Winter Holidays Around the World: Inspiring STEAM Learning in Kids and Adults

The winter season is a magical time filled with celebrations from around the globe! It’s the perfect opportunity to explore cultural traditions while sparking curiosity through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or curious learner, these hands-on activities connect us to the world’s diverse celebrations while nurturing creativity, problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills. Here are some holidays to inspire your next STEAM adventure!

1. Winter Solstice, December 21, 2024

The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis. This day has always been a day of deep significance for many cultures around the world. The Winter Solstice is a special time for those who honor and acknowledge the patterns of our natural world. Within many Indigenous cultures, the winter season has been used for storytelling, spiritual ceremonies and community gatherings, and the Winter Solstice is observed as the holiest of the times. This season is used to pass down wisdom, uphold tradition and instill a sense of identity in the younger generations.

Honor Indigenous knowledge and creativity with STEAM-based activities:

• Science: Explore the rich traditional ecological knowledge of animal

  migrations and uncover how these ancient insights informed critical survival strategies. By understanding the patterns and behaviors of migrating animals, Indigenous peoples developed sophisticated tracking and hunting techniques.

• Technology: Delve into the fascinating innovations of snowshoes and sleds, exploring the ingenious engineering behind these essential tools for winter travel. Snowshoes were meticulously designed to distribute weight over a larger surface area, preventing the wearer from sinking into deep snow.

• Engineering: Recreate a miniature wigwam, tipi, or log structure to understand how they were designed to withstand winter conditions.

• Art: Illustrate winter storytelling traditions or bead winter regalia patterns, incorporating geometry and symmetry.

• Math: Explore the intricate star patterns cherished in Lakota star knowledge, appreciating how these celestial guides informed navigation, seasonal changes, and cultural practices. By analyzing these patterns, we uncover a rich tapestry of astronomical wisdom passed down through generations, offering profound insights into the Lakota way of life.

2. Christmas, December 25, 2024

Christmas is a vibrant tapestry woven from religious, cultural, and historical threads. It’s a season of celebration, introspection, and deep connections with loved ones, making it one of the most universally recognized and cherished holidays around the world. Families and friends come together to share meals, exchange gifts, and create lasting memories. Christmas embodies the values of love, peace, and goodwill, fostering a spirit of generosity and warmth. The celebrations often blend diverse traditions from various cultures, resulting in a holiday experience that is both rich and uniquely varied. This beautiful mosaic of customs and shared joy truly captures the essence of the Christmas season.

Bring STEAM into your Christmas traditions:

• Science: Explore the science behind candy canes through experiments like dissolving them in different liquids -—like water, vinegar, or soda—you can explore concepts like solubility and chemical reactions or test their breaking strength allowing you to compare the force required to snap candy canes of different sizes, thicknesses or brands.

• Technology: Create simple circuits for Christmas lights. Learn basic coding to create a synchronized light show with programmable lights.

• Engineering: Build the ultimate gingerbread house with strong, edible “engineering” and test its strength before snack time!

• Art: Create unique holiday cards using various art techniques like painting, drawing or digital design. Compose your own holiday tunes using simple instruments or music software.

• Math: Explore the geometry of snowflakes or create a holiday budget and learn about money management.

3. Hanukkah, December 25, 2024-January 2, 2025

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that

commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE. The Jewish people fought to keep their religion and regained control over their temple. During the battle, they discovered there was only enough oil to light the Temple’s menorah for one night, and miraculously, the oil lasted for eight nights. Hanukkah celebrates the values of light over darkness, freedom and resilience, family and community, miracles and hope.

Dive into the Festival of Lights with STEAM:

• Science: Explore the properties of oil and water by creating a colorful oil and water menorah to explore liquid density and properties.

• Technology: Use a 3D modeling program to design and create a virtual menorah.

• Engineering: Design and construct a dreidel using various materials like cardboard, wood, or plastic. Test its spin speed!

