STEM Learning in Action | Dotty’s Place

Picture Wall

Step inside the world of Dotty’s Place. Our Picture Wall highlights real moments from STEM Game Times, classroom visits, and community events. Explore photos, and activity snapshots that capture curiosity in action. See how kids learn, build, and discover—from hands-on challenges to joyful breakthroughs—all through the power of STEM.

Kids work together to build these giant wooden houses. They use their imagination and teamwork to bring their ideas to life.	These friends problem solved how to combine two different tent building kits to create a larger design.	These kids used small magnetic cubes to build and create together. They enjoy discovering what they can make with their own hands.
Playdough gives kids the freedom to shape, squeeze and create anything their imaginations dream up.	These young kids took a break from their tent making to play with a cootie catcher. During STEM Game Times, kids are allowed to move freely and explore many things.	These young builders proudly created a tall structure and explored how to make it stand on it's own.
This structure eventually became the home a small action figure.	This young boy eagerly dove into the two giant bins of Lego Duplo's. He built towers, rooms and a landing pad for his space adventure.	These friends played and laughed together while exploring with a tent making kit. They wanted to create a structure that they could all fit into.
Kids enjoy connecting the bright gears to make colorful designs and watching how turning one makes the others move.	These kids are using small magnetic cubes to create a structure. They had to try several times before they were able to complete the roof.	This young builder worked to create a tall, amazing gear tower. He proudly demonstrated how each gear turned.
This young designer was especially proud of his magnetic cube design. He took the time to sort each piece for its unique color and pattern.	Families enjoyed hands-on activities outdoors. It brought a little extra excitement to their evening of Trunk or Treating.	Kids of all ages explore and played together. They turned the basketball court into their own world of discovery.
Kids had a great time stacking boxes. Turned the whole area into a giant building zone.	Families worked together to build tall towers and playful creations during our Trunk-or-Treat event.	This tall, young teen builder proudly helped lift this creation to a much greater height.
Kids teamed up to build super-tall towers. With their parents approval, these young kids worked together to see how many boxes they could stack.	One young girl decided that she wanted to explore making fingerprints. She used markers and tape, from the Arts and Crafts kit.	Kids lined up this colorful domino line up. It was a long and winding pattern. They cheered as they tested the finished product.
This is the second half of a domino knockdown. For this design, a piece falls from the table to start the next chain reaction.	This little builder used Duplo blocks to stack, sort, and create colorful towers. Duplo blocks are great from young kids with small hands. It's also easier for kids with disabilities.	Kids rolled, pressed, and shaped playdough to make fun creations. There is no limit to what can be created using simple tools.
This young designer worked carefully to shape several small pieces of playdough.	Kohs Cubes are blocks that are turned or flipped to arrange fun and challenging patterns. Some kids enjoy using them to create eye-catching vertical designs.	This young artist proudly designed a colorful paper pattern using pieces from the Arts and Craft Kit.
This recording sheet displays one girl's desire to explore fingerprints. She used markers and tape to collect them.	This child is coloring a playmates fingerprints, before she uses tape to lift their prints. During STEM Game Times, I encourage kids to explore anything that interests them.	These kids stacked gear as high as they could to create a super, tall tower full of bright colors.
This young child was proud to share his creation. He connected gears and wheels to make this playful, and semi-mobile robot.	Kids cut cardstock paper strips and laid the small pieces out to create paper mosaics.	Just in time for Fall. This mosaic pumpkin was designed by arranging colorful paper pieces into a fun, detailed design.
These young girls worked together to build this bright, spinning gear creation. They explored how shapes worked together, when only one gear was turned.	Children used LEGO blocks to build their own imaginative creations, piece by piece. This structure was a fort for a small action figure.	Kids arranged these colorful gears on a small table platform. One young kid wondered if she had to used the lever. She discovered that any gear would move them all.
Kids stacked Red Solo Cups into tall towers, cheering each other on as their creation grew higher.	This is my personal Colorku game. I was stumped by this particular challenge card. I had to change my perspective and learn a few new strategies to solve it. I encourage kids to face challenges in the same way.	Kids worked together to build this huge tower. With permission, they were allowed to stand on chairs to reach the very top.

