Anticipation filled the air as a crowd of townspeople assembled in the village square to await a fateful declaration. Moments later, their King, resplendent in a ruby-colored robe, arrived to share news about his controversial plans to build a personal fountain, which would effectively commandeer the town’s water supply.
“I’ve decided on a compromise,” the King stated. “My Royal Engineer has a design challenge for you.”
Welcome to a recent unit in Lower School that connected Drama and Science by using the premise of Lloyd Alexander’s short story “The King’s Fountain” as an inspiring catalyst for a co-curricular learning experience.
For this STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) lesson, the self-centered King was portrayed by Sarah Bellantoni, Head of Lower School Arts and Integration and Lower School Drama Teacher; the concerned townspeople were actually Class 1 students in Jes Thies and Hannah Greenberg’s class; and the dutiful Royal Engineer was none other than Lower School Science Associate Teacher Rowen Halpin, who looked the part in a white lab coat and safety goggles. (The other two Class 1 sections participated at other times.)
“We want you to make a map of the kingdom,” Ms. Halpin explained, adding that each team needed to design a water-saving solution that incorporated a network of pipes linking the castle, the villagers’ homes, the pond and the fountain. Although the actors were playing specific roles, there was nothing make-believe about the students’ high-stakes task or the ingenuity and determination they would soon demonstrate.
After Ms. Halpin and Lower School Science Teacher Mary Ostrover distributed Ziplock bags of materials, the townspeople spread out across the Black Box Theater. From the bags they removed paper images of the kingdom’s key sites and a handful of plastic straws (both regular and “bendy”), which represented the water pipes. Surrounded by rolls of tape, pencils, scissors, hole punchers and large blue sheets of construction paper, they settled into the inventive exercise.
In groups of three, the students worked together to plan and illustrate their three-dimensional designs. They talked through various ideas, measured and calculated, revised their thinking, and progressed with impressive speed and comprehension. The room swirled with creativity as these young engineers rushed to complete their projects.
The sound of a bell indicated time was nearly up. Chatting excitedly, the teams executed last-minute adjustments ahead of the big reveal. They returned the tape and scissors to storage bins and sat cross-legged on the floor, their designs in front of them.
“It’s time for us to present to the King,” announced the Royal Engineer (also known as Ms. Halpin). “Everyone’s voices need to be heard,” added Ms. Bellantoni as she stepped away to slip into her regal robe.
Holding up their posters, the groups took turns confidently conveying how their unique designs would most successfully keep the kingdom’s water freely flowing, while allowing the King to enjoy his luxurious fountain.
Although the winning design wasn’t decided before the period ended, it was evident that Class 1 relished the chance to imagine, invent and have fun during this captivating cross-disciplinary activity. “You all did a great job!” said Ms. Bellantoni as the students packed up. Let’s hope the King agrees!
