Particular Concepts Elementary Activities (STEM Modules)

Physics STEM activities in a sandbox or at a highway! How did Ancients move large obelisks? Why do retaining walls fail?

Particular Physics applies to stuff that flows like water, but piles (like sand and gravel). The power in a pile can be used to move things OR hold them back...

Particular Concepts introduces hands-on activities that apply the forces of sand, rice, or gravel (and other particulates). These new Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) modules introduce all students to the simple and powerful characteristics of a hill (check out Anatomy of a Hill for free...). It is paired with the Elementary Model Workbook for detailed Duplo construction of those activities with models.

Preschoolers can use these new applications in a sand box. This confirms their integrity: the sandbox is where all of our most profound discoveries begin...

The world is bright with shining threads of revelation:

The comforting mass of an infant's flailing star fist;
The relentless gravitational pull of a toddler's stumble;
The heady acceleration of light and air of a youngster's running dash.

The joy of learning comes from the lure of these shimmerings. But, these bright gossamers can fall prey to statistics, comparisons, and cuttings. By such means, they are often jammed to fit traditional deductive calculations.

However, science and discovery -- at their best -- are based on the reality of inductive observation.

So, dig in the sand (and other particulates) with abandon. Brush away deductive prejudices, and get down to playing with flowing inquiry-based enticement.

But be careful, and look both ways before crossing the road of discovery. Even with cumbersome calculations and thread-worn theories, it is a wild heady thrill of adventure.

Are you ready?

copyright 2012 Elsie Spry/Particular Concepts
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.