This 2-hour STEAM program for 2nd-grade students uses building materials to turn abstract feelings into visible, physical structures. Through sketching and construction, children learn basic engineering principles like balance and symmetry to represent different moods. The project develops emotional awareness and empathy as students share personal stories and listen to their peers’ experiences. Working in small groups strengthens flexibility and problem-solving, as teams must adapt their designs to work with recycled materials. The activity concludes with presentations and reflection, helping students build confidence in communicating complex emotions through art and design.

SPIRIT Skill Focus

• Flexibility
• Creativity
• Emotional awareness, regulation and communication
• Empathy

Basic Information Sheet

Age group	Student number	Duration	Number of stages	Subjects connection and relevance
2nd grade students	Whole class Groups of 3–4 students	minimum 2 hours	7 stages	Science, Art, Engineering

This session fosters a safe and accepting classroom environment, empowering children to translate feelings that are hard to describe with words into visual shapes and colours. Educators guide students through a design thinking process, taking them from identifying emotions and sketching to the actual physical construction. This project is highly recommended for teachers because the creative process allows even those students who struggle with verbal communication to express themselves confidently and without anxiety. Meanwhile, as children test their resilience by working with imperfect, recycled materials, they naturally learn to listen without judgment and accept the diverse emotional experiences of their peers.

National Curriculum Link and Objectives

• Learn basic engineering principles (balance, symmetry, design).
• Practice observation and problem-solving while building