Learn about Ricky the Rock

This guide introduces elementary students to empathy, prototyping, and design thinking through a hands-on activity inspired by the picture book Ricky the Rock Who Couldn’t Roll by Mr. Jay and Erin Wozniak. Students collaborate to design, build, and test a solution that helps Ricky roll down a hill using a limited set of materials. The activity emphasizes iterative problem-solving through brainstorming, sketching, building, testing, and reflecting on design choices. It encourages critical thinking and adaptability, aligning story-based learning with STEM concepts in an engaging and educational format.