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50 STEM Activities for Kids of All Ages and Interests

Inspire the innovators of tomorrow.

These days, STEM learning is more important than ever. Science, technology, engineering, and math are the keys to many modern careers, so a good grounding in them from an early age is a must. The best STEM activities for kids are hands-on, leading students to cool innovations and real-world applications . Here are some of our favorites, with challenges and experiments that will really get kids thinking about how STEM plays a part in their everyday lives.

Want some quick challenges to try with elementary students? Get free printable stem challenge cards for grades K-5:

• Kindergarten STEM Challenges
• First Grade STEM Challenges
• Second Grade STEM Challenges
• Third Grade STEM Challenges
• Fourth Grade STEM Challenges
• Fifth Grade STEM Challenges

For more STEM activities for kids across a range of subjects, take a look at these ideas.

1. Add STEM bins to your classroom

STEM Focus: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

Prepare for a wide variety of STEM activities for kids with these cool bins. Incorporate them into literacy centers, create a makerspace, and offer early finishers fun enrichment ideas. Learn how to create and use STEM bins.

2. Conduct an egg drop

STEM Focus: Engineering

This is one of those classic STEM activities every kid should try at least once. Kids can do it at any age, with different materials and heights to mix it up.

Learn more: Egg Drop at Buggy and Buddy

3. Engineer a drinking straw roller coaster

This is such a fun way to encourage engineering skills! All you need are basic supplies like drinking straws, tape, and scissors.

Learn more: Straw Roller Coaster at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

4. Find ways to slow soil erosion

STEM Focus: Science (Ecology), Engineering

Compare the effects of “rain” on hills of bare soil vs. those covered with grass. Have your 3rd grade science students predict which they think will stand up to erosion better and then test their hypotheses.

Learn more: Erosion Experiment at Third Grade Thinkers

5. Simulate an earthquake

The ground under our feet may feel solid, but an earthquake changes that pretty quickly. Use Jell-O to simulate the earth’s crust, then see if you can build an earthquake-proof structure.

Learn more: Earthquake Science at Teaching Science

6. Stand up to a hurricane

In a hurricane zone, houses must be able to stand up to strong winds and possible flooding. Can your students design houses that make it safer to live in these dangerous areas?

Learn more: Hurricane Houses at Carly and Adam

7. Create a new plant or animal

STEM Focus: Science (Biology)

Kids will really get into this project, indulging their creativity as they invent a plant or animal that’s never been seen before. They’ll need to be able to explain the biology behind it all, though, making this an in-depth project you can tailor to any class.

Learn more: Create a Creature at I Love 2 Teach

8. Design a helping hand

STEM Focus: Technology, Engineering

This is a great group science project. Students hone their design and engineering skills to make a working model of a hand. For a more advanced activity, challenge students to build a robotic hand that can be controlled remotely.

Learn more : Model Hand at Mombrite

9. Understand the impact of non-renewable resources

STEM Focus: Science (Environmental Science)

Discuss the differences between renewable and non-renewable resources, then have your class form “companies” to “mine” non-renewable resources. As they compete, they’ll see how quickly the resources are used. It’s a great tie-in to energy conservation discussions.

Learn more: Energy Resources at The Owl Teacher

10. Devise an amazing marble maze

Marble mazes are one of students’ favorite STEM activities! You can provide supplies like straws and paper plates for their project. Or let them use their imaginations and create marble mazes from any materials they can think of.

Learn more: Marble Maze on Raising Lifelong Learners

11. Fly clothespin airplanes

STEM: Engineering

Ask students what they think the airplane of the future might look like. Then, provide them with clothespins and wood craft sticks, and challenge them to build a new kind of airplane. Bonus points if it can actually fly!

Learn more: Clothespin Airplane at STEAMsational

12. Launch a catapult cannon

Catapult STEM challenges are always fun, but this one adds a new twist that allows kids to launch objects much farther than the usual wood craft stick version!

Learn more: Catapult Cannon and STEAM Powered Family

13. Bounce on a trampoline

Kids love bouncing on trampolines, but can they build one themselves? Find out with this totally fun STEM challenge.

Learn more: Trampoline Challenge at Student Savvy

14. Build a solar oven

STEM Focus: Science, Engineering

Learn about the value of solar energy by building an oven that cooks food without electricity. Enjoy your tasty treats while discussing ways we can harness the energy of the sun and why alternative energy sources are important.

Learn more: Solar Oven at Desert Chica

15. Build a snack machine

Incorporate everything students learn about simple machines into one project when you challenge them to build a snack machine. Using basic supplies, they’ll need to design and construct a machine that delivers snacks from one location to another.

Learn more: Snack Machine at Left Brain Craft Brain

16. Recycle newspaper into an engineering challenge

It’s amazing how a stack of newspapers can spark such creative engineering. Challenge students to build the tallest tower, support a book, or even build a chair using only newspaper and tape.

Learn more: Newspaper STEM Challenges at STEM Activities for Kids

17. Design a biosphere

This project really brings out kids’ creativity and helps them understand that everything in a biosphere is really part of one big whole. You’ll be overwhelmed by what they come up with!

Learn more: Biosphere Project at Laney Lee

18. See the effects of an oil spill

Learn why an oil spill is so devastating for wildlife and the ecosystem with this hands-on activity. Kids experiment to find the best way to clean up oil floating on water and rescue the animals affected by the spill.

Learn more: Oil Spill Cleanup at Kitchen Counter Chronicle

19. Assemble a steady-hand game

STEM Focus: Engineering, Technology

This is such a fun way to learn about circuits. It also brings in a bit of creativity, adding the “A” for STEAM.

Learn more: Steady Hand Game at Left Brain Craft Brain

20. Use cabbage to test pH

STEM Focus: Science (Chemistry)

Teach kids about acids and bases without needing pH test strips! Simply boil some red cabbage and use the resulting water to test various substances—acids turn red and bases turn green.

Learn more: Cabbage pH at Education Possible

21. Engineer a craft stick bridge

Here’s another one of those classic STEM activities that really challenge kids to use their skills. Build a bridge with Popsicle sticks and other materials, then compete to see which can bear the most weight.

Learn more: Bridge Challenge at Mommy Evolution

22. Forage and build a bird nest

STEM Focus: Science (Biology), Engineering

Birds build incredibly intricate nests from materials they find in the wild. Take a nature walk to gather materials, then see if you can build a sturdy, comfy nest of your own!

Learn more: Build a Bird Nest at Kids Craft Room

23. Drop parachutes to test air resistance

Use the scientific method to test different types of material and see which makes the most effective parachute. Your students also learn more about the physics behind air resistance.

Learn more: Parachute Challenge at Education.com

24. Find the most waterproof roof

Calling all future engineers! Build a house from LEGO, then experiment to see what type of roof prevents water from leaking inside.

Learn more: Waterproof Roof at Science Sparks

25. Build a better umbrella

Challenge students to engineer the best possible umbrella from various household supplies. Encourage them to plan, draw blueprints, and test their creations using the scientific method.

Learn more: Better Umbrella at Raising Lifelong Learners

26. Go green with recycled paper

STEM Focus: Science (Ecology)

We talk a lot about recycling and sustainability these days, so show kids how it’s done! Recycle old worksheets or other papers using screen and picture frames. Then, ask kids to brainstorm ways to use the recycled paper.

Learn more: Recycled Paper at Undercover Classroom

27. Brew up your own slime

Chances are good your students already love making and playing with slime. Turn the fun into an experiment by changing the ingredients to create slime with a variety of properties—from magnetic to glow-in-the-dark!

Learn more: Slime Experiments at Little Bins for Little Hands

28. Create a taxonomy system

Students can step into Linnaeus’ shoes by creating their own system of taxonomy using a handful of different dried beans. This is a fun science project to do in groups, so students can see the differences between each group’s system.

Learn more: Classification Systems at Our Journey Westward

29. Find out which liquid is best for growing seeds

As you learn about the life cycle of plants , explore how water supports plants’ growth. Plant seeds and water them with a variety of liquids to see which sprout first and grow best.

Learn more: Plants and Liquids at Lessons for Little Ones

30. Create giant bubbles

It’s easy to mix your own soap bubble solution with just a few ingredients. Let kids experiment to find the best proportion of ingredients to create giant bubbles, long-lasting bubbles, and other variations.

Learn more: Giant Soap Bubbles at Make and Takes

31. Make compost in a cup

This is an easy science activity, and you can turn it into a science fair project by experimenting with different mixtures, layering, and conditions for your compost cups.

Learn more: Compost Cups at The Happy Housewife

32. Help monarch butterflies

You may have heard that monarch butterflies are struggling to keep their population alive. Join the fight to save these beautiful bugs by planting your own butterfly garden, monitoring monarch populations, and more. Get all the info you need at the link.

Learn more: Monarch Education at Monarch Watch

33. See water pollution in action

STEM Focus: Science (Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology)

Learn about the challenges of cleaning up polluted water sources like rivers and lakes with this interesting outdoor science activity. Pair it with a visit to a local water treatment plant to expand the lesson.

Learn more: Water Pollution at JDaniel4’s Mom

34. Test your local water quality

STEM Focus: Science (Chemistry, Environmental Science)

Once you’ve “cleaned up” your water, try testing it to see how clean it really is! Then head out to test other types of water. Kids will be fascinated to discover what’s in the water in their local streams, ponds, and puddles. Student water-testing kits are readily available online.

Learn more: Water Quality Experiment at The Homeschool Scientist

35. Explore with an edible Mars Rover

STEM Focus: Science (Space), Engineering

Learn about the conditions on Mars and the tasks the Mars Rover will need to complete. Then, give kids supplies to build their own. (Add to the challenge by making them “buy” the supplies and stick to a budget, just like NASA!)

Learn more: Edible Mars Rover at Library Makers

36. Bake the best potato

STEM Focus: Science (Physics)

This edible science project is a nutritious way to explore the scientific method in action. Experiment with a variety of methods for baking potatoes—microwaving, using a traditional oven, wrapping them in foil, using baking pins, etc.—testing hypotheses to discover which works best.

Learn more: Potato Science at Left Brain Craft Brain

37. Waterproof a boot

Ask kids to select various materials and tape them over the free boot printable. Then, test their hypotheses to see which ones work best.

Learn more: Waterproof a Boot at Science Sparks

38. Determine the best way to melt ice

Conventional wisdom says we sprinkle salt on ice to melt it faster. But why? Is that really the best method? Try this science experiment and find out.

Learn more: Melting Ice at The Chaos and the Clutter

39. Don’t melt the ice

We spend a lot of time in winter trying to get rid of ice, but what about when you don’t want the ice to melt? Experiment with different forms of insulation to see which keeps ice frozen the longest.

Learn more: Ice Insulation at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

40. Build a straw house

Grab a box of straws and a package of pipe cleaners. Then task kids with designing and building their dream house, using only those two items.

Learn more: Building a Straw House at Deceptively Educational

41. Design a balloon-powered car

Explore the laws of motion and encourage creativity when you challenge students to design, build, and test their own balloon-powered cars. Bonus: Use only recycled materials to make this project green!

Learn more: Balloon-Powered Car at One Little Project

42. Learn map skills by designing an amusement park

STEM Focus: Science (Physics), Technology, Engineering, Math

For this cross-curricular activity, students investigate the parts of a map by creating an amusement park. After they create their map, they do a detailed drawing and write about one of their ride designs. Then they design an all-access park pass. So many STEM activities in one! Find out more about it here.

43. Reach for the ceiling

Round up all your building blocks and try this whole-class project. What will students need to do to be able to construct a tower that reaches all the way to the ceiling?

Learn more: Block Tower at Mama Smiles

44. Cast a tall shadow

STEM Challenge: Science (Physics)

Here’s another tower-building challenge, but this one’s all about shadows! Kids will experiment with the height of their tower and the angle of their flashlight to see how tall of a shadow they’re able to cast.

Learn more: Shadow Towers at No Time for Flash Cards

45. Devise a recycled toy bot

These adorable toy bots are made from pool noodles and recycled electric toothbrushes. So clever! Kids will have fun designing their own, plus they can tweak this idea to make other fun wiggling toys.

Learn more: Recycled Toy Bot at Artsy Momma

46. Link up the longest paper chain

This incredibly simple STEM activity really gets kids thinking. The challenge? Create the longest-possible paper chain using a single piece of paper. So simple and so effective.

Learn more: Paper Chain Challenge at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

47. Find out what you can make from a plastic bag

STEM Focus: Science (Environmental Science), Engineering

Plastic bags are one of the most ubiquitous items on the planet these days, and they’re difficult to recycle. Give each student a plastic bag and ask them to create something new and useful. ( These ideas from Artsy Craftsy Mom offer some inspiration. )

48. Start a school robotics team

STEM Focus: Technology

Coding is one of the most valuable STEM activities you can include in your classroom plans. Set up a school robotics club and inspire kids to embrace their newfound skills! Learn how to set up your own club here.

49. Embrace the Hour of Code

The Hour of Code program was designed as a way to get all teachers to try just one hour of teaching and learning coding with their students. Originally, the Hour of Code event was held in December, but you can organize yours any time . Then, continue to learn using the huge amount of resources on Hour of Code’s website .

50. Give kids a Maker Cart and a pile of cardboard

You don’t need a whole lot of fancy supplies to create a STEM Cart or makerspace. Scissors, tape, glue, wood craft sticks, straws—basic items like these combined with a stack of cardboard can inspire kids to create all sorts of amazing projects! See how these STEM activities work here.

What are your favorite STEM activities for kids? Come share in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, get 20+ free stem posters for your classroom .

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21 Quick STEM Activities that Will Bring Out the Genius in Every Child

Categories STEM Activities

STEM activities (activities with elements of science, technology, engineering, and math) help children see that science and math can have a creative element, too. Try these quick STEM activities when you don’t have tons of time to plan!

In today’s world, technology seeps into everything we do, and children can be taught to approach all of their learning through the lens of scientific exploration.

However, we don’t always have time for involved STEM activities for kids that take weeks to complete (although those are beneficial as well!).

But if you’re simply looking for a few easy and quick STEM activities for your kiddos, you’ll appreciate the quick STEM lessons you’ll find in this post.

Today, I am sharing 21 quick STEM projects that are simple to set up and quick to do.

You’ll love how quickly you can set up these projects and get them completed, even if you have just a few minutes to do them in!

Perfect for easy STEM activities in the classroom or at home. Teach science in minutes, rather than hours. 

What are Quick STEM Activities?

Integrating learning across Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, there are quick and easy STEM challenges suitable for children of all ages on the list, and many of these activities can be easily scaled up or down through questioning to suit the age of your child.

In this case, a quick STEM challenge is one that takes 30 minutes or less to complete- or one class period!

The hardest thing might just be choosing which quick and easy STEM activity to try first!

21 Fast STEM Activities for Kids

Kids will love these hands-on STEM activities, and teachers and parents will love how quickly you can use these lessons to illustrate science lessons and teach STEM thinking skills to kids.

Why Do Quick STEM Activities with Kids?

A STEM activity is more than just a hands-on project that includes elements of science, technology, engineering, and math.

STEM activities are whole-brain exercises, that kids can use to explore disciplined subjects in a creative and exploratory way.

One of the best things about quick STEM activities is that there are no right or wrong answers.

In a true STEM experiment, children learn to think of solutions to problems on their own, with no particular planned outcome, just like in the real world.

STEM activities are one of the best ways to prepare children for problem solving and learning in the real world, and they give kids a taste of what sort of decision processes adults go through every day.

With the openness of STEM activities guiding children, there is no fear of failure and children who typically look for the “right” answer are encouraged to explore a topic, rather than just memorizing an answer.

Kids who regularly engage in quick STEM activities are better able to solve problems, think outside the box, go through a logical process to come up with an answer, and can tell you why they chose a certain solution clearly.

What Kids Learn Doing Quick STEM Activities

Quick STEM activities help illustrate the concepts of science, technology, engineering, and math in a fast, easy-to-see way that is ideal for quick science and STEM lessons, such as for early elementary science class, kindergarten lessons, STEM and science centers, preschool, STEM summer camp, and more!

The quick demonstrations work well when time crunches are an issue, and for many of these activities, kids can do them alone, making them perfect for self-guided play and exploration.

Check out more fun STEM themes, including our list of easy science experiments for kid s and creative STEM activities .

You don’t have to take a long time to teach a STEM lesson. Kids can learn the basic elements of science, technology, engineering, and math in these hands-on STEM projects for kids.

Use these lessons when you need to teach a scientific topic, but don’t have time to spend weeks on the project.

Quick STEM activities can be used to help keep morale up in the STEM classroom between bigger projects, as they often give fun, quick, and visually appealing results.

You can also use these quick STEM activities at home to make learning fun there!

How to Set Up Quick STEM Challenges for Kids

When possible, it’s best to mix several elements of STEM together, using elements of science, technology, engineering, and math all at once.

You’ll maximize the learning of children and help them understand how all the elements of STEM activities work together.

More STEM Activities for Kids

50+ LEGO STEM Challenges- Free Printable STEM Activities

20+ Carnival Themed STEM Activities for Kids

20+Spectacular and Fun Circus STEM Activities

Toy Making STEM Activities

Quick STEM Activities that Take 30 Minutes or Less

Follow along with these activities to find a bunch of fun science, technology, engineering, and math activities that can be done in less than a single class period.

And best of all, they are super fun, too!

Quick Science Experiments for Kids

These fast science experiments are a breeze! Learn about liquid density, surface tension, non-Newtonian fluids, slime, light refraction, and more!

Paper Towel Strength Test Science Experiment

With just paper towels and pennies, students can conduct a simple penny paper towel experiment to determine whether wet or dry paper towels can hold more weight. Students will learn how adding a variable to an experiment can drastically change the outcome even when no other changes are made.

Amazing Bending Pencil Experiment That's Just Like Magic!

Use light to break a pencil. How is it done? You'll have to try it to find out!

Flip a Rainbow Light Refraction Experiment

You can magically flip a rainbow with light! How? The science is complicated, but the project is a whole lot of fun!

How to Make Fluffy Rainbow Slime (without the mess)

Did you know that slime uses a lot of scientific chemistry principles? Apply them and learn all about polymer chains and molecular bonds when you make this fluffy slime.

Fortnite Slurp Drink Water Density Experiment

Fortnite is a lot of fun for kids. This Fortnite slurp drink density tower uses science to keep the colors apart!

How to Do the Hot and Cold Water Density Experiment

You can learn about color mixing and how temperature has different densities in this super fun and quick science experiment.

Sugar Rainbow Density Tower Experiment

Nothing is more fun than sweet science! Learn about density and viscosity in this quick experiment.

Super Fast Milk Surface Tension Science Experiment!

Surface tension is hard to describe, but with this experiment, its easy to see!

Quick Technology Activities for Kids

Fast technology challenges you can do in minutes! Learn about circuits, coding, binary, and more!

How to Make Binary Coding Bracelets with Secret Messages

Teach kids the basics of binary with these coding bracelets.

Fun Ways for Kids to Learn Computer Coding

Here are some super fun ways to teach coding to kids and learn how to make technology fun for them.

Rainbow Salt Circuit Engineering Activity

Learn how circuits work with this fun glow in the dark circuit activity!

How to Use Squishy Circuits for Electrical Engineering

Learn all about electricity and electrical engineering with Squishy Circuits!

Painting Brush Bot

With a motor and a brush, you can create a robot painting system!

How to Make a Unicorn Rainbow Scribble Bot

Learn how to put together a working motor and create a robot that can draw for you!

Map Skills for Kids: Planning a Route

Learning how to use a map is an essential skill for kids! Technology makes it easier.

The Best Coding Apps for Kids

These coding apps will teach kids the basics of coding and more!

Build a Minecraft Chessboard

There is a lot of tech behind Minecraft! In this simple activity, challenge your kiddos with how to make a chess board!

Quick Engineering Activities for Kids

Rome might have taken more than a day to complete, but these engineering projects won't! You can knock these quick engineering challenges out in just minutes!

Cotton Swab Bridge Building Engineering Challenge Lesson Plan

Learn how to teach this q tip bridge engineering challenge with the students in your classroom. It's a fun twist on other bridge building engineering challenges and students will have a blast coming up with their unique designs.

How to Build a Simple LEGO Flower

Building a LEGO flower is easy and fast and teaches kids the basics of design and engineering.

How to Build an Easy LEGO Car

Follow along with this simple guide to create a LEGO car in minutes!

Spaghetti Engineering Project

This Spaghetti Engineering Challenge is so easy, but kids can learn a lot!

How to Design a Paper Airplane Engineering Challenge

If you love building and designing and testing, then the Paper airplane Engineering Challenge is for you!

How to Make a LEGO Rainbow with Classic LEGO Bricks

Making a LEGORainbow sounds like it would be easy, but it's actually surprisingly difficult!

EASY! 3 Steps to the Perfect Leak Proof Bag Science Experiment

The leakproof bag science experiment teaches kids about polymer chains in less than five minutes!

Quick Math Activities for Kids

Quick math challenges for on-the-fly learning. You don't have to take forever to do math activities!

Design a Coin Activity for Kids

Design coins and learn all about coin values and how to use money in this super quick math activity!

Uno Math Game

Kids will love this fun math variation on the classic UNO game!

Multiplication Dice Game

Play the multiplication dice game when you have a few minutes to work some additional math practice in.

Hands-On Geometry Challenge: Building 3D Shapes

Build geometry shapes using geometry bricks for some fast geometry math practice.

Math Fraction Art Project

Learn about fractions and turn them into fun art pieces in this fast math activity!

Printable Lemon Fraction Clip Cards for Elementary Kids

Learning fractions is way less of a bother when you use these cheery lemon fraction clip cards !

Soup Can Printable PEMDAS Worksheet for Teaching Order of Operations

Grab this fun soup-themed printable PEMDAS worksheet .

Share this project with a friend!

ChatGPT for Teachers

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STEM learning is largely about designing creative solutions for real-world problems. When students learn within the context of authentic, problem-based STEM design, they can more clearly see the genuine impact of their learning. That kind of authenticity builds engagement, taking students from groans of “When will I ever use this?” to a genuine connection between skills and application.

Using STEM to promote critical thinking and innovation

“Educational outcomes in traditional settings focus on how many answers a student knows. We want students to learn how to develop a critical stance with their work: inquiring, editing, thinking flexibly, and learning from another person’s perspective,” says Arthur L. Costa in his book Learning and Leading with Habits of Mind . “The critical attribute of intelligent human beings is not only having information but also knowing how to act on it.”

Invention and problem-solving aren’t just for laboratory thinkers hunkered down away from the classroom. Students from elementary to high school can wonder, design, and invent a real product that solves real problems. “ Problem-solving involves finding answers to questions and solutions for undesired effects. STEM lessons revolve around the engineering design process (EDP) — an organized, open-ended approach to investigation that promotes creativity, invention, and prototype design, along with testing and analysis,” says Ann Jolly in her book STEM by Design . “These iterative steps will involve your students in asking critical questions about the problem, and guide them through creating and testing actual prototypes to solve that problem.”

STEM projects that use real-world problems

Here are some engaging projects that get your students thinking about how to solve real-world problems.

Preventing soil erosion

In this project, meant for sixth – 12th grade, students learn to build a seawall to protest a coastline from erosion, calculating wave energy to determine the best materials for the job.  See the project.

Growing food during a flood

A natural disaster that often devastates communities, floods can make it difficult to grow food. In this project, students explore “a problem faced by farmers in Bangladesh and how to grow food even when the land floods.”  See the project .

Solving a city’s design needs

Get your middle or high school students involved in some urban planning. Students can identify a city’s issues, relating to things like transportation, the environment, or overcrowding — and design solutions. See the project here or this Lego version for younger learners.

Creating clean water

Too many areas of the world — including cities in our own country — do not have access to clean water. In this STEM project, teens will learn how to build and test their own water filtration systems.  See the project here .

Improving the lives of those with disabilities

How can someone with crutches or a wheelchair carry what they need? Through some crafty designs! This project encourages middle school students to think creatively  and  to participate in civic engagement.   See the project here .

Cleaning up an oil spill

We’ve all seen images of beaches and wildlife covered in oil after a disastrous spill. This project gets elementary to middle school students designing and testing oil spill clean-up kits. See the project here .

Building earthquake-resistant structures

With the ever-increasing amount of devastating earthquakes around the world, this project solves some major problems. Elementary students can learn to create earthquake resistant structures in their classroom. See the project here .

Constructing solar ovens

In remote places or impoverished areas, it’s possible to make solar ovens to safely cook food. In this project, elementary students construct solar ovens to learn all about how they work and their environmental and societal impact.  See the project here .

Stopping apple oxidization

Stop those apples from turning brown with this oxidation-based project. Perfect for younger learners, students can predict, label, count, and experiment! See the project here .

Advancing as a STEAM educator

The push for STEM has evolved into the STEAM movement, adding the arts for further enrichment and engagement. There are so many ways to embed STEM or STEAM lessons in your curriculum, but doing it well requires foundational knowledge and professional development. Imagine what type of impact you could have on your students and your community if you were supported by a theoretical framework, a variety of strategies, and a wealth of ideas and resources.

You may also like to read

• Teaching STEM: Challenging Students to Think Through Tough Problems
• Professional Development Resources for STEM Teachers
• What is the Washington State STEM Lighthouse Program?
• Characteristics of a Great STEAM Program
• Building a Partnership Between Your School and a STEAM Organization
• The Art of Inquiry in STEAM Education

Categorized as: Tips for Teachers and Classroom Resources

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• Problem Solving in STEM

Solving problems is a key component of many science, math, and engineering classes.  If a goal of a class is for students to emerge with the ability to solve new kinds of problems or to use new problem-solving techniques, then students need numerous opportunities to develop the skills necessary to approach and answer different types of problems.  Problem solving during section or class allows students to develop their confidence in these skills under your guidance, better preparing them to succeed on their homework and exams. This page offers advice about strategies for facilitating problem solving during class.

How do I decide which problems to cover in section or class?

In-class problem solving should reinforce the major concepts from the class and provide the opportunity for theoretical concepts to become more concrete. If students have a problem set for homework, then in-class problem solving should prepare students for the types of problems that they will see on their homework. You may wish to include some simpler problems both in the interest of time and to help students gain confidence, but it is ideal if the complexity of at least some of the in-class problems mirrors the level of difficulty of the homework. You may also want to ask your students ahead of time which skills or concepts they find confusing, and include some problems that are directly targeted to their concerns.

You have given your students a problem to solve in class. What are some strategies to work through it?

• Try to give your students a chance to grapple with the problems as much as possible.  Offering them the chance to do the problem themselves allows them to learn from their mistakes in the presence of your expertise as their teacher. (If time is limited, they may not be able to get all the way through multi-step problems, in which case it can help to prioritize giving them a chance to tackle the most challenging steps.)
• When you do want to teach by solving the problem yourself at the board, talk through the logic of how you choose to apply certain approaches to solve certain problems.  This way you can externalize the type of thinking you hope your students internalize when they solve similar problems themselves.
• Start by setting up the problem on the board (e.g you might write down key variables and equations; draw a figure illustrating the question).  Ask students to start solving the problem, either independently or in small groups.  As they are working on the problem, walk around to hear what they are saying and see what they are writing down. If several students seem stuck, it might be a good to collect the whole class again to clarify any confusion.  After students have made progress, bring the everyone back together and have students guide you as to what to write on the board.
• It can help to first ask students to work on the problem by themselves for a minute, and then get into small groups to work on the problem collaboratively.
• If you have ample board space, have students work in small groups at the board while solving the problem.  That way you can monitor their progress by standing back and watching what they put up on the board.
• If you have several problems you would like to have the students practice, but not enough time for everyone to do all of them, you can assign different groups of students to work on different – but related - problems.

When do you want students to work in groups to solve problems?

• Don’t ask students to work in groups for straightforward problems that most students could solve independently in a short amount of time.
• Do have students work in groups for thought-provoking problems, where students will benefit from meaningful collaboration.
• Even in cases where you plan to have students work in groups, it can be useful to give students some time to work on their own before collaborating with others.  This ensures that every student engages with the problem and is ready to contribute to a discussion.

What are some benefits of having students work in groups?

• Students bring different strengths, different knowledge, and different ideas for how to solve a problem; collaboration can help students work through problems that are more challenging than they might be able to tackle on their own.
• In working in a group, students might consider multiple ways to approach a problem, thus enriching their repertoire of strategies.
• Students who think they understand the material will gain a deeper understanding by explaining concepts to their peers.

What are some strategies for helping students to form groups?  

• Instruct students to work with the person (or people) sitting next to them.
• Count off.  (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4; all the 1’s find each other and form a group, etc)
• Hand out playing cards; students need to find the person with the same number card. (There are many variants to this.  For example, you can print pictures of images that go together [rain and umbrella]; each person gets a card and needs to find their partner[s].)
• Based on what you know about the students, assign groups in advance. List the groups on the board.
• Note: Always have students take the time to introduce themselves to each other in a new group.

What should you do while your students are working on problems?

• Walk around and talk to students. Observing their work gives you a sense of what people understand and what they are struggling with. Answer students’ questions, and ask them questions that lead in a productive direction if they are stuck.
• If you discover that many people have the same question—or that someone has a misunderstanding that others might have—you might stop everyone and discuss a key idea with the entire class.

After students work on a problem during class, what are strategies to have them share their answers and their thinking?

• Ask for volunteers to share answers. Depending on the nature of the problem, student might provide answers verbally or by writing on the board. As a variant, for questions where a variety of answers are relevant, ask for at least three volunteers before anyone shares their ideas.
• Use online polling software for students to respond to a multiple-choice question anonymously.
• If students are working in groups, assign reporters ahead of time. For example, the person with the next birthday could be responsible for sharing their group’s work with the class.
• Cold call. To reduce student anxiety about cold calling, it can help to identify students who seem to have the correct answer as you were walking around the class and checking in on their progress solving the assigned problem. You may even want to warn the student ahead of time: "This is a great answer! Do you mind if I call on you when we come back together as a class?"
• Have students write an answer on a notecard that they turn in to you.  If your goal is to understand whether students in general solved a problem correctly, the notecards could be submitted anonymously; if you wish to assess individual students’ work, you would want to ask students to put their names on their notecard.  
• Use a jigsaw strategy, where you rearrange groups such that each new group is comprised of people who came from different initial groups and had solved different problems.  Students now are responsible for teaching the other students in their new group how to solve their problem.
• Have a representative from each group explain their problem to the class.
• Have a representative from each group draw or write the answer on the board.

What happens if a student gives a wrong answer?

• Ask for their reasoning so that you can understand where they went wrong.
• Ask if anyone else has other ideas. You can also ask this sometimes when an answer is right.
• Cultivate an environment where it’s okay to be wrong. Emphasize that you are all learning together, and that you learn through making mistakes.
• Do make sure that you clarify what the correct answer is before moving on.
• Once the correct answer is given, go through some answer-checking techniques that can distinguish between correct and incorrect answers. This can help prepare students to verify their future work.

How can you make your classroom inclusive?

• The goal is that everyone is thinking, talking, and sharing their ideas, and that everyone feels valued and respected. Use a variety of teaching strategies (independent work and group work; allow students to talk to each other before they talk to the class). Create an environment where it is normal to struggle and make mistakes.
• See Kimberly Tanner’s article on strategies to promoste student engagement and cultivate classroom equity. 

A few final notes…

• Make sure that you have worked all of the problems and also thought about alternative approaches to solving them.
• Board work matters. You should have a plan beforehand of what you will write on the board, where, when, what needs to be added, and what can be erased when. If students are going to write their answers on the board, you need to also have a plan for making sure that everyone gets to the correct answer. Students will copy what is on the board and use it as their notes for later study, so correct and logical information must be written there.

For more information...

Tipsheet: Problem Solving in STEM Sections

Tanner, K. D. (2013). Structure matters: twenty-one teaching strategies to promote student engagement and cultivate classroom equity . CBE-Life Sciences Education, 12(3), 322-331.

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STEM Projects, Activities, and Challenges

At K12-powered schools,  STEM educational  opportunities extend beyond the classroom. Students of all ages can participate in exciting and fun extracurricular STEM projects and activities designed to inspire.

Why participate in these STEM activities and challenges?

Our interactive, real-world ventures challenge children to be curious and creative while empowering them to develop solutions for  real-world  problems. These teacher-led STEM activities also help kids build confidence, resilience, and resourcefulness. Plus, it’s a rich and rewarding chance for many students to cultivate other passions and interests outside of the online  STEM curriculum .

Popular STEM Challenges

STEM challenges provide an online and offline platform for students to compete in healthy, well-balanced contests. These fun STEM programs enhance the standard STEM curriculum and help students make new friends, discover new passions, and cultivate new skills that prepare them for the world ahead.

K12 Student Innovation Challenge

Students from across the country are invited to participate in the K12 Innovation Challenge. Students discuss real-world environmental concerns and share their solutions during this exciting STEM activity. This competition is about using creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork to research an issue, develop a theoretical solution, and design a plan that solves the problem. To learn more,  watch this video  for an in-depth look at a K12 Student Innovation Challenge team at work.

How the K12 Innovation Challenge Works

• High school  students in grades 9–12 are eligible to participate
• Students from outside K12-powered schools can also join
• Winners are selected at the state, regional, and national levels
• Stride headquarters hosts the final stage of the contest
• Prizes include $1,000 Amazon gift cards and more

Minecraft® Build Challenges

For students all-in on Minecraft®, K12 offers Minecraft® Build Challenges where students can compete in the game for the chance to win prizes. These competitions are open to  middle school  and  high school  students participating in the immersive online Minecraft® Club experience.

Examples of Past Challenges

• Agent to the Rescue
• Solar Model
• A Visit to the International Space Station
• Signifying Seasons

Enroll in K12-Powered Schools to Enjoy STEM Challenges

Cultivate your student’s curiosity while combining their passions and education with STEM projects, activities, and challenges. Discover everything the K12 STEM curriculum has to offer.

Learn More About STEM Education

STEM and STEAM focused education approaches are a great way to get students excited about learning. We’ve put together lots of information and resources here so you can learn about and navigate through the many possibilities.

STEM in Curriculum

STEM vs. STEAM

STEM in the Real World

STEM Challenges Kids Will Beg to Repeat

If you’re looking for easy-to-follow, engaging STEM challenges (science, technology, engineering and math) your kids will beg to repeat over and over again, you’ve come to the right spot! These epic activities are packed with kid-tested challenges that build problem solving, teamwork and (of course!) STEM skills.

Grab more than 150+ motivating STEM challenges in our shop !

Simple STEM Supplies

I swear I’m not a hoarder but I DO collect empty paper towel rolls and toilet paper tubes…

In fact, I have a whole DRAWER of them.

When you think of STEM supplies, cardboard tubes probably AREN’T the first thing to pop into your mind. Most people picture fancier tools like special-order science supplies and expensive engineering kits.

But for kids – especially YOUNG kids – we actually have most of the supplies we need already!

We can use simple box of toothpicks and playdough to create 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes.

(The STEM challenge is a simple but powerful way to help kids learn about vertices, edges, faces and other geometry terms.)

Or pull out LEGOS and challenge students to create replicas of famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Egyptian Pyramids…

STEM isn’t about being fancy – it’s about learning how to make predictions, problem solve, build and refine. It’s about the PROCESS, not the product.

And that means that we can  hoard collect as many toilet paper tubes as our drawers will fit. #KiddingNotKidding

If you’re excited to make THIS the year that you finally set up engaging STEM centers your students will beg to repeat, snag our epic bundle of 150+ STEM challenges in our shop or on Teachers Pay Teachers.

The instant download combines ALL of our STEM activities into one easy download so you can inspire students all year long!

–> Solve craft stick puzzles,

–> Make straw mazes, rafts and towers,

–> Solve weight and length challenges,

–> Complete dozens of holiday and seasonal STEM challenges….

Every set includes easy-to-follow instructions, task cards, record sheets and answer keys.

And the activities use common supplies like toothpicks, playdough and LEGOS so you don’t have to spend a fortune on anything fancy.

150+ STEM Challenges

The mega bundle includes TONS of motivating, hands-on STEM challenges students will beg to repeat all year long!

Pull out common classroom supplies like counting bears and crayons to learn about nonstandard weight.

Challenge kids’ logic and reasoning with a batch of craft stick puzzles.

Use geoboards to build engineering skills including counting, scaling, and geometry.

You can even add STEM into your holiday celebrations!

Grab Your STEM Challenges

Ready to help kids fall in love with STEM too?! Download your epic bundle in our shop !

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Quick STEM Challenges

When time is limited, and the budget is small, we have AWESOME, cheap, and quick STEM activities the kids will love testing out. Whether you have 30 mins or all day, these budget-friendly STEM challenges are sure to please everyone. Give them a spin in your classroom, at home, or with any group of kiddos. You will love our STEM projects with ease and budget in mind!

STEM Challenges for Real World Learning

Scientists and engineers can use different ways to study the world around them. This is exactly what these quick STEM activities are intended to provide for your young scientists and engineers! Many valuable, real-world lessons come from working on simple STEM projects.

What’s the difference between a scientist and an engineer? Click here to read more!

Don’t let STEM intimidate you! Your kids will AMAZE you with their thinking power and creativity in problem-solving. Often, they have much better answers than we do! These hands-on activities combine the right amount of play with critical thinking to truly engage any kid.

Not only are these STEM activities amazing for academic success, but they also provide a fantastic opportunity for social skills practice. Working together, problem-solving, and planning to come up with solutions are perfect for kids because it encourages interaction and cooperation with peers.

Even if you set up a junk maker space for free time projects, observe kids coming together to build creations. STEM builds confidence , cooperation, patience, and friendships!

Read More: What is STEM and how does it benefit kids?

Helpful STEM Resources To Get You Started

Below, you’ll find various engineering resources on the website to supplement the many engineering projects. From the design process to fun books to key vocabulary terms… You can feel confident in providing these valuable skills. Each one of the resources below has a free printable!

Engineering Design Process

Engineers often follow a design process. There are many different design processes that all engineers use, but each one includes the same basic steps to identify and solve problems.

An example of the process is “ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve.” This process is flexible and may be completed in any order. Learn more about the Engineering Design Process .

What is an engineer?

Is a scientist an engineer? Is an engineer a scientist? It might not be very clear! Often scientists and engineers work together to solve a problem. You may find it hard to understand how they are similar yet different. Learn more about what an engineer is .

Engineering Books For Kids

Sometimes the best way to introduce STEM is through a colorfully illustrated book with characters your kids can relate to! Check out this fantastic list of teacher-approved engineering books , and get ready to spark curiosity and exploration!

Engineering Vocab

Think like an engineer! Talk like an engineer! Act like an engineer! Get kids started with a vocabulary list that introduces some awesome engineering terms . Make sure to include them in your next engineering challenge or project.

Questions For Reflections

Use these reflection questions below with your kids after they have completed a STEM challenge. These questions will encourage discussion of the results and increase critical thinking skills. These questions or prompts will help to promote meaningful discussions individually and in groups. Read the questions for reflection here.

Free Printable STEM Challenge Worksheets

Some of the best STEM challenges are also the cheapest! When you are introducing STEM activities to kids, it’s important to use familiar materials, keep it fun and playful, and not make it to complicated that it takes forever to complete!

• STEM Design Process: Steps To Success
• 5 Quick and Easy STEM Challenges
• STEM Journal Pages
• Materials Master List
• How To Get Started Instructions

We have included 5 of our favorite easy-to-set-up and quick STEM challenges for you to share with your kids! Build their confidence with simple materials, fun themes, and easy-to-understand concepts.

Your kids will love using our Steps to Success STEM Design Process page during their activities. This will help reduce the need for your constant involvement because each step provides great information for the kids to think about! Build their STEM confidence!

The STEM journal pages include plenty of room for writing notes, drawing diagrams or plans, and collecting data! These are perfect for adding to projects for older kids to expand the lesson. Younger kids will love to draw their plans too.

You will also find my master list of cheap STEM materials and a quick how-to-get-started guide for using the STEM activities pack!

Click below to get your printable STEM challenges!  

Tips For Setting Up Quick STEM Activities

Do you want to explore more stem this year but don’t know where to start? We want you to be able to share quick STEM activities with your kids effortlessly.

These ideas aren’t high-tech, so no circuits or motors in sight, but they will get your kids thinking, planning, tinkering, and testing with easy-to-use STEM supplies. From kindergarteners to elementary through to middle school, there’s a STEM challenge for everyone!

Tip 1: Plan Your STEM Lesson Time

If you are short on time, set time limits for each phase of the design process and make that part of the STEM challenge.

Or if you have multiple short sessions to work on these STEM challenges, choose one or two parts of the design process at a time so as not to rush the activity.

Having kids use the journal pages to keep detailed notes will help them from session to session. Maybe day 1 is planning, researching, and drawing designs.

Tip 2. Choose Your Materials

My best tip for these quick build challenges below is to always be collecting re-usable materials. Keep a bin handy for storing cool items that might come in packaging materials, your recyclables and non-recyclables, and all those other random bits and pieces.

Check out our DIY STEM kids for ideas!

Try These Simple STEM Activities

The first 5 STEM building activities below are included in the free printable pack above, but you will also find a few more fun ideas to add to your STEM time.

1. Design and Build a Catapult

There are a variety of materials and methods you can use for building a catapult!

CHECK OUT THESE FUN VARIATIONS…

• Popsicle Stick Catapult
• Marshmallow Catapult
• Pencil Catapult
• Pumpkin Catapult
• Plastic Spoon Catapult
• Lego Catapult

2. Build a Boat That Floats

We have two ways you can go about this challenge! One is to dig into your recyclables (and non-recyclables) and build a boat that floats. Set up a tub of water to test them when everyone is finished.

You can take it further by testing their ability to float underweight! Try a soup can. Will your boat float while holding a soup can?

Alternatively, you can give each kid a square of aluminum foil to build a strong boat that floats. Go ahead and test your boat with added weight, too. Remember to pick one type of item, like pennies, to test the flotation of the boat. Otherwise, you will have inaccurate results because you can’t compare the results.

CHECK OUT: Penny Boat Challenge

3. Design a Paper Bridge

This quick STEM challenge uses stacks of books, pennies, paper, and a couple of pieces of tape. Challenge your kids to build a paper bridge that spans the gap between two stacks of books. Test the weight of the bridge with pennies.

Additionally, you can challenge the kids to make bridges out of similar-sized materials like aluminum foil, wax paper, cardstock, etc. This is a fun way to extend the STEM activity for older kids.

CHECK OUT: Paper Bridge Challenge

4. Egg Drop STEM Challenge

Another great STEM challenge that uses whatever you can find for materials. Here’s one of our recent egg drop challenge designs! Where’s the egg? Did it break?

CHECK OUT: Egg Drop Project

5. Spaghetti Marshmallow Tower  

Can you build a tower out of noodles? Build the tallest spaghetti tower that can hold the weight of a jumbo marshmallow. Test out those design and engineering skills with a few simple materials. Which tower design will be the tallest and strongest? 

CHECK OUT: Spaghetti Marshmallow Tower Challenge

6. Build a Car That Goes 

There are a few ways you can go about this challenge with a group of kids, depending on the time available and the difficulty level you want! If you have confident builders sending them to design cars, that move may be the way to go!

If you have less time or less confident builders, providing the means for the “go” might be more helpful. For example, building a balloon car might be a good choice. How about a box fan? Kids can make “sails!”

Have the kids brainstorm how to make a car “go” as a group. It could be as easy as setting up a fan or building a  rubber band car .

Kick it up a notch and try our simple robot car !

7. Design a Marble Run

You can set this challenge up for whatever your space and time allow. Make a marble run from LEGO  or even build your own marble run wall .

Why not try a 3D paper marble roller coaster kids can build on the top of a table. This is where your stash of cardboard tubes comes in handy!

CHECK OUT: Cardboard Marble Run

8. Balloon Rocket STEM Challenge

Challenge the kids to have balloon rocket races from one end of the room to the next. You can see how we set up a simple balloon rocket with a balloon and straw.

CHECK OUT: Balloon Rocket

9. Build A Pulley System 

There are two ways you could do this, outdoors or indoors. The difference is in the size of the pulley you can create and the supplies you will need.

Fill a bucket with heavy material and see how easy it is for the kids to lift. Have them imagine trying to lift that bucket way then up high. How would they do it more efficiently? A pulley system, of course!

Challenge the kids to build a homemade pulley system to move objects like marbles from the ground to table level. Toilet paper tubes come in pretty handy. Add some string and plastic cups.

CHECK OUT: Outdoor Pulley System   and DIY Pulley System With A Cup

10. Rube Goldberg Machine

Combine some fun things you’ve learned about forces into a STEM challenge where a ball must travel a path to knock down items at the end (a very simplified Rube Goldberg Machine). You can incorporate ramps and even a mini pulley system!

11. Be an Architect for the Day

You can challenge your kids to design and build a creative structure that solves a problem such as a dog house to keep Fido cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Incorporate planning and design and build models using found materials from your stash.

Check out this fun architecture idea >>> Three Little Pigs STEM

Or design and build the Eiffel Tower or another famous landmark!

First, don’t forget… your free printable STEM challenges .

12. 100 Cup Tower Challenge

Here’s another quick and easy STEM challenge coming your way! This Cup Tower Challenge is another one of the most straightforward STEM challenges to set up and is great for elementary to middle schoolers. Grab some packs of cups and find out who can make the tallest tower.

CHECK OUT: Cup Tower Challenge

13. Paper Chain Challenge

If the previous STEM challenge was quick and easy, this one might be even more simple. Make the longest paper chain from a single piece of paper. Sounds too easy! Or does it? Complete it in a short amount of time with younger kids, but you can also add layers of complexity for older kids! 

CHECK OUT: Paper Chain Challenge

Also, check out more quick and easy STEM challenges with paper.

14. Strong Spaghetti

Get out the pasta and test your spaghetti bridge designs. Which one will hold the most weight?

CHECK OUT: Strong Spaghetti Challenge

15. Paper Clip Challenge

Grab a bunch of paper clips and make a chain. Are paper clips strong enough to hold weight?

CHECK OUT: Paper Clip Challenge

16. Create a Paper Helicopter

See how to make a paper helicopter to explore physics, engineering, and math!

CHECK OUT: Paper Helicopter

Looking for even more STEM building challenges? Check out these engineering projects for kids.

17. Build a Simple Machine: Archimedes Screw

Learn more about a simple machine that has changed how we do many of our daily activities! Build your own Archimedes screw .

STEM Projects by Age

• Toddler STEM Activities
• Preschool STEM Projects
• Kindergarten STEM Activities
• Elementary Age STEM
• Middle School STEM
• Famous Scientists (STEM-ists) for Kids

Printable STEM Activities Pack For Kids

80+ Doable Engineering Projects in one convenient pack!

• Full instructions with sample images
• Activity-specific instruction sheets
• Data Collection Sheets
• Questions for Reflection
• Architecture Building Cards: Try the tallest tower challenge
• Bridge Building Cards: Explore different types of bridges to build your own.
• Paper Chain STEM Challenge: Who can make the longest chain? Great icebreaker or quick challenge!
• 3 Little Pigs Architectural Pack: Design a house that won’t blow away!
• Great marshmallow challenge: A classic challenge kids love!
• Real-world STEM challenge lesson but don’t know where to start? Our easy-to-follow template shows the steps!
• What’s the difference between a scientist and an engineer?
• Crossword and word search with engineering vocabulary.
• Engineering vocabulary cards
• Design a one-of-a-kind invention and write about it with this 5-page activity!

21 Comments

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Do you have materials available that say STEAM (with the A for Art) included? I’m trying to build a STEAM center and include more STEAM activities and would love to use your stuff!

I hear you! We don’t tend to do much with art here so I do not. Most of our resources are born from the projects my son is interested in doing. I will add it to the list to see if we can get some more STEAM going.

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Do you have a complete STEM challenge activity pack? Like the sample you gave a freebie?

How do I print the activity pack?

Hi, you need to download the pack to your computer and print from there.

Sounds really great for my classroom. Could you please make the link to download the activity pack more obvious? I just simply cannot find it on the page. Thanks so much!!

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Your website is awesome! Love love love your ideas! So many are so perfect right now for Emergency Distant Learning at our District. I teach STEM based courses to middle school… we are not able to finish the curriculum as it stands, so we are creating choice boards for our students. My colleagues and I are modifying a handful of your activities so that our kiddos can carry them out at home. Our kids are going to have a blast! Thank you so much for all you have done!!

Thank you Jodi! I am so glad that my resources can be of help!

Comments are closed.

~ Projects to Try Now! ~

Buggy and Buddy

Meaningful Activities for Learning & Creating

June 24, 2017 By Chelsey

25+ STEM Challenges for Kids: Child-Centered Projects Focused on Building

Here’s a collection of over 25 STEM challenges for kids focusing on building, engineering, and design. What I especially like about these specific STEM and STEAM activities are how open-ended they are and how they allow children to really take part with minimal adult assistance.

Follow our STEM and STEAM Activities Pinterest board!

Not only are taking part in STEM challenges super fun, but they offer so many benefits to kids of all ages! While completing a STEM challenge, kids explore problem solving and design using creativity and scientific skills. These challenges help children develop skills and the self-confidence needed not only in a classroom setting, but in the real world as well.

