Pumpkin Mania: Experimental Learning with Pumpkins Focusing on STEM Concepts.

Northampton County Extension recognized a need for an early elementary school student program that introduces STEM and agriculture, providing a hands-on experience students enjoy, giving them a positive experience. The 4-H and ANR agents developed a program for the second grade at Kiptopeke Elementary to introduce scientific concepts the teachers could build on. All public and private schools in Northampton now participate in the program. Using pumpkins from the Soil Fertility Department at the Eastern Shore AREC, students observe, measure and record data to scientifically investigate. Students make predictions, test, retest and draw conclusions using the scientific process in a sink or float experiment. A pumpkin craft demonstrates the plant life cycle. Lastly, the students learn what agriculture is and discuss local crops and their products while eating pumpkin seeds. Of the students asked, 93% wrote that they enjoyed the program and learned a STEM concept. Direct written quotes from students include: “I want to be a scintest [scientist]”, “I learned a lot of thing[s]” and “I hope you come back and teach us more about science.”

SOLs: Science: 2.1 a, c, e, h, I, j, k, l, 2.4 b. 2.8 b Math: 2.4 a, 2.6 a, b. Writing: 2.12 a, c, d 2.13 a, g.