Are you looking to elevate your Gifted and Talented program with exciting, hands-on STEM learning? Lauren shares her journey into STEM education, key similarities between STEM and GT learning goals, successful project ideas, and real-world examples from my classroom. Let’s dive into how you can seamlessly integrate STEM into your GT program for deeper, more engaging learning experiences!

Did you know that when space crafts re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, that they travel at speeds of up to 17,500 miles per hour and heat up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit? How does NASA keep its astronauts safe in spaceships when re-entering Earth’s atmosphere?

Get your students engaged about the science of heat transfer with a 5E STEM challenge that culminates with students creating a heat shield to protect a space craft and (chocolate) crew! This engineering challenge covers concepts about convection, conduction, and radiation with hands-on activities, including investigating different methods to melt an ice cube.

The Astro-Rover STEM Challenge is a classroom favorite, with many of my students calling it the highlight of their entire school year! What makes this space-themed unit unique is the way it blends science concepts and design thinking into one truly interdisciplinary package. The Astro-Rover STEM lesson, perfect for middle school classrooms, captivates students with the thrilling topic of alien life while aligning with key NGSS science standards, such as understanding how the presence of water can indicate potential for life.

Did you know that astronauts eat mac and cheese in space? That’s just one of 203 different things on the menu!