• Art: Design and create a mobile with menorahs, dreidels, and other Hanukkah symbols.

• Math: Play dreidel games to understand probability.

4. Kwanzaa, December 26-January 1

Kwanzaa is a week-long cultural celebration that honors African heritage and traditions. The seven principles of Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith form the core of Kwanzaa and guide the celebration. Kwanzaa is a time for reflection, celebration, and reaffirmation of African heritage and values. It is a holiday that brings families and communities together to honor their roots and build a stronger future.

Explore African heritage and innovation using STEAM:

• Science: Explore the chemistry of cooking traditional African dishes like jollof rice and discuss their nutritional benefits.

• Technology: Code a Kwanzaa animation that explains the principles of Kwanzaa

• Engineering: Design and construct a Kinara, a candleholder with 7 candles, using recycled materials like cardboard, paper, or other art craft supplies.

• Art: Design Kente cloth patterns with vibrant colors and symmetrical shapes.

• Math: Discover symmetry in African textiles.

5. New Year’s Eve/Day, December 31 – January 1

The cultural significance of New Year’s Eve and Day is rooted in the universal human desire for renewal, hope, and fresh beginnings. It’s a time for reflection on the past year, gratitude for the present, and anticipation for the future. New Year’s Eve and Day represents a global celebration of hope, renewal, and the human spirit’s enduring capacity for growth and transformation.

Celebrate the New Year with STEAM:

• Science: Study the chemistry behind fireworks and what makes them sparkle in different colors.

• Technology: Use simple coding to create a countdown timer or explore how clocks work.

• Engineering: Model famous ball drops around the world.

• Art: Make New Year’s hats, confetti poppers, or decorations using craft supplies.

• Math: Calculate the speed and distance of a “falling ball” for a hands-on physics activity.

6. Chinese New Year, January 29, 2025, the Year of the Snake

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is a major celebration in Chinese culture. It marks the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar. Chinese New Year is a time for family, friends, and community to come together, celebrate, and look forward to a new year filled with hope and prosperity. Festivities include dragon dances, fireworks, and honoring ancestors.

Mark the Lunar New Year with creative STEAM activities:

• Science: Study moon phases and their connection to the lunar calendar.

• Technology: Code a digital Chinese zodiac wheel to learn about the Year of the Snake and its traits.

• Engineering: Create Chinese lanterns and test how different materials impact their strength and structure.

• Art: Design traditional red envelopes or dragon puppets for a dragon dance!

• Math: Explore the patterns of the 12-animal Chinese zodiac cycle and calculate when your zodiac sign will repeat.

Why Incorporate STEAM into Cultural Celebrations?

Incorporating STEAM into cultural celebrations offers a unique blend of learning and fun. By combining science, technology, engineering, arts, and math with cultural traditions, we can foster deeper understanding, spark creativity, and strengthen community connections.

STEAM learning makes holidays come alive by blending hands-on exploration with rich cultural traditions. Here’s why it works:

• Hands-On Fun: Learning by doing engages creativity and problem-solving skills.

• Critical Thinking: Understanding the science, math, and engineering behind traditions makes learning exciting and relevant.

• Cultural Connection: Exploring global celebrations builds empathy, appreciation for diversity, and curiosity about the world.

Whether you’re building gingerbread houses, crafting lanterns, or studying the stars, these STEAM activities create fun, meaningful experiences that inspire creativity and connection.

Gather your supplies and your little learners, and celebrate winter with STEAM-powered magic from around the world!

What artists do you know that combine STEAM concepts to create art while learning?Check out this artwork! https://slow-life-hokkaido.com/tour/snow-field-geometric-art-making/

Try a STEAM activity this winter to inspire curiosity and celebrate the world’s richness! We’d love to hear about your traditions and how you use STEAM to enhance your celebrations. Use the comment section below to share your ideas with us! 

Happy Holidays and Happy Learning!

Katie Mayer & the Grand Forks Children’s Museum Team