Although there are many amazing STEM challenges out there, I really wanted to put together a collection of challenges that focused on  open-ended and mostly child-centered activities . In this list you’ll find all kinds of fun ways to get your children or students involved in science, technology, engineering, and math!

25+ STEM Challenges for Kids

Mystery Bag STEM Design Challenge from Buggy and Buddy

Design a Paper Plate Marble Maze from Buggy and Buddy

Design a Sun Shelter for a UV-Sensitive Bead Animal from Buggy and Buddy

Egg Drop Challenge from Buggy and Buddy

STEM Challenge: Build Something that Floats from Fireflies and Mud Pies

Build a Stick Raft from Kids Craft Room

Build a Hexbug Maze Using Straws from Buggy and Buddy

Craft Stick STEAM Challenge from Fantastic Fun and Learning

Red Cup STEM Challenges for Kids from Kids Activities Blog

Wind Powered STEM Challenge from STEAM Powered Family

STEM Paper Airplane Challenge from Kids Activities Blog

Button and Playdough STEM Challenge for Kids from The Educators’ Spin on It

Fidget Spinner STEM Challenge Cards from Preschool Powol Packets

Newspaper Engineering Challenge from The Educators’ Spin on It

Straw Engineering Challenge from Lemon Lime Adventures

Cups, Craft Sticks, and Blocks Engineering Challenges from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Lego Boat and Penny Engineering Challenge from Handmade Kids Art

Design a Seed Engineering Challenge from Share It! Science News

Clothespin Airplane Engineering Challenge from Schooling a Monkey

Spaghetti Tower Marshmallow Challenge from Tinkerlab

Build a Homemade Marble Run from Buggy and Buddy

Build an Igloo with Toothpicks and Marshmallows from Lemon Lime Adventures

Star Wars STEAM Challenge Cards from Left Brain Craft Brain

Make It Move! from STEAM Powered Family

Mondrian-Inspired STEAM Playdough Challenge from The Preschool Toolbox

Balance a Rock Sculpture from Handmade Kids Art

Log Pile House Building Challenge from Inspiration Laboratories

Be sure to check out STEAM Kids book and ebook for even more creative STEM and STEAM ideas!

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Easy STEM Challenges for Kids

February 14, 2020 By Emma Vanstone 1 Comment

Here at Science Sparks we love easy STEM challenges . Not only are they great fun but also a wonderful opportunity for children to work together creatively to solve a problem. Building and engineering projects are especially good for encouraging kids to think and re-evaluate if something doesn’t work.

STEM Challenges tend to be simple to set up and often only require things you already have around the house, so are a brilliant inexpensive science activity too!

If you want to make a STEM Challenge more challenging try limiting the materials children have access to or set a time limit.

Don’t forget we have 100s more science experiments and STEM Challenges so if you don’t find anything here, do search again!

The BEST Simple STEM Challenges

Stem challenges for 3-5 year olds, rocket mouse.

Make a milk container rocket mouse . These are super easy to make. All you need is a milk jug and a paper cone to sit on the top.

Sinking and Floating Challenge

Investigate which objects float from a selection and then build a boat or raft to help objects that sink float.

For older children ask the question “ How can you make a lemon sink ?” The answer is quite simple, but there could be other ways to get the same end result, for example adding materials to weigh it down.

LEGO Towers Challenge

Create a LEGO tower using one hand. Find three different ways to measure the height of the tower.

Another idea is to create a tower or bridge that can hold a certain weight without breaking.

STEM Challenges for 6-8 year olds

Build a raft from recycled materials – for older children specify a particular weight the raft should hold.

Extra challenge – build a raft using three different materials, find a way to move the raft over water.

Marble Maze STEM Challenge

Create a LEGO marble maze or a marble run. This space themed marble run can be found in This IS Rocket Science .

Water Balloon Landing Pad

Create a landing pad for a water balloon so it doesn’t break. This is great fun and less messy than the egg version! Just use different materials ( recycled is good ) and see which stop the water balloon breaking when it hits the ground.

Magnet Powered Cars

Build magnet powered toy cars and race them! try different size magnets and cars to see which work the best.

Build a castle with a working drawbridge.

STEM Challenges for ages 9+

Lollystick catapult.

Build a catapult using lollysticks . Or go large and make a giant working catapult .

Paper Spinners

Design a falling paper spinner which takes more than 10 seconds to reach the ground. These are super easy to make and brilliant fun. The small ones spin fast and the large ones very slowly.

More STEM Challenge Ideas

These magnetic sculptures from Babble Dabble Do are just AMAZING!!

Design different shape and different material sledges and time how long they take to slide down ramps with different gradients. A homemade friction ramp would be great for this challenge too!

Make a Rube Goldberg Machine ! These are basically a chain reaction and can be as big or small as you like.

We LOVE these domino STEM challenge cards from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls too.

Design and build a water slide using kitchen foil.

Try our build a bridge STEM Challenge .

iGame Mom has some great 5 minute STEM Challenges .

Find a way to stand on paper cups without breaking them .

Design a pylon system using pipe cleaners and straws.

What’s your favourite STEM Challenge?

Last Updated on December 28, 2020 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

August 07, 2021 at 6:55 am

STEM challenges are perfect for making learning fun for kids. It can help them to develop and enhance many life essential skills. Thanks for sharing!

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20 STEM Projects That Are Great for Middle School

Krystal DeVille

February 15, 2024

Middle schoolers experience a great time of exploration and learning during these formative years. Explore these middle school STEM projects, designed to enhance STEM education by engaging students in hands-on learning. Pick which ones you want to try first.

Simply click the title of each lesson in the list to get the full lesson plan for these great STEM challenges that align with lessons for middle school science, technology, engineering, and math objectives. Alongside these projects, we also offer a variety of easy STEM challenges that can serve as introductory activities for beginners.

I’ve gone through all the educational subscription boxes for teenagers and put together the best ones in this resource, teenagers’ top STEM subscription boxes.

Table of Contents

STEM Activities for Middle School Students

1.  i breathe what.

Students enhance their problem-solving skills and understanding of the scientific method by exploring air quality through pollen, dust, and particulates using their homemade ‘pollution detectors.’ They will hypothesize what causes the differences and explain why engineers look at the particulate matter when they observe air quality.

2. Design a Bridge

This is a fun way of using simple machines and various materials, students design bridges that can hold 100 pennies for 30 seconds without collapsing, teaching them fundamental principles of physics. Review engineering concepts such as load and force with your classes before they get started. Consider using craft sticks as one of the materials, which are great for learning about weight distribution and structural integrity.

3. Spaghetti Soapbox Derby

In this science experiment, pairs of students design, build, and test model vehicles made from dry pasta and hot glue, with the goal of rolling along a ramp and coasting as far as possible. This STEM activity focuses on using somewhat challenging materials in the best ways possible.

For an added challenge, students can use rubber bands to enhance the propulsion of their pasta vehicles.

4. Trail Planning Using Topographic Quadrangle Maps

This earth science activity first calls for familiarity with US Geological Survey quadrangle maps. Working within set guideline requirements, students then use these maps to design a good route for a new recreational trail.

5. Bikini Bottom Genetics

Students apply an understanding of genetics in an analysis of sea creature genotypes that live in SpongeBob SquarePants’ neighborhood. They predict traits of offspring with the use of Punnett squares.

6. Design a Wristwatch for the Visually Impaired

Help your students review the engineering design process. They will then research, model, test and evaluate wristwatches for individuals with visual impairments as an exercise in applying engineering skills in the areas of bioengineering and biomedical engineering.

Take a look at our review of Groovy Lab in a Box . It’s hard to convey, but after reviewing about a dozen educational STEM subscription services, Groovy Lab Box has the most well-thought-out lesson plans!

7. Use Your Shoe!

Teachers collect shoe size data from the class. As a group, they use the data to determine the mean, median, and mode. Students then use that information to make inferences about average shoe size and broader populations. This activity provides a review of how to calculate mean, median, and mode, along with methods to make inferences based on the sample.

While this article focuses on middle schoolers, we also recommend fun and educational STEM projects suitable for elementary students .

8. Mission to Mars

Following a storyline, task your students with completing various STEM challenges, including understanding chemical reactions through a Coke and Mentos experiment as part of a Mars emergency. Teamwork, engineering design, and the use of science topics in real life are all addressed.

9. Snack Time!

Using nutritional information labels from various packaged foods, students will organize and describe that info to show the data in a box-and-whisker plot, bar graph, and pie chart. This activity touches on both math and science standards.

10. No Valve in Vain

Teams of students employ the engineering design process to use tape and plastic tubing to create heart valve models. For this activity, the class reviews the engineering design process and the workings of a one-way valve.

For older kids, particularly high school students looking for more advanced challenges, please check out our article, The Best Science Sets for Teens .

11. Marble Speed Traps with Lego Mindstorms

Students review the formula for velocity . Using drag and drop programming, they code the speed traps to measure the distance between the sensors and time it takes the marble to travel between them. They design the course, write the code, convert units, evaluate, and make changes as needed.

12. The Million Dollar Project

Students imagine inheriting and spending 1 million dollars with specific guidelines of how they may use that money. They research on the internet, record all purchases, learn to write checks, and track all their spending, which reinforces various mathematical concepts.

13. Explore the Law of Inertia using a Fidget Spinner

Review the equations for torque and inertia with students. By removing lights (weight) from spinners, they can explore how the amount of time the device will continue spinning is affected by the mass.

14. Backyard Weather Stations

Working in groups, students describe the current weather and predict future conditions by observing cloud formations. They design backyard weather stations that could gather data for actual forecasting. Technologies for forecasting would be explored, along with weather basics.

15. Leaning Tower of Pasta

Review compression and tension in structure stability with your class. Students use math and engineering concepts to design and build structures with long, dry spaghetti and marshmallows, to find which ones can withstand the largest amount of load.

16. Cleaning the Great Lakes

What better way to understand environmental science than by having students use limited materials to discover how to filter pollutants from dirty water? Teachers may use this challenge activity along with earth science units about water pollution or those concerning local lakes.

17. Soil Biosolarization: Sustainable Weed Killer

Serving as agricultural engineers, students explore the effectiveness of this sustainable weed control technique that uses organic waste instead of poisons. By using seed starter pots, they plant “weeds” and test the use of organic matter, like oatmeal, to see if it kills the weeds, assessing the impact of products and systems.

18. Renewable Energy: Power Your School

In pairs, students use real data to assess the possible use of solar or wind power generation at their school. Using science, math, and engineering concepts, they explore the differences between these two methods, use maps for an analysis of potential, and look at factors related to the feasibility of renewable energy at their location.

19. Generate Your Own Ocean Currents!

Encourage critical thinking and understanding of real-world applications as students design and construct ocean models to study wind-driven currents. Through this challenge project, they will explore circulation patterns, the Coriolis effect, and the transfer of heat from the global ocean convection cycle.

20. Scaling Up Candy Wrappers

Students bring in their favorite candy bar wrappers, choose a scale factor (larger than 5), and enlarge their wrappers to that scale in a drawing on grid paper. Scaling up candy wrappers is not just educational, but also a lot of fun, teaching kids about the math concept of scale factor. They can then color and display their finished projects!

21. Rube Goldberg Machines

What is a rube goldberg machine.

A Rube Goldberg machine is a deliberately complex contraption in which a series of devices perform simple tasks linked together to produce a domino effect, ultimately accomplishing a simple goal in a highly complex manner. Named after the American cartoonist Rube Goldberg, these machines are fantastic tools for teaching students about physics, engineering, and critical thinking.

Why Include Rube Goldberg Machines in Middle School STEM?

• Encourages Creative Thinking : Building these machines requires students to think outside the box and use their imagination to solve problems.
• Teaches Basic Physics Principles : Concepts like energy transfer, motion, and simple machines come to life in a Rube Goldberg project.
• Enhances Teamwork and Collaboration : Students often work in teams, learning to communicate and collaborate to design and build their machines.
• Develops Problem-Solving Skills : Students learn to troubleshoot and iterate, key skills in any STEM field.

Implementing Rube Goldberg Machine Projects

• Introduce the Concept : Start with a brief history of Rube Goldberg and show examples of Rube Goldberg machines, either through videos or illustrations.
• Define the Project Scope : Set clear goals and parameters. For example, each machine must have a minimum number of steps or complete a specific task.
• Materials : Encourage creativity by allowing a wide range of materials, from household items to recycled materials.
• Documentation : Have students document their design process, challenges, and solutions. This can be in the form of a journal, video, or presentation.
• Presentation and Reflection : Allow students to present their machines to the class. Encourage them to discuss what they learned and how they overcame obstacles.

22. Egg Drop Challenge

What is the Egg Drop Challenge? An engaging physics experiment for middle schoolers, the Egg Drop Challenge involves designing a device to protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped from a height. It’s an excellent way for students to apply concepts of gravity, impact force, and material properties.

Why It’s Beneficial:

• Encourages creative problem-solving.
• Demonstrates physics principles like momentum and shock absorption.
• Promotes teamwork and collaborative skills.

Implementing the Challenge:

• Materials: Offer materials like straws, balloons, and craft sticks.
• Design and Build: Students design and construct their egg-protecting devices.
• The Drop: Test the devices by dropping eggs from a set height.
• Analysis: Discuss the outcomes, focusing on physics concepts and design strategies.

Curriculum Alignment: This challenge complements the middle school physics curriculum, applying theoretical concepts practically.

23. The Index Card Tower Challenge

What is the Index Card Tower Challenge? The Index Card Tower Challenge is a straightforward yet engaging activity that introduces students to basic principles of physical science and engineering. Using only index cards, students are challenged to build the tallest possible tower. This activity is the best way to demonstrate concepts like balance, gravity, and kinetic energy, making it perfect for kids of all ages, including younger kids.

Why It’s Essential in STEM Curriculum:

• Introduces Physical Science Concepts: Focuses on basic principles like stability and kinetic energy.
• Encourages Creative Problem-Solving: Challenges students to think innovatively using simple materials.
• Accessible to All Ages: Easily adaptable for different age groups, making it suitable for both younger kids and older students.
• Prepares for Future Careers: Develops foundational skills useful in various STEM fields.
• Materials: Provide students with a stack of index cards.
• Build the Tower: Students experiment with different construction techniques to build their towers.
• Discussion on Physical Science: After the activity, discuss how forces like gravity and kinetic energy influenced their designs.
• Real-World Connection: Relate the activity to real-world structures and engineering challenges.

How It Fits Into STEM Courses: The Index Card Tower Challenge is a versatile activity that can be integrated into various STEM courses. It encourages students to apply scientific principles and think critically about engineering challenges, making it a valuable addition to any STEM curriculum.

How To Make The Most Of These Fun STEM Activities for Middle School Students

Whether in STEM labs, at home, or in the classroom, engaging students with discussion questions throughout these hands-on activities is vital.

To connect with students’ interests, some of these STEM activities offer different ways, including the design or analysis of simple video games, blending technology with creativity.

We rounded up these projects specifically because they align with learning objectives and lessons for 6th to 8th-grade students. Ask how this applies to what they’re currently learning in class? What did the project demonstrate?

Let us know in the comments what your favorite Middle School STEM projects! We’d love to hear them.

2 thoughts on “20 STEM Projects That Are Great for Middle School”

I taught bridge building to sixth grade students. The only thing I taught them was information and diagrams about trusses. They had to take notes for their own use during construction. Gave them the materials, formed groups and gave them them help without interfering with their own ideas. The amount of enthusiasm I have seldom seen in middle school. They were so excited they told their other teachers about the project. The bridges were beautiful and so strong. It was great to see the application of the trusses! I am all for STEM activities!

These are some great activities thanks for sharing and I’ll use them at my school.

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13 Inspiring STEM Projects For Middle School

• April 23, 2023
• Science , STEM
• Engaging Lessons , Real World Connections , STEM Challenges

STEM projects are a great way to engage and challenge middle school students, while encouraging them to explore new concepts and develop problem-solving skills . If you’re looking for some ideas, this guide provides 13 inspiring STEM project suggestions that will excite any learner.

Short on time? Grab a ready-to-go middle school STEM project s for lots of learning and fun!

1. Learn about Newton’s Laws and Construct Egg Cars.

Newton’s Laws of Motion is an important concept to understand, and constructing egg cars is a great way to explore this. Students will be able to design, build, and test their own car out of limited materials that will protect an egg during a crash. This project requires understanding (and application) of concepts like force, mass, and acceleration.

2. Create a Model Corn Maze.

This is a fun twist on the traditional marble maze. First, students can learn about how real-world corn mazes are designed and created. Then they will use the engineering design process to design and build a 3D marble maze modeled after a corn maze! Using cardboard and other clean recyclable materials or building bricks your students are sure to create something awesome!

