Creative Legends of STEM: Gutenberg

Today, we're going on an exciting journey through time to uncover the life and legacy of Johannes Gutenberg, the brilliant inventor who changed how we share information. Gutenberg's invention of the printing press paved the way for the spread of knowledge in Europe at the dawn of the Renaissance.

Let's dive into Gutenberg's life and achievements in 15th-century Strasbourg, France. Afterward, you'll get to take part in a fun cut-and-paste activity where you'll create your own pretend letterpress. Using movable type, you'll arrange letters to spell out your own names, just like Gutenberg did with his printing press.

Printable & Activity Objectives

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Age: 7 to 9 year olds, Activity Time: 1-2 hours, Items Needed: Colouring and writing pencils.

In this creative printable activity, elementary students will learn about Johannes Gutenberg's remarkable contributions to printing history by engaging in a hands-on cut-and-paste activity to craft our names on a make-believe letterpress.

Historical Exploration: Students will gain a deeper understanding of the historical role of technology in aiding the spread of information in Europe by exploring the life and creativity of Johannes Gutenberg and his printing press.
Hands-on Learning: The cut-and-paste activity actively engages students in a tactile learning experience, enhancing retention and understanding.
Critical Thinking: Studying Gutenberg's life fosters critical thinking, information analysis, and the ability to draw conclusions about the impact of his invention on our society today.
STEM Integration: This activity seamlessly integrates elements of science, technology and engineering as students explore the mechanics behind Gutenberg's printing press.

Let's get creative!

Classroom Resources

Simple steps to start:

Research and find out more about Gutenberg, his discoveries and contribution to printing and the spread of knowledge. Here's an introduction to the life of Johannes Gutenberg: