3 Ideas to Crank Up STEM Engagement This End of the School Year
As the end of the school year rapidly approaches, educators seek ways to keep their students engaged and excited about learning until the last bell rings, whether with STEM challenges, STEM projects, or another fun way to help busy teachers get to the end.
What better way to accomplish this than through STEM activities and challenges? These activities can not only increase student engagement, but they can also help reinforce essential skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Here are three ideas for fun and educational activities that can help crank up STEM engagement before the school year ends!
Why End-of-Year STEM Engagement
As we approach the end of another school year, many teachers and parents are looking for ways to keep their students engaged in STEM while also using simple materials and even different materials that are easy to find and have on hand the entire year and, most notably at the end of the school year. But why is end-of-year STEM engagement so critical? Let's dive into the science behind it (pun intended).
Studies have shown that students participating in end-of-year STEM activities using the engineering design process are more likely to retain what they've learned throughout the year. It's like giving their brains one final workout before the summer break. Plus, these fun challenges can help bridge any gaps in understanding and reinforce key concepts while providing so much fun.
But let's be honest here, folks. End-of-year STEM activities aren't just about academic gains. They're also a chance for students to have fun and get creative after months of hard work. And who knows? Maybe one of these activities will spark a lifelong passion for science or technology in a student's heart, and what a great way to end the year!
Idea 1: Project-Based Learning
The end of the school year is fast approaching, and educators everywhere are scrambling to develop engaging activities that will keep their students' attention until the very end. If you're looking for a way to jazz up your STEM curriculum and jazz up your STEM skills with a fun STEM activity this spring, look no further than project-based learning!
Project-based learning is an innovative teaching method that encourages students to take an active role in their own education. Instead of memorizing facts and figures from a textbook, students work together on real-world projects that challenge them to think critically, problem-solve creatively, and collaborate effectively with their peers.
Project-based learning is more exciting and interactive than traditional classroom methods and helps prepare students for success in the 21st-century workforce. So why not give it a try? Your students will thank you (and so will their future employers)!
Idea 2: Increase Student Choice With End of the Year STEM Activities
Are you tired of the same old boring end-of-school-year activities like the egg drop challenge or the solar oven? Do you want to spice things up and keep your students engaged until the very last day? Well, have no fear because STEM is here! That's right, with end-of-the-year camp-themed STEM challenges, your students will be begging for more.
Not only are these activities fun and engaging, but they also allow for increased student choice. With various STEM challenges to choose from - such as building a survival shelter or designing a boat that can float - students can select projects that align with their interests and strengths. These camp challenges keep them motivated and allow them to take ownership of their learning experience in the best way. Each camp-themed challenge requires easy-to-find materials such as craft sticks, masking tape, or a rubber band and can work for upper elementary kids or younger kids.
So why settle for boring end-of-the-year activities when you can give your students plenty of fun STEM activities that offer the chance to unleash their inner scientists and engineer? With camp-themed STEM challenges, the possibilities are endless.
Idea 3: Integrate Theme Challenges
Integrating theme challenges such as the camp-themed or the beach-themed end of year STEM activities allows young students to enjoy fun activities.
A great thing about a fun STEM challenge is that kids get to focus on the design process while staying completely engaged, allowing you to get work done at work! Win-Win!
Easy STEM activities also allow students to choose which challenge they want to take on. For example, in the beach-themed STEM challenges, kids can choose to construct a device that moves a beach ball, build a prototype that helps kids see all the grains of sand, or even create a floating device. There are ten challenges to choose from, so each student can find an end of year STEM challenge that excites them.
Regular classroom materials can be used in both the end-of-the-year beach STEM challenges and the end-of-the-year camp STEM challenges. No special materials are needed.
Elementary STEM activities have never been more fun than the End-of-the-Year STEM Challenge Bundle, with ten camp-themed challenges and ten beach-themed challenges perfect for many grade levels. The easiest way to include a range of learners is to focus on the criteria and the constraint. You can make the criteria or the constraints harder for older students. (STEM lesson plans are included in this bundle.)
Lasting Impact of Engagement
If you want more ideas, check out STEM activities for kids.
In conclusion, allowing students to dive deep into their STEM education at the end of the school year is essential. With these three ideas, your students will look forward to their next science class and walk away from this final challenge with a heart filled with happiness and innovation! So challenge them with the ideas outlined in this blog post and let them show you how clever they can be. Who knows?
