2nd Graders Light Up Their Learning with a Pumpkin Project!

by Justine Gouraud - Grade 2 Teacher
Recently, my 2nd graders embarked on an exciting adventure that combined creativity, science, and a touch of magic! The result? A collection of glowing pumpkins and a classroom buzzing with discovery! 
The students began with a creative challenge: design a pumpkin! In groups of three or four, they got to work using a variety of materials—paper, colored pencils, chalk, scissors, markers, and more. Each group let their imaginations run wild, crafting unique pumpkins.
Once their pumpkins were complete, it was time to dive into the world of electricity. They started with learning some essential vocabulary. Words like electric circuit (circuit electrique), battery (pile), switch (interrupteur), bulb (ampoule), insulator (isolant), and conductor (conducteur) sparked curiosity and set the stage for experimentation. 

From there, the students got to work assembling simple electrical circuits. They experimented with batteries, bulbs, switches, and wires, testing and tweaking their designs to figure out how electricity flows. After a few attempts and problem-solving along the way, each group succeeded in creating a functional circuit. Using conductive wires to connect components, batteries to power the system, and switches to control the lights, the students were ready for their finale. 

They were now ready to integrate the circuits into their pumpkins! With careful planning, each group installed two lights into their creations, transforming them into “light pumpkins.” 

This project was about more than just making cool decorations. It gave students the opportunity to explore key scientific concepts, develop collaborative and teamwork skills, and exercise their creativity and problem-solving skills. It was quite a learning adventure for these 2nd graders!
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