This document provides instructions and prompts for an educational activity where students simulate inventing tools and technologies as members of the Lenni Lenape tribe. The activity involves dividing into groups and using natural materials to design solutions for various village needs, such as making a baby bed, farming tools, hunting tools, toys, transportation devices, or musical instruments. Students are guided to sketch designs and test prototypes before redesigning. The document encourages collaboration and emphasizes using only natural found materials safely. It concludes with discussion questions about the challenges and how modern technology could assist.

1. Did the Lenni Lenape Use
STEM?
Pat Heaney
Assistant Director of Education

2. Program for Grades 3 -6
Discuss the definitions of Technology and Engineering.

10. Materials
• Skulls
• Bones
• Turtle shells
• Leather/Fur
• Sinew
• Feathers
• Seashells
• Arrowheads
• Seeds, pods, pinecones, etc.
• Dry Beans
• Wood/Sticks
• String – Jute or hemp cord
• Rocks/Stones
• Whatever natural materials you have on hand

11. General Reminders
•Not a competition; We are all one village
•Share Materials
•Collect safely, no killing live plants or animals
•Group members work together as a team

12. You might want to give each group member a
number and a specific job. For example:
#1 makes sure the group stays on task
#2 comes up and gets the items
#3 makes sure that everyone in the group is heard
#4 serves as group representative in speaking to you
#5 has the clipboard and does the writing/drawing

13. Congratulations! A new baby was born in your
village.
Your job is to make a warm and cozy bed for
the baby. Make sure it is soft, yet sturdy so
baby won’t fall out.

14. With more mouths to feed, your village will
need to grow more food. Your job is to make
new tools that can be used for farming and
planting new crops

15. Your village will need more hunting
equipment. Your job is to make a snare, bow
and arrow, or other hunting tool.

16. There are several young children in your
village. Your job is to make a game or toy for
them to play with. Make it safe and fun!

17. The hunters in your village have collected supplies
for the celebration. However, it’s too much to
carry back. We need a sturdy way to carry your
supplies back to the village

18. Every celebration needs music! Your job is to make
musical instruments and play a song for the group.

19. Names:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Design: Draw a sketch of the invention your team will create to solve your problem. Use any dead material found on the ground and
whatever material is provided. Do not destroy provided materials.
First Design
Materials:
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Sketch of your Design:
Testing and Redesign: Run a test to see how your first design works and make the necessary change.
What worked well?
What needs improvement?

20. Discussion
• What was the most difficult part of planning and constructing the project?
• What might have made it easier?
• What modern technology would have made it easier to design and build?
• How would you do it differently if you could go to a craft store or hardware
store and get supplies?

21. Thank You
Pat Heaney
Assistant Director of Education
Pheaney@thewatershed.org