Let’s build a fast car: Instantiating three-dimensional instruction through a STEAM planning guide

Let’s build a fast car: Instantiating three-dimensional instruction through a STEAM planning guide

In the block area, two preschoolers, Lili and Russel, are searching through a box of Lego bricks to fifind ideal pieces for their constructions. “Look what I have found!” Lili dangles her discovery in front of Russel—a pair of wheels with a metal axle. “I am going to make the fastest car in the world,” Lili says, attaching the wheels to her creation and continuing to search for more pieces. Russel is intrigued by his friend’s new discovery and decides to change his design, too. “I am going to build a stronger, bigger, and faster car than yours,” Russel claims. “No, I found the wheels first so mine is the best,” Lili argues. The teachers notice that the conversation is getting heated and may turn into combative or disruptive behavior, so they decide to transform this competitive play into a developmentally appropriate, meaningful investigation. “Friends, do you know what makes car go fast? Do you want to test how fast your car can go?” the teacher proposed.

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