Can You Save Fred? A Team-Building STEM Task for Kids

Kick off the year with an engaging team-building exercise perfect for setting the stage for fun, building resilience, and creating a classroom community. The Teach Starter team has put together the perfect activity to help your students learn to work together to solve problems and have fun!

The ‘Can You Save Fred?’ Activity is an exciting STEM task that requires students to work together to solve Fred the Worm’s problem. Fred’s boat has capsized, and his life vest is underneath the boat! Your students have to help Fred upright his boat and strap on his life vest, all without touching him! Do you think your students are up for the challenge?

Inspire Teamwork With Our ‘Save Fred!’ Activity

How can your students Save Fred the Worm? Here are a few quick instructions for completing this STEM-inspired problem-solving activity.

• Provide the following materials for students to use in their attempts:
  • 1 gummy worm to act as Fred
  • 1 gummy ring to act as the life preserver
  • 1 plastic cup to act as the boat
  • 4 paper clips to use to move any items
• Introduce the project by reading the introduction.
• Instruct students that they will work in groups of 2-3 people to (1) Turn Fred’s boat right side up, (2) Get Fred back into his boat, and (3) Put on Fred’s life preserver
• Explain the following rules:
  • Fred cannot fall into the “sea” (the table or floor) more than one time
  • If Fred falls into the “sea” more than once, he “drowns”, and the attempt ends.
  • Fred cannot be injured in any way.
  • The paper clips must be used to move Fred, the boat, and the life preserver. They cannot touch anything except the paper clips.
• Students will use the recording sheet to record their attempts and results.
• Once the investigation has been completed, ask students to share their results and discuss their successful and failed attempts.
• Have students complete the reflection questions in groups or individually.

Download and Print Your ‘Save Fred’ Activity Pack

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This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and Teach Starter Collaborator.

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