*This blog post contains Amazon affiliate links. By clicking on the links and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learning about real-world problems is a great way to engage your students and get them excited about STEM. Introducing your students to r
Setting up a STEM Classroom or Makerspace and not sure where to start. These STEM Classroom supplies are a must have for any STEM teacher.
Are you in need of sub plans for your STEM classroom? Whether it's planned ahead, the morning of, or a 2 week COVID quarantine, I try to always have low-prep STEM lesson plans ready if needed. But sometimes preparing for a sub can feel like more work than actually being there! So I got together with
Great tips and resources to encourage STEM at home or in the classroom!
Are you struggling with shortened class periods? The biggest difference between being a classroom teacher and a specials teacher is that you can not overlap time. If you’re in the middle of a STEM challenge in a homeroom, you can always extend into the next period, and put your materials aside for the next day, ... Read more
One of the BEST things I ever did was start a Facebook group just for STEM educators. It is by far the best Facebook group I have ever been a part of. Why?
Are you looking for a perfect STEM Challenge to teach classroom rules? Check this post for the details and a free challenge!
It’s a new year and you likely have new goals, grant money to spend, or maybe just a renewed enthusiasm for inspiring and instructing young minds! Whatever the case, there has never been a better time to gear up your classroom or home with the latest and greatest STEM gadgets and tools. We are have
Start your year off right by decorating your STEM classroom to inspire your students to have fun, take risks, and have a growth mindset.
Are you struggling with shortened class periods? The biggest difference between being a classroom teacher and a specials teacher is that you can not overlap time. If you’re in the middle of a STEM challenge in a homeroom, you can always extend into the next period, and put your materials aside for the next day, ... Read more
Are you struggling with shortened class periods? The biggest difference between being a classroom teacher and a specials teacher is that you can not overlap time. If you’re in the middle of a STEM challenge in a homeroom, you can always extend into the next period, and put your materials aside for the next day, ... Read more
One of the BEST things I ever did was start a Facebook group just for STEM educators. It is by far the best Facebook group I have ever been a part of. Why?
An indispensable list of lesson creation and classroom activity resources for math and science teachers.
Are you struggling with shortened class periods? The biggest difference between being a classroom teacher and a specials teacher is that you can not overlap time. If you’re in the middle of a STEM challenge in a homeroom, you can always extend into the next period, and put your materials aside for the next day, ... Read more
It is widely known that American students are falling behind the world in the race for the jobs of the future. This is most apparent when looking at how job trends have led to the current political, legislative and cultural push for the advancement of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) curriculum.
Can you complete the tallest tower STEM challenge using only two materials? This STEAM Challenge is great for a wide range of learners!
This article explains the benefits of doing steam weekly in the elementary classroom. Students need to explore, imagine, and create!
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*This blog post contains Amazon affiliate links. By clicking on the links and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learning about real-world problems is a great way to engage your students and get them excited about STEM. Introducing your students to r
STEM Bins for Elementary Students “I’m finished! What do I do now?” How many times during our teaching day do we hear these words from our students? Oftentimes, it is much too often, and students are provided a handful of the same options to keep them busy until our next transition. Sometimes students are instructed...
Start your year off right by decorating your STEM classroom to inspire your students to have fun, take risks, and have a growth mindset.
The following is a guest post from Dr. Jacie Maslyk . A classroom of second graders listen attentively as their teacher asks for their help. “I had a rough morning and I’m hoping you can help me. My alarm clock didn’t go off this morning, so I was running late. Then, I realized that I forgot to
If your students aren’t excited about STEM, the problem might be a lack of exposure to real-world challenges. Real-world problem solving should be at the core of any STEM education program. It increases student buy-in as students realize that their work has an impact that extends beyond the classro
Use these fun and easy kindergarten STEM ideas in your classroom to spark creativity and curiosity in your students this year.
These bins are designed to allow the students to be creative. It awakens their brains for the day and lets them explore the exciting world of STEAM.
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STEM Engineering Challenges and Ideas for the Elementary and Middle School Classroom | Check Out Photos and Ideas to grow your classroom with STEM
Dig into the nuanced meanings of common STEM words used in elementary engineering classrooms, plus a free printable Engineering Design poster.
