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 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

~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

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 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!

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

Students will learn about how energy can be transferred from wind into electricity. Students will work in groups to design a wind turbine, research how turbines and generators work, build a turbine

In this lesson, students will explore how gravity and the layers of the Earth's crust work together to filter contaminated water. Students will build a water filter and test the water filter with

This design challenge is broken up into four parts, this is part four. This lesson will focus on sharing each group’s design and discussing their iterations (Share). In order to successfully execute

Engage your students by learning about the Ferris Wheel and constructing a ferris wheel in a collaborative assignment. The informational text of Mr. Ferris and His Wheel is linked for your convenience

Students are introduced to a project that asks them to use classroom materials to create a new form of vision technology. Students review how the eye works, create a plan, and share that plan with

Electricity and magnetism are fundamental to the workings of nearly every gadget, appliance, vehicle, and machine we use. This great 6th Grade lesson covers magnetic fields where students will be able

This lesson plan will allow students to explore the use of a PhET simulation in creating a series and parallel circuit, then apply this knowledge in creating a real circuit. Students will also learn

This design challenge is broken up into four parts, this is part three. This lesson will focus on completing the build and evaluating/revising the device that groups began building in the previous

As part of a unit on renewable energy, students build and collect data on a solar powered fan. They learn about agrivoltaics and build a model of a racking system. They explore angles and energy use.

Students will apply physics and engineering principles to design and construct a functional mini-golf course using homemade materials.

In this lesson, students will explore how sound moves through physical matter by building a cup and string "telephone." Following testing their design, students will create a video or podcast to

In this model-based inquiry lesson, students will explore how sound travels through an in-person phenomenon. Following this experience students will then explain this phenomenon by creating a model.