3 Epic End-of-the-Year STEM Activities and Challenges for Kids
The end of the school year is fast approaching, and teachers are looking for fun ways to engage their students in STEM projects that will keep them busy and learning until the very end.
With a bit of imagination and some simple materials, which even a rubber band will do, you can create three epic end-of-the-year STEM activities and challenges for kids to inspire their inner superhero, ocean explorer, or STEM camper.
First Epic STEM Challenge: Superhero STEM
First up is the STEM Superhero theme, where students can put their engineering skills to the test by building a superhero gadget out of rubber bands and different materials. Whether they choose to create a device that will help Superheroes climb walls, design and build a superhero car that can race down a ramp, or revise a Superhero cape that provides wind resistance for flying, students will learn the engineering design process as they work through each step of the challenge.
Superhero STEM is such a fun way to end the year. This resource contains 10 Superhero themed STEM challenges, which allows kids to enjoy end of the year STEM activities with each of these fun challenges.
Busy teachers can also grab a quick second to finish work. Can I get an AMEN?!
These challenges are so much more than a simple egg drop challenge. Superhero challenges inspire creativity, critical thinking, community, collaboration, and curiosity. You've worked the entire year to teach STEM skills, and this is so much fun! So grab your craft sticks and your masking tape, and let your younger students and your upper elementary kids enjoy the experience!
Second Epic STEM Challenge: Camp STEM
Next is the end-of-the-year STEM camp theme, where students can explore the great outdoors with a fun and educational twist. With STEM challenges like building a shelter out of natural materials or creating a water filtration system, students will learn about science, technology, engineering, and math while enjoying the beauty of nature.
An end-of-the-year camping theme is the best way to spend your last days of the year. Kids love camp- the younger students and the older kids!
With the Camp STEM challenges, students get plenty of fun STEM activities, such as building a sleeping protection structure or building a device that helps campers see in the dark! There are so many fun activities inside the camp STEM packet.
Creating themed STEM challenges provide a fun STEM challenge for all students. Plus, with digital choice boards, kids can choose which challenge they want to complete! A great thing about choice is kids buy in and participate while leaving poor behavior behind. (Thank goodness!)
Easy STEM activities are also great for young students. The key to differentiating each challenge is to make the challenge more complex for older kids and a bit easier for younger children. Plus, you can use regular classroom materials! Various materials like glue, popsicle sticks, toothpicks, and building clay work great! The easiest way to get materials is to ask parents or even check the recycling bin. For real!
Third Epic STEM Challenge: Ocean STEM
Finally, the STEM Ocean theme allows students to dive deep into the world of oceanography. Using simple materials like cardboard, plastic bottles, and rubber bands, students can build their own underwater cars or design a marine habitat that can withstand the harsh conditions of the ocean.
In the Ocean STEM challenge ten pack, you will get ten challenges that kids can encounter on the beach. These challenges work for a variety of grade levels and don't require special materials. Plus, STEM lesson plans are included in each end-of-the-year STEM pack.
These end-of-the-year STEM projects are a great way to keep students engaged and learning until the very end of the school year. With simple materials and creative challenges, even the busiest teachers can create fun and educational experiences that their students will always remember.
So go ahead, unleash your inner superhero, explore the great outdoors, and dive deep into the ocean – the possibilities are endless!
Related End-of-the-Year STEM Resources:
OTT 196: The Importance of Teaching Science
OTT 194: How Can the Brilliance of Arts Integration Transform Your Elementary Classroom?
End of the Year Camping Activities: Theme Camp Days With Camp Themed STEM Bundle
