Future Educators Bring the Gingerbread Man Story to Life at Juarez-Lincoln High School
The story of the Gingerbread Man has captured the imaginations of children for generations, and at Juarez-Lincoln High School, the classic tale took on a whole new life thanks to the innovative efforts of our Future Educators in the CTE Education and Training Program of Study. Seniors enrolled in the Practicum of Education and Training course transformed a traditional read-aloud into a hands-on learning adventure that showcased the power of STEM through creativity and problem-solving.
The lesson began with a lively read-aloud session. Students listened intently as the Gingerbread Man raced through the familiar narrative, evoking giggles and gasps as he cleverly outmaneuvered his pursuers—only to face the sneaky fox that ultimately seals his fate in the original tale.
But this time, the story didn’t end there. Instead, the Future Educators posed a challenge: Could the students help the Gingerbread Man escape the fox and safely cross the river? The task was to design and build a floating device capable of carrying the Gingerbread Man across water without sinking.
Equipped with craft materials like popsicle sticks, straws, scissors, tape, and paper, students dove into the activity with enthusiasm. Working in teams, they brainstormed, built prototypes, and tested their engineering skills. The room buzzed with excitement as ideas flowed and problem-solving strategies emerged.
After building their floating devices, the students moved on to the testing phase. A large basin of water served as the river, and one by one, the teams launched their creations, placing a small gingerbread figurine onboard. Cheers and applause erupted as some devices glided smoothly across the water.
The activity not only reinforced STEM concepts but also highlighted the importance of collaboration and critical thinking.