Classroom resources

STEM Activities For Elementary

Find elementary STEM activities for designing, building, testing and improving solutions with everyday materials.

73 resources

Browse by lesson focus

Find your next lesson

Choose the topic or kind of practice you need.

FiltersClear all

Activities STEM Elementary

Because of Winn Dixie STEM Experiment + STEM Project for Grades 3-5 teaching resource preview

Story-linked STEM

Because of Winn Dixie STEM Experiment + STEM Project for Grades 3-5

In groups of 3-4, read an in-character letter posing the design problem, record the problem and requirements, follow the Design Loop (choose a problem, brainstorm solutions, collect information, produce a solution, present, evaluate/improve) to plan, build, and test a shelter from provided recycled/craft materials that protects a…

Includes: Teacher-talk instructions and suggested 2-3 day timeline (plan/build/test) · Suggested parent-donation supply list (recyclables/craft materials) · In-character letter from 'Opal' posing the design challenge

File: PDF
Level: 3–5

Swim with Sharks Design Challenge teaching resource preview

Movement & vehicles

Swim with Sharks Design Challenge

Students research current shark-diving safety devices and their limitations, then brainstorm, design, and build a model diving-safety device from provided craft materials, test it in water with a diver figure and toy sharks, record data, and redesign as needed. A second blank 'Maker Design Brief' template is included for creating…

Includes: 'Swim with Sharks Design Challenge' 1-page brief with context, design challenge, specifications, constraints, materials list, tools list, and 6-step process · blank 'Maker Design Brief' template (1 page) for creating additional design challenges

File: Multiple File Types

The Float Challenge: STEM Activity Using Metric Grams (Grade 3-5) teaching resource preview

Movement & vehicles

The Float Challenge: STEM Activity Using Metric Grams (Grade 3-5)

Participate in a mini-lesson on grams, then design, build, and test a flotation device to hold a specified weight, including a competition/betting element and a culminating assessment, following the GANAG lesson structure (Goals, Access prior knowledge, New information, Apply, Generalize), each stage with formative-assessment feedback.

Includes: Unit description explaining the measurement/grams rationale · Mini-lesson on grams · Design-build-test flotation device activity with a competition/betting component

File: PDF
Level: 3

Taking Time for Teamwork: Moving and Protecting Objects: teaching resource preview

Movement & vehicles

Taking Time for Teamwork: Moving and Protecting Objects:

In small groups, follow each activity's Challenge/Supplies/Requirements/Testing-and-Scoring/Teacher-Notes structure to design and build a device within a class period, test it against scoring criteria, then reflect using the provided Group Processing Questions.

Includes: The Claw activity · Moving Blocks activity

File: PDF
Level: 4–12

Dear Mr. Henshaw STEM Experiment + STEM Project for Grades 3, 4, 5 teaching resource preview

Story-linked STEM

Dear Mr. Henshaw STEM Experiment + STEM Project for Grades 3, 4, 5

Read an in-character letter from the protagonist Leigh Botts describing the design challenge; work in groups of 3-4 to define the problem, brainstorm and sketch solutions, select and build a device from approved recycled/craft materials within time limits, test it, and evaluate/reflect on the results using a design-loop lab form.

Includes: teacher tips page including a suggested household-donation supply list · in-character student challenge letter ('Dear Engineer') · Design Loop diagram

File: PDF
Level: 3–5

Amusement Park Ride Design Challenge teaching resource preview

Build structures

Amusement Park Ride Design Challenge

Research amusement park rides and the roller-coaster-engineer job, brainstorm favorite ride features, design a new ride that meets given specifications and constraints, and build a physical model using craft/upcycled materials, then test it with a marble.

Includes: design-challenge instruction sheet (context, challenge, specifications, constraints, materials, tools, steps, helpful-info links)

File: Multiple File Types

The Wind Powered Car: Cross Curricular STEM Project (Grades 3-5) teaching resource preview

Movement & vehicles

The Wind Powered Car: Cross Curricular STEM Project (Grades 3-5)

Students ask and answer questions while listening to the book 'Oil Spill' by Melvin Berger, research wind energy, design and build a wind-powered car prototype from craft materials, test and retest it using a fan, and write a 'how-to' piece explaining how they built it.

Includes: unit description / GANAG method overview · Science lesson (wind energy research, build wind-powered car prototype)

File: PDF
Level: 3–5

Build A Boat Engineering Project teaching resource preview

Build structures

Build A Boat Engineering Project

Students state the design problem in their own words, brainstorm and draw/label a boat design, construct the boat using at least three different provided materials, test it and record the distance traveled, propose a revised design after testing, and complete a scoring rubric.

