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SessioN Description
SessioN Description
As another school year draws to a close, make it a memorable one with engaging STEM/STEAM projects! This webinar sparks your creativity with exciting ideas that seamlessly integrate science, technology, engineering, art, and math into fun-filled learning experiences.
Paper STEM Activities K-2 3-5 6-8 9-12
Paper STEM Activities K-2 3-5 6-8 9-12
Hi TCEA,
I am looking for STEM activities for students of Grades 1-5. Preferably printables and that uses paper folding types etc.. Or such activities that use things available at home or in local markets. Can you be able to help me in this regard? - TCEA Community Member
The resource showcases not only activities but how AI helped to craft this resource.
Tissue Paper Hot Air Balloons
Tissue Paper Hot Air Balloons
A standard spring event for me when I was teaching was making hot air balloons out of tissue paper. The cost was relatively low. The trickiest part was getting a camp stove and a piece of stove pipe to create the heat for lift off.
7 sheets of tissue paper, wire, glue
Yes, that is really me with a dark head of hair.
🍦 Ziploc Bag Ice Cream for Kids (click arrow for Recipe)
🍦 Ziploc Bag Ice Cream for Kids (click arrow for Recipe)
Ingredients (per student or group):
Ingredients (per student or group):
1/2 cup whole milk or half & half
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ice
1/3 cup rock salt (or regular salt if that’s what you have)
Supplies:
1 quart-size Ziploc bag (for the ice cream mixture)
1 gallon-size Ziploc bag (for the ice and salt)
Towels or oven mitts (it gets cold!)
Instructions:
Instructions:
Mix the ingredients:
In the quart-size bag, combine the milk (or half & half), sugar, and vanilla. Seal the bag tightly, pressing out as much air as possible.Prepare the ice bath:
Fill the gallon-size bag halfway with ice and add the salt.Insert the small bag:
Place the sealed quart-size bag into the gallon-size bag with the ice and seal the larger bag tightly.Shake it up!
Shake the bags vigorously for about 5–7 minutes (or until the mixture hardens into ice cream). Use towels or mitts to protect hands—it gets really cold!
Mars Mayhem: A Disaster Card LEGO Challenge
Mars Mayhem: A Disaster Card LEGO Challenge
The Mars Mayhem cards are a set of 16 challenge prompts designed to add a twist to a LEGO-building activity set on Mars. After students or groups construct their Mars base camp, they draw a Mars Mayhem card that presents a surprise disaster scenario—such as a meteor shower, oxygen leak, alien encounter, or power failure.
Each card encourages critical thinking and creativity, prompting students to problem-solve using their original builds and additional LEGO bricks or materials to create a solution. The goal is not to tear down their base, but to enhance it by responding to the crisis like a true space explorer.
Find the Mars Mayhem cards here.
Escape from Laboratory ZYXW robotics challenge
Escape from Laboratory ZYXW robotics challenge
“Escape from Laboratory ZYXW” robotics challenge is a high-energy classroom activity where students work in teams to solve eight unique STEM-based tasks using LEGO SPIKE Prime or VEX IQ kits. Designed for grades 3–12, the challenge promotes collaboration, critical thinking, and hands-on learning through a creative escape room scenario. Educators are encouraged to implement this engaging experience using the provided materials, which include planning documents, build examples, and 3D-printable parts.
Read blog post here.
Free Qweebi Roller Coaster Project
Free Qweebi Roller Coaster Project
I found this in the Elementary STEM Specials Teachers Group. Qweebi is offering a design and test roller coaster project. Promises collaboration, hands-on challenge, and easy-to-implement. You will need to make an account and the site is a paid, but on investigation it looks like the roller coaster project is free to try out. (4th and 5th graders)
TWO to follow
TWO to follow
Where to pick up more ideas?
Where to pick up more ideas?
16+ Engineering Design Projects for Middle School Students
16+ Engineering Design Projects for Middle School Students
Engineering design challenges are an engaging way to spark student curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM. These types of projects provided by the Science Buddies website invite students to think creatively and critically as they brainstorm, plan, build, test, refine, and innovate their ideas.
The 16+ projects listed below give middle schoolers practical experience with the engineering design process, helping them strengthen their problem-solving and inventive thinking skills. Many of the activities rely on easy-to-find materials like paper and recycled cardboard, making them ideal for classrooms, makerspaces, at-home learning, or independent exploration.
Time-release pill
Earthquake resistant housing
Paper tower
Water wheel
Designed for Middle and High School
Designed for Middle and High School
STEM Activities and Challenges for Middle School Learners
STEM Activities and Challenges for Middle School Learners
Dr. Bruce Ellis
STEM Design Challenge: Make a Watch for the Visually Impaired
STEM Design Challenge: London Bridge Is Falling Down
Making Plastic
Density
Sweet vs. Sour
STEM Activities and Challenges for High School Learners
STEM Activities and Challenges for High School Learners
Dr. Bruce Ellis
Smoking Dragons
Exploring Mummification with Hot Dogs
Graph Art: Illustrating Data
Exploring the Fibonacci Sequence
Designed for Elementary
Designed for Elementary
Epic End of Year Activities - STEM Carnival
Epic End of Year Activities - STEM Carnival
Bottle Rockets
Using empty soda bottles, baking soda, and vinegar, students create rockets that launch into the air. This activity teaches chemical reactions, pressure, and engineering design. It's a thrilling way to explore physics and chemistry outdoors.
