We love using Legos or other building bricks in our STEM classroom for quick builds or independent stations. Read on for our tips on developing task cards along with 25 ideas for quick build STEM challenges covering fall, summer, winter, and more!

My most vivid family memories involved both travel and education. Not in a boring fashion, but super fun, “this will stick with me for the rest of my life” kind of way. Where did my traveling education occur? National Parks! And now, as an educator, I share my love for nature with a National Park project and STEM challenge. Read below for a semester unit on national parks that includes research, planning, budgeting, natural resources, and design through an experience that I hope will spark a sense of wonder and discovery for your students!

Are you a teacher responsible for running Science Fair this year? Not sure where to start? Read on for our Science Fair Guide: Steps to Success! This post includes the basics of Science Fair, our steps to success for teachers, a free science fair poster, a nature of science lesson, and links to real student Science Fair project examples.

With the release of ChatGPT last year, teachers are still scrambling to catch up on the implications and potential of AI in our classrooms. While AI-generated essays and exams are a huge problem, in this post, we focus on all the benefits of AI for teachers! Read on for all the FREE AI tools that can help you improve lessons, support differentiation, ease administrative tasks, and give you some time back in your day. We also share 25 ChatGPT prompts for teachers!

Imagine a classroom buzzing with excitement as students engage in intellectual battles, passionately defending their scientific viewpoints. Science debates breathe life into scientific concepts, transforming the learning experience into a dynamic arena of ideas and exploration. In this post, we unravel the secrets to hosting a science debate for your classroom, a free resource to get you started, plus an example from my classroom covering GMOs and genetics.

Are you ready to take your students on a fun and hands-on journey into the realm of genetics? Blend engineering principles with the tantalizing world of culinary delights with this delicious STEM lab! Read on to explore how food can become the ultimate medium for engaging K-12 students in thought-provoking lessons about genetics and food engineering concepts.

Spring is in the air and the perfect time to dive into STEM activities that will challenge your students to think critically, problem-solve, and work collaboratively as they learn about the importance of caring for the environment and its inhabitants. This season offers a wealth of opportunities to explore the wonders of the natural world and teach important skills through hands-on activities. In this blog post, we will share our top 10 STEM activities for spring, including designing and building a bee pollinator hotel, creating a bird nest, cleaning up an oil spill, and constructing an animal habitat. Get ready to inspire a love of science and engineering in your students and make this spring one to remember!

Programming Sphero robots can help students develop essential skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. From building simple obstacle courses to working through real-life cybersecurity challenges, students will be fascinated by what they can get robots to do, no matter what grade they are in. Read on for 5 tips for teaching STEM with Sphero robots!

Are you looking to add engineering to your science classroom? Most educators use the 5E learning model to teach science concepts. Can engineering design fit into 5E science units? Yes! Read on as we break down the steps of the 5E Science Learning Model, adding Engineering in 5E Science Model, and examples of an Engineering 5E Unit.

Do you begin your lessons with a story? Stories are a powerful tool that will increase engagement in STEM activities. Read below for strategies including a video on developing stories that provide motivation and tie in real-world STEM events and career connections. We also link a freebie blueprint to develop your own STEM storyline!

In this post, we discuss how to engage the youngest learners in meaningful STEM through our brand-new Alphabet STEM curriculum for Kindergarten! Alphabet STEM was a collaborative effort from the Vivify STEM team. Read on for our favorite letters, advice on teaching kinder STEM, and grab the free kinder STEM lesson!

Learn about the winter solstice with a science lesson and engineering challenge! In this STEM activity, students will explore how light reflects and refracts and how materials can be transparent, translucent, or opaque. Teams will then use the engineering design process to build a lantern to expand the light cast by a flashlight. Plus, tons of videos and real-world STEM connections!