STEM Activity

Can you use the Sun to tell time? You don't need a clock, a phone, or any special equipment for this simple outdoor STEM activity. With just a stick and a few rocks or pieces of chalk, you can create your own shadow clock and watch how the position of the Sun changes throughout the day. This is a great activity for slowing down, getting outside, and observing something that is happening around us all the time. What You'll Need A straight stick, about 1–2 feet long Several sma

A simple, hands-on STEM activity to explore buoyancy, density, and water What floats? What sinks? And why? You probably already know that a rock sinks and a leaf usually floats. But what happens when you start testing objects that aren't quite so obvious? A spoon, an apple, a stick, a plastic lid, or a piece of bark. Before long, a simple bowl of water can turn into a little science investigation. The Float or Sink Challenge is an easy, low-prep STEM activity that invites kid

Have you ever wondered how people colored fabric before they could simply buy a bottle of fabric dye? For this activity, we're going to make our own dyes using vegetables, spices, and other natural materials and use them to dye a playsilk. It's part art, part science, and a fun way to explore how plants can produce natural pigments. What You'll Need A white playsilk* Natural dye material Water A pot** Strainer or fine mesh sieve Tongs or a spoon White vinegar Bowl or containe

What can one little apple seed tell us? For Johnny Appleseed Day, grab an apple and turn snack time into a simple hands-on STEM adventure. This activity combines prediction, counting, observation, patterns, and plant science, all with something you probably already have at home. Predict Before cutting into your apple, make a guess: How many seeds do you think are inside? Write down your prediction. Cut & Investigate Cut the apple across the middle so you can see the star-shap

Can You Design Something That Catches the Wind? We've watched the wind move different objects in the Wind Motion test activity. Now let's take that idea one step further. Instead of simply observing what the wind does, let's design something for the wind to move. This is an engineering challenge: Can you create a shape that catches enough moving air to move? What You'll Need Paper Scissors Tape String A lightweight object such as a paper cup or small paper bag A stick, branch

Wind is all around us, but we can't see the air itself. So how can we see what the wind is doing? For this simple outdoor STEM activity, use natural objects to observe how moving air creates different kinds of motion. No special supplies are needed, just a breezy day, a little curiosity, and a few things you can find outside. What You'll Need Find a few lightweight natural objects, such as: A green leaf A dry leaf Pine needles A blade of grass A feather A small piece of bark

What happens when moving air meets a set of spinning blades? Today we're going to find out! A simple paper windmill is an easy, hands-on way to explore wind, motion, energy, and design. With just a few basic materials, kids can build their own windmill, test it, make changes, and see how those changes affect the way it spins. You don't need a complicated lesson plan. Just build, test, wonder, and try again! What You'll Need A square piece of paper Scissors A pencil A pushpin

Writing a letter is a simple way to slow down, practice communication, and connect with someone, even when they aren't nearby. Children can write to a grandparent, friend, family member, or even their future selves. Younger children can draw a picture and dictate their message to an adult. Try It Choose someone to write to. Think about what you would like to tell them. Write your letter. Include a greeting, your message, and a closing. Decorate your paper or envelope if you'd