Rate Your STEM Lesson: What Stage is Your STEM Challenge?
Post by Michelle Bogden
Originally Posted: July 14, 2022
Updated: September 2024
What is the focus in your STEM classroom? Do you love teambuilding activities? Or perhaps you spend most of the year on engineering design? Take our quiz to find out what stage of STEM your lessons are! Then read below for more on the 3 Stages of STEM, example activities, and a free STEM lesson checklist to help plan your lesson!
STEM Lesson Checklist Freebie
No matter what result you got, we recommend exploring all stages of STEM in your classroom! Click here for a detailed explanation for the 3 Stages of STEM. We also put together this handy STEM lesson checklist to guide your planning! Grab the freebie in the STEM Space library then scroll down for activities for each of the stages of STEM!
Examples of the Stages of STEM
Looking to implement the stages of STEM in your classroom? Scroll down for example activities for each stage of STEM or click here to see the full library of STEM lessons.
Stage 1 STEM Example: Newspaper Tower Challenge
Overview: Build a tower only using newspapers and tape!
STEM Skill Focus: Communication and teamwork
STEM Career Connection: Civil Engineering and Architecture
Materials Needed:
2 sheets newspaper
1 foot tape
Textbook for testing structure
Activity Guide: Click below to find Newspaper STEM Challenges activity guide.
Stage 1 STEM Example: Upstairs Downstairs Brain Paper Circuit
Stage 1 STEM activities can really vary so here is another example of this stage.
Overview: Students will learn about the different parts of their brain and build a paper circuit house that lights up which "floor" of their brain is active. Students will also learn calming strategies to prevent their emotions from getting too big!
STEM Skill Focus: Perseverance
STEM Career Connection: Electrical Engineer
Materials Needed
Copper tape and clear tape
LED lights
3V coin cell batteries
Scissors
Cardstock
Markers
Activity Guide: Click below to find the Upstairs Downstairs Brain activity guide.
Want more Stage 1? Click here for more:
Stage 2 STEM Example: Pneumatic Device Challenge
Overview: Design a pneumatic device that can pick up a soil sample on Mars!
Science Connection: Pneumatic systems
Real-World Connections:
Space exploration
Examples of pneumatic devices
Connection to NASA engineers and scientists
Materials Suggested
Syringe and tubing (Amazon)
Popsicle sticks
Pipe cleaners
Cardboard
Rubber bands
Straws
Paper cups
String
Tape
Activity Guide: Click below to find the pneumatic device STEM lesson.
Want more Stage 2? Check out our bundle of Stage 2 STEM challenges for year-round STEM!
Stage 3 STEM Example: Animal Habitat Project
Overview: Research a selected animal and then construct a diorama of an animal habitat that meets design constraints.
Science Connection: Biomes, ecosystems, habitats
Real-World Connections:
Wildlife Biologist
Conservation of Animal Habitats
Materials:
Scissors
tape
Shoebox
Moss, rocks, and plastic greenery
Construction paper
Plastic animals (optional)
Want more Stage 3? Here are our favorites:
Bonus Stage: Career Exploration
We also love doing activities to introduce STEM careers and real-world connections. These don’t neatly fit into a stage, but they are an important way to engage your students!
