500 science activities for each month of the year, with season themes, for kids from preschool kindergarten to high school. Making teaching STEM easy.
I recently had another opportunity to observe a science program in an after school setting, this time at Greenleaf Elementary School in Oakland, CA. The rising fifth graders have an hour and a half of STEM programming after lunch every afternoon, and the day I visited they did an activity about cleaning up oil in the ocean. They worked with trays filled a few inches with water, feathers, straws, cotton balls and sponges. I think it's especially challenging to lead activities like this, where the materials you have to work with are analogies of what really happens in the real world. I was impressed with the ways the facilitator drew connections between the activity they were doing and what happens in the real world. The facilitator started the activity by asking the kids what they already knew about oil spills. I was struck by how many hands went in the air, and details the kids knew including the catastrophic spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The group discussed what kinds of engineers help solve the environmental problems caused by oil spills - chemical and environmental engineers. In groups, the kids examined their 'oceans' of water, with oil floating on top. They discussed and wrote observations in their science notebooks. The facilitator introduced some terms and definitions and then passed out materials the kids would use to try to clean up the oil. As kids formulated their plans for working together to get the oil off the feathers and out of the 'ocean', the facilitator passed around photos of actual oil spills and the effects they have on wildlife. Then it was time to work together to figure out how to use materials to clean up the oil. During the discussion after the activity, the kids all said that they enjoyed this activity even though it was very difficult to get all the oil out of the water and off of the feathers. In order to help kids make connections between the science activities we do after school and science in the real world, here are some things we see quality programs doing: Ask kids what they already know about related issues Show kids pictures, news articles or videos Introduce kids to a scientist who works on the problem in the field Take a field trip Participate in a citizen science project to help a scientist conduct a study on a related issue Let us know some ways that your after school science program connects kids to real world science!
Energize learning with K-12 enrichment programs this summer! Explore BAM!'s hands-on, whole child approach to STEAM, sports, & more.
500 science activities for each month of the year, with season themes, for kids from preschool kindergarten to high school. Making teaching STEM easy.
I recently had another opportunity to observe a science program in an after school setting, this time at Greenleaf Elementary School in Oakland, CA. The rising fifth graders have an hour and a half of STEM programming after lunch every afternoon, and the day I visited they did an activity about cleaning up oil in the ocean. They worked with trays filled a few inches with water, feathers, straws, cotton balls and sponges. I think it's especially challenging to lead activities like this, where the materials you have to work with are analogies of what really happens in the real world. I was impressed with the ways the facilitator drew connections between the activity they were doing and what happens in the real world. The facilitator started the activity by asking the kids what they already knew about oil spills. I was struck by how many hands went in the air, and details the kids knew including the catastrophic spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The group discussed what kinds of engineers help solve the environmental problems caused by oil spills - chemical and environmental engineers. In groups, the kids examined their 'oceans' of water, with oil floating on top. They discussed and wrote observations in their science notebooks. The facilitator introduced some terms and definitions and then passed out materials the kids would use to try to clean up the oil. As kids formulated their plans for working together to get the oil off the feathers and out of the 'ocean', the facilitator passed around photos of actual oil spills and the effects they have on wildlife. Then it was time to work together to figure out how to use materials to clean up the oil. During the discussion after the activity, the kids all said that they enjoyed this activity even though it was very difficult to get all the oil out of the water and off of the feathers. In order to help kids make connections between the science activities we do after school and science in the real world, here are some things we see quality programs doing: Ask kids what they already know about related issues Show kids pictures, news articles or videos Introduce kids to a scientist who works on the problem in the field Take a field trip Participate in a citizen science project to help a scientist conduct a study on a related issue Let us know some ways that your after school science program connects kids to real world science!
Learn how to make a kaleidoscope in this fun STEM/science activity and craft for kids. It’s such a fun way to explore light, reflections, and symmetry! Follow our Science for Kids Pinterest board! *This post was originally published 2/2/16 and has since been updated. Last week I made these super fun kaleidoscopes with my …
Energize learning with K-12 enrichment programs this summer! Explore BAM!'s hands-on, whole child approach to STEAM, sports, & more.
Last year, I started a new Space Club program at four middle schools. Not wanting to reinvent the wheel, I searched the web for ideas and curriculum to implement. I soon became excited to find great resources like NASA and TeachEngineering , but I was
Can you believe there are so many science you can learn from pumpkins? Here are 9 fun pumpkin science activities for kids of all ages.
