The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Inspired by Eric Carle’s “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” students are challenged to help the hungry caterpillar avoid a stomachache by designing a clever way to transport his food.

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About this lesson

Inspired by Eric Carle’s “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” students are challenged to help the hungry caterpillar avoid a stomachache by designing a clever way to transport his food. Through hands-on exploration, learners discover the unique challenges of moving different foods safely, then use creative problem-solving to engineer a carrier that can keep food secure while skipping a distance of 20 feet. Kids love the mix of storytelling and engineering, making this lesson an exciting and memorable way to connect literature and STEAM!

Introduce the challenge

Design & build

Test it

Improve & share