Welcome to Vivify’s Blog!

Get Your Elf Off That Shelf with STEM

Do you participate in the Elf on the Shelf tradition? Take the Elf antics up a notch by adding some STEM flair. We have compiled a list of our favorite ways to both entertain and educate using Santa’s little helper.

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How to Launch Model Rockets & Amaze Your Students! (Pt 3)

The most exciting part of rocketry is the thrill of launch day! However, this can be the most stressful day for educators on a limited time frame and 30 rockets to launch! Read on to learn how to set-up a smooth launch event along with tips from my over 400 rocket launches with middle school students! 

This post is part three of a three part series on model rockets in the classroom.

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How to Launch Model Rockets & Amaze Your Students! (Pt 1)

Do you want to launch a rocket with your students or kids? Are you afraid or unsure where to start? Keep reading for a beginners guide to model rockets based on my years of experience launching hundreds of model rockets with all ages. I also linked to a Google Drive with tons of valuable resources to get you started! 

This post is part one of a three part series on model rocketry in the classroom. 

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Summer STEM: 10 Ideas for Fun in the Pool

Are you staying cool in the pool this summer? Take advantage of those long summer days at the pool by adding some fun STEM challenges! Read on to learn how to turn play into learning including 10 ideas for STEM at the pool.

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Top 35 Amazing STEM Books for Kids

Summer is the perfect time to read books for your enjoyment, but that doesn’t mean the books you read should not have educational value. Books can provide new perspectives or set new aspirations! Harness the possibilities of the world books open to readers by indulging in STEM books. Whether you will be reading to little ones, recommending books for teens, or diving into books as an adult, there are a multitude of STEM books on the market to suit any interest. We listed some of our favorite STEM books and book series below for you to read this summer or any time of the year.

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How to Engage Little Kids in Engineering Activities

This week is Engineers Week! It is a time to connect kids to real-world engineering problems and expose them to what engineers really do. Read on to learn more about the engineering design process and how to use it in education, as well as how to make an engineering kit for your budding engineers. Oh, and there is a freebie too!

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Thanksgiving STEM

We are forever thankful for STEM education and the promising future it gives to our world. From designing a turkey nest for an egg drop challenge to sailing the Mayflower, we have compiled a list of our current favorite Thanksgiving STEM activities for you to enjoy. Don't forget to grab our FREEBIE Thankful for STEM resource!

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5 STEM Activities for Fall & Halloween

Fall is here in the USA and we are excited to share with you some of our favorite STEM activities for the season! Whether you are teaching in the classroom, homeschooling, or just enjoying play time at home with your kids, the following activities are sure to excite and engage any age. 

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Inspire with 3D Printed Rockets

Inspiring kids to pursue their dreams in STEM has been our main goal with Vivify. There are now so many resources available to motivate students with hands-on STEM experiences, but how do you find the best ones? We had a chance meeting with the founder and CEO of RocketEd and are blown away by his passion for STEM education and reaching every student through the awe-inspiring wonder of model rocketry!Read on for our interview with Sam Pedrotty of RocketEd to learn about his wonderful company, FREE resources, and great products to use in your home, classroom, or program.

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Earth Day STEM and a FREEBIE!

Earth Day is a great opportunity to combine STEM with environmental awareness! Today’s students will be entrusted with preserving our planet for future generations. Industrialization, population growth, oil spills and other dangers threaten the safety of our home. Learning the science of plant growth and other critical functions of life here on Earth provides the foundation for engineering and technology developments that may save our planet.

This Earth Day, we challenge you to join us in giving kids hands-on STEM challenges that allows them to plant, design, and rescue. Find a freebie at the end of this post for you and your kids to enjoy too!

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Valentine's Day STEM Frog Challenge

It’s almost Valentine’s Day and my kids are already plotting how to deliver those special messages to the ones they love! As a STEM educator, a valentine delivery must be more than dropping heart shaped paper into handmade mailboxes. So, we made a Valentine’s Day candy delivery STEM challenge using frogs - origami frogs that is!

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