REMC STEAM MATERIALS
REMC STEAM MATERIALS
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All of the items on this page can be checked out to use in the classroom. When you know what you would like to borrow email remc@northwested.org to request the items. ** Didn't find what you were looking for? Let us know! We are always accepting ideas to grow our library! **
Click on the topic below to go directly to that section. You can also click on the pictures to find a more detailed explanation of the items.
Robots
Robots
Manufacturer Age/Grade Recommended: PreK-2nd
Good for: Beginner coding, computer science, following directions, inquiry
Manufacturer Age/Grade Recommended: PreK-2nd
We say: All Ages
Good for: Beginner coding, computer science, following directions, inquiry
Manufacturer Age/Grade Recommended: PreK-2nd
Good for: Problem solving, creativity, science- motion and gravity
Manufacturer Age/Grade Recommended: PreK-2nd
Good for: Beginner coding, computer science, following directions, inquiry
Manufacturer Age/Grade Recommended: K-5
Good for: Beginner coding, computer science, following directions, inquiry, problem-solving, collaboration
Manufacturer Age/Grade Recommended: PreK
Good for: Beginner coding, computer science, following directions, inquiry
Best of STEM Award 2023
Manufacturer Age/Grade Recommended: All Ages
Good for: Beginner coding, computer science, following directions, inquiry
Works with almost every device- Chromebooks, iPads, Windows, Mac, Linux etc.
Manufacturer Age/Grade Recommended: 3rd+
Good for: Intermediate to Advanced Designing, beginner coding, computer science, following directions, inquiry, robotics
Manufacturer Age/Grade Recommended: PreK-2nd
Good for: Construction, Following Directions, creativity, Knowledge constructor
Manufacturer Age/Grade Recommended: 3rd+
Good for: Construction, following instructions, Knowledge constructor, Science, Engineering, Mechanics.
Manufacturer Age/Grade Recommended:
Good for: Beginner-Advanced coding, computer science, following directions, inquiry, knowledge constructor, proble-solving skills
Manufacturer Age/Grade Recommended: PreK-2nd
Good for: Intermediate-Advanced coding, computer science, following directions, inquiry, collaboration.
USE WITH BOLT ROBOT
Manufacturer Age/Grade Recommended: 6th-12th
Good for: Robotics, Engineering, Coding-intermediate to advanced, computer science
Works with Sphero Edu App (iPad) or with Python
Manufacturer Age/Grade Recommended: PreK-2nd
Good for: Beginner coding, computer science, following directions, inquiry, collaboration
This is truly one for everyone!
Ozobots are a mutli-award winning coding robots. They use color to give them direction. You also can use a block coding system, we like the color coding best. Use block coding with the Challenge mats!
*NEW*
*NEW*
Ozobot Challenge Mats
24" X 33" non-skid mat
Ozobot Challenge Mats
24" X 33" non-skid mat
Mars: Students take on the role of mission commanders, coding Evo to navigate this alien landscape.
Basketball: Designed to blend coding with sports, the mat challenges young learners to complete basketball drills such as passing, dribbling, shooting, and navigating around defenders
OzoGoes to the Sun, Earth & Moon
Use this set to explore the seasons of the year and how the Earth's axis changes.
Use these exploratory pieces to go with Ozobot. Ozobot acts like the moon or planets to explore planetary science.
Use these exploratory pieces to go with Ozobot. Ozobot acts like the moon to explore solar science.
Coding
Coding
3D Printing
3D Printing
STEM Materials
STEM Materials
Got a project? Ask about our STEM resources.
Lego for Education
Lego for Education
Manufacturer Suggested Age: 8+
We Say: 8+
Good for: Creativity, fine motor skills, knowledge constructor, engineering, science- motion
Manufacturer Suggested Age: 8+
We Say: 8+
Good for: Creativity, fine motor skills, knowledge constructor, engineering, science- motion
Manufacturer Suggested Age: 8+
We Say: 8+
Good for: Creativity, fine motor skills, knowledge constructor, engineering, science- motion
Manufacturer Suggested Age: 8+
We Say: 8+
Good for: Creativity, fine motor skills, knowledge constructor, engineering
Manufacturer Suggested Age: 8+
We Say: 8+
Good for: Creativity, fine motor skills, knowledge constructor, engineering, science- motion
Age/Grade: 6th-8th Grade
Age/Grade: 1st-5th Grade
Age/Grade: 1st-5th Grade
Age/Grade: 6th-8th grade
Lego Duplo
Lego Duplo
Manufacturer Suggested Age: PreK-K
We Say: All Ages
Good for: Creativity, emotional intelligence, knowledge constructor, fine motor skills
Manufacturer Suggested Age: PreK-K
We Say: All Ages
Good for: Creativity, emotional intelligence, knowledge constructor, fine motor skills, communication
Manufacturer Suggested Age: PreK-K
We Say: All Ages
Good for: Creativity, knowledge constructor, fine motor skills
Manufacturer Suggested Age: PreK-K
We Say: All Ages
Good for: Creativity, knowledge constructor, fine motor skills, computer science, coding , Engineering, Art, Science
Manufacturer Suggested Age: PreK-K
We Say: All Ages
Good for: Creativity, knowledge constructor, fine motor skills, communication, Science, Engineering, Art
Promoting STEM through Literature Books
Promoting STEM through Literature Books
Use these books along with the materials above OR other art/recyclable materials. Most books have prewritten lesson plans that are available. Here's the link to the REMC Association page for more information. If you would like to borrow any of these books- please email REMC@northwested.org We can send 2-5 copies to your school for you to borrow.