Have you ever read a book to your first graders that included a sing-song chant they could repeat? (Think Pete the Cat and his new shoes....) Once the kids get the rhyme down pat they will repeat it everytime you get to that part. I also had this happen with There Was an Old Lady
Plan these simple and fun Paper bag STEM challenges for kids! Easy STEM activities that use what's around to encourage invention and design.
Energize learning with K-12 enrichment programs this summer! Explore BAM!'s hands-on, whole child approach to STEAM, sports, & more.
The Weather & Atmosphere STEM Activity is a fun and interactive way to teach students about wind and atmospheric pressure!
The 4th and 5th grade students in our program have adapted to our after school routine nicely this year. We realize the students have already had a long day at the school and then they stay an extra 2+ hours with us. Due to the extended hours, we try to help encourage a release of energy and our teachers are constantly brainstorming ideas and activities to help encourage a positive and energetic experience. With Ms. Emily's class they have learned that once they are picked up from class and we meet in the gym they need to circle up at center court for a few quick instructions for the day and then a game to start off our after school session. We change up the games to keep it interesting and figure out new ways of engaging our students. Bridge Ball was introduced last week and was received very well. Most of our students are competitive and want to win or get their friends out. We found this game at PlayWorks. For the full game tutorial go here. We will continue to share more games in the future that we have found have worked well with our energetic students. -Amber
Fun plant science experiments to learn plant life cycle. There are science activities each stage of plants life cycle: seed, mature plant, flower, fruit, seedling. Hands on learning resource for grade K to 12, science classroom, homeschool, summer camp, after school program.
Build shadow towers in this STEM challenge for school age kids!
Use M&M's to determine genetic traits, extract DNA from a strawberry using normal household materials, create edible DNA strands using marshmallows and licorice, design dog breeds as you select alleles, and more in this fun lesson on Genetics! Use this lesson on its own, or add it to the Human Anatomy Unit Study. This lesson is geared toward elementary-age level children and should take about 2 1/2 hours. Use this fun lesson with your classroom, family, after school program, camp, or homesch
After years of STEM activities, including towers, bridges, race cars, and rockets, one of my favorites is the classic catapult challenge! It incorporates all aspects of a quality STEM activity: easy math connection, engineering design process, student-driven learning, and hands-on
One of my favorite winter stories to read to my first graders is The Biggest Snowman Ever. This book is filled with themes about teamwork. After reading the story, I always take time for some really great conversations about why teamwork is important, how teamwork can help complete a job, and why working together is better than working by yourself. Click here to purchase The Biggest Snowman Ever on Amazon using my affilitate link.
Did you know that there are spiders that can totally immerse themselves in the pollen-covered center of a flower and there they will lay- just waiting for a flying insect to stop by to sip some nectar? And then, without much movement at all, the spider catches some dinner! Totally fascinating! And it's all about
Do you ever have an "Ah-ha" moment? Let your child have one of those moments while learning with this red cup STEM challenge.
Teach communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and more to set kids up for their future.
Quick STEM Challenges are the perfect way to practice the engineering design practice when you are short on time. These challenges can be completed in one to two class periods or an after school session. I recommend this challenge for kids in grades 5 and up if you are using wire.
LEGO building challenge games help kids learn math concepts of area and perimeter, while practicing spacial reasoning, logic thinking, problem solving skills.
The best kids' science activities for after school which promote curiosity, creativity and learning. Easy science experiments that are quick to set up.
Welcome to the party! May the 4th be with you, all you Star Wars fans (or moms of Star Wars fans, in my case). Here are just a few of the phenomenal activities and ideas shared at last week's linky. Kid Made Nesting Supply Station at Thriving STEM N is for Newton's Laws - DIY Newton's Cradle at Rainy Day Mum DIY Astronaut Gloves and How Do Astronauts Eat in Space? at Gift of Curiosity Famous Painters Inspired Magazine Scraps Portraits at Frog in a Pocket How to Organize a Sensory Scavenger Hunt at Wonder Baby Make Your Own Wind Anemometer at There's Just One Mommy The After School Linky is cohosted by Boy Mama Teacher Mama Mama Smiles Planet Smarty Pants Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational The Educators' Spin on It This Reading Mama We would love to have you link up your School-Age Post (Ages 5 and up) about your learning week after school including Crafts, Activities, Playtime and Adventures that you are doing to enrich your children's lives after their day at school, home school, or on the weekend! When linking up, please take a moment to comment on at least one post linked up before yours and grab our after school button to include a link on your post or site! By linking up, you're giving permission for us to share on our After School Pinterest Board and feature an image on our After School Party in the upcoming weeks!
