Pollinator Lesson Plans for Middle School – Why are bees important?
Have you ever had a bee fly into your classroom during the middle of a lesson? I have… chaos ensued. Some kids were terrified and hiding, while others were chasing the bee trying to kill it with their notebooks. Bees often have a bad rap in middle school, but these pollinators play an important role […]
How does a bottle rocket science project work?
Rockets are devices that use force to move an object forward. Chinese people invented the first rockets to launch fireworks in the 1200s. Today, not only are rockets used for fireworks but they are also used to send objects (and even people!) into space (Encyclopedia Brittanica, 2022). Model rockets are a great way to explore […]
Variables that affect solar oven efficiency
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 […]
Conductor and Insulator Activities for Middle School
How do you teach conductors and insulators? How can you get your middle school students excited about thermal energy? What are the applications of conductors and insulators to everyday life? What are some fun conductor and insulator activities for middle school? If you are a teacher looking for the answers to any of these questions, […]
Holiday STEM Challenges for Middle School
Do you have a plan 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 imagine […]
9 Must-Have STEM supplies
Over the course of my 15 years in STEM education, I’ve created a list of STEM supplies (that aren’t really STEM supplies) that I keep on my back-to-school shopping list to help the day-to-day run smoother. Check out the list below! Looking for a FREE guide to STEM supplies? Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. […]
Science gifts for teachers
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. I am so excited about these beautiful gifts I received from The Calculated Chemist! If you are looking for STEM or science gifts for teachers, students, colleagues, mentors, […]
5 tips for effective group work in STEM
As a new STEM teacher, my number one challenge was getting my middle school students to work together. It seems easy… Put kids in a group, give them a fun task, and be nearby to answer questions, give out materials, and help troubleshoot. But in reality, it’s not so pretty. Kids refuse to work with […]
Great movies for middle school Science class
Everyone looks forward to a good movie day, but they are even better when the film captivates your students and ties into course content! Read on to learn about 6 movies that make an awesome addition to any middle school science or STEM class. Read on for a list of science movies your students will […]
Earth Day STEM Activities for Your Middle Schoolers
Earth Day is one of my favorite days to celebrate with middle school students. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the importance of STEM and how it applies to real-world problems. Check out these Earth Day STEM activities and make an awesome plan for Earth Day! Short on time? Grab ready-to-go Earth Day activities here! […]