ABOUT THESE RESOURCES:
ABOUT THESE RESOURCES:
These materials help educators use literature to get students excited about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by actively involving them in the design thinking process. Each title shares a story where something was built or invented by designing, planning, gathering materials, and creating. There is a book card/lesson plan for each title that includes a maker-STEM connection; pre, during, and post questions; and a design challenge that incorporates materials already available in each local REMC.
WHY WOULD I WANT TO USE THESE IN MY CLASSROOM?
WHY WOULD I WANT TO USE THESE IN MY CLASSROOM?
Several of Michigan’s educational standards focus on literacy, engineering design thinking, collaboration, creation, as well as soft skills that include inquiry and problem-solving skills. These resources provide ways for educators to teach students about design-thinking concepts in an easy and non-intimidating way.
Click on the link to learn more about the books. Once you have a book you'd like to borrow, email REMC@NORTHWESTED.ORG we'll send you 3-5 copies of the book AND MATERIALS AND LESSON PLAN!
21 Elephants and Still Standing
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Build a bridge between two tables or chairs that will hold one elephant per student in the class. Each student designs their own “elephant” using materials in the classroom.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Develop your own musical instrument from cardboard or other materials, either an instrument already invented or invent your own.
Create a new product or service that improves the experience of listening to music in public spaces.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Create a parade using Robots (recommended- Dash, Indi, Ozobots)
Create a moveable puppet that could be featured in the parade
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Use paper and pencil to design a prosthetic body part for a human or animal. Then use tinkercad.com to create a prototype. Finally, use a 3D printer to print the prosthetic.
Have students research animals that use prosthetics. Then, improve the design in Tinkercad and 3D Print.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Design a stop-motion video that morphs an item of your choice into another item. Before you begin, sketch out the process you’ll take to transform your item.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Think about the school/community/world in which you live and identify a problem that could be solved with a new invention.
Full of Beans: Henry Ford Grows a Car
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Think about the people in your community and the challenges they face. List three challenges that affect their daily life. Consider something you use every day and brainstorm how it could be repurposed or modified to address this problem.
Research the Soybean Lab at Greenfield Village. What are other uses Soybeans
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
Create small groups. Pass out one of the challenges listed below to each group for them to come up with an invention that will solve the problem at hand.
Utilize the Design Thinking Journal throughout this process. Once each group is established and working, rotate each group to a new project every five minutes to make enhancements. Have groups return to their original project, and observe their invention and how it changed/improved.
The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Develop a way to harness the wind by designing with Strawbees.
Using littleBits, make your wind machine move, light up, make sounds, et al.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Students will work to develop an assistive technology solution for people with autism. Alternatively, students may develop assistive technology solutions for students with differing abilities. Students are encouraged to work with peers in a local special education classroom to combine their love of technology and engineering to help positively influence their peers’ lives.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Imagine that your home is at risk from predators or other scary situations, such as natural disasters or human intruders. Your challenge is to use broken or old technology and other available resources to create a prototype that can be used to protect your home. This could involve tinkering, hacking, or redesigning the components of the technology to meet your needs.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Develop a food product (a new food, tool, or invention, et al) to help increase access to food in your community.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Use plastic bags to develop a new product.
Host an inventor's showcase showing off your new invention/product.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Students will use materials on hand to design a solution to a problem they see in their school or at home. The invention should meet the needs of fellow students, teachers, bus drivers, principals, siblings, friends, or even parents.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Invent a new way of traveling around your community that takes into account the following: helpful to the community, economical to those who use it, and convenient for users.
The Boy Who Thought Outside the Box
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Think outside the box. What’s something you use every day, but not for its “intended” purpose?
Design the latest and greatest technology for kids to hit the market! Make it the *most* fun anyone has ever had. You may NOT use anything on the market - any technology currently on the market is off-limits.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
What is one thing you hate doing for chores? Develop an invention to have it take care of itself.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Your community has many different areas to explore - it might be a park, a grocery store, a forest, or an alley. For some people, it might be difficult to explore these areas because they may have differing abilities. Select one area in your community, and come up with a plan to build a way for it to be more accessible to everyone.
The Marvelous Thing That Came From a Spring
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Create a commercial for the slinky
Create a new toy from something commonly found in your home or school.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Identify an area in your school that is very traditional. Redesign it to better fit the needs of the end-users. Students should talk to end-users to get feedback and empathize with them. They will then sketch out a new design, and then create a physical prototype of the new design to scale.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Find a discarded object that can be taken apart.
Can you find ways to improve this object?
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Students will use materials on hand to invent and design a new toy.
Students will use materials on hand to invent and design a new game.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Design a new mode of transportation (air, sea, or ground).
Select a current mode of transportation and improve it.
Use household items to create a prototype of your new or updated invention.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Think of a musical instrument or device that could be improved. Go through the Design Thinking Process to improve a musical instrument or invent a new one.
Gaudi: Architect of the Imagination
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Design and create your dream park.
Think about your passions. What inspires you? Use your passions to design your dream park around this common theme. What recycled or repurposed elements can you incorporate?
The Brilliant Calculator: Edith Clarke
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Create a unique way to generate and store energy in your town.
Create a tool out of cardboard that could solve a problem for someone in your community.
On the Corner of Chocolate Avenue
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Invent a new candy product, prototype it, and pitch it Shark Tank-style.
Design and build a prototype of a candy factory machine.
The Unstoppable Garrett Morgan
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Design a new piece of safety equipment for a first responder.
Students create a prototype of a new piece of safety equipment for a first responder (fire, EMT, police, et al.)
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Design and build a wind-powered sculpture using materials you find around you. Your sculpture should move or spin when exposed to air.
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