3. Design a Prosthetic Device for an Animal.

In this experience, students research the field of prosthetics and assistive devices for animals like birds, cats, and dogs. They can discover the latest designs of prosthetic devices and how these helpful tools work on different animal species. After researching the process and physics involved with creating animal prostheses , students can design their own unique device that could be potentially acted out in real life or modeled on a stuffed animal.

4. Explore Rocketry and Launch Your Own Bottle Rocket.

A fun way to explore the principles of aerodynamics and rocket science is by launching a bottle rocket . Bottle rockets can be made from common household materials and can teach students about things like air pressure, thrust, and gravity. Plus, it’s a lot of fun watching their homemade creations take off! Students will learn the basics of how to design, build, and launch their own bottle rocket in this inspiring STEM project.

5. Build Wind-Powered Cars and Learn about Renewable Energy.

If your middle schoolers are interested in green energy and sustainability, they can learn and explore the power of wind with this inspiring STEM project. With a few everyday items and some simple instructions, they can build their own miniature wind-powered cars . After designing and building their cars, students can use a fan to race them and test their solutions. Through this process, students will gain an understanding of climate change and become aware of the different ways we can create sustainable energy.

6. Apply Chemistry Concepts to Design a Cold or Hot Pack.

In this exciting STEM project, middle school students examine how energy is absorbed or released in a chemical reaction. They will learn about endothermic and exothermic reactions. Then they will use household materials and their new chemistry knowledge to design a hot or cold pack . You can have them observe the temperature changes over time. How fast did the temperature change? How long did it last? Middle schooler students will love this project!

7. Investigate Thermal Energy and Design an Insulated Cocoa Cup.

Temperatures are dropping and it’s the perfect time for a hot cocoa party… but first we need insulated cups to keep our hot cocoa hot! Students can investigate thermal energy, insulators, and conductors. Then use the engineering design process and household materials to create an insulated cup . Finally, test the cups and celebrate with hot chocolate of course!

8. Construct Model Space Needle Towers.

Are you looking for an engaging engineering activity that promotes critical thinking, problem solving skills, and teamwork? This STEM design challenge will do all that and more! In this engineering activity, students can take the role of civil engineers by designing and building a free-standing tower that can support a weight at the top of the structure. 

9. Create DIY Fidget Spinners.

Check out this exciting DIY fidget spinner STEM Challenge! In this middle school STEM challenge, students will use simple materials and the engineering design process to design and build their own fidget spinner toy. First, students learn about the limited supplies available and research the physics behind fidget spinners. Next, students will use simple materials to create their own fidget toy and test how long it spins. Your middle school students will love showing off their DIY fidget spinner!

10. Practice Environmental Engineering and Create Habitats for Native Pollinators.

Now that spring has sprung, the weather is getting warmer and keeping middle school students engaged is harder. Now imagine capturing your students’ attention with an awesome spring STEM challenge, while getting outside and enjoying the nicer weather. This exciting pollinator house design challenge will let you do exactly that! n this activity, students will learn about native pollinators. Then they are tasked with designing and building a home for mason bees using household materials.

11. Design Protective Packaging to Protect a Cookie Shipped Through the Mail.

What happens to packages as they are shipped through the mail system? How can we protect fragile items as they travel through the mail? Challenge your students to create protective packaging for a cookie being shipped through the mail. Then have them simulate the cookie’s travels as they shake, bang, and throw the packages. Finally, open the packages and observe the cookies for cracks and crumbs.

12. Use Electrical Engineering Principles to Power Paper Circuits.

Is there a special event or holiday coming up? Have your students celebrate by creating light up cards ! They’ll learn about electricity and circuits as they create a plan to power-up their card with LED lights and a button battery. They’re sure to create something they are proud of and learn a lot along the way!

13. Explore Phototropism with a Plant Maze.

Are you looking for the perfect plant science project? Or maybe you need a spring STEM activity to keep your students engaged as the weather gets warmer. This exciting plant maze design challenge is sure to keep your students’ interest. In the plant maze challenge, your students will learn about phototropism or plants’ ability to turn toward a light source. Then they will design a maze for a plant to grow through to demonstrate this phenomenon. The plant mazes can be created from cardboard shoe box, tape and additional cardboard scraps. Plant seeds in a cup at the bottom of the maze and allow light to come through a hole at the top of the box. Over a few weeks, students will observe their seedlings and determine whether their plant mazes were successful!

Looking for more support planning middle school STEM projects? 

Check out this great selection of ready-to-go middle school STEM projects ! Each project will challenge your students and improve their problem solving skills, while providing you with all the planning and facilitation guidance you need.

All the STEM projects include: 

• PDF, Google, and Easel versions of the student project packets
• Links to background research videos and articles 
• Detailed teacher notes that include suggestions for facilitating the project and differentiation
• A slideshow to assist with synchronous or asynchronous lesson facilitation
• A rubric for easy grading
• End-of-project celebration certificates

Grab a done-for-you STEM project today so you can take a break from planning and know your students will still be learning and having fun!

One Response

Hello, my name is Jack Olson and I am a retired mechanical engineer. I have been substitute teaching K-12 classrooms in our school district for the past five years. Recently, I excepted a full time middle school STEM teaching assignment for the remainder of the school year. I need to identify potential class content, material, and develop timeline for project(s) completion.

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150+ Engaging STEM Projects for Kids and Students

STEM projects, which encompass science, technology, engineering, and math, are the perfect way to ignite curiosity, develop problem-solving skills, and have a blast while learning.

Are you looking for exciting and educational activities for your kids, students, or even the whole family? Look no further! STEM projects, which encompass science, technology, engineering, and math, are the perfect way to ignite curiosity, develop problem-solving skills, and have a blast while learning. In this blog post, you’ll discover over 150 engaging STEM projects for young learners, elementary school students, middle school students, high school students, and even projects the whole family can enjoy together. Let’s dive in and explore the exciting world of STEM!

Key Takeaways

• Introduce young learners to STEM concepts with fun and easy projects!
• Encourage kids to explore technology, renewable energy, and water filtration through engaging projects.
• Inspire the whole family to learn about rocketry principles, meteorology & astronomy by creating DIY telescopes & backyard weather stations!

Fun and Easy STEM Projects for Young Learners

Young minds are naturally curious and eager to explore the world around them. Fun and easy STEM activities for kids, like creating homemade slime, building LEGO towers, and conducting homemade volcano experiments, are perfect for introducing young children to STEM concepts while keeping them engaged and entertained. These projects not only teach kids about science, technology, engineering, and math, but also help them develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Starting with basic supplies, most activities can be completed in just 15 to 30 minutes, making them perfect for classroom or home use. The hands-on nature of these projects allows kids to learn by doing, which is often the most effective way to teach and engage young learners. Now, here are some thrilling STEM projects that young learners can immediately embark on!

Creating Homemade Slime

A classic and fun STEM activity for kids is creating homemade slime. This gooey, slimy concoction not only provides hours of entertainment, but also teaches kids about chemical reactions and properties of matter. As they mix ingredients like glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution, they’ll observe how the combination results in a fascinating new substance with unique properties.

To get creative with slime, kids can:

• Experiment with different colors, textures, and even add-ins like glitter or small toys
• Follow instructions and ideas from online resources like Slime Design/Science Buddies and STEAM-Powered Family
• Make slime in various ways, with the range of choices being infinite

This promises endless fun with the egg drop challenge!

Building a LEGO Tower

LEGO bricks have been a popular toy for generations, and they’re also fantastic STEM resources for kids to develop their creativity, problem-solving skills, and engineering abilities. Building a LEGO tower is an exciting engineering challenge that encourages kids to think critically and strategically about how to construct the tallest tower possible.

This activity can be done individually or in groups, making it perfect for both classroom and home settings. Kids can experiment with different building techniques, materials, and styles, and even compete with their friends to see who can build the tallest tower. With this captivating STEM challenge blending enjoyment and education, there are no limits when it comes to stem stands!

Homemade Volcano Experiment

Who doesn’t love a good volcano eruption? The homemade volcano experiment is a classic science activity that introduces kids to chemical reactions and geology in a fun and exciting way. Using simple materials like baking soda, vinegar, and some food coloring, kids can create their very own volcanic eruption right in their own kitchen or backyard.

This hands-on science experiment not only provides a thrilling experience for young learners, but also helps them develop a deeper understanding of how chemical reactions work and the geological processes that occur within our Earth. This enjoyable activity ignites curiosity, motivating kids to delve into the intriguing world of science.

STEM Projects for Elementary School Students

Elementary school students, especially younger kids, are ready to take on more challenging STEM projects that help them develop their problem-solving skills, critical thinking, creativity, and engineering skills. Activities like simple machine construction, solar-powered car design, and building water filtration systems are perfect stem ideas for engaging young minds and teaching them valuable STEM concepts.

By participating in these hands-on projects, elementary school students will not only develop a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering, and math, but also gain a sense of accomplishment and pride in their creations. Let’s delve into some thrilling STEM projects suitable for elementary school students.

Simple Machine Construction

Simple machines are the building blocks of many complex devices we use in our daily lives. They make tasks easier by allowing us to use a single force to do work. Some examples of simple machines include:

• Inclined planes
• Wheels and axles

By understanding how these simple machines work, we can better understand and appreciate the technology that surrounds us.

By constructing their own simple machines, kids can gain a hands-on understanding of how these essential tools work and apply them to various tasks. To build a simple machine, kids will need to choose the type of machine they’d like to create, gather the required materials, and assemble the machine. This activity fosters creativity and problem-solving skills, while enhancing appreciation for the ease that simple machines bring to our lives.

Solar-Powered Car Design

Designing and building a solar-powered car is an exciting and rewarding STEM project for elementary school students. This activity combines engineering, design, and environmental awareness as kids learn about the power of renewable energy and create their own solar-powered vehicles.

To gather materials such as a small solar panel, a motor, wheels, and a lightweight body made from recycled materials, you can create an alternative energy vehicle, like a balloon powered car.

Kids can design, build, and test their cars to see how well they perform in various conditions. This project not only imparts essential STEM concepts, but also cultivates an understanding of the importance of sustainable living and energy efficiency.

Water Filtration System

Clean water is essential for life, and understanding the science behind water filtration can help kids appreciate this vital resource. In this project, kids will create their own water filters using simple materials like:

• Plastic bottles
• Activated charcoal

By building their own water filtration system, kids will learn about the importance of clean water, the process of water filtration, and the effects of pollution on water sources. This practical activity not only imparts crucial STEM concepts, but also encourages kids to consider their actions’ environmental impact and the value of conservation.

Engaging STEM Projects for Middle School Students

Middle school students are ready to tackle more advanced STEM projects that challenge their critical thinking skills and creativity. Activities like coding challenges, bridge engineering, and circuit experiments provide the perfect opportunity for students to delve deeper into the world of STEM and apply their newfound knowledge to real-world problems.

These projects not only help students develop a strong foundation in STEM concepts, but also instill a sense of curiosity, determination, and resilience as they work through challenges and find innovative solutions. Let’s discover some intriguing STEM projects that middle school students can confidently undertake.

Coding Challenges

In today’s increasingly digital world, coding is a valuable skill that can open doors to exciting career opportunities. Introducing middle school students to computer programming through coding challenges and activities is a fantastic way to ignite their interest in this essential skill.

Platforms like Scratch and Code.org offer intuitive interfaces and engaging activities that make learning to code fun and accessible for students of all skill levels. Participation in coding challenges allows students to enhance their problem-solving skills, refine their logical thinking, and deepen their understanding of computer programming.

Bridge Engineering

Bridge engineering is an exciting STEM project that teaches students about engineering principles, materials, and construction techniques. By designing and building their own bridges, students can develop an understanding of the forces at play in bridge construction and the importance of strong, stable structures.

Using materials like toothpicks, popsicle sticks, or even newspaper, students can experiment with different building techniques and styles to create bridges that can support weight and span distances. This practical activity not only imparts essential STEM concepts, but also instills a sense of achievement and pride in their creations.

Circuit Experiments

Electricity is a fundamental part of our daily lives, and understanding how circuits work is essential for students to grasp the principles of electrical engineering. Circuit experiments are a great way for middle school students to learn about electricity, components, and circuit design by building their own circuits using simple materials like batteries, wires, and light bulbs.

By creating and testing their own circuits, students can develop a hands-on understanding of how electrical components work together and the role of electricity in powering our devices. This captivating project not only imparts essential STEM concepts, but also ignites curiosity, encouraging students to delve into the intriguing world of electrical engineering.

Advanced STEM Projects for High School Students

High school students are ready to tackle advanced STEM projects that challenge their knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Activities like robot building, energy-efficient home design, and chemistry experiments provide the perfect opportunity for students to delve deeper into the world of STEM and apply their skills to real-world problems.

These projects not only help students develop a strong foundation in STEM concepts, but also instill a sense of curiosity, determination, and resilience as they work through challenges and find innovative solutions.

Let’s explore STEM projects that high school students can confidently undertake and discover captivating ideas through a fun stem challenge.

Robot Building

Robotics is an exciting and rapidly growing field, and introducing high school students to robot building is a fantastic way to ignite their interest in this cutting-edge discipline. Building robots not only teaches valuable engineering and programming skills, but also encourages creativity and innovation as students design their own robots using kits or DIY materials.

By constructing and programming their own robots, students can gain a hands-on understanding of how robotics technology works and the potential applications of robots in various industries. This captivating project not only imparts essential STEM concepts, but also ignites curiosity, encouraging students to delve into the intriguing world of robotics.

Energy-Efficient Home Design

With growing concerns about climate change and the need for sustainable living, understanding energy-efficient home design is more important than ever. This project challenges high school students to design and build a model of an energy-efficient home, incorporating elements such as insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors, and renewable energy sources like solar panels.

By designing and constructing their own energy-efficient homes, students can develop an understanding of the importance of sustainable living and the role of energy efficiency in reducing our environmental impact. This practical activity not only imparts essential STEM concepts, but also fosters a sense of responsibility and awareness of the importance of conservation.

Chemistry Experiment

Chemistry experiments are an exciting way for high school students to explore the world of chemical reactions, properties of elements, and more. Hands-on experiments allow students to develop an understanding of the principles of chemistry and the role of chemical reactions in our daily lives.

By conducting their own chemistry experiments, students can gain a deeper understanding of the scientific method, develop critical thinking skills, and ignite their curiosity about the fascinating world of chemistry. This captivating project not only imparts essential STEM concepts but also encourages students to explore the marvels of science through engaging science experiments.

STEM Projects for the Whole Family

STEM projects aren’t just for kids! Engaging in STEM activities as a family is a fantastic way to bond, learn, and have fun together. Projects like homemade rocket launches, DIY telescope construction, and backyard weather stations are perfect for bringing the whole family together and sparking curiosity and creativity in everyone, regardless of age.

By participating in these family-friendly STEM projects, you’ll not only create lasting memories, but also instill a love for STEM in your children, setting them up for success in their future endeavors. So, gather the family and embark on some thrilling STEM projects that everyone can relish!

Homemade Rocket Launch

Launching homemade rockets is a thrilling and educational activity that’s perfect for the whole family. By building and launching rockets using simple materials like plastic bottles, baking soda, and vinegar, kids can learn about physics, aerodynamics, and the science behind rocket propulsion.

This practical activity not only offers a thrilling experience for the whole family, but also aids kids in developing a more profound understanding of rocketry principles and science’s role in powering our world. So, gather the family and prepare for lift-off with this enjoyable and educational project!

DIY Telescope Construction

Astronomy has fascinated humans for centuries, and building your own telescope is an exciting way for the whole family to explore the wonders of the night sky. Using simple materials like PVC pipes, lenses, and mirrors, kids can construct their own telescopes and learn about the principles of optics, astronomy, and the vast universe.

This practical activity not only offers an engaging learning experience for the whole family, but also fosters a sense of curiosity and awe about the universe. So gather your materials and set off on a starry journey with this DIY telescope project!

Backyard Weather Station

Understanding the weather is essential for everyday life, and building a backyard weather station is a fantastic way for the whole family to learn about meteorology and weather patterns. Using simple tools and materials, kids can create their own weather station that measures:

• Temperature

This practical activity not only imparts essential STEM concepts, but also encourages kids to develop an appreciation for the environment and the natural world. So, assemble the family and begin weather tracking with your very own backyard weather station!

