Classroom Basic STEM Activities

Brief Summary:
Participants build simple balloon-powered rockets using a balloon, straw, tape, and string, then race them to explore force, motion, air pressure, and propulsion.

Estimated Time:
30–45 minutes

Recommended Ages:
Ages 5–14

Materials:
Balloons • Straws • String or fishing line • Tape • Scissors • Two chairs, walls, or other sturdy points for securing the string

Brief Summary:
Participants use a limited number of index cards to design and build the tallest freestanding tower they can while exploring engineering design, balance, stability, and structural strength.

Estimated Time:
30–45 minutes

Recommended Ages:
Ages 6–14

Materials:
Index cards • Ruler or measuring tape • Pencil • Optional tape for a modified version of the challenge

Brief Summary:
Participants use cups of colored water and paper towels to watch water “walk” from cup to cup while exploring capillary action, absorption, and color mixing.

Estimated Time:
30–45 minutes

Recommended Ages:
Ages 5–12

Materials:
Clear cups • Water • Food coloring • Paper towels • Spoon or stir stick • Tray or table covering for spills

Brief Summary:
Participants use a limited number of interlocking plastic building bricks to create a small figure or object, then design a protective landing system to keep it safe during a drop. The challenge explores engineering design, impact, force, cushioning, and problem-solving.

Estimated Time:
35–50 minutes

Recommended Ages:
Ages 6–14

Materials:
Interlocking plastic building bricks • Small build-able figure or brick-built object • Paper • Straws • Tape • Cotton balls or pom-poms • String • Scissors • Measuring tape or ruler

Brief Summary:
Participants build a simple working finger model to explore how joints, tendons, movement, and prosthetic design work together. They’ll test how pulling and releasing a string can make the finger bend and straighten.

Estimated Time:
35–50 minutes

Recommended Ages:
Ages 7–14

Materials:
Cardstock or thin cardboard • Drinking straws • String or yarn • Tape • Scissors • Pencil • Ruler • Optional markers or crayons for decorating

Brief Summary:
Participants design and build a small aluminum foil boat, then test how much weight it can hold before sinking. The challenge explores buoyancy, balance, weight distribution, and engineering design.

Estimated Time:
30–45 minutes

Recommended Ages:
Ages 6–14

Materials:
Aluminum foil • Pennies, washers, or other small uniform weights • Large bowl, bin, or tub of water • Paper towels • Ruler • Pencil • Optional tray or table covering for spills

Brief Summary:
Participants design and build a simple door stopper, then test how well it can keep a door from moving. The activity explores friction, force, stability, shape, and engineering design.

Estimated Time:
30–45 minutes

Recommended Ages:
Ages 6–14

Materials:
Cardboard or sturdy craft material • Tape • Scissors • Ruler • Pencil • Optional craft sticks, foam, or other classroom building materials • A door or weighted object for testing

Brief Summary:
Participants practice coding without computers by creating and following step-by-step commands to move a “human robot” through a path or challenge. The activity introduces algorithms, sequencing, debugging, logic, and problem-solving.

Estimated Time:
30–45 minutes

Recommended Ages:
Ages 6–14

Materials:
Printed command cards or direction cards • Floor tape or printed path markers • Paper • Pencils • Optional obstacles, cones, or classroom objects for creating a course

Brief Summary:
Participants build a simple pencil catapult and use it to launch pom-poms toward a target. The activity explores force, motion, energy, trajectory, and engineering design through building, testing, and adjusting the launcher.

Estimated Time:
30–45 minutes

Recommended Ages:
Ages 6–14

Materials:
Pencils • Rubber bands • Craft sticks • Plastic spoon or small launch cup • Pom-poms • Tape • Printed target • Ruler or measuring tape • Optional cups or bins for target zones

Brief Summary:
Participants design, build, and test paper airplanes to see how far they can fly. They can adjust folds or add small amounts of weight to explore aerodynamics, balance, force, motion, and engineering design.

Estimated Time:
30–45 minutes

Recommended Ages:
Ages 5–14

Materials:
Copy paper • Paper clips • Pencils • Crayons or markers • Masking or painter’s tape for a starting line • Measuring tape or yardstick • Optional printed folding guides

Brief Summary:
Participants use their senses and scientific reasoning to investigate a hidden object without looking inside the box. By shaking, listening, feeling, and observing clues, they practice inference, observation, prediction, and evidence-based thinking.

Estimated Time:
25–40 minutes

Recommended Ages:
Ages 5–14

Materials:
Opaque box or container with lid • Small mystery objects • Paper • Pencils • Optional blindfold • Printed observation sheet or clue card