Includes: problem-statement worksheet · brainstorm/design drawing page · construction notes page

File: PDF
Level: 2

Stone Fox STEM Experiment + STEM Project for Grades 3, 4, 5 teaching resource preview

Story-linked STEM

Stone Fox STEM Experiment + STEM Project for Grades 3, 4, 5

Read an in-character letter from 'Little Willy' introducing the design brief; discuss the driving question (why Willy's sled succeeded and Stone Fox's did not); plan and design a sled using only teacher-approved recycled/craft materials within given constraints; build and test the sled by moving it across a frozen pan of water without…

Includes: Teacher Notes: test setup instructions (freezing water in pans), classroom management tips, timing (2-3 days: plan/build/test), and driving question · List of suggested recyclable/craft building materials to request from parents

File: PDF
Level: 3–5

Backpack Design Challenge teaching resource preview

Build structures

Backpack Design Challenge

Students research existing backpacks, brainstorm and sketch a design showing all four sides (front, back, top, bottom), build a physical model within given size constraints, test it, record what worked or didn't, and redesign as needed.

Includes: Backpack Design Challenge brief (context, challenge, specifications, constraints, materials, tools, steps, helpful info links) · blank 'Maker Ed Design Brief' template (same category headings left blank, for teachers to create their own design challenges)

File: Multiple File Types

Taking Time for Teamwork: Creating Vehicles teaching resource preview

Movement & vehicles

Taking Time for Teamwork: Creating Vehicles

In small groups, follow each activity's Challenge/Supplies/Requirements/Testing-and-Scoring/Teacher-Notes structure to design and build a vehicle within a class period, test it against scoring criteria, then reflect using the provided Group Processing Questions.

Includes: Balloon Racer activity (build a balloon-propelled cardboard car)

File: PDF
Level: 4–12

Juice Box Radio Activity teaching resource preview

Design & technology

Juice Box Radio Activity

Wrap and glue construction paper around a used juice box, add a straw as an antenna, cut out and glue on radio 'buttons,' and write on volume/channel numbers to complete the model.

Includes: materials list · step-by-step build instructions · printable radio button/dial template

File: PDF
Level: 2–8

Home Scientist Activity, Science in the Kitchen, Bubble Science printable for kids, learn about density, Girl Scout Leader Printable teaching resource preview

Science investigations

Home Scientist Activity, Science in the Kitchen, Bubble Science printable for kids, learn about density, Girl Scout Leader Printable

Follow guided kitchen science experiments (e.g., density demonstrations using items like a candy bar density worksheet, balloons, baking soda and vinegar, ice cream in a bag) using household materials from a supplied shopping list.

Includes: multiple hands-on kitchen science experiments (density, chemical reaction, and others implied by supply list items such as yeast, hydrogen peroxide, dish… · candy bar density worksheet

File: PDF
Level: 2–3

Problem Solver Challenge teaching resource preview

Design & technology

Problem Solver Challenge

Students think of a real problem that is difficult, inconvenient, annoying, or boring; investigate and take notes on it; brainstorm possible solutions; choose one solution; design, build, and test a physical invention using upcycled materials and craft supplies; redesign and retest after modification; then share their invention with…

Includes: 1-page design challenge brief (context, specifications, constraints, materials, tools, 10-step process, helpful info links) · second PDF titled 'Maker Ed Design Brief' whose content beyond the first few words ('The Ultimate Guide to Tea...') could not be read

File: Multiple File Types

Taking Time for Teamwork: Tower Building teaching resource preview

Build structures

Taking Time for Teamwork: Tower Building

In small groups, follow each activity's Challenge/Supplies/Requirements/Testing-and-Scoring/Teacher-Notes structure to design and build a tower within a class period, test it against scoring criteria, then reflect using the provided Group Processing Questions.

Includes: Marshmallow Book Rack activity · Straw Tower activity

File: PDF
Level: 4–12

Helicopter Activity teaching resource preview

Movement & vehicles

Helicopter Activity

Students label the following parts on a helicopter diagram, then write down the function of each: main rotor, tail rotor, engine transmission fuel, tail boom, drive shaft, landing skids, cockpit.

