Shrinky Dink - STEAM Lesson
Age Group Best Served: K-8
Child/Adult Ratio: 6 to 1
Take Away Artifact: Yes
Approximate time: 30 minutes
Divisions Covered: All
Materials:
Shrinky Dink Plastic or #6 plastic
Question to ask:
Why does a shrinky dink shrink?
Skills Required for Completion of Task:
Motor skills
- Bilateral upper extremity coordination
- Ability to manipulate small objects
- Hand-eye coordination
- Ability to grip objects
- Ability to stabilize objects/task
Process/Cognitive skills
- Ability to attend to task for greater than 5 minutes
- Follow multi-step directions
- Ability to sequence steps
- Ability to understand safety precaution
- Ability to organize or keep materials organized for task
- Ability to adjust to different workspace requirements
Social skills
- Ability to communicate and share equipment with peers/staff appropriately
K-8 Standards:
5.NF.B.5 Interpret multiplication as scaling (resizing).
Simple Science:
When #6 (polystyrene) plastic is created, it is heated, flattened, and cooled quickly so that the molecules are “frozen” far apart. When the plastic is quickly heated it shrinks back to having the molecules close together. Shrinky Dinks can shrink down to 20% of their original size. (A 5-foot-tall person would shrink to a 1-foot-tall person)
This activity would be appropriate completed by the following disciplines:
Occupational Therapy, LCSW, Family Services, Industrial Arts
Instructions:
Choose a template and color or create your own design and color on the Shrinky Dink plastic. Cut out your image. Using the heat gun, shrink your design to 20% of its original size. If you wish to create a necklace or bracelet, punch a hole in your design before shrinking.
Precaution: Heat gun is HOT. Use caution.
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