4 Ideas for Exploring STEM Careers in Middle School
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 makes a good STEM project in middle school?
STEM is a hot topic in education and beyond. We hear all the time about the importance of strong STEM skills and why we should expose our students to STEM early and often. But what exactly makes a good STEM project, and how do we develop our students’ STEM skills in middle school? One way […]
What’s on your STEM lab supply 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
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
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
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 […]
The Complete Guide to Computer Science Education Week 2026
Computer Science Education Week 2026 is approaching, and I’ve been counting down the days since last December! As one of the most exciting and impactful weeks of the school year, it creates an incredible buzz of energy in our classroom. My students and I dive into hands-on coding experiences that spark new passions and open […]
6 Middle School Coding Activities for Computer Science Education Week and Beyond
In recent years, the expansion of computer science programs and the importance of teaching middle school coding (and elementary school coding too!) have been all over the news. You may wonder why coding is so important for kids or what benefits are associated with learning to code. Short on time? Grab no-prep middle school coding […]
Must-Try Christmas STEM Activities for Middle School
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
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 […]