At Gateway Academy, Teaching and Learning scholars are discovering the power of teamwork and hands-on problem-solving in their journey to become future educators. This week, they tackled a fun and challenging task called “Save Fred the Worm,” which required them to work together, think critically, and creatively solve a problem within set parameters.
The task was simple but engaging: “Fred” the gummy worm has found himself stranded on top of a plastic cup with his life-preserving gummy “life jacket” trapped underneath. Using only paper clips as tools, teams were tasked with rescuing Fred and safely placing the life jacket around him—without directly touching him or the life jacket with their hands. This challenge pushed students to brainstorm strategies, communicate effectively, and adapt their plans when things didn’t go as expected.
This collaborative exercise gave the Teaching and Learning scholars a chance to experience productive struggle, a vital skill for both educators and students. By working through difficulties together, they not only developed problem-solving abilities but also gained insights into how to facilitate hands-on activities that encourage critical thinking—tools they can use in their future classrooms.
With teamwork, resilience, and a little creativity, the scholars were able to save Fred. This exercise not only brought out their problem-solving skills but also highlighted the importance of collaborative learning. It’s these kinds of memorable activities that will help them inspire and engage their future students in the same way.
