King’s Hosted “Three Little Pigs” Challenge for 45 Grade School Children during Annual STEM Education Celebration

King’s education faculty and students today hosted dozens of local grade school children for a morning of fun STEM activities, including designing, building, and testing three dimensional homes using everyday items for a “The Three Little Pigs” challenge.

The event concludes the third year of the Kids at King's program, which started in 2023 to support local STEM education efforts. Approximately 45 students—grades one through six from Wyoming Valley West and Riverside Public Schools—attended today’s event.

The children built their structures using yarn, balsa wood sticks, twist ties, and other arts and crafts supplies. The structures were then judged by how tall they were and their ability to withstand shaking the table underneath them.

Kids at King’s connects teaching candidates with local grade school children as part of a four-part interactive education series based on the Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STREAM) learning model. The STREAM lessons are developed and run by the King's College teacher candidates. Past activities included designing and building model space rockets, lunar thermoses, and exploration vehicles.

“This program has been a wonderful opportunity for our aspiring teachers to connect with grade school children for creative exercises that are just as fun as they are educational,” said Sunny Minelli Weiland, Ph.D., program director of graduate education curriculum and instruction. “Learning the importance of teamwork, communication, critical thought, and imagination to solve problems is important for both the children and the future educators who will use this experience to make STEM more accessible in schools throughout Wyoming Valley and beyond.”

Prospective students interested in exploring the College’s education programs can learn more at kings.edu/education or email admissions@kings.edu.