What's Skeleton?

This STEM activity is suitable for preschool and elementary school levels. In this activity, children learn about their own bodies, how their bodies function, their bones, and the structures of all vertebrate animals, including humans. This activity can be transformed into a more multidisciplinary educational experience by combining learning about bone structure with understanding how students should eat to protect their bones.

Objectives of the Activity:

leaf To learn about muscle and bone structures

leaf To develop fine motor skills

leaf To help children develop control over their bodies and muscles

leaf To improve children's finger muscle strength

Once Upon a Story

Hearing the door's sound, Ruka ran towards the entrance shouting, "Welcomeeee Taaaaakoooo!" Tako quietly dropped his school belongings on the floor and replied sadly, "Hello." Concerned and curious, Ruka was looking at Tako. After a moment of silence, Tako continued:

Don't worry, I'm okay, but there were bad things at school today. We were all very scared.

What happened, Tako? You must tell me. Your face looks like you've lost a thousand pieces.

Let me rest a bit, then I'll tell you everything, Ruka.

Okay, but I'm really worried about you.

Thank you, Ruka. I'll tell you in a moment.

Since Tako had just arrived home, he washed his hands and changed into home clothes. Ruka didn't disturb Tako but followed him with worried eyes.

Later, Tako sat down to the meal prepared by his grandfather. Despite feeling down, he ate. After finishing his meal, he brushed his teeth. He filled two glasses of milk from the fridge and went to Ruka. He offered one glass to Ruka, who took it but watched Tako with curious and worried eyes, giving full attention to listen.

Today, one of my classmates, Gokhan, despite knowing he shouldn't run inside the school building, ran out of the classroom to reach the cafeteria quickly. After a while, we heard a fall, then we heard Gokhan's voice. Our teacher hurried to the place where the sound came from, and we followed.

What happened next, Tako? Is your friend okay?

No, he's not. He fell down the stairs. He was crying holding his arm. Our teacher called an ambulance right away, and they went to the hospital together. Our teacher came back after 2 lessons. She was very scared. Gokhan's arm is broken in 2 places.

What? But how can an arm break? Human arms are very soft!

Yes, but we have bones in our bodies. Even though they are hard and strong, they can break if we are careless, and they can hurt us a lot. You also have bones in your hands, feet, and all over your body, Ruka.

I never thought about it like that. So, bones, huh... Interesting...

Would you like to do an activity related to this? How about that?

I think it's a great idea. Let's start right away!

Tako went to his room, put on his lab coat right away, gathered the necessary materials, and started the activity immediately. Shall we do the same activity with them?

Materials

Marker Pen Scotch Tape Cardboard Scissors Pipette

Activity

Step I

Take your colored cardboard and draw a simple and large human figure as neatly as possible. The figure should be at least two hand spans tall. You don't need to draw very fine details. Then, carefully cut around the outline of your drawing on the cardboard. You may need help from adults. Be careful not to cut yourself.

Step II

Now you have a cardboard human figure. Hold it from its feet to make it stand upright. Is it standing straight or is it bending? Why do you think that might be?

It seems like something is missing for it to stand straight. Let's continue our activity. Now take the pipettes and tape them to the cardboard as shown below.

Step III

After securely taping the pipettes, it should look like the image next to it. If you don't have flexible pipettes, you can easily bend and tape them with your hands. Now, try holding the figure from its feet again and attempt to make it stand upright. Is it standing straight this time? What do you think happened? It wasn't standing straight earlier?

What Happened?

Our bones in our body function much like these pipettes. Touch your body—your chin, forehead, chest—and you'll feel the hardness of your bones. If we didn't have bones, our body would be made only of soft flesh. Maybe we could move, but lifting things, gripping, or standing would be very difficult for us.

Attention!

In this activity, recyclable materials can be used. Especially the pipettes can be collected from fruit juices or milk that students have previously consumed.

During the activity, adults can assist children only in making fine cuts on the cardboard. It is recommended that children cut the cardboard themselves.

During the activity, it is important to say "let's draw a person" instead of "let's draw a man" on the cardboard. Encouraging children to draw women figures is also important.

The activity can also be conducted as a group work.

Evaluation Questions

leaf Have you ever seen bones? When and where did you see them?

leaf Has any part of your body ever been broken? What happened afterwards?

leaf Can you give examples of animals you think have bones inside them?

leaf Can you give examples of animals you think do not have bones inside them? What makes you think they don't have bones?

leaf Do you think we could replace the bones in our bodies with something else?

leaf Are bones flexible? Why do you think so?

leaf In your opinion, how hard are bones?

Activity File

Scientific Concepts

Scientific concepts related to this activity include: Bone, Skeletal System, Calcium, Osteoporosis, Fracture, Plaster Cast, Bone Marrow, and Spine. You can explore these concepts further through your own research to discover interesting information!