Boy uses instructions to build a house using Wooden Planks,	Boy displays his structure made from Giant Magnets.	Girls are designing a Giant Marble Run made from large cardboard cylinders.
Young child displays their small, wooden block fort.	Young child designed his own Lunar Rover using Legos.	Girls adding glitter, gems and sequins to upcycle an old ornament.
Family building towers made from Red Solo Cups.	Girls examining earth materials using Microscopes and Magnifying Glasses.	Young children create designs using arts and craft supplies.
Boy is carefully placing dominos in a row for a Domino Knockdown.	Completed Khos Cube pattern design.	Group of Boys engineering structures using Interlocking Popsicle Sticks.
Girls building an Oval Shaped Castle using Red Solo Cups.	Boy is creating a sturdier building by gluing Interlocking Popsicle Sticks.	Young student displays house built from Interlocking Popsicle Sticks.
Girl is creating a design using Wooden Planks.	Students using playdough to create.	Child uses two different colors of playdough tp fill in a heart shaped cookie cutter.
Student uses Legos to make a small structure.	Young children use cardboard boxes to build a box tower.	Young child used Attribute Blocks to design a small house.
View while looking down into a Wooden Plank Tower.	Girl using Wooden Planks to build a tower.	Girls using Wooden Planks to build a tower.
Girls trying to keep a Wooden Plank tower from falling.	Girls engineering a Giant Marble Run using cardboard tubes.	Students work to create designs using Playdough.
View of students enjoying STEM Game Time	Boy is using Legos to create a vehicle.	Girl displays false nails created using Arts and Crafts supplies.
Child is connecting Giant Magnet Pieces to create a design.	This design was created using Giant Magnets.	Young child designed a creature made from Giant Magnets.
Child combined Wooden Planks, dominoes to create a Marble Run.	Boy displays his small fort, built from Wooden Blocks.	Boys display a Roller Coaster Ride that they built using Giant Magnets.
Kid building structures using Interlocking Popsicle Sticks.	Girl is drawing a Self Portrait using Colored Pencils.	Students are creating their own designs using Arts and Crafts Materials.
Young child created and intricate design using Giant Magnets.	Boy stacks Red Solo Cups to create a giant Tower.	Child uses Red Solo Cups to create a Castle.
Girl building a Castle with Red Solo Cups.	House Structure built with Wooden Planks.	Teens stopped to explore at Nature Table.
Young child used instructions to build a structure with Wooden Planks.	Girls exploring nature materials using magnifying glasses and microscopes.	Students aiming to hit target with Velcro Sticky Balls.
Students exploring different types of shells at Nature table	Some of the items found at Nature Table.	Picture of Castel made using Wooden Planks. Boy building tower.
Kids explored with water colors on a long strip of Butcher Paper.	Boy stacks Red Solo Cups to make a structure.	Child Upcycled and Ornament by adding jewels, glitter and sequins.
Road built using Wooden Planks.	Ornament Upcycled by adding a glitter design and texture.	Young kid added Arts and Crafts Materials to upcycle an ornament.
Kids are exploring with Wooden Planks.	Group of kids designed and built a Giant Marble Run.	Chenile Wire is used to connect Giant Marble Run pieces. They can be adjusted to create curves and angles.
Kids are locating and correcting problems with their Giant Marble Run.	Boy is correcting an issue with Giant Marble Run following a test.	Kids are working together to build a Giant Marble Run.
Young kid is using instructions to build a structure using Wooden Planks.	Student created a set of stairs using Wooden Planks.	Boys create a long Domino Knockdown.
Student created Flying Object made with Legos.	Close up of the starting Dominos for a long Domino Knockdown.	Student created Flying Object made with Legos.
Family worked together to build a Red Solo Cup Tower.	Red Solo Cup Structure with a triangular base.	Girl stacking Red Solo Cups to create a Pyramid Tower.
Boy is stacking Red Solo Cups to create a Giant Tower.	Boy has engineered a Red Solo Cup Tower that is taller than him.	Boy is stacking Red Solo Cups end on end to create a unique tower.
Close up of Red Solo Cup Tower.	Over 300 boxes prepared for Box Building Event.	Child designed this mini Carboard Box Arch.
Kids play around a Cardboard Box their family designed.	Little girl working on I Spy Floor Puzzle.	Students used chalk to create these Moon Pictures.
Students created their own designs using Khos Cubes. Some designs were vertical.	Kids are exploring and creating with a variety of Arts and Crafts Materials.	Young child designed this Marshmallow Catapult using Popsicle Sticks and a Plastic Spoon.
Boy is using colored pencils to draw his favorite Comic Book Character.	Young boy uses Khos Cubes to create a vertical design.	Young girl uses strips of cardstock to create a Paper Sculpture.
Nature Table display- Highlighting Microscopes, Magnifying Glasses and Shells.	Family built this Mini Stonehenge by stacking cardboard boxes.	Kids exploring with Legos.
Small minecraft tower designed by young student.	Building a Domino Knockdown. Paying close attention to detail.	Child designed and created their own paper bag puppet.
Child exploring with different materials to create a Mini Catapult

Picture Wall

Kids work together to build these giant wooden houses. They use their imagination and teamwork to bring their ideas to life.

These friends problem solved how to combine two different tent building kits to create a larger design.

These kids used small magnetic cubes to build and create together. They enjoy discovering what they can make with their own hands.

Playdough gives kids the freedom to shape, squeeze and create anything their imaginations dream up.

These young kids took a break from their tent making to play with a cootie catcher. During STEM Game Times, kids are allowed to move freely and explore many things.

These young builders proudly created a tall structure and explored how to make it stand on it's own.

This structure eventually became the home a small action figure.

This young boy eagerly dove into the two giant bins of Lego Duplo's. He built towers, rooms and a landing pad for his space adventure.

These friends played and laughed together while exploring with a tent making kit. They wanted to create a structure that they could all fit into.

Kids enjoy connecting the bright gears to make colorful designs and watching how turning one makes the others move.

