Build structures
Backpack Design Challenge
A STEM/maker design-challenge activity in which students design and build a model backpack meeting given specifications and constraints.
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STEM Activities For Elementary Page 2
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Science investigations
Back to School Activities | 10 Science Experiments & Investigations
Teach scientific-method thinking through 10 hands-on science experiments using common household materials.
Design & technology
Problem Solver Challenge
A STEM design-challenge activity (WhyMaker Design Challenge) where students identify a real problem in their own life and invent a physical solution using upcycled/craft materials.
Design & technology
BioMechanical Hand Lesson Plan & Activity Guide
A STEM lesson plan and companion activity guide in which students learn that robotic 'hands' (end effectors) are shaped differently depending on their intended function, and build a simple mechanical model of a human hand to explore this concept, with an embedded career-connection segment on (bio)mechanical engineering.
Build structures
Model Tiny Homes Design Challenge
A STEM/maker design challenge in which students design and build a model tiny home using provided or upcycled craft materials, applying constraints and specifications.
Movement & vehicles
Taking Time for Teamwork: Projectile Launcher Challenges:
A set of hands-on team-building engineering challenges focused on building catapults/launchers to propel objects at a target.
Design & technology
Food Machine Design Challenge
A STEM design-challenge activity where students design and build a prototype machine that would make their favorite food on demand
Build structures
Taking Time for Teamwork: Hanging Contraption Challenges:
A set of hands-on team-building engineering challenges focused on designing contraptions that suspend or hang objects off the ground.
Build structures
Train Tracks Activity
A single-card writing prompt activity that uses a train-tracks visual metaphor to prompt students to write about STEM-related concepts.
Design & technology
Safety Alarm System Design Challenge
STEM design-challenge activity where students design and write pseudocode for a new safety alarm system.
Build structures
Taking Time for Teamwork: Contraptions that Span a Distance:
A set of hands-on team-building engineering challenges focused on building contraptions that span a distance (bridges, ropes, and devices to move objects across a gap).
Build structures
Tunnels Activity
A single-page STEM design activity asking students to design a tunnel.
Design & technology
Design a Zoo Lesson Plan + Activity Guide
A lesson plan and activity guide in which students act as engineers to redesign an animal enclosure using a physical 3Dux Design cardboard-building kit, connecting engineering/design thinking to animal welfare and zoo careers.
Build structures
Let’s Build a Boat Activity
A one-page hands-on STEM activity where students build a boat from found household/yard items and test whether it floats.
Design & technology
Community Accessibility Design Challenge
A STEM/design-challenge activity asking students to design a solution that makes their community more accessible, inspired by a real story of a homemade Lego wheelchair ramp.
Design & technology
3D Printing Activity
A brief one-page STEM activity sheet prompting students to design a model intended for 3D printing.
Science investigations
Carbon Footprint Activity
A short STEM craft activity that prompts students to think of ways to reduce their carbon footprint and record those ideas on a lift-the-flap paper footprint.
Design & technology
Utensil Design Challenge
Guide a hands-on maker/engineering design challenge in which students design and build a new eating utensil to solve a specific food-eating problem.
Build structures
3-D Book Scenes Design Challenge
A STEM/maker-education design-challenge activity in which students creatively build a 3-D scene from their favorite book using upcycled/craft materials.
Science investigations
Ecosystem Activity
One-page STEM activity introducing four ecosystem types (forest, desert, marine, tundra) through a drawing-and-paper-craft task.
Science investigations
DIY Storm in a Glass Activity
Hands-on STEM activity simulating how storms form in clouds using shaving cream and colored water.
Design & technology
Electric Greeting Card Lesson Plan + Activity Guide
Hands-on electrical engineering lesson where students build a working circuit inside a light-up greeting card.
Science investigations
Plant Reproduction Activity
Activity Introduction An amazing activity designed for the students to learn more about STEM subjects. Plant Reproduction Do you like STEM subjects?
Science investigations
DIY Sundial Activity
Hands-on STEM activity: students build and use a simple sundial to track time via shadow position.