and innovation.

We're talking about blending stories and STEM activities—a multidisciplinary approach to ignite imagination and engage young learners in a new way.  

What is STEM, and Why Add Stories?  

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education encourages kids to be curious, explore, build, test, and question the world around them. Pair that with the timeless magic of storytelling, and you've got a recipe for a remarkable learning experience!  

Stories create a relatable and exciting context. STEM activities bridge the gap between imagination and reality by expanding on stories and delivering tangible connections and real-life problem-solving. Want kids to remember a fable and grasp engineering principles? This combination ensures they'll do both—while having tons of fun.  

Get your hands dirty with fairytale-themed building challenges or uncover the math of making porridge. Give your story time a happy ending with STEM. The possibilities are endless, so turn the page on a new educational adventure and explore how each element of STEM can team up with stories to deliver a dynamic learning experience.  

 

Science Meets Storytelling 

 

Science activities encourage curiosity and exploration by helping kids observe, experiment, and analyze the world around them. Hands-on investigations teach them to ask questions, test hypotheses, and discover the "why" behind every day phenomena.

  1. Observation and Data Collection – Record changes, conduct surveys, or track patterns.
  2. Chemical Reactions – Explore changes in matter, such as mixing substances, or temperature shifts.
  3. Life Cycles and Ecosystems – Investigate plant growth, animal adaptations, life cycles, and food chains through hands-on models and experiments.

Science helps kids uncover the "why" behind the world's seemingly magical and mysterious events. Combined with stories, it transforms reading into an interactive adventure, encouraging them to predict, explore, and experiment—just like the characters in their favorite books!

Science Activity Example:

  • Story: Jack and the Beanstalk  
  • STEM Activity: Explore plant biology by experimenting with bean seeds. Set up different growing conditions to discover which ones—sunlight, darkness, or water type—make them sprout faster and grow the best—track plant growth and record discoveries in a journal.  

The hands-on learning here is straightforward but taps into curiosity about how Jack's magical beanstalk might "grow to the clouds." Who knew sprouting beans could be so enchanting?  

 

Technology as a Bridge to the Story World  

 

Technology activities help kids explore the digital tools that shape our world, sparking creativity and problem-solving along the way. From coding and digital art to simple electronics, these hands-on experiences show how technology helps us learn, create, and innovate.

  • Coding and Programming – Use fun, beginner-friendly coding platforms or robotics to learn how computers follow instructions and solve problems.
  • Digital Creativity – Design animations, presentations, or stop-motion videos using kid-friendly apps and software.
  • Hands-On Electronics – Experiment with simple circuits, LED lights, and batteries to see how electricity flows and powers everyday devices.

Technology in STEM doesn't always mean coding—it can be as simple as using tools to problem-solve or applying devices in innovative ways. Technology helps young learners connect and expand their creativity.  

Technology Activity Example:

  • Story: The Three Little Pigs  
  • STEM Activity: Using a tablet or smartphone, film and edit short videos of toy figurines or puppets acting out a classic story—or even one they create themselves. Simple stop-motion apps or video editing tools make it easy to stitch together scenes, add sound effects, or sprinkle in some magical music.

This activity introduces the basics of storytelling and technology and fills the house with laughter as kids learn through play. Plus, the final video becomes a digital treasure to revisit on family movie nights!

 

Engineering the Impossible  

 

Engineering activities challenge kids to design, build, and improve solutions to real-world problems. Using creativity and critical thinking, they learn how structures work, how machines move, and how the engineering process turns ideas into reality.

  1. Structure and Stability – Design and test bridges, towers, and earthquake-resistant buildings.
  2. Problem-Solving and Prototyping – Create inventions to solve everyday problems using the engineering design process.
  3. Simple Machines and Mechanics – Explore levers, pulleys, gears, and inclined planes through hands-on building challenges.

Few disciplines blend as seamlessly with storytelling as engineering. Problem-solving is the essence of both great stories and great engineering! Far beyond mere tinkering, the real magic comes from following the engineering design process:  

  1. Ask: What's the problem needing a solution?  
  2. Imagine: What creative approaches might work?  
  3. Plan: Draft and sketch solutions.  
  4. Create: Finally, test your prototype!  
  5. Improve: Revise based on results.  

Engineering Activity Example:

  • Story: The Three Billy Goats Gruff  
  • STEM Activity: Construct a bridge strong enough to carry the goats safely across. Armed with craft sticks, paper straws, tape, or blocks, and ingenuity, build a bridge that can support small toy goats. Kids get to wear their thinking caps as they refine and rebuild their designs to outsmart the troll below the bridge.  

Not only are they applying engineering principles, but the narrative keeps them engaged—no troll is catching their goats today!  

Check out our Engineering Collection to spark new ideas!

Math Adds Up to a Happy Ending

  

Math activities help children develop foundational skills like measurement, patterns, and data analysis and give them practical experience with math tools. By making abstract concepts tangible through games and real-life applications, kids build confidence and see math as a tool they can use daily.

  1. Measurement and Estimation – Use rulers, scales, or non-standard units to measure length, weight, volume, and time.
  2. Patterns and Sequences – Recognize and create repeating patterns, number sequences, and tessellations.
  3. Graphing and Data Analysis – Collect, organize, and interpret data through bar graphs, pie charts, and line plots.

Math emerges naturally in stories, allowing educators to sneak in number sense, geometry, and patterns in an engaging way. It's about uncovering the behind-the-scenes numerical magic that makes the tales tick.  

Math Activity Example:

  • Story: Goldilocks and the Three Bears  
  • STEM Activity: Goldilocks didn't just stumble upon the porridge; she was subconsciously evaluating size, temperature, and proportions! Kids can compare portion sizes or measure oatmeal or cream of wheat and water to make their own perfect "porridge." 
  • Bonus Ideas:

These activities merge math with real-life problem-solving in intriguing ways with practical life applications.


Click HERE for additional Story and STEM ideas!

Find the perfect story in our Book Collection!

Discover STEM toys to inspire playful learning!

 

Why Do STEM and Stories Make a Great Pair? 

The pairing of STEM education with storytelling creates a multisensory learning environment that fosters creativity while building critical thinking and technical skills. Bringing fairytales to life with STEM reinforces retention and engenders enthusiasm among kids—a win-win for both parents and educators!  

 

  • Collaboration: Kids or families can work together, developing teamwork skills.  
  • Hands-on learning: Abstract ideas, like structural integrity or biodiversity, become tangible.  
  • Confidence Boost: Tackling imaginary problems through STEM makes real-world challenges feel doable.  

  

The Final Chapter  

The best part about STEM and stories? They work for multiple subjects, in various settings, and for endless adventures! Whether building houses with The Three Little Pigs or crafting codes inspired by The Ugly Duckling, stories make learning sticky, meaningful, and magical.  

Try a STEM extension activity the next time you close a book with a child. Need help designing activities or want more ideas? Stay tuned for more curated STEM storytelling activities or share your own fabulous creations on social media and tag @safariltd.

 

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