Every fall, parents have an opportunity to come to Phoenix with their child/ren for a morning of activities. Parents and children choose a problem to solve or a project to undertake together, using different materials throughout the classroom. Together they invent solutions to problem, research a topic on the web or in a book, use art materials to display information, write and illustrate a book, etc. to share with the rest of the group.

Parents stay for lunch prepared by teams of students after they discussed and decided on a menu together.

Activities

Choose one of the following problems or activities for each team of parents and kids to do together.

1. Pick a LEGO problem to solve from Barbara’s possibilities. Follow the design process of brainstorming, designing, testing, modifying until you have built something that solves the problem using LEGO robotics and then program it to work.
2. Write and illustrate a book together. Plan it out first. Write out the story leaving space for illustrations. Do your illustrations on sticky paper and add to the book.
3. Invent a contraption that will open a door without using your hands. Follow the design process to brainstorm, plan, build, test, modify until you have a contraption that works.
4. Research an animal online. Then make a 3-D model showing the information you learned. (Google the animal name plus ‘for kids’ to get to site that work for kids.)
5. In order to escape from the secret room of doom, you must time yourself exactly so you can touch the magic magnet and then get across the room in order to turn the key in the lock exactly 1 minute later. If you are a second too soon or too late, the lock will not release. Using salt or marbles, invent a clock that will time exactly 1 minute so you can plan when to turn the key to make your escape.
6. Using paper, index cards, poster board, build a bridge that will span 24” and allow you to put 1 kilogram of weight in the center. Use the design process to brainstorm, experiment with different ways to support a bridge, decide on one, build, test, modify until you get one that works.
7. Read a non-fiction book together. Make a list of all the things you learned from the book. Then create a poster or a scene in a box that shows all the information you learned. Add labels that explain what you have represented.
8. As we all know, Clover has a hard time getting up off of our slippery floors. Invent something that will help her get up easier. Brainstorm, make a plan, build a model, test and modify until you have a solution you are pleased with.