STEM Lesson Plans

This multi-day activity is designed for introductory 5th grade STEM after school club. On Day 1, each student will build and test a simple roller coaster following the teacher’s instructions. Students

This multi-day activity is designed for introductory 5th grade STEM after school club. On Day 1, each student will build and test a simple straw rocket following the teacher’s instructions. Students

This multi-day activity is designed for introductory 5th grade STEM after school club. On Day 1, each student will build and test a simple straw rocket following the teacher’s instructions. Students

This multi-day activity is designed for an introductory 5th grade STEM after school club. On Day 1, each student will build and test a simple mousetrap car following the teacher’s instructions

In part 1 of this investigation, groups were challenged to design for speed and collect data to find the fastest car in the class. Using those designs, part 2 will test the mass of a car vs the power

In this lesson, students will be learning about solar energy and how it may be used to solve problems. After reading and comparing two texts about solar energy, students will use simple materials to

In this lesson students will create a model to investigate how a location's temperature may change during an El Niño year. Students will construct landforms in a tray and then fill the tray with water

In this lesson, students will be given a region where they will need to research and collect data with their groups to determine patterns and formulate predications about the types of disasters that

Students will learn about the history of the National Parks Service and the different biomes and environments within the United States. Then, they will choose a National Park to research and present a

~Students apply the engineering design process as they learn the advantages and disadvantages of the greenhouse effect. ~Students will work collaboratively to construct a miniature greenhouse to

Students are challenged to clean up an oil spill in a river environment. Students create the river environment in a container and add water, plants, sand, and animals. They will spill 1/4 oil into

This design challenge was open for any interested students from grades 9-12. Students met afterschool over the course of the second semester. This is the 3rd sequence lesson in a set of 4. This lesson

In this 7 week unit, students will utilize resources around them to create a garden for a culminating taco party! Students will work on science, math, and ELA within the unit. Feel free to host this

In this lesson, students will conduct an investigation to see how temperature can affect the state of matter.

Students will be identifying the unknown minerals by looking at cleavage, fracture, luster, streak, hardness, and density. This is a hands on activity where students will place their data on a data

In this lesson, students will read about volcanoes (using teacher chosen books and Readworks.org passages) as well as watch videos to see them in real life. They will then create their own volcano and

Students will design and build their own popsicle stick catapults, exploring principles of force, motion, and engineering. This lesson does have a Halloween theme to it, but can be modified is needed.

Students use a solar panel and motor to create a solar-powered amusement park ride that spins. Activity designed for students to work in teams. Students are provided solar cells, motors, propellors

It's slime time! Get ready to explore thermal energy in this hands-on lesson. Students will see evidence of heat transfer by creating color-changing slime!

Are you ready to learn about volcanoes?! In this engaging lesson, students will identify the most common types of volcanoes, analyze how volcanoes are formed, share with groups to compare design ideas

This lesson discusses winter weather and snow. We will create a recipe for “snow” following step-by-step directions that includes an addition math problem. Student will be responsible for measuring

The Challenge: Design and build a piece of furniture out of cardboard! In this engaging and creative lesson, students embark on a design challenge with criteria and constraints. Students develop an

In this lesson, students will be introduced to the phenomenon of paper/air pressure rocketry. Students will make a memorable and hands-on connection with the transfer of energy when they create and

In this lesson, students will design and test solutions to protect their homes during monsoon flooding. They will discuss flooding in Arizona and then research ways to protect their homes. Students