In conclusion, STEM projects offer a world of exciting and educational opportunities for kids, students, and families alike. From fun and easy projects for young learners to engaging activities for middle and high school students, there’s a STEM project out there for everyone. By participating in these hands-on activities, we can foster a love for science, technology, engineering, and math, setting our children up for success in their future endeavors. So, whether you’re a parent, teacher, or student, dive into the exciting world of STEM and unleash your creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good stem project.

The Egg Drop Challenge, DIY kite-building, solar oven-making, landmark building, and bridge-building are all great STEM projects for learning and fun.

Unleash your creativity to build something amazing!

What does STEM project mean?

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics and is a learning approach that integrates these fields. It allows students to develop problem solving, creative, and critical analysis skills, making it an important priority for U.S. job markets.

STEM education is becoming increasingly important in the modern world, as it prepares students for the jobs of the future. It encourages students to think critically and develop skills that are essential for success in life.

What is STEM project in high school?

STEM projects in high school give students the opportunity to develop their skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in a fun and engaging way.

These projects can help students gain a better understanding of the concepts they are learning in the classroom, as well as giving them the chance to apply their knowledge in a practical setting. They can also help to develop problem-solving skills.

What are some cool STEM projects?

Explore the exciting world of STEM with these 10 simple and fun activities for kids - from building volcanoes to constructing paper circuits!

Unlock your child’s creativity and develop their science, engineering, and technology skills today.

What age group is most suitable for the STEM projects listed?

The STEM projects listed are best suited for elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as for the whole family.

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• Book Excerpts / Realistic STEM Challenges

STEM Problems Students Can Really Address

by STEM by Design · Published July 5, 2016 · Updated July 5, 2016

Excerpted from “Ten Think-Abouts for Preparing to Teach STEM,” Chapter 4, STEM by Design by Anne Jolly (Routledge 2017). All Rights Reserved.

Think-About #3: What Kinds of Problems Can My Students Realistically Address?

  Problem-solving is fundamental to STEM. But coming up with real-world engineering challenges for students to solve can be tricky. Here are some ideas about locating problem possibilities.

◆ Encourage student-generated problems . These are obviously ideal for creating student enthusiasm and engagement. Adolescent students love to make learning about “me.” Give them as much input as possible into problems they want to solve, within constraints dictated by the curriculum.

◆ Check out 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering . In the 2008 National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges for Engineering report, the NAE identified 14 broad categories of problems that we as a nation must be prepared to solve in this century. Mull over the list of real-world problems . Your students might be interested in designing model solutions related to some of these. Some Grand Challenges that I think might inspire middle school STEM students include solar energy, clean water, health care (including food shortage and disease and accessibility issues), and urban infrastructure (including transportation systems and visually appealing bridges and municipal structures).

Sample items from Table 4.1 in STEM by Design (Routledge, 2017)

◆ Do an Internet STEM Lesson search . Simply typing “real-world problems” into a search engine can bring up a host of possible sites that you can sift through for ideas. Of course, everything labeled “STEM” is not necessarily a true STEM lesson. To narrow your search you might detour over to the Resources section in the Appendices and examine some sites mentioned under “STEM Lessons.” Be sure the check out the Link Engineering website for great insights into good STEM lessons as well as information about engineering design.

◆ Keep the problem do-able. Whether your students identify a problem to solve or you choose the engineering challenge, be sure to keep it do-able. Consider (1) what students have already learned that can help with solving this problem, and (2) the resources available for the challenge. Engineering solutions for a problem involving clean energy (wind turbines, solar cells, etc.) might be quite realistic. Tackling a problem involving interplanetary travel—not so much.

◆ Line up a resource support group . Your science and technology labs may be well-equipped to allow students access to digital tools, measuring devices, and other equipment. Realistically, though, you will still find times when supplies needed for a STEM lesson will include items such as wood, wire, cardboard, tape, string, tongue depressors, paper and plastic cups, plastic spoons, foam board, and so on.

Lining up some business partners to help with STEM supplies can solve your resource problem. For example, doctors, dentists, and hospitals may donate supplies such as surgical gloves and tongue depressors. Some businesses may donate office-type supplies; others may donate money. Parents and PTA groups are generally more than willing to send paper towels, paper plates, cups, and spoons, and other household items you may need. I found that colleges and universities would often donate perfectly usable science equipment that they were replacing. Our local police station donated some triple-beam balances. Be creative in beginning to assemble a resource support group.

◆ Be sure to get comfortable with both the math and the science content your students will use in each challenge . If you teach only science, or only math, be sure you collaborate with a teacher in the other field. In the language of math and science, terms sometimes mean slightly different things. For example, the term “factor” when used in science might refer to something that contributes to a result, such as a catalyst in a chemical reaction. In mathematics, a factor is a number (or algebraic expression) that is multiplied together with another number to produce a given product. You want to be aware of possible inconsistencies in terminology and be sure you are using the correct “teacher talk” in discussing science and math content with students.

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Tags: Anne Jolly real-world STEM projects STEM By Design STEM student challenges

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I love STEM.

Nice post. I agree that teachers need to be comfortable with the relevant content. We emphasize the need for consistent language in all our classes as well at our school. How do you go about covering the necessary content if the students come up with the topic?

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Use Product Design to Expand STEM Projects

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Real World STEM Issue: Plastics Pollution

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HOW STEM IS ACTIVELY SOLVING REAL-WORLD PROBLEMS

• STEM EDUCATION ARTICLES & OPINIONS
• How STEM is Actively Solving Real-World Problems

STEM education has been a topic of hot debate for a few years now and its existence is under unending scrutiny. At a first glance this “third-degree” may feel like an annoying, rude, and uneducated attack on what is arguably one of the most progressive ideas to be set into action in schools in over 100 years. However, this scrutiny is actually proof that STEM is making its intended impact on the future generation of innovative, thoughtful, and resourceful leaders. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics all require that individuals employ critical thinking skills in a variety of settings to accomplish tasks both big and small. You may thank those in the STEM fields for everything from shoes that protect your feet from whatever is on the ground to the mobile device that you have likely used at least once today for your own personal purposes. Beyond these useful, but not vital, components in your everyday life, STEM is actively being used to help solve some of the world’s greatest and most demanding problems.

Taming World Hunger

World hunger is an issue that is facing thousands of communities all over the world. Entire villages, towns, and cities are facing food shortages for various reasons including: dry seasons, climate change, changes in the environment, animal disturbances in farms and gardens, and simply lack of money. STEM is stepping up and solving these problems on a regular basis by teaching individuals how to grow gardens and providing communities in adverse situations with greenhouses and farming technology to help combat this very real problem.

Facilitating Worldwide Communications

If you are using a computer, tablet, smartphone, or other mobile device to view this page, then you are witnessing first-hand how the internet is connecting you with people, places, businesses, and products all over the world. The device that you are using to view this material is a prime example of how technology has been used to facilitate worldwide communication efforts around the world. This helps to inform individuals of disasters, politics, travel, and social situations across the world without physically having to travel. It is a much cheaper, faster, and more efficient way to spread important information than what was used just a few decades ago.

Safer World Travel

Have you ever booked a flight only to have it canceled or delayed by a winter storm? Not only are you annoyed, upset, or concerned about having to wait to get wherever you are going, you are actually facing the reality that you could be entering into a dangerous situation once you finally do board that plane. Why? Planes that fly in wintery, frozen precipitation accumulate ice on the wings. To combat this problem, flights are delayed, and the plane is sprayed down with an antifreeze-type substance to keep ice from forming on the wings. Unfortunately, this substance wears down and some planes are forced into emergency landings. Science is currently researching the possibility of planes releasing this anti-freezing liquid in mid-air and making travel a safer experience for all involved.

Life Saving Medicine

All areas of STEM education are currently working together to research the medical procedures and medications that are given to individuals in order to save their lives. Vaccines for conditions like Polio have nearly eradicated these deadly diseases. Heart, lung, and kidney transplants have literally saved lives thanks to the efforts made by individuals in STEM-related fields. Researchers have an entire list of diseases and conditions that they are working on tackling in the future as new and bright minds enter these STEM careers.

Decreasing Homelessness

3D printing is one of the newest, most innovative, and relatively inexpensive methods of providing strong homes for people in areas of the world that are highly populated. These homes can be built in as little as one day and can be customized to meet all of the requirements that an individual could ever need or want. These homes are sturdy, readily available, and incredibly affordable. Communities in places like Japan are already utilizing these 3D printed homes and efforts around the world have taken place to raise the money necessary to build such homes for the truly homeless to use.

Saving Wildlife

In places like New York City where skyscrapers are plentiful and glass walls are everywhere, birds and other flying animals are dying in the thousands. These animals do not see the glass and will literally fly into it, fall to the ground, and die either from the impact of flying into the glass or from the impact of hitting the ground from such a high altitude. Researchers are currently testing different types of glass with different patterns in an effort to design an aesthetically pleasing glass that birds can see and avoid. As of now, there STEM researchers have discovered that birds do see certain patterns in glass and the journey to providing these types of glass at an affordable price to the public is moving forward.

Providing Fresh Water

Dry, hot, and barren areas of the world are constantly faced with a lack of quality, clean, drinking water. It is often easier to access saltwater than freshwater in these areas, and the little freshwater that is available is usually too dirty to consume. To solve this issue, researchers are actively working on technology that can desalinate saltwater for the purpose of turning it into safe drinking water.

Creating “Green” Alternative, Renewable Energy Sources

You have probably heard that you have what is called a “carbon footprint”. This means that a portion of your daily life is made possible by the burning of limited carbon resources like coal. Individuals in the STEM field have committed their time to finding resources that can replace carbon-based fossil fuels without harsh negative ecological effects. Once a viable source has been discovered [such as water or wind sources], it takes an entire crew of people to develop the technology necessary to harness that energy and distribute it to communities all around the world. Not only are these resources viable "green" alternatives, but they are renewable and therefore feasibly sustainable methods of powering everyday life.

STEM is providing young generations with the incentive to tackle world problems like those listed above. While it is impossible to get everyone on the same page with agreeing opinions of its structure, it is worth noting that STEM-oriented individuals are making a difference in the world.

For those that question whether a STEM education is worth pursuing because of its exclusion of other important topics like arts, physical education, history, and language arts, try and point out to them that every STEM career can incorporate those subjects and their lessons. No topic in life is ever as cut and dry as it may seem on the surface. All subjects are important in making students well-rounded and active citizens in their communities, but STEM-oriented students simply choose to focus more of their attention to the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics than in other areas.

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• STEM By Design / Teacher Preparation

Real-World STEM Problems

by Anne Jolly · Published 12/16/2012 · Updated 10/27/2021

A MiddleWeb Blog

Links checked and updated January 2019. See Anne’s recent posts for more real-world STEM.

STEM teachers pose problems and combine problem solving with project-based learning across disciplines. They work together with students on activities to develop students’ critical thinking, communication, assessment, and inquiry skills.

That’s an impressive job description; however, one source describes the teacher preparation system for STEM teachers as “chaotic, incoherent, and uncoordinated, filled with ‘excellent programs, terrible programs, and many in between.’” That’s not surprising, since the STEM acronym has only been around for a few years. But it certainly needs to improve.

What Good STEM Lessons Do

While things seem a bit muddled on the STEM teacher preparation front, we do know some things about STEM curriculum. We know, for example, that a good STEM lesson accomplishes these things:

• Helps students apply math and science through authentic, hands-on learning
• Includes the use of (or creation of) technology
• Involves students in using an engineering design process
• Engages students in working in collaborative teams
• Appeals equally to girls and boys
• Reinforces relevant math and science standards
• Addresses a real-world problem

Providing students with real-world problems and asking them to brainstorm solutions will bring their higher order thinking skills into play. But for me, identifying real-world problems that students can solve is one of the hardest parts of creating STEM lessons.

They have to be problems that students can reasonably grapple with. And those all-important problems may need to synchronize with a specific set of math and/or science standards from the school system’s pacing guide. Hopefully you don’t have that constraint, but realistically you probably do.

Sites for Real-World Problems

I’ve located some sites that help me come up with real-world problems, and I’m always on the look-out for more. I’m going to share several sites I’ve identified, and I hope that you’ll share some as well. I invite you to click on these sites and mull over the possibilities.

In the Greening STEM section on this site you’ll find ideas for relevant problems. Most environmental topics can fit under standards for either life or physical science, so these may provide you with some real “kid-catchers,” or ideas that snag students’ interest.

Topics include areas such as:

•    Oil spills •    Water pollution •    Air quality •    Endangered species •    Environmental Health

Another favorite site of mine is the Design Squad Nation . They have some real-world problems there that I find intriguing. For example student teams might invent these:

•    Band Instrument •    Electric Gamebox •    Confetti Launcher •    Solar Water Heater •    Speedy Shelter

How cool are those ideas? As a middle school science teacher, I found STEM to be a natural fit for most of the topics I taught. Math, however, seems to be a different matter.

The Problem with Math

One issue I hear repeatedly is that math teachers find it difficult to identify real-world problems and implement STEM projects in math classes. (Note that these math teachers are not able to work collaboratively with science teachers to develop/implement lessons, and must therefore “go-it-alone.”) However, the math teachers who mentioned this are looking determinedly for ways to implement STEM lessons.

The Common Core Standards state: “Mathematically proficient students can apply the mathematics they know to solve problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace.” This adds urgency to the search for real-world problems that bring in appropriate math standards.

Math standards addressed by the lessons on this site include these and more:

•    Fractions, decimals, percents •    Ratios and proportions •    Estimating and predicting •    Rates and unit rate •    Modeling problems with graphs, tables, and equations •    Comparing, graphing, and interpreting data •    Scale factors •    Geometry and measurement •    Probability •    Proportional reasoning

Another site that links math to real problems is Middle School Math and Science . Students solve problems involving train races, global sun temperature, amount of water usage, and so on. Most of these are Internet-based, so you may want to design some of them as hands-on projects for students. (UPDATE: This Ohio State University site is now an archive, but you’ll still find plenty of useful resources.)

Teach Engineering

No list of real-world problem ideas would be complete without mentioning the Teach Engineering lessons. As you peruse these, read the summary of the lessons rather than relying on the titles. Look for projects that include hands-on ideas, such as those involving microbes, rocket-powered boats, solid fuel reactants, the fisheries bycatch problem , and so on. Notice that many of the lessons have hands-on “Associated Activities.” These generally hands-on investigations bring the “E” in STEM to your students.

I hope these sites will be of value to you, and will assist you in brainstorming ideas for real-world problems. Feel free to share comments or sites of your own. We’re inventing a new specialty and need all the help we can get and share!

For even more STEM lesson ideas, read Anne’s 2018 posts:

How to Make or Find Good STEM Lessons and Design Squad Global’s Super STEM Resources

and her 2020 post:

Need a Real World STEM Project? Try Plastics Pollution

You’ll also find teaching ideas at Anne’s STEM by Design website

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Tags: STEM curriculum STEM real-world problems STEM teacher preparation teaching STEM

Anne Jolly began her career as a lab scientist, caught the science teaching bug and was recognized as an Alabama Teacher of the Year during her long career as a middle grades science teacher. From 2007-2014 Anne was part of an NSF-funded team that developed middle grades STEM curriculum modules and teacher PD. In 2020-2021 Anne teamed with Flight Works Alabama to develop a workforce-friendly middle school curriculum and is now working on an elementary version. Her book STEM By Design: Strategies & Activities for Grades 4-8 is published by Routledge/EOE in partnership with MiddleWeb.

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Hello Anne. As a new STEM coordinator, I have to give a STEM presentation to principals for my charter schools. Can you suggest and lessons, books. power points,etc. that would be advantageous? Fondly, Linda Schwerer Pinellas Academy of Math & Science

Hi, Linda – I have a couple of ideas . . . If you contact Susan Pruet – Director if Engaging Youth through Engineering (you can google it) she will send you a copy of a free STEM launcher. It’s a lesson intended to demonstrate the STEM process. You could lead your principals through it if you think they really need a better understanding of the difference in STEM and science experimentation. You could also distribute it to your schools for teachers to use as a launcher into the STEM way of thinking. It has PowerPoint slides with it.

An online document that you might like to look at is “STEM Teachers in Professional Learning Communities: From Good Teachers to Great Teaching.” You can google this document online as well as a National Academies Press document titled “Successful K-12 STEM Education: Identifying Effective Approaches in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.”

I’m not sure if you’re trying to introduce these principals to the idea of STEM and convince them that they need to do this, or if you’re trying to show your principals how to do this. Those are two separate presentations – at least.

Good luck with your preparation! You have a lot of research to back up the need for STEM!

Thank you so much Anne! I will get to work! Your advice is very helpful!

