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Home » Primary Science » Key Stage 1 Science » Princess and the PEA STEM Challenge

Princess and the PEA STEM Challenge

Modified: Mar 5, 2024 · Published: Feb 10, 2017 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

In the story of The Princess and the Pea, the princess can’t sleep because she can feel a pea through many layers of mattresses. We used the story to inspire first the building of a wooden bed and then the addition of mattress materials to see which cushioned our pea ( a marble ) most effectively. This Princess and the Pea STEM activity is great for kids of all ages and for working in a team or alone.

If you like this activity, we have lots more fun Fairy Tale science experiments to try, too.

It’s also a great STEM Challenge for World Book Day.

Princess and the Pea STEM Challenge

The challenge is first to build a bed frame and then test different mattress materials.

If you don’t want to build a bed frame, just testing mattress materials on a flat surface will also work.

This printable planning and testing booklet might also be helpful.

Princess and the Pea STEM Challenge Design Sheet
Princess and the Pea STEM challenge booklet
Princess and the pea STEM challenge booklet page 2
sponges and a mini wooden bed frame for a Princess and the Pea STEM challenge

The bed was built by my 9-year-old using materials from TTS. He used wooden dowels, square lengths of wood, triangles and a glue gun ( with help from me ).

Design and tech wooden bed
Design and tech wooden bed frame

Materials

A bed – if you don’t want to make your own, this could be as simple as a thick piece of card or a small doll bed

A marble

Mattress materials such as sponges, bubble wrap, felt, etc

mini wooden bed frame for a Princess and the pea activity

How to make a bed for the Princess and the Pea

Look at your materials and think about which would make the best mattress, remember the challenge is to not be able to feel the “pea” through the mattress.

Construct your mattress.

Press down, can you feel the “pea”?

Ask a friend to feel the mattress without telling them there is a hidden marble. Can they tell there is something there?

wooden bed frame covered with sponges and bubble wrap for a Princess and the Pea science activity

Princess and the Pea – extension tasks

What’s the thinnest mattress you can make and not feel the pea?

Does changing the object in the bed affect how thick your mattress needs to be? Try using a coin or dice.

Wooden bed frame covered with sponges, bubble wrap and felt with a small doll sat on top

Great for Key Stage 1 Science – Everyday Materials

Everyday Materials – Identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials

Working Scientifically

collage of images for a Princess and the Pea science activity or sTEM Challenge

Last Updated on March 5, 2024 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.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa Bradburn

    March 23, 2017 at 10:51 am

    This is such a clever way to incorporate stories and science! A great experiment for kids in the classroom! x

    Reply

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