Take sheets of aluminum foil, Popsicle sticks, paper, tape and various other materials. Add a cluster of children and parents. Give them the task of building a boat that will actually float and carry cargo. For Saturday's Mayflower Boat STEM Challenge, the third Saturday Thanksgiving-themed event for November, the prospective nautical engineers were given this task by Nickie Siegel, volunteer coordinator for the museum system.
"This will challenge your abilities in math, engineering, science, building a boat out of the items given," Siegel said. "You have 10 minutes to brainstorm, design a boat that can float. That will be the test for success. Does it float or not?"
The builders went to work, designing, discussing and preparing their concepts for their soon-to-be watercraft. Some of those participating had come a long way to do so.
"My husband, Jermey, works as a signalman for Union Pacific," said Johne Drees, mother of Joleigh, Kyleigh and Cason, who were all participating in the exercise. "We are waiting for him to finish work, at which point, we are heading to Nebraska for Thanksgiving with the grandparents."
Going to museums for activities is a common thing this family does, but they were amazed by the range of activities at Texarkana's Discovery Place.
"It is really awesome that this museum does holiday related activities," she said, as their boat, designated "Drees Girls" continued to take shape.
"We are working toward the shape of a sailboat," she said.
Stephanie Taylor worked with her granddaughters, Arianna Thompson and Ava Jackson, and their respective boats. All three ladies are from Nash, Texas. Ariana's boat was named SS Jaylyn. Ava's was christened Aka Family.
"We were invited to make boats," Taylor said. "I bring them here so they can run around and play.
Thanksgiving events are a cool idea. This one, especially, because it makes them think, use their imagination."