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    Home » Early Years Science » Billy Goats Gruff STEM Challenge

    Billy Goats Gruff STEM Challenge

    June 5, 2015 By Emma Vanstone 3 Comments

    My theme for the next few weeks is Fairy Tales and Traditional Tales, starting with a Billy Goats Gruff STEM Challenge to build a raft to help the Billy Goats Gruff avoid the bridge. First we read the story and then talked about which materials might work best for a raft. We decided the raft should float and be strong enough to take the weight of a toy goat. You could split this activity into several stages.

    Raft Building STEM

    • Design your rafts – which materials do you think will work best?
    • Build your rafts – do you need to change your design?
    • Test your rafts to see if they sink or float.
    • Can your raft support the weight of your goat?
    Billy Goat Gruff Raft - easy Fairy Tale STEM for Kids
    Mini Rafts – STEM for Kids

    How to build a mini raft

    Lolly sticks

    Kitchen sponge

    Corks

    Glue/Double sided tape

    Paper

    Kitchen roll

    Toy Goat or other animal

    Raft building instructions

    Build and test your rafts, to make it a fair test you should use the same toy goat and if possible the same sized rafts.

    What happened?

    We didn’t expect our paper or kitchen sponge rafts to work, but tested them anyway.  Surprisingly the paper raft did float for a very short amount of time.

    paper raft - STEM for kids

    The kitchen sponge raft floated, but wasn’t big enough to hold the weight of the goat.

    Both lolly stick rafts floated, but the cork one was the most stable.

    Billy Goat Gruff Rafts ready to test on water. Rafts made from lolly sticks and a sponge
    Raft made from lollysticks and corks - STEM for kids
    Cork and lollystick raft
    Billy Goats Gruff STEM Challenge

    Extension Activities – Raft Building

    Design a table to record the results and try to predict which rafts will sink and which will float before testing them.

    Use a straw to blow the boats across a calm surface of water. Investigate to discover what happens when you blow gently and then with more force?

    Does the boat move faster if you blow the air close to the boat or far away?

    Use a straw to create waves across the water.

    More Traditional Tale Science Experiments

    Try my Fairy Tale STEM Challenge printables! One is perfect to use with this science investigation.

    Fairy Tale Science worksheets

    Make a carriage for Cinderella using a balloon car design.

    Build a carriage for Cinderella - STEM for kids

    Or how about creating a mattress for the Princess and the Pea?

    Princess and the pea science experiment

    Suitable for Early Learning Goal 16

    Exploring and using media and materials

    They safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.

    Key Stage 1 

    Everyday Materials

    Uses of Everyday Materials

    Working Scientifically

    Billy Goats Gruff Raft STEM Challenge

    Last Updated on March 1, 2021 by Emma Vanstone

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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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