We are celebrating the last week of our spooky month by dedicating an entire week to pumpkins! Learn more about these gorgeous gourds with daily STEAM Learning Lab lessons. Today we bring you two lessons: Glowing Mummy Pumpkins and a tasty Pumpkin Seed Treat!

Mummy Pumpkin
Ages 1 and older

Get your front porch looking spooky with this no-carve pumpkin decoration! Mummy pumpkins are easy enough that even little kids can make them, making them a great option. Since we aren’t carving the pumpkin, it will last even longer on your porch. Just like a real mummy, by avoiding moisture, we are able to preserve the pumpkin a little bit longer.

As you prepare your mummy pumpkin, it can be a great time to talk to kids about Egyptian Mummies. While some kids might not want to discuss mummies, many will be fascinated by the scientific methods and cultural reasons people made mummies.  Here are some fun mummy facts:

  • While we mostly think about people being mummified, the Ancient Egyptians also mummified many animals, including their cats. Owners and cats were often mummified and placed in a tomb together so they could meet up in the afterlife.
  • The mummification process would take 70 days.
  • Mummies typically weigh about 5 lbs unwrapped
  • Kids can learn more about mummies and even make a virtual mummy here http://oi-archive.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/ED/mummy.html

Materials:

  • Gauze (or cheesecloth or even thick toilet paper)
  • Pumpkin
  • Glue
  • Water
  • Googly eyes
  • Optional: Glow in the dark paint

Directions:

  1. Glue googly eyes onto the pumpkin and let them dry
  2. Take more glue and mix it with water (2 parts glue to 1 part water)
  3. Wrap gauze around the pumpkin. If you wrap double wrap the gauze over the starting point the gauze should stay put.
  4. Wrap the gauze all the way around the pumpkin.
  5. Add water/glue mixture to the gauze. Optional: add some glow in the dark paint to the mixture before it is applied.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Ages 2 and up

Are pumpkins a fruit or a vegetable? This may seem like a tricky question, but pumpkins are actually categorized as fruit because of the seeds they contain. Instead of throwing all the seeds out when you are done carving your pumpkin, you can roast the seeds and turn them into a yummy snack. Pumpkin seeds are high in Iron and make a crunchy treat. Depending on the seasonings you choose, these seeds can become savory or sweet. This easy recipe is a fun way to get kids helping in the kitchen.

 

Directions:

  1. Turn oven to 350
  2. Separate pumpkin seeds from the rest of the pumpkin “guts.”
  3. Place seeds in a colander and rinse to remove any remaining pumpkin
  4. Dry thoroughly
  5. Mix with 1 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle of salt, and any other seasoning you would like(see below for ideas)
  6. Add parchment paper to a baking sheet
  7. Spread into a thin layer
  8. Place in the oven for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes

Seasoning Suggestions:

Cinnamon Sugar :
1 tbsp brown sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
Sprinkle of salt

Salt and Pepper
½ tsp pepper
½ teaspoon salt or sea salt

Pizza
1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon salt

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