I realize this comment is 3 years old, but I came across it just now. I would like to know if Susan Pruet is still available to get that free STEM launcher you mentioned – a lesson intended to demo the STEM process. I would love this.

Harry – thanks for asking. This is still a popular post at MiddleWeb! Anne Jolly’s January 2017 blog post shares the Launcher activity: Launch the New Year with STEM Mini-Lessons!

Thank you! Much appreciated from a fellow Alabaman. (correct use of that word? :) )

I love the STEM idea. But, as a 7th grade math teacher, I don’t see a place in STEM programs to ensure that students understand the basic math skills required by educational standards. For many kids, it takes a long time to understand and be able to apply math concepts. With STEM programming focusing on the project-based approach, where does mastering basic skills fit in?

Mastering math skills and applying them through STEM isn’t actually an either-or situation. If kids see reasons for what they are learning, they tend to learn more deeply and quickly because they are actually engaged in the content. I’ve worked with STEM courses that made use of math that the kids had already learned. I’ve also worked with STEM projects that taught the math kids needed in order to solve the problem. Both were effective. The real purpose of STEM is to ensure that math and science students learn their content more deeply. If that isn’t working, then we’ll need to keep adjusting until we get there. Thanks for asking!

Hi Ann, I am a third grade teacher and currently co-chair a curriculum committee to develop a summer program for Kindergarten through 3rd grade. I am having trouble finding age appropriate STEM lessons for kindergarten through 3rd grade. Do you have ideas or suggestiosn as to where I can start? Thank you.

Hi, Mary! So glad you’re working on developing a summer program. I know someone who’s been there, done that, and I’m going to put you in touch with her. Her name is Susan Pruet and her email is [email protected] . Please shoot her an email and she’ll be happy to tell you about what materials, etc. she uses.

I’d also take a look at the Engineering is Elementary (EiE) curriculum from the Boston Museum of Science. Those are quite thorough and good.

Hi Ann I am a seventh grade science teacher and we are in the early stages of implementing STEMS at our school site.Can this program incorporate all content areas, history, language arts, math and science all in the science classroom? This is not my understanding of how it should be taught. I understand the math and science but to include what the history and language art teacher is teaching doesnt seem to work. I am hoping you can clarify this for me.

Hi, Darren. Wow. You’re gonna be sorry you asked me this . . . my answer won’t be short!

For me personally, STEM includes an indepth, integrated focus on science and math, and on using the engineering design process to solve real-world problems. Technology may be used to help with the solution, or teams of kids may create technology as part of the solution. (Anything made by humans to meet a want or need is designated as technology). This in-depth focus on science and math through STEM has come about as the result of a 21st Century workforce with an increasing need in STEM fields and a lack of STEM-prepared workers. The math and science deficits are sending our industries abroad to find workers qualified for our 21st century workforce.

Now to your question. I see a place for art in the STEM product design – it could be used to make the product teams produce more appealing and desirable – although that may be for the art teacher to work with if it’s going to involve knowing art design principles.

Likewise, you have to use some form of language arts in the communication process (communication is part of the engineering design process); however, it’s used naturally as teams work together to solve the engineering (STEM) challenge and to publicize their solutions. It’s not used try to accomplish specific language arts objectives.

History might be incorporated if you need to set some sort of context for the engineering challenge. But I can’t visualize incorporating specific history objectives during a STEM challenge unless they happen to be a natural fit. And unless you need a historical context for the challenge.

Doing a “force fit” with other subjects doesn’t make much sense to me. Not to mention – class time is already at a premium. STEM work, with its inquiry-based approach, already requires more time than a traditional science (or math) class.

The fact that all subjects are not taught directly in an engineering challenge doesn’t lessen the value of those other subjects. Again – it goes back to the need we’re attempting to meet by going deeper in math and science content through an engineering process.

So for me, in a STEM project students focus on using science and math to solve real world challenges, and they use the engineering design process to bring structure and process to doing that. Language arts and history are always appropriate to the extent that (and if) they add value to the STEM challenge. They shouldn’t be add-ons just for the sake of adding them on.

Remember, however, that there is an intense focus on the science and mathematics objectives in a solid STEM program. And this works best when these two subjects are integrated and the math and science teachers work together on teaching STEM projects.

Now, aren’t you sorry you asked? Seriously – remember this is MY opinion and STEM has other looks as well. I’d advise you to listen openly to the need for including other subjects as explained by your principal or other decision-maker. Then – rather than pushing back – in a positive manner explain how these subjects could fit naturally during the course of the STEM projects. Also explain what you expect to accomplish for your students through STEM and note the limited time you already have. Let me know how it goes. :-)

I am looking for STEM lessons that I can incorporate in my middle school Math Enrichment program which is for advanced math students in grades 6-8 and meets for approximately 10 weeks during the school year. I have been given the charge of creating a Math/STEM enrichment program/curriculum and am looking for resources to help. Currently, our school is implementing STEM curriculum/projects in the Science classrooms, but I need to find more of a mathematical slant. Thanks for your help…..I am so glad I found this website!

Hi, Sharon,

Math is one of the under-resourced areas in terms of lessons that apply real, grade-level math. I’ve seen so many lessons that ask students to “find the average” (my math teachers say it should be “find the median”), and then the writer feels that math has been sufficiently covered. NOT! Some areas of math that I’ve seen successfully developed into STEM lessons include applying what middle school students have learned about flow rate, unit rate, scaling and proportion, and statistics, to name a few.

Susan Pruet – a real math guru – will be writing a post for this blog in August. She’s going to address how math teachers can be STEM teachers, and will give some examples.

Some of the better math lessons I’ve found and adapted are from the Design Squad. This one – making cardboard furniture ( http://pbskids.org/designsquad/build/paper-table/ )- uses geometry. Try browsing around there for ideas. The Design Squad site also has links to other sites as well.

I’m SO glad that you, a math teacher, are taking on this task. Applying math will eliminate forever kids asking “Why should I learn this?”

Keep us posted, and stay in touch.

Thanks for your reply. I will be looking for the post in August and I will look at the Design Squad site as well. I too feel that Math takes a back seat to Science when STEM programs are created and implemented. I hope to change that! I will keep in touch and again, I appreciate your reply and support!!

You are providing amazing resources – thank you! I am starting a STEM program for all 6th, 7th and 8th grade students in our middle school. They will have STEM on three consecutive days (3 – 45 minute blocks) for 12 weeks. This will be a very exciting introductory year for us! My challenge is to design the curriculum this summer, though. I am searching for any type of “canned” curriculum to purchase as a start and then to develop from there. Can you provide any suggestions? Thanks so much!

I, too, have been given the charge of STEM curriculum writing for grades 6-8 in mathematics during the summer. If I find anything useful, I could let you know. It is a daunting task!!

Hi Sharon, Yes that would be excellent, and I will do the same! Nancy

I found a great resource for STEM projects on TeachersPayTeachers.com It is: 21st Century Math Projects. The emphasis is on Math, but STEM oriented. Check it out!

I checked it out, too, Sharon . . . I can’t see to what extent it mirrors STEM lessons, but it certainly seems to do so from what I read. And I love the fact that it’s written from a math perspective. Thanks for pointing out this resource!

Wow. What a feat to accomplish over the summer, Nancy!

Several “For purchase” STEM packages are out there, but I can’t recommend any in particular because I don’t know enough about them. You want your STEM program to integrate math, science, and technology, and to follow an engineering design process. (It’s the engineering piece that many would-be STEM curricula leave out.)

I’ll put out the feelers and see if any show up on the horizon. Check my Twitter feed at @ajollygal – I may get some responses there.

Thanks so much, Anne! I am a bit overwhelmed at the moment, but simultaneously excited about bringing STEM to our school! I appreciate any help or guidance – I will check twitter as well.

I am a parent of a 3rd grader who has been given the task of doing a stem project, and I have no idea how to help her, or what I am looking to do. I do not understand what this curriculum is. Can you please explain to me what I’m supposed to be doing with her

STEM curriculum helps kids apply the science and math they learn in a real world situations. Parents can help a lot with the STEM skills kids need. Here are some posts that contain information I wrote mostly for parents. See if these can give you the information you’re looking for. http://www.middleweb.com/3569/10-stem-tips-for-parents/ http://www.middleweb.com/15579/ideas-activities-stem-summer-slide/ http://www.middleweb.com/22787/reinvent-summer-learning-make-it-up/

Thanks for your question, and for looking for ways to help your daughter in STEM!

please suggest me some hands on activity on maths for 10-15 yrs of age

I am a technology teacher for grades 3-5. I am looking for STEM problems my students can do on the computer. Any ideas?

Thanks for the information on applying STEM. I am actually a spatial ecologist that is teaching gr7-9 mathematics at a small school in South Africa. I feel that we came up with a brilliant idea of how to combine Math and STEM (for those Math teachers that were uncertain). I combined our focus on insects (biology) for the term with all the data chapters (collect, organise, summarise, interpret and report). The learners were tasked with creating a question that we wanted to answer regarding insects and using the data cycle/scientific method (above) to develop a plan how to answer this question. The learners decided to do a survey of insects at the school. They set up a plan of how to collect the insects, did so and then analysed the data and reported their findings. They had to include a section on possible errors/bias in their data. I admit that this is one of the easier sections in math to incorporate into a STEM-type approach but I provide it as an example. The kids loved it!

Thank you so much, Marie! Integrating math and science fits naturally in your example. I appreciate your sharing your idea here, and I wonder if you’d allow me to share it on my website – http://www.stem-by-design.com/ .

You are more than welcome to share it. I think often we are unaware of how what we are doing can be related to STEM/is STEM! (Pls leave my e-mail address anonymous). Thank you Marie

Hello, I work in the scholastic department of a wastewater treatment plant. We provide hands on STEM outreach to schools and community. We are preparing for our second year STEM camp for high school students. Last year we partnered with a local university and focused on microbiology and chemistry. This year we are looking for some additional engaging ideas to incorporate into our 5 day camp. Are there any recommendations that you can provide? Thank you

Hi Ron, I am going to be teaching a Medical Microbiology class this fall. I would love to know how you focused on microbiology and what lessons you may have used. The University of Texas has potential to help us. What university department did you work with? Thanks for any help you can give me.

Hi Ann I am a STEM instructor, using lego materials as hands on instruction materials,how do I make my class more interesting and innovative. I need ideas on how to make my class a real world problem solving session,please your kind recommendations. Thank you

Try this idea . . . your kids should have a real reason for building whatever it is they make with the Legos (or any other materials). Suppose they are studying the human body in science. They could use the Legos to construct a prototype of something to solve a problem – perhaps a model of a miniature artificial arm or leg that would help a disabled person, If the kids have a reason for making something and the freedom to come up with their own designs, this often stimulates interest and innovation.

I am looking or some STEAM projects for 4-5th graders to work on in relation to Earth Day. Does anyone have any suggestions? We are just starting to implement these into our classes at school which ranges from Prek-8 so suggestions for any grade level are welcome and I will pass them on.

Thank you for all of your valuable STEM resources! I’ve enjoyed reading/researching through your site!

I am new to teaching a middle school 9-week STEM class for 6th graders. As of right now, my curriculum/materials consist of a canned STEM program that has zero depth.

I’ve been tasked with overhauling the class – developing a true STEM curriculum. Do you know of any middle school models I could research?

I’d appreciate any help.

Hi, Sarah, Take a look at this STEM launcher on my website at http://www.stem-by-design.com/use-mini-lessons-to-launch-stem-projects/ . It will help your kids get engaged with the “E” in STEM. It’s written for use in math+science classes, but it would be simple to modify and use with your kids. I have two more launchers I can send you if you like this one.

Another idea – look around the website while you’re there. There are plenty free resources and tools (click on the tabs at the top) and you are welcome to use (and modify) any of them.

If you want to check out my book – it has suggestions for developing STEM lessons. If you have a chance to develop STEM projects that carry over from one time the kids meet until the next, that’s the best look. If you only see them once a week or so, then that’s a bit more of an issue. If you want to email me we can probably “chat” more over email than here. [email protected]

Thanks for being a STEM person!

Thank you, Anne! I appreciate your suggestions and resources. When you get a chance, I’d love to take a look at the other launchers.

Hello! I am a 11 year old kid going to Somerset Academy. I am doing a STEM project like all of else as well. I am working with two other friends on this project. In our project there is some different things we must do. Most of all we need to make a product that solves an everyday problem. Our group created and idea with ice cream. Our product name is Drip Catch. It is basically a plastic cup for our ice cream cones whenever it melts. The Ice cram will just fall into the cup looking thing. But….. it does not really work. So I am asking for an idea that is a product that solves everyday problems.

I also forgot to mention I am in 5th grade. Please help me. You only need to give me an easy/ OK difficulty stem project. But.. it must be a product we created and it HAS to solve a problem.

What a neat assignment! I like the Drip Catch idea – I wish it had worked. Can you redesign it so that it will work? I think its a great start.

Let me tell you where you can find some good ideas for STEM projects. Go to the Design Squad at http://pbskids.org/designsquad/projects/ . At the top of the page, click on “Design” or click on “Build.” There are some pretty good ideas there.

I read of a group of kids who designed Popsicles with vitamins in them. Here are some other problems kids tackled. http://read.bi/2DoiBSY Just scroll down to see them.

Have you ever noticed that kids on crutches have a problem carrying things around? Is there some sort of carrier that can be added to crutches so that kids can carry things?

Keep your eyes open. Look for a problem you can help in your community or at your school.

Good luck to you and your friends. I hope you’ll come back and post what you finally decided to do. I bet it will be neat!

Thank you very much! I looked at the links you provided and got some new ideas. But.. my friends and I decided to keep doing the Drip Catch idea! But thx for your help! Bye have a great day/

Thanks, Jaden! Let me know how the Drip Catch works. I thought it sounded like a useful and original idea.

Tom is the STEM fair and we finished! It looks amazing. We made the drip catch with a plastic container and cut it into a circle and a hole inside. SO ready for tom!! Thank you so much.

Good luck!!

HI Anne I am in the process of starting a STEM Summer Academy for 6-8 graders, looking for projects in STEM that will motivate the students

Take a look at “Engineering Is Elementary” (EIE) Curriculum Units. You can find them at( http://www.eie.org/eie-curriculum/curriculum-units .) While they are designed for up to 5th grade, they are easily adaptable for older students. Also check out “Engineering Adventures” at https://www.eie.org/engineering-adventures/curriculum-units .

“Engineering Everywhere” (www.eie.org/engineering-everywhere) is a free Middle School curriculum you may like. It’s designed for youth in afterschool and camp programs.

Another place I go for just fun activity ideas is the Design Squad (pbskids.org/designsquad/projects/)

I hope those give you some good ideas!

Thank you I will keep you posted on how it turns out ; any ideas for projects

What a great resource! I am currently teaching in a small school of 22 P-6 students and have been asked to complete a 1-1.5 hour Maths Problem Solving Session with a STEM focus each week with all of the children. Can you please put me in touch with some resources/activities that are hands on and suitable for multi age/abilities?

Hi, Karlene. One resource that seems popular is the Student Teaming Guide, and it’s a free download on my book website (www.stem-by-design.com). To get it, click the tab at the top of the webpage titled Student Teaming Tips. Scroll to the bottom, and download it and share it.

You may enjoy looking around the website as well. You’ll find plenty of free tools, tips, and teaching ideas there. You’ll also find a free STEM Launcher (a mini-lesson called Stop, Drop, Don’t Pop) to introduce engineering to your students. ( http://bit.ly/2Cvb2cw ) Scroll toward the bottom of the page and you will see 3 pdfs you can download, use, and share.

In my MiddleWeb blog I write about all sorts of topics from lesson design to including girls in STEM. You may wish to look at some of those resources as well. In fact, I’ve just posted another launcher there – the ‘Bama Bears – to help kick off STEM (the engineering component) for 2018.

I also came across another good muliti-grade level resource that I think you’ll like. Take a look at this site: http://bit.ly/2IaNeda

I hope some of these help! Thanks for your work with STEM.

I forgot to include the link to my MW blog – it’s https://www.middleweb.com/category/stem-by-design/

I’m involved in our school’s pilot STEAM classes and found the resources in your post helpful. I’ve used TeachEngineering quite often to help me get ideas.

About the problem with maths, we’ve had the same concern but what we’re aiming to do in our next project is getting the students to collect data themselves than using made-up ones. We think that the authenticity of these activities will increase students’ level of motivation.

Great idea, Ms B! Authenticity is, indeed, the key.

