Take it or leave it with the biblical referrences, find these 6 STEM activities covering engineering before there was engineering.
From Jacob’s cloak to the tearing of the veil, fabric is found throughout scripture. So let’s add a little science and math for your homeschool or group activity needs.
She seeks wool and flax
and works with willing hands.
Proverbs 31:13 ESV
Let’s dive in you woman of God.
Homeschool Activities
- Zoom Fabrics
- Folding Napkins
- Giant Crochet
- Venn Buttons
- Sew Buttons
- Water Blocking
Zoom Fabrics
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb
Psalm 139:13 ESV
Explore different weaves of fabric
PREP: Cut 6 inch x 6 inch swatches of a variety of fabics: knits, scarves, fleece, wool, even reusable grocery bags #upcycle. Find magnifiers such as for the visually impaired. A 60x clip magnifier can be found on Amazon and used for many #sciencefairyprojects. If you are on a tighter budget, some tacky, a Dollor Store laser pointer, and some destruction skills will do.
HOW: Help each child figure out how to hold the magnifier to see the fibers of the fabric. Rotate the different swatches around. Room lighting is your friend.
- fabric swatches
- magnifiers
Folding Napkins
When we follow the good Word, the Lord brings us into the fold. Folding the napkins together following the same pattern gives one flock.
And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
John 10:16 ESV
Pull in the sides of napkins to create a fold to hold a tool
PREP: watch https://youtu.be/wgI9StHwTpo?si=9ktVfYKO19aeQxWm or similar for a design. Iron the cloth napkins flat if needed.
HOW: Do a demonstration fold, hand out napkins. Work with age groups to mimic you folding in front of their space, or moving their hand to teach the design. Use the magnifying glasses or other utinsel to slide in the pocket.
- Square napkins, cloth or thick paper
Venn Buttons
Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.Matthew 25:32 ESV
Separate and organize buttons by properties
PREP: Create a Venn Diagram using household circles.
HOW: Buttons vary a lot, hand out 5 per child. Some have properties that match others. Use two same sized circles that can overlap to make a Venn diagram. Start by asking the first child for how many holes are in the one they have and perhaps what color it is. With both properties it fits in the middle. The next child sees if the two qualities both match theirs or only one to place in the circles that don’t overlap. If none of the properties fit it in the circles, then place the button outside of the Venn diagram. Continue one round, then repeat for the 4 buttons.
- Variety of buttons
- Two circles more than 10″ in diameter (hula hoops, rope, embrodiry hoops)
Sew Buttons
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV
Create a criss-cross while sewing on a button
PREP: Thread needles double and tie off ends with a bead that is larger than the mesh.
HOW: Hand out the extra large buttons (like these) and the mesh and needles, demonstrate a basic stich. Point out buttons on clothing that have a cross pattern, the cross gives us strength and saving.
- Mesh cloth in 6×6 squares
- Large plastic yarn needles
- Yarn 2′ in length
Water Blocking
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ, have put on ChristGalatians 3:27 ESV
Have some water fun learning about the properties of different fabric
PREP: Fill spray bottles with water
How: Return to thinking from the Fabrics Zoom. Create hypothises about if the cloth swatch will keep out water from being sprayed. For extra fun, have the children cover their face with the cloth while being sprayed be another child. Rotate different clothes. Final discussion is how we dress ourselves in Christ.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.Proverbs 31:25 ESV
Thank you for doing these scriptural STEM activities. More about That Science Fairy www.thatsciencefairy.com
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