Kedron saves Fred with collaboration

Kedron Elementary students saved Fred with the power of teamwork and perseverance.

The STEM challenge is focused on collaborative conversations, problem solving, and building classroom community. Students were tasked with “Saving Fred,” a gummy worm who had fallen out of his “lifeboat.” Working with a partner, they had to figure out how to get Fred safely back into his lifeboat using only two paper clips. They worked together, shared ideas, listened to one another, and kept trying when their first idea didn’t work.

For 1st grade teacher Maloree Brooks, she loved seeing her class synergize to find solutions.

“I really want my students to understand that challenges are a good thing. They help our brains grow,” she said. “I also wanted them to see that learning doesn’t always mean getting the right answer immediately. Sometimes it means talking through ideas, trying something, making mistakes, and adjusting your thinking.”

The activity also helped the students get to know each other better early in the school year.

“More than anything, I hoped the challenge would give them a fun way to get to know their classmates and begin learning how to have meaningful, collaborative conversations with one another,” said Brooks. “They definitely had a lot of fun saving Fred along the way!”