National Engineers Week 2025: 4 Activities for Middle School

This image shows a hand marking up blueprints and a yellow hardhat. The text reads "National Engineers Week."

Engineering is an excellent profession for today’s youth to consider. The demand for STEM professionals is expected to grow twice as fast as other careers. Recent research also shows that people in STEM professions have higher salaries and experience less unemployment than people in other fields (Okrent and Burke, 2021). You can generate student interest […]

STEM Career Research Project for Middle School

This image shows 2 pages of a STEM careers project on a wooden desk. The text reads "STEM Career Project."

How do you inspire future scientists and engineers? Do your students know what careers are STEM careers and what it means to have a career in STEM? You can answer these questions and more with this multi-day STEM career project! STEM Career Research Project In this project, students will choose an engineering career to research. […]

4 Ideas for Exploring STEM Careers in Middle School

The image shows a word cloud in the shape of a lightbulb with words such as "careers," "idea," and "future." The text states "Exploring STEM Careers."

As Marian Wright Edelman states in Miss Representation, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” Introducing students to new career paths and professions is arguably one of the most important parts of STEM class. When you dedicate time to exploring STEM careers and showing students how STEM connects to their own interests and passions, you […]

What’s on your STEM lab supply list?

This image shows various office supplies on a blue background. The text reads "Free STEM Materials List."

Do you feel overwhelmed when you think about what to add to your STEM lab supply list? Are you worrying about your budget and how you will afford all the niche-specific materials? Filling a STEM lab with appropriate building supplies and materials is one big challenge of being a STEM teacher.  Now imagine having a […]

Biomedical Engineering STEM Activity with Animal Prosthetics for Middle School

This image shows a black stuffed cat with a missing front limb. The cat has a DIY prosthetic device. A worksheet next to the cat is titled "Animal Prosthesis: STEM Challenge." The title reads "Biomedical Engineering."

Exposing students to new career paths and showing them real-world applications is an important part of STEM class! Many students are surprised to learn that some engineers work with animals. In this biomedical engineering STEM activity, students are introduced to three animals, Bob the alligator, Bruce the parrot, and Snoopy the cat. Each potential client […]

Variables that affect solar oven efficiency

This image shows a variety of supplies, including foil, plastic wrap, scissors, a bowl, a thermometer, and tape. The text reads, "Solar Ovens: Reflectivity and Insulation."

So you’re building a solar oven?  Solar ovens are a great DIY project! You can create an effective cooking device cheaply from household items. Also, solar ovens use renewable energy from the Sun, which is good for our environment. You’ll learn many important science concepts and develop your engineering skills through the design and building […]

Valentine’s Day STEM Activity for Middle School

Valentine's Day STEM

This Valentine’s Day STEM activity is the perfect solution for keeping students engaged during the holiday season! This is especially true when you’re teaching hormonal middle schoolers… on Valentine’s Day. Eeeeeeek! Let me help you navigate the chaos and keep your students learning in between celebrations! Light-Up Valentine STEM Activity In this engaging project, students […]

Must-Try Christmas STEM Activities for Middle School

This image shows Christmas ornaments on a blue background. The text reads "Christmas STEM activities."

Looking for engaging Christmas STEM activities this holiday season? Keeping students engaged is challenging when the weather changes and winter holidays are around the corner. If you struggle to keep your students’ attention and get to the end of the period, you are not alone! Now imagine having an exciting Christmas engineering project on hand […]

Middle School STEM Challenge: Conductors and Insulators Activity

This image shows materials for insulator and conductor activities, including an insulated cup, beaker, thermometer, timer, and hot cocoa packet. The text reads "insulators and conductors."

Looking for an engaging insulators and conductors activity for your middle school students? Want to get your students excited about thermal energy? Wondering how to help students understand the real-world applications of conductors and insulators? If you are a teacher looking for the answers to any of these questions, read on! Want to skip straight […]

Middle School STEM Challenges for Every Season

This image shows a tree during winter, spring, summer, and fall. The text says "Holiday STEM Challenges."

Do you have STEM challenges planned for keeping students engaged when the weather is changing and holidays are around the corner? It can be a struggle to keep your students’ attention and get to the end of the period on a normal day. This is especially true when holiday excitement is in the air. Now […]