Can your elementary students help Rosie design, build, and test her flying machine? In the story, Rosie Revere, Engineer, by Andrea Beaty , Rosie is trying to build a flying machine. The trouble is, her first attempt doesn’t turn out as planned. Challenge your students to design, buil
STEM activities are fun and engaging, but this type of learning is even better when it’s connected to a great children’s book. We’ve shared books that are aligned to social emotional learning and books with themes for every month of the year. This post will share 10 great read alouds for any element
STEM is all about teamwork, however, students sometimes have difficulties working together. The ideal situation is for every student to participate, share their ideas, and complete a task. Instead, I would often find students arguing, sitting, and doing nothing, angry or sad at their teammates. I knew something had to change. What is my secret??? ... Read more
STEM is all about teamwork, however, students sometimes have difficulties working together. The ideal situation is for every student to participate, share their ideas, and complete a task. Instead, I would often find students arguing, sitting, and doing nothing, angry or sad at their teammates. I knew something had to change. What is my secret??? ... Read more
Did you know that STEM activities are a great way to build classroom community and teamwork at the beginning of the year? Unfortunately, STEM challenges can tend to be used as a classroom competition where students and groups are competing against each other. While classroom comp
We’ve recently been introduced to the fun inventive electronic kits by littleBits, a Make and Takes sponsor. Their kits come with small electronic pieces that fit together magnetically, making it super simple to build mini machines. Or even big machines. If you use their parts, add in some things from around the house like recycled … Continued
One of the BEST things I ever did was start a Facebook group just for STEM educators. It is by far the best Facebook group I have ever been a part of. Why?
If your students aren’t excited about STEM, the problem might be a lack of exposure to real-world challenges. Real-world problem solving should be at the core of any STEM education program. It increases student buy-in as students realize that their work has an impact that extends beyond the classro
Use these fun and easy kindergarten STEM ideas in your classroom to spark creativity and curiosity in your students this year.
Colorful STEM supply labels to organize your STEM center. Each card has both the picture and word allowing kids of all ages to help keep your center tidy!
Ideas and tips on how to use STEM challenge task cards as a science center or station & how to create a maker space in the classroom. Helpful ways
One of the BEST things I ever did was start a Facebook group just for STEM educators. It is by far the best Facebook group I have ever been a part of. Why?
If you need STEM projects ideas, this is THE place to go! This is a collection of over 200 STEM projects and activities that kids love!
Each year, I teach a simple machines unit. Each year, I try to figure out ways to integrate STEM ideas into the mix. This year, I wanted to find ways to engage my learners right away. Sometimes the simplest thing to do is grab simple items to create the perfect STEM project! The best part...you just need 4 simple supplies or less for the each challenge. The first challenge is to create a way to get the cup of cubes to the top of the table. This is all I gave them: Toilet paper tubes, a cup of cubes, string, and tape. The best challenge The second challenge that we did was to make a way to move a cup of candy from one side of the room to another without using your hands to touch the cup. All I gave them for this challenge was spoons, rubber bands, and tubes. The best part about these two challenges is that each design was so uniquely different. Each team was able to work together to find a solution to each problem and after they completed the challenge they shared what they created! Now, this is the kicker...I was sick one of the days my classes did these challenges. Boy, did I realize that one of the integral components of setting up STEM challenges is to really SET...IT...UP. What they were able to accomplish when I was there, instead of the sub, was significant. It got me thinking... how can anyone make a STEM challenge the best EVER? What I learned about making this STEM challenge the best ever is that as the facilitator of a STEM challenge, you must get them engaged. You must set the stage with everything they will need to complete the challenge. Consider these components: 1. How will you give them supplies? I set out a table with the items they can use. Each team is numbered and I send a special number to get what is needed. 2. What are the constraints as well as expectations? The first challenge was about moving an object from the floor to the table. This could be done as a pulley system or in some cases groups made a lever. We were able to share and explain as we observed the final product. 3. How will you get them excited about the activity? This can be done with a picture book, a question, or even a problem that needs solving. In both challenges I posed a problem that needed solving. 4. How much time will you give for a challenge. Our first challenge was 10 minutes. The second challenge was a race! It is one thing to give your learners supplies and a challenge, it is another thing to remember to add the engineering process to each challenge you offer. We chose a simple machine challenge and it was perfect for learning several simple machines. They loved them so much that I have had to design a new challenge to show the other simple machines. Any STEM project can be your best STEM challenge ever! Setting it up for success is the key! I have included my Simple Machines Unit that I use to add even more STEM stations including our annual Cardboard Arcade! Find my Simple Machines Pack HERE! I challenge you to also make STEM challenges something your learners will say..."That was the best STEM challenge EVER!" More Amazing STEM Challenges Your Students Will LOVE Click on any of the images below to read about more STEM challenges from other STEM educators. Digital STEM Challenges Cargo Ship STEM Animal Adaptations STEM Roller Coaster STEM STEM Space Lander Paper Chain STEM Sammie STEAM Challenge Toothpick Tower STEM Simple Machines Challenges Graphics and Font Credits: KG Fonts and PhotoClipz
Are you looking for innovative ways to boost engagement and promote active learning in your STEM class? Check out STEM choice boards!
There are countless benefits to STEM education….real world problem solving, hands-on engagement, meaningful collaboration, and so much more. The 2020-2021 school year has caused the world of education to adapt and evolve in many ways that we’ve never experienced. Keeping students at a safe social distance has created challenges for STEM educators and students who...
STEM for the Entire Year Bundle includes over over 25 Challenges, experiments, and activities your students will love all yearlong in your classroom! 275+ - 656 MB - Zip
