5 Classroom Activities for National STEM Day

National STEM Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate it than with some hands-on, engaging, and educational activities for your students? I’ve put together a list of five fun and interactive classroom activities that will ignite your students’ passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Let’s dive in!

Activity 1: Marshmallow Tower Challenge (Engineering)

In this engineering challenge, students will work in teams to build the tallest free-standing marshmallow tower. Armed with mini marshmallows and toothpicks, they’ll need to put their heads together, plan, and construct a stable tower. This activity encourages creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork, making it perfect for elementary school students. After the challenge, gather the class to discuss what strategies worked and what they learned about engineering and balance.

Activity 2: Watch the PBS Kids, Camp TV Series, Kid Inventor Day Episode (Invention)

If you’re looking for a great TV episode to get your little tinkerers excited about invention, check out the PBS Kids Camp TV Kid Inventor Day episode where the featured read aloud is Have You Thanked an Inventor Today. Hopefully this book is a part of your classroom library, because after watching the episode, you can dive into the awesome STEM activities that are in the back of the book!

Activity 3: DIY Slime (Chemistry)

Who doesn’t love slime? For this hands-on chemistry activity, students will create their very own slime. Mixing clear school glue with liquid starch and food coloring, they’ll explore chemical reactions while having a blast. Slime-making is a fantastic way to engage students in scientific experimentation and spark their curiosity about the world of molecules and polymers. Plus, it’s a great sensory experience!

Activity 4: The Coolest Inventions! (Invention)

Download The Coolest Inventions lesson plan from Scholastic Let’s Find Out. In this lesson children will identify several Black Inventors and explain how their inventions solved problems. It includes a video, hands on activity and the featured read aloud is Have You Thanked an Inventor Today!

Activity 5: Math Scavenger Hunt (Mathematics)

Math can be loads of fun when it’s turned into a scavenger hunt! Give your students a list of age-appropriate math problems or questions and send them off to explore the classroom. They’ll use their math skills to find shapes, calculate sums, and solve problems. This activity reinforces the idea that math is all around us and can be applied in everyday situations. Plus, the thrill of a scavenger hunt is an excellent motivator for learning!

Honorable Mention: Read Have You Thanked a Kidventor Today

From this book students learn that some of their favorite inventions, to include the Popsicle and the trampoline were invented by kids! This self-to-text connection is certain to get them excited about STEM. Plus, the book comes complete with fun science experiments that will allow them to tap into their natural curiosity!

These activities are not only a great way to celebrate National STEM Day but also provide valuable educational experiences that your students will remember. You can adapt the difficulty level of the tasks to suit different age groups, ensuring that all students can participate and learn.

Remember, learning STEM subjects can be exciting and hands-on, and these activities are just a starting point. Our goal is to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians. So, let’s make National STEM Day memorable for our students and inspire their curiosity and passion for STEM fields!

Have a fantastic National STEM Day celebration, and keep fostering the love of learning in your classroom!