These kids are using small magnetic cubes to create a structure. They had to try several times before they were able to complete the roof.

This young builder worked to create a tall, amazing gear tower. He proudly demonstrated how each gear turned.

This young designer was especially proud of his magnetic cube design. He took the time to sort each piece for its unique color and pattern.

Families enjoyed hands-on activities outdoors. It brought a little extra excitement to their evening of Trunk or Treating.

Kids of all ages explore and played together. They turned the basketball court into their own world of discovery.

Kids had a great time stacking boxes. Turned the whole area into a giant building zone.

Families worked together to build tall towers and playful creations during our Trunk-or-Treat event.

This tall, young teen builder proudly helped lift this creation to a much greater height.

Kids teamed up to build super-tall towers. With their parents approval, these young kids worked together to see how many boxes they could stack.

One young girl decided that she wanted to explore making fingerprints. She used markers and tape, from the Arts and Crafts kit.

Kids lined up this colorful domino line up. It was a long and winding pattern. They cheered as they tested the finished product.

This is the second half of a domino knockdown. For this design, a piece falls from the table to start the next chain reaction.

This little builder used Duplo blocks to stack, sort, and create colorful towers. Duplo blocks are great from young kids with small hands. It's also easier for kids with disabilities.

Kids rolled, pressed, and shaped playdough to make fun creations. There is no limit to what can be created using simple tools.

This young designer worked carefully to shape several small pieces of playdough.

Kohs Cubes are blocks that are turned or flipped to arrange fun and challenging patterns. Some kids enjoy using them to create eye-catching vertical designs.

This young artist proudly designed a colorful paper pattern using pieces from the Arts and Craft Kit.

This recording sheet displays one girl's desire to explore fingerprints. She used markers and tape to collect them.

This child is coloring a playmates fingerprints, before she uses tape to lift their prints. During STEM Game Times, I encourage kids to explore anything that interests them.

These kids stacked gear as high as they could to create a super, tall tower full of bright colors.

This young child was proud to share his creation. He connected gears and wheels to make this playful, and semi-mobile robot.

Kids cut cardstock paper strips and laid the small pieces out to create paper mosaics.

Just in time for Fall. This mosaic pumpkin was designed by arranging colorful paper pieces into a fun, detailed design.

These young girls worked together to build this bright, spinning gear creation. They explored how shapes worked together, when only one gear was turned.

Children used LEGO blocks to build their own imaginative creations, piece by piece. This structure was a fort for a small action figure.

Kids arranged these colorful gears on a small table platform. One young kid wondered if she had to used the lever. She discovered that any gear would move them all.

Kids stacked Red Solo Cups into tall towers, cheering each other on as their creation grew higher.

This is my personal Colorku game. I was stumped by this particular challenge card. I had to change my perspective and learn a few new strategies to solve it. I encourage kids to face challenges in the same way.

Kids worked together to build this huge tower. With permission, they were allowed to stand on chairs to reach the very top.

Boy uses instructions to build a house using Wooden Planks,

Boy displays his structure made from Giant Magnets.

Girls are designing a Giant Marble Run made from large cardboard cylinders.

Young child displays their small, wooden block fort.

Young child designed his own Lunar Rover using Legos.

Girls adding glitter, gems and sequins to upcycle an old ornament.

Family building towers made from Red Solo Cups.

Girls examining earth materials using Microscopes and Magnifying Glasses.

Young children create designs using arts and craft supplies.

Boy is carefully placing dominos in a row for a Domino Knockdown.

Completed Khos Cube pattern design.

Group of Boys engineering structures using Interlocking Popsicle Sticks.

Girls building an Oval Shaped Castle using Red Solo Cups.

Boy is creating a sturdier building by gluing Interlocking Popsicle Sticks.

Young student displays house built from Interlocking Popsicle Sticks.

Girl is creating a design using Wooden Planks.

Students using playdough to create.

Child uses two different colors of playdough tp fill in a heart shaped cookie cutter.

Student uses Legos to make a small structure.

Young children use cardboard boxes to build a box tower.

Young child used Attribute Blocks to design a small house.

View while looking down into a Wooden Plank Tower.

Girl using Wooden Planks to build a tower.

Girls using Wooden Planks to build a tower.

Girls trying to keep a Wooden Plank tower from falling.

Girls engineering a Giant Marble Run using cardboard tubes.

Students work to create designs using Playdough.

View of students enjoying STEM Game Time

Boy is using Legos to create a vehicle.

Girl displays false nails created using Arts and Crafts supplies.

Child is connecting Giant Magnet Pieces to create a design.

This design was created using Giant Magnets.

Young child designed a creature made from Giant Magnets.

Child combined Wooden Planks, dominoes to create a Marble Run.

Boy displays his small fort, built from Wooden Blocks.

Boys display a Roller Coaster Ride that they built using Giant Magnets.

Kid building structures using Interlocking Popsicle Sticks.

Girl is drawing a Self Portrait using Colored Pencils.

Students are creating their own designs using Arts and Crafts Materials.

Young child created and intricate design using Giant Magnets.