Save Fred the Worm and Help Jimothy the Raccoon Team Building STEM Activities for Back to School

If you haven’t spent much time scrolling social media lately, you might have missed the story of Jimothy — an absolutely adorable raccoon from Seattle living with short spine syndrome. Despite his physical differences, Jimothy has become an internet sensation, with videos of him as a baby and now as an adult racking up views and melting hearts everywhere. He has certainly become a welcome symbol of hope and perseverance for me this summer!

Jimothy has turned into a genuine symbol of resilience; proof that “different” doesn’t mean “less capable.” There’s even a video of Jimothy doing some cool rolling moves (Jim-nastics, if you will)! It seems that nothing can stop this round and quirky raccoon.

This set of challenges provides the perfect opportunity to do team building during the first week of school. Students will be focused on the task at hand and will get to know each other with this cooperative task!

The activities: Save Fred + Help Jimothy, try one or both!

Save Fred the Worm: This challenge has been around for a long time, though I have included multiple levels in my downloadable resource (see below). Students must work together to get Fred’s life preserver (gummy ring), put the preserver on Fred (gummy worm), and right Fred’s capsized boat (plastic cup), all without letting Fred drown OR be injured from the tools (paper clips).

Help Jimothy the Raccoon: Same collaborative spirit, new character. Students work together, using paper clips, to help Jimothy (a gummy bear, gummy raccoon, or a printable raccoon) out of his own predicament. His trash can (cup) has been overturned! Students must flip it right side up, put the trash back, add a wooden plan (popsicle stick), and place Jimothy on the plank.

💡 Why this works so well for the first weeks of school 💡

Team-building activities at the start of the year need to do double duty: build community and set expectations for how your students will think and work all year long. This activity checks both boxes. As students plan, build, test, and revise, they’re practicing:

• communication
• critical thinking
• problem solving

Students should make a plan and try to execute it. If they fail, they can reset, rework the plan, and try again!

Get the Activity Kit!

Want to get these activities, plus BONUS STEM challenges, all in one place? I’ve got them ready for you in a PDF over on Teachers pay Teachers.

✂️ Materials Needed for This Activity ✂️

Save Fred the Worm Challenge (per team):

• gummy worm
• gummy ring
• 4 paper clips
• plastic cup or container
• tray (optional)

Help Jimothy the Raccoon Challenge (per team):

• gummy bear, raccoon, or printable Jimothy (in downloadable kit)
• popsicle stick (standard or large)
• 4 paper clips
• plastic cup or container
• tray (optional)
• “trash” (optional) – crumpled paper, paper towels, printable food (included), or gummy fruit

BONUS STEM Challenges!

In the resource above, I’ve included 4 bonus STEM challenges for both Fred the Worm AND Jimothy the Raccoon! Graphic organizers are included so that students can follow the engineering design process. Students can attempt tasks such as:

• Creating a more stable boat so that it is less likely to capsize on Fred.
• Creating a shelter for Fred.
• Creating a secure trash can lid so that Jimothy doesn’t accidentally eat something that could make him sick.
• Designing and creating a habitat for Jimothy!

Have you tried these activities out? Let me know by commenting below or sharing on social media and tagging me (Instagram @meredithanderson_momgineer or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MeredithAndersonMomgineer/ or https://www.facebook.com/STEMactivities4kids/ ).

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