Project results
Activities
Tin Can Lanterns
Start by completely cleaning your cans after removing the wrapper. On lanterns built by kids, simple shapes and patterns work best. Consider lilies, stars, hearts, etc.
You can sketch the shape on your tin can in advance if you'd like using a permanent marker. (To get the markings off later, just apply a little hand sanitizer.) Alternatively, you can draw your pattern by hand. Place your can in the freezer for the night after filling it with water, leaving about a half-inch space at the top. You can make your pattern without denting the can by using the frozen water. Use a nail to gently hammer against the can after the water has frozen solid to make your design. A kitchen towel placed underneath the can will stop it from rolling. Additionally useful for warming up chilly fingers while working with that chilly metal.
Once your design is complete, cut two holes, one on each side, at the top of the tin can lantern so that you can insert the handle. For older kids, you can decide to make lanterns out of wire hanger bits. For instance, you can decorate the lanterns with colourful pipe cleaners, which they could easily do on their own. It's time to light the lantern when the ice has melted and been taken out. These tiny cans work best with tea light candles. Remember that the holes you made with the nail and hammer will now have sharp edges because of them. Children shouldn't reach inside the can lanterns to prevent wounds. In its place, you may turn the can on its side to get the battery lights out.
Pairs or Teams
STEAM Education is an approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.
Tin Can Lanterns activity can be the ideal introduction if you have a future engineer in the classroom. This activity can keep your young engineer occupied for hours while teaching them technical vocabulary related to electrical tools. Moreover, young students can learn about the importance of the environment in a fun way and learn that there is also a way to create something from recycled items. Therefore, they will also acquire knowledge regarding the importance of upcycling through the STEAM approach. There is more to that as this activity challenges students and involves a lot of trial and error, tweaking and fixing and even redesigning to create a better outcome the next time.
“Tin Can Lanterns "
The proposal is to create an artistic product where its use won’t expire in time. For instance, with this proposed activity students will be saving materials from landfill, reducing what goes into the landfill, minimize the use of natural resources and at the same time will be celebrating artisanal work and old school craftsmanship.
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