As we launch our fall book, Silent Swoop: An Owl, an Egg, and a Warm Shirt Pocket, we’ve gathered some fabulous, engaging STEM activities for the home or classroom that will give kids a taste for science.
Silent Swoop is the story of a rescued Great Horned Owl named Coal, so each of these STEM activities features the wonders of birds—from examining owl pellets to learning how feathers are made for flying.
This hands-on activity will definitely hold kids’ attention! Our lesson plan gives easy-to-use instructions about how to pre-order owl pellets and set up a fascinating investigation.
Owl Pellets from Pellets, Inc
Kids will examine owl pellets for evidence of rodent, vole, shrew, or bird bones and then classify and identify bones. They can even reconstruct a rodent skeleton!
#2 Fantastic Feathers for Flying
How do feathers help a bird to fly? Kids will explore bird feathers and learn the answers to that question. Our free lesson plan and ready-to-go handout makes setting up this lesson extra easy.
By the end of the activity, kids will know three ways a feather is designed to enable flight, and they will be encouraged to ask more questions about what makes feathers unique.
All kids enjoy the moment when they drop an egg from up high and wait to see if if it will smash. Little Bins for Little Hands has created a simple egg drop engineering challenge that will save on the mess by using ziplock bags. Check out their clever adaptation for younger kids to take part in an egg-saving and egg-smashing extravaganza. Or take a look at this lesson plan from Stanford University’s Alternative Spring Break for an egg drop challenge for older kids.
Finally, don’t miss out on our new book, Silent Swoop, for a tender and humorous animal rescue story about a real-life Great Horned Owl named Coal!
