A Big STEM Project for 3 - 4 Year Olds and Up: Build Your Own Sandbox

Our vision is to make a sandbox for the kids. But what if perhaps we make the sandbox with the kids? After a one-minute conversation with teacher, aide and myself we decide to assemble the sandbox with the kids.

The result: I enjoy a wonderful afternoon building a sandbox with seventeen 3-4 year olds in the Montessori Program at Jamestown Elementary School.

The students do a great job. This is STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and project and place-based learning at its best.

• Let's have a go. We sit in a circle around the big box labeled "sandbox" and open it....  

•  It's exciting! Let's see what's inside. What do we do?

• We do lots of math. (The pieces are numbered.  How many corner pieces? How many side pieces? How many screws do we have?  And so on)
• The students follow diagram directions

• Everyone has a go and we use tools like Allen key, screwdriver and a hammer

• We learn teamwork

This "Build Your Own Sandbox" is a great STEM project for tots and adults.

To do your "Build Your Own Sandbox" project you need:
People: Two to three adults and up to 16 kids (3- 4 years old - or older) optimum
Time to assemble: One hour
Time to fill: One hour - plus play time!
Sandbox Kit: We use a KidKraft Sandbox, 5 foot square, (cost about $150 from Amazon.com). Cost of sand, pebbles and earth not included.
Tools needed: An Allen key is in the box. You might like to have an extra Allen key(s) so kids can share, and a hammer, a few old nails, and screwdrivers (flat and Philips) just in case you need them.

Next week:  We'll put the sandbox outside in a quiet place in the playground, and fill it with sand, pebbles and earth for digging.

Thanks to staff Rachel Kipperman and Margaret MacLaughlin at Jamestown Elementary school for facilitating this project with students in the Montessori Program.