Science Posts
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
How does a bottle rocket science project work?
Bottle rockets are a popular STEM project. But you might be wondering “How does a bottle rocket science project work?”, “How do you make a bottle rocket?”, or “What materials are used in a bottle rocket?” Read on to learn all the basics of bottle rocket science. Rockets are devices
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
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
Middle School STEM Challenges for Every Season
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
The Essential STEM Supplies List
After 15 years in STEM education, I’ve discovered something surprising: some of the most valuable STEM supplies aren’t actually “STEM supplies” at all! These are the everyday items that have become absolute game-changers in my classroom. I’ve compiled this STEM supplies list to help make your teaching life easier. Want
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
5 Tips for Effective Group Work in Middle School STEM
Let’s be honest – getting middle school students to work together effectively can feel impossible. As a new STEM teacher, I learned this the hard way. You’d think it would be simple, right? Put kids in a group, give them an exciting task, and be nearby to answer questions and
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