A few months back I experimented with a STEM Challenge we called a Quest. Whoa! I could not have found a more perfect way to add a design challenge together with some intense problem-solving. It's a race against the clock and other teams to open locked boxes after completing a task. My fourth and fifth
The Annenberg Institute for School Reform releases a blueprint for high-quality extended-learning programs, based on a study of model programs in low-income schools in six large cities.
Fun science activities for kids to learn the Five Senses: taste, see, listen, hear, touch; for kids of all ages from preschool, kindergarten, to school age.
Looking for a fun and simple science activity that’s sure to entertain the kids?! In this quick, five minute experiment, little chemists mix up their own homemade bouncy balls.
Fun hands-on Christian middle school biology lesson on creation and science in 55 minutes - Make assumptions on a mystery item, compare creation science and evolution, & more. - A Beka Science Order & Design Grade 7 - Use with your class, homeschool, after-school program, or co-op!
This is a hands-on lesson plan on forensics, detectives, and CSI. Analyze fingerprints and hair samples, take mug shots, solve a real crime, and more! My lessons are geared toward 3rd-4th grade level children and their siblings. These are lessons I created to do with a weekly homeschool co-op. We meet each week for 2 1/2 hours and have 16 children between the ages of 1-13. Use this fun lesson with your class, family, after school program, camp, or co-op!
STEM Project – This challenge uses one sheet of paper! Students create the longest paper chain possible. Great problem-solving & perfect for back to school.
I love incorporating hands-on science and STEM activities as often as possible into the curriculum. They are so engaging for students and build problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Now that we have more technology available to us in the classroom, these activities also allow students to learn how to use technology as a tool which […]
Are you looking for a fun down on the farm or just a simple STEM challenge? Then this farm STEM Challenge is perfect for your class! Maybe you are looking for a fun way to extend your farm unit?! Then this is the STEM challenge for you! This is a perfect STEM challenge for Pre-K and kindergarten students! After learning all about the farm, students are then asked to use the Engineering Design Process to create their own fence to keep the farm animals safe on the farm! There are constraints...for this challenge which will make students use lots of creative thinking! This lesson is not only STEM-based but is also so much fun!!! This is a simple STEM challenge that is more about the process than the outcome! Give those little learners a chance to try STEM! This is a perfect STEM challenge for Pre-K to Kindergarten students. I used this lesson with Pre-K students and I was so amazed by their creativity and outside-the-box thinking! Some of them didn't look exactly like a fence, but the student was very excited about their end product. It is all about the STEM process than the final product! To test, we used the printable farm animals (included with this file)! The students were able to use the farm animal to put inside their fence....or on top of their fence ;) ! The students loved testing with the various farm animals. I have my students for 30 minutes at a time. This lesson gives you information about the book. Then it gives you the challenge, suggested materials, and guides you through the process of getting kids ready to complete the challenge. I use the book as the hook and then turn the problem into our STEM challenge. You could possibly extend it into a three or four-week lesson activity. Please feel free to share any feedback. I have more resources if you feel this one was helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time to look at my resources! Don't forget to Follow Me to see all fun, engaging STEM Challenges!! Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stemsational_stem/ This resource includes the following: *Links to the story *Links to videos on the farm *Challenge *Constraints *Materials list *Planning *Planning Sheet for printing *Testing Slide *Farm Animal Printable with directions *Student examples I create these resources to be used in my own classroom! I teach from this very same file! It is a good visual for students and if you were to be observed by administration. It helps to guide you with the lesson and gives the students a visual of what is expected. I work super hard on these lessons because I want my students to be engaged, have fun, and enjoy learning while they are in my classroom! I try to create real-world lessons where students have to engineer and design the solution. It also gives them something to take home to hopefully explain the "process" of what they learned to adults at home! Please feel free to ask my questions and leave helpful feedback!! Thank you so much!!! Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stemsational_stem/ For more Pre-K and Kindergarten STEM Challenges - Click on the link below! Pre-K Summer STEM Challenge Bundle Other STEM Challenges Ben Franklin Teddy Roosevelt George Washington Carver