Includes: 1-page labeling worksheet with a helicopter diagram and a 7-part word list (main rotor, tail rotor, engine transmission fuel, tail boom, drive shaft, landing…

File: PDF
Level: 3–10

BioMechanical Hand Lesson Plan & Activity Guide teaching resource preview

Design & technology

BioMechanical Hand Lesson Plan & Activity Guide

Trace and cut out a paper/cardstock hand, cut jointed 'finger' sections and glue them onto it, attach cut straw pieces as finger joints, thread yarn through the straws as 'tendons', and pull the strings to make the built hand's fingers bend and grip; then test what the hand can and cannot pick up and discuss the results.

Includes: Lesson Plan (hook/intro discussion, career connection segment on mechanical/biomechanical engineers, background on robot end effectors, materials list, design… · Activity Guide (student-facing version of the same build instructions and career-connection content, condensed)

File: PDF
Level: 1–7

Model Tiny Homes Design Challenge teaching resource preview

Build structures

Model Tiny Homes Design Challenge

Research environmentally friendly tiny homes, brainstorm features, design a tiny home showing all views, build a physical model within given size and material constraints, and record a video tour of the finished model.

Includes: Tiny Homes Design Challenge brief (context, challenge, specifications, constraints, materials, tools, steps, helpful info) · blank Maker Design Brief template (same section headings, unfilled)

File: Multiple File Types

Taking Time for Teamwork: Projectile Launcher Challenges: teaching resource preview

Movement & vehicles

Taking Time for Teamwork: Projectile Launcher Challenges:

In small groups, follow each activity's Challenge/Supplies/Requirements/Testing-and-Scoring/Teacher-Notes structure to design and build a launcher within a class period, test it against scoring criteria, then reflect using the provided Group Processing Questions.

Includes: The Great Ping-Pong Catapult activity · Jellybean Throw activity

File: PDF
Level: 4–12

Roller Coaster Activity teaching resource preview

Movement & vehicles

Roller Coaster Activity

Sketch a roller coaster design, decide how many loops or dips it would have, list what materials would be needed to build it, and reflect on what struggles they faced designing it.

Includes: 1-page roller coaster design/sketch worksheet with reflection prompts (materials needed, struggles faced)

File: PDF
Level: 3–10

The War That Saved My Life | STEAM Activities & Project-Based Learning teaching resource preview

Story-linked STEM

The War That Saved My Life | STEAM Activities & Project-Based Learning

Complete five hands-on WWII-themed projects: analyze and design British propaganda posters, solve evacuation-train math word problems, decode/encode messages with historical ciphers (Caesar, Pigpen, Enigma, transposition), analyze and plan wartime rationed meals/nutrition, and design and build a bomb shelter model.

Includes: teacher tips and digital-access instructions (printable PDF + digital Google Slides version) · WWII British Propaganda project: teacher's guide, background presentation, poster analysis questions, 2 poster-design options (6 pages) · WWII Evacuation Math Problem-Solving project: teacher's guide, background presentation, word problems, answer key (8 pages)

Answers included Editable

File: Multiple File Types
Level: 5–7

Food Machine Design Challenge teaching resource preview

Design & technology

Food Machine Design Challenge

Research recipes/tools/devices used for cooking, brainstorm favorite foods, design/build a prototype machine using provided materials that mixes at least two ingredients and uses at least two simple machines, test it, then redesign after noting what did/didn't work

Includes: 'Food Machine Design Challenge' brief: context, challenge statement, specifications, constraints, materials list, tools list, and numbered steps · 'Maker Ed Design Brief' - a blank, reusable version of the same design-brief template (Context/Challenge/Specifications/Constraints/Materials/Tools/Steps)…

File: Multiple File Types

Taking Time for Teamwork: Hanging Contraption Challenges: teaching resource preview

Build structures

Taking Time for Teamwork: Hanging Contraption Challenges:

In small groups, follow each activity's Challenge/Supplies/Requirements/Testing-and-Scoring/Teacher-Notes structure to design and build a hanging contraption within a class period, test it against scoring criteria, then reflect using the provided Group Processing Questions.

Includes: Candy Swing activity · Don't Leave Me Hanging activity

File: PDF
Level: 4–12

Train Tracks Activity teaching resource preview

Build structures

Train Tracks Activity

Write short responses on each of three cards/prompts about how train tracks work, referencing 'train's steering wheel', 'fail-safes and redundancies', and 'train transitions'.

Includes: 1-page writing prompt card with 3 prompts (steering wheel, fail-safes/redundancies, train transitions)

File: PDF
Level: 3–9