STEM Foundations (Pre-K)
Kid Spark’s Pre-K STEM Foundations lessons introduce young learners to the building blocks of STEM thinking through hands-on exploration. Students learn how to connect parts, make things move and stay strong, recognize patterns, measure, and count—all while beginning to think like inventors. These early engineering and problem-solving experiences lay the groundwork for the creative builds they’ll take on in the Storytime Inventing lessons.
Included Curriculum:
11 Lessons
Minimum Time Commitment:
6+ Hours of Curriculum
Grade Level:
Pre-K - 1st
Lessons
Explore the Lab
In this lesson, students will explore and interact with Kid Spark engineering materials to learn how blocks connect, come apart, and form original designs. Students will build foundational STEM fluencies such as observation, spatial awareness, and collaborative problem-solving.
How to Invent
In this lesson, students will learn a simple design and engineering process: think of a problem, imagine a solution, and invent a solution. Using the Kid Spark Early Inventors STEM Lab, students will explore how inventors solve problems and design their own invention.
Build What You See
In this lesson, students will practice spatial reasoning by matching blocks to pictures and exploring how turning a block changes what they see. They will also build attention to detail by inventing their own block designs for a partner to copy, matching shape, size, and direction.
Find and Create Patterns
In this lesson, students will explore patterns by using the Kid Spark Early Inventors STEM Lab to identify and create their own. They will learn that a pattern is something that repeats and that shapes, colors, and sizes can be used to make different kinds of patterns.
Make Things Strong
In this lesson, students will explore what makes a tower strong. They will test how a wide base and girders can add strength, and then use the Kid Spark Early Inventors STEM Lab to design sturdy towers. Students will practice observation, testing, and improvement—just like engineers do.
Make Things Move with Wheels
In this lesson, students will explore how wheels help objects move. Using the Kid Spark Early Inventors STEM Lab, they will test how wheels make designs roll, invent their own moving creation with wheels, and reflect on how wheels make movement easier.
Make Things Move with Axles
In this lesson, students will explore how axles help objects move. They’ll use the Kid Spark Early Inventors STEM Lab to see how axles make parts spin and turn. Then, they’ll invent a design that rolls or rotates and talk about how the axle helps their design move.
Make Things Move with Hinges
In this lesson, students will explore how hinges help parts move. They’ll use the Kid Spark Early Inventors STEM Lab to test how hinges let pieces open and close. Then, they’ll invent a design that swings or bends and talk about how the hinges helps their design move.
Count with Blocks
In this lesson, students practice counting by building with blocks. They use blocks to show numbers, match quantities, and invent designs while counting out loud. Students also explain their thinking with counting words.
Measure Length
In this lesson, students will build a measuring tool and practice using it to measure the length of different designs. Then, they’ll invent their own design using the Kid Spark Early Inventors STEM Lab and use their tool to measure how long it is.
Invent a Solution
In this lesson, students will practice solving problems by following three steps: identify a problem, imagine a solution, and build an invention using the Kid Spark Early Inventors STEM Lab. The lesson also serves as a checkpoint to see how students apply these steps.