Some of the most inspiring lessons come from the people our children know and love best: their parents! Our Early Childhood students in Cypress had a special opportunity to experience hands-on STEM learning thanks to a visit from one of the students’ dads.
Gathered on the rug, the children thoughtfully listened as he asked, “Does anyone know what a catapult is?” One student quickly replied, “It’s something that makes things fly really far!”—even making the connection to the ball launchers used for dogs at the park.
He introduced the day’s activity: building real, working catapults using everyday materials like popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and plastic spoons. He explained the simple mechanics—stacking and securing the sticks, using rubber bands for tension, and attaching the spoon as a launcher—before the children eagerly dove into the challenge.
Working in small groups, the students built their catapults with his guidance. The room came alive with excitement as they launched pieces of popcorn across tables, laughing and cheering as kernels soared and bounced through the air. With each trial, the children observed and refined their designs—gaining a real-world understanding of basic engineering and physics through joyful play.
A heartfelt thank you to this dad for sharing his time, creativity, and energy with our class. His hands-on activity was a blast—literally—and left a lasting impression on both the children and teachers. We are so grateful for the ways our parent community enriches the learning journey at Gillispie!