Also consider checking out some of the big math grade-level concepts and targeting one or more of those specific concepts for a STEM challenge. We did that with flow rate. We did an environmental STEM project that dealt with water erosion (that was an authentic problem for our school.) The kids used flow rate to measure and calculate the effectiveness of their barriers. Then they redesigned them and got much better results. And . . . they finally saw a practical use for learning how to calculate flow rate!

I am the middle school science teacher at a Christian school and is desirous of coordinating and developing a STEM curriculum. I have heard a lot about STEM but want to have a clear focus on how to start this first in the middle school then to the rest of the student body.

Hi, Edmund, What an exciting adventure – starting to implement STEM in the elementary school. That’s certainly the right way to do it. Start with this article on building a foundation with elementary STEM: https://www.middleweb.com/26244/building-a-foundation-with-elementary-stem/ . If you haven’t checked out my latest book, STEM by Design , it’s published by Routledge/MiddleWeb. Among other things, this book shares practical tips, principles, and strategies for implementing STEM in Grades 4-8. Those principles can be applied at earlier grades as well. You may enjoy looking around the book website as well at https://www.STEM-by-Design.com . You’ll find plenty of free tools, tips, and teaching ideas there. You’ll also find a free STEM Launcher (mini-lesson called Stop, Drop, Don’t Pop) to introduce engineering to your students. I’ve posted another launcher – the ‘Bama Bears – on my MiddleWeb blog site. You can modify both of these to help kick off STEM (the engineering component) for this fall.

hii, i’am education student , and i want to work on stem activity based on problem solving for grade 4 to 6 math student , but i don’t have any idea what should i doo :(

One place to start is looking at issues in your community. Also checking news geared towards kids (news depth, TFK, and National Geographic. Then get creative around the engineering design process.

You might also check out Design Squad Global, Dana. There are a lot of super STEM activities for all grade levels on that site. Good luck with your STEM activities.

Hi Anne, I don’t teach but I was wondering if you could give me ideas for STEM ideas for some of my peers. It is a school project so I’ve got to knock it out of the ballpark. Appreciate it. Thanks. Please get back to me before 2/20/19. Thanks again.

Hi, Yen-Dow,

A couple of suggestions that will help you find ideas: Go to Design Squad Global Lesson Plans. ( https://to.pbs.org/2XcjPXBd/ ). They have some amazing ideas there.

You might try this MiddleWeb blog post I wrote. ( http://bit.ly/2BK3qmS )

And look at Science Buddies. They have a lot of good resources there. (Note: The Science Buddies site requires a free account to access all the details. Just takes a minute.)

I hope those suggestions will be of some help!

Selam, Türkiye’de ilkokul öğretmeniyim. Bio ekonomi ile ilgili STEM projesi geliştirmek istiyorum.Fikirlerinizi almak benim için muhteşem olacaktır.Teşekkür ederim.

Selam, Candan. Thanks for teaching STEM to elementary students.To find ideas for bio economy projects, please go to this link: https://www.middleweb.com/39326/how-elementary-stem-can-meet-the-future/ . At the end of this article you will find links to six sites that have good lessons you may be able to use. I hope this helps, and please continue your good work.

Hello Anne, Such a wonderful site! So I am interested in researching teacher’s beliefs about integrated STEM education and if it can improve science and math skills for my dissertation. I am planning to explore authentic tasks in both science and math. What do you think about this idea? How can I explore this topic in greater depth? Can you recommend me some readings? Should I use the same authentic activities for both math and science or can I use scientific inquiry in science and models in math? Hoping to hear your thoughts.

Also, I forgot to mention that I would be focusing on primary schools so if you can suggest me some readings.

[…] By Anne JollySummary by MiddleWeb Smartbrief"Providing STEM students with real-world challenges fuels their curiosity & investigative interests, writes science educator Anne Jolly. But where do teachers find problems worthy of investigation? In a new post at MiddleWeb's STEM Imagineering blog, Jolly makes the case for real-world problem solving and points to Internet resources that can help teachers find suitable challenges in science, math and engineering."  […]

[…] head over heels in a STEM project—before the familiar acronym had even burst onto the scene. See Real World STEM Problems for some suggestions for projects students might focus […]

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Easy No Prep STEM Activities with Paper

Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy project to wow your kids or you need a last-minute STEM challenge for the classroom or summer camps you really don’t need to look any further than plain old paper! A simple piece of paper has endless possibilities when it comes to STEM. Here are some of my favorite easy STEM activities with paper that require no prep work.

STEM Activities with Just Paper

What you will discover in this article!

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The STEM Design Process

For these challenges, you’ll want to review the STEM design process and Scientific Method with the kids. This helps to remind them how to approach a STEM challenge in a strategic way that increases the likelihood of success.

• Look at what the challenge or question is and what you have to work with.
• Plan how you are going to complete the challenge or solve the problem.
• Go! Get to work putting your plan in place.
• Test it out – were you right? Did it work?
• Reflect and Redesign.
• Try it again!

Reminding kids that missteps and failed attempts are part of the process will give them a little more confidence to just jump in and try.

NOTE: If you feel having a simple template to help with the index card and helicopter challenge would be helpful, we have one available for our STEAM Powered Family mailing list members. Simply enter your email here to unlock the printable.

Can You Fit Through An Index Card?

Can you fit yourself through an index card? (Or at least fit your head)?

This is such a fun challenge that helps build problem solving skills and creative thinking.

Ask the kids – can you fit through an index card? Undoubtedly the answer will be no. Then ask “What if I gave you a pair of scissors? Then could you fit?” Let’s try.

Have the kids think about how they might accomplish the task and try out their theories. Any luck?

The Math Explanation

Let’s talk about a little math. When we look at the perimeter of an object like an index card we would simply add the length of all the sides. For an index card that would mean 3+3+5+5=16 or 3×2+5×2=16.

Can we use scissors to change the perimeter to make the card bigger? YES.

This might seem a bit confusing, so here is a video demonstrating how to cut the index card. If you can’t see the video, please ensure your adblockers are turned off as they also block our video feed. Watch to the end so you can see the paper helicopter flying too!

Show the kids the first three steps:

1. Fold the card in half – lengthwise.

2. Make 2 cuts on the folded edge about a quarter inch from the outside and almost all the way through.

3. Cut along the length of the remaining folded edge.

Now look again. What do you notice? How did the card change? What is the new perimeter? Can we do it again? Revisit the planning stage. How can you fit all the way through the card?

The Solution

You can show the kids that it is in fact possible to fit through an index card. By making specific cuts you can change the perimeter enough that the opening will allow you to step through it.

1 Fold the card in half – lengthwise.

4 Flip the paper over and make another cut about a quarter inch from the first.

5. Continue flipping the paper and cutting until you reach the other side. Be careful not to cut all the way through the paper at any time.

6. Carefully unfold the paper and step through! (If you are working with older students they may only be able to fit their heads through the card).

If you would like to tie in a little more math – have the kids figure out the perimeter of the new card! Easy, engaging, and truly zero prep!

Paper Chain STEM Challenge

What about the longest paper chain you can create from one sheet of paper.

This is an exciting project to watch the kids reason out. I’m sure most everyone has made a paper chain at some point. My daughter loves to make them as a countdown to holidays, birthdays, the end of school, and days until vacation! This easy no prep activity will really get the kids thinking and the great thing is they could work in groups or individually – whichever works best for your situation.

The Paper Chain Challenge

With only a pair of scissors, a glue stick or some tape, and one sheet of paper make the longest paper chain that you can in say 20-30 minutes.

Take the first five minutes to think the challenge through and plan your strategy. Promise them that thinking it through will give them an advantage over someone who just dives in and goes to work. When the time is up the students will need to transport and lay out their chain for measuring without it falling apart.

The thinner the strips of paper and the closer to the ends they are glued together the longer the chain will be – however the thinner and closer to the ends the weaker the chain is overall and it may not transport. These are the critical thinking moments that we want the kids to recognize.

While engineering the chain is itself part of the process there are some great math tie-ins as well. Obviously, we can count the links in the longest chain, we can also measure how long the chains are – add them together – subtract the difference. For older kids, you could have them convert from inches to feet to yards – have them estimate if a chain is this long – how many pieces of paper would we need to cross the room, or go the length of the hallway or to the next town. You could have the kids graph their results. There are so many amazing possibilities with just that little sheet of paper.

Paper Columns – Which paper shape is the strongest?

These hands-on STEM projects are a fantastic way for kids of all ages to build engineering skills, creativity, and explore physics.

The Paper Stack Challenge

Give your students 3 pieces of paper, some tape, and some books. We want to see what shape column can hold the most books without collapsing a circle, a triangle, or a square.

First, have the kids do some hypothesizing. Play around with the paper but don’t tape anything yet – looking at the shapes and different ways you might make them, what do you think will be the strongest and why? Record your results.

Have each student or group make their shapes. Don’t give them restrictions on how they make the shapes, see what they come up with. Some kids might make the shapes going right to the edge of the paper – others may overlap – that is perfect because seeing the different designs and how they hold up is part of the process.

Test and Observe

Once the shapes are constructed – start stacking the books. Make sure that the students use the same books for each shape so that they know the weight is the same across their three shapes. How much did each hold? What was the strongest?

The Results

All groups should find that their circular shape is the strongest. Both the square and the triangle hold weight along their edges and corners so they will shift and collapse more easily. The circular column has no edges and corners so all of the weight is distributed evenly.

You could also compare across groups – did one method of making the shape result in a stronger shape than another.

Tie in math by averaging how many books each shape could hold.

Extension Activities

Explain to the kids that columns have been used in architecture across the ages. Depending on the age of your students you could show them examples or you could have them research the use of columns in different structures and present their findings to the class.

Build a Paper Bridge

Another variation on this activity is one we have done in the past, building a bridge out of paper . This is a great way to demonstrate how you can build strong structures with paper and can spin off into some really great engineering projects.

Paper Helicopter Project and Challenge

This is another quick and easy paper activity the kids will love! Each student will need one sheet of paper, a pair of scissors, and 3 paper clips of different weights and sizes. For example, a plastic clip, a small wire clip, and a large one.

Paper Helicopter Directions

Fold your one piece of paper into three equal sections along its longest side so you end up with three sections of approximately 8.5×3.5 inches.

Cut the pieces along the folds. From there you need to fold each of those pieces in half short end to short end and then unfold it.

Cut one end of the paper along the center from the end to almost to the middle fold.

Flip it around and cut 2 small slits on either side at the fold about a third of the way in and fold both of those sides to the center.

Clip those folds together along the bottom edge with a paperclip.

Now, flip it back over to the top and fold those 2 flaps away from each other to form the propellers.

Holding it by the paper clip, toss it gently into the air, and watch it start to spin!

Note, you can see a video of the helicopter in flight at the end of the index card cutting video above.

The STEM connection

Paper helicopters can lead to a discussion about lift: which is when the air that is under your propeller is pushing up on it harder than the air on top pushing down. This slows the pull of gravity and makes the helicopter spin.

Here is a great science experiment idea involving gravity. Have the students repeat the cutting and folding process with the two other pieces of paper clipping each with a different paper clip. Launch all three from the same spot. Which lands first – do you know why? How does the weight and size of the paperclip affect the pull of gravity on the helicopter? The heavier the object the greater the gravitational pull and the faster it will fall. What if we used a different type of paper? Like a heavier cardstock? How will that affect lift and gravity?

That is it! A few quick and easy no or low prep STEM activities using plain old paper! Perfect for a classroom, camp, homeschooling or just for some fun and memorable activities with the kids on a rainy day.

Möbius Strip Challenge

Take on a Möbius Strip challenge and explore the mathematical concepts of topology. Using just paper, tape and scissors students make an one-sided infinite loop. Then explore that concept in depth by also making Möbius Hearts and more.

EVEN MORE PAPER STEM IDEAS

Looking for more Paper STEM and Toy Making inspiration? Check out these additional resources for even more ideas for how to use paper for fun STEM activities!

5 Days of Smart STEM Ideas for Kids

Get started in STEM with easy, engaging activities.

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Problem Solving

 A selection of resources containing a wide range of open-ended tasks, practical tasks, investigations and real life problems, to support investigative work and problem solving in primary mathematics.

Problem Solving in Primary Maths - the Session

Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: Teachers TV

In this programme shows a group of four upper Key Stage Two children working on a challenging problem; looking at the interior and exterior angles of polygons and how they relate to the number of sides. The problem requires the children to listen to each other and to work together co-operatively. The two boys and two girls are closely observed as they consider how to tackle the problem, make mistakes, get stuck and arrive at the "eureka" moment. They organise the data they collect and are then able to spot patterns and relate them to the original problem to find a formula to work out the exterior angle of any polygon. At the end of the session the children report back to Mark, explaining how they arrived at the solution, an important part of the problem solving process.

In a  second video  two maths experts discuss some of the challenges of teaching problem solving. This includes how and at what stage to introduce problem solving strategies and the appropriate moment to intervene when children find tasks difficult. They also discuss how problem solving in the curriculum also helps to develop life skills.

Cards for Cubes: Problem Solving Activities for Young Children

Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: Claire Publications

This book provides a series of problem solving activities involving cubes. The tasks start simply and progress to more complicated activities so could be used for different ages within Key Stages One and Two depending on ability. The first task is a challenge to create a camel with 50 cubes that doesn't fall over. Different characters are introduced throughout the book and challenges set to create various animals, monsters and structures using different numbers of cubes. Problems are set to incorporate different areas of mathematical problem solving they are: using maths, number, algebra and measure.

Problem solving with EYFS, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two children

Quality Assured Category: Computing Publisher: Department for Education

These three resources, from the National Strategies, focus on solving problems.

  Logic problems and puzzles  identifies the strategies children may use and the learning approaches teachers can plan to teach problem solving. There are two lessons for each age group.

Finding all possibilities focuses on one particular strategy, finding all possibilities. Other resources that would enhance the problem solving process are listed, these include practical apparatus, the use of ICT and in particular Interactive Teaching Programs .

Finding rules and describing patterns focuses on problems that fall into the category 'patterns and relationships'. There are seven activities across the year groups. Each activity includes objectives, learning outcomes, resources, vocabulary and prior knowledge required. Each lesson is structured with a main teaching activity, drawing together and a plenary, including probing questions.

Primary mathematics classroom resources

Quality Assured Collection Category: Mathematics Publisher: Association of Teachers of Mathematics

This selection of 5 resources is a mixture of problem-solving tasks, open-ended tasks, games and puzzles designed to develop students' understanding and application of mathematics.

Thinking for Ourselves: These activities, from the Association of Teachers of Mathematics (ATM) publication 'Thinking for Ourselves’, provide a variety of contexts in which students are encouraged to think for themselves. Activity 1: In the bag – More or less requires students to record how many more or less cubes in total...

8 Days a Week: The resource consists of eight questions, one for each day of the week and one extra. The questions explore odd numbers, sequences, prime numbers, fractions, multiplication and division.

Number Picnic: The problems make ideal starter activities

Matchstick Problems: Contains two activities concentrating upon the process of counting and spotting patterns. Uses id eas about the properties of number and the use of knowledge and reasoning to work out the rules.

Colours: Use logic, thinking skills and organisational skills to decide which information is useful and which is irrelevant in order to find the solution.

GAIM Activities: Practical Problems

Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: Nelson Thornes

Designed for secondary learners, but could also be used to enrich the learning of upper primary children, looking for a challenge. These are open-ended tasks encourage children to apply and develop mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding and to integrate these in order to make decisions and draw conclusions.

Examples include:

*Every Second Counts - Using transport timetables, maps and knowledge of speeds to plan a route leading as far away from school as possible in one hour.

*Beach Guest House - Booking guests into appropriate rooms in a hotel.

*Cemetery Maths - Collecting relevant data from a visit to a local graveyard or a cemetery for testing a hypothesis.

*Design a Table - Involving diagrams, measurements, scale.

Go Further with Investigations

Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: Collins Educational

A collection of 40 investigations designed for use with the whole class or smaller groups. It is aimed at upper KS2 but some activities may be adapted for use with more able children in lower KS2. It covers different curriculum areas of mathematics.

Starting Investigations

The forty student investigations in this book are non-sequential and focus mainly on the mathematical topics of addition, subtraction, number, shape and colour patterns, and money.

The apparatus required for each investigation is given on the student sheets and generally include items such as dice, counters, number cards and rods. The sheets are written using as few words as possible in order to enable students to begin working with the minimum of reading.

NRICH Primary Activities

Explore the NRICH primary tasks which aim to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. Lots of whole class open ended investigations and problem solving tasks. These tasks really get children thinking!

Mathematical reasoning: activities for developing thinking skills

Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: SMILE

Problem Solving 2

Reasoning about numbers, with challenges and simplifications.

Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: Department for Education