Giant Bubbles
Students mix their own bubble solution and construct wands to create massive bubbles. This experiment delves into surface tension, fluid dynamics, and the science of mixtures. It's a delightful way to combine art and science.
Oobleck… Go BIG!
By mixing cornstarch and water, students create Oobleck, a non-Newtonian fluid that behaves like both a solid and a liquid. This tactile experiment explores states of matter and viscosity, offering a messy yet educational experience.
Egg Drop Challenge
Students design contraptions to protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped from a height. This classic engineering challenge promotes critical thinking, material science, and iterative design.
Crossbow Craft Stick Challenge
Using craft sticks, rubber bands, and other simple materials, students build mini crossbows. This project introduces concepts of tension, energy transfer, and mechanical engineering in a safe and controlled manner.
six end-of-year STEM activities from Miss Tech Queen
six end-of-year STEM activities from Miss Tech Queen
Grillin’ and Chillin’ Challenge
Students design and build tools to flip paper burgers and hotdogs using recyclable materials like toilet paper rolls and tissue boxes. This activity encourages creativity and problem-solving.Diving Board STEM Activity
Combining the fun of a diving board with the physics of a catapult, students use items like popsicle sticks, plastic silverware, pom-poms, and rubber bands to launch objects into a bucket, exploring concepts of force and trajectory.Pool Float STEM Challenge
Students create a pool float that can hold coins without sinking, using materials such as popsicle sticks, glue, paper, and tin foil. This challenge teaches buoyancy and material properties.Water Bottle Holder for Field Day
To prevent lost water bottles during field day, students brainstorm and construct holders using recyclable materials. This activity fosters design thinking and practical problem-solving.Twist and Turn STEM Challenge
Students build roller coaster tracks for marbles using recyclable materials, aiming to create the longest-lasting ride. This project introduces concepts of physics, engineering, and iterative design.Graduation Cap for End of the Year Celebrations
Students design and create personalized graduation caps using materials like construction paper, string, tape, and decorative items. This activity allows for individual expression and celebrates their achievements.
LEGO Maker Cards
LEGO Maker Cards
Research
Research
Ideas from our Live Audience
Ideas from our Live Audience
Sallie W. Tynker for toy building and CAD
Nancy F. Hour of Code (Anytime during the year.)
Helen W. Barbie Bungee Cord
Jennifer B. My Geometry students loved the Barbie Zipline for trig.
Jennifer B. Toothpick bridges. It is an extended project. Great for triangles and engineering!
Maggie B. Build a space station using lego, water bottles, paper, foil, wooden sticks and any materials available.
Kara M. Coding task cards for Scratch or another coding program?
LeAnne G. Use individual coffee creamer pods to make ice cream. Avoid the mess!
The benefits to K-12 students from STEM education, as expounded in the listed sources, include:
Enhanced Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills:
STEM education fosters the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for academic success and future careers. By engaging in STEM activities, students learn to approach complex problems systematically and creatively, enhancing their analytical abilities (source: International Journal of STEM Education).
Practical and Relevant Learning Experiences:
STEM education provides students with real-world, practical learning experiences that are relevant to their future careers and daily lives. Through interdisciplinary case studies and hands-on activities, students gain a deeper understanding of scientific concepts and their applications (source: Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research).
Innovative Teaching Methods and Technologies:
The integration of innovative teaching methods and technologies, such as virtual reality, enhances student learning and engagement in STEM subjects. These innovative approaches make learning more interactive and engaging, helping students to better grasp complex concepts (source: International Journal of STEM Education).
Clarification of STEM Education Benefits and Goals:
Research on the conceptualizations of STEM education helps clarify the benefits and goals of STEM education for K-12 students. This clarity ensures that educators can effectively communicate the value of STEM education to students, parents, and stakeholders, leading to better support and implementation of STEM programs (source: International Journal of STEM Education).
Development of Effective STEM Education Programs:
Advancing research and practices in STEM education through interdisciplinary articles contributes to the development of effective STEM education programs. These programs are designed to meet the diverse needs of students, ensuring that all students have access to high-quality STEM education (source: American Journal of STEM Education).
Enhanced Academic Achievement:
STEM education has a positive impact on academic performance, enhancing student achievement and overall academic success. By engaging in STEM activities, students develop a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, which supports their academic growth (source: ERIC).
Improved Student Outcomes:
Implementing STEM education in K-12 settings offers a comprehensive view of its potential to improve student outcomes. This includes not only academic achievement but also the development of essential skills such as collaboration, communication, and creativity, which are valuable in various career paths (source: ERIC).
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