Tag: Engaging Lessons

Engaging lessons and activities for middle school STEM

My Favorite Beginning of Year Science Activities (That Actually Work)

The image shows a student looking into a microscope and another student standing near by with a notebook and pencil in hand. The text reads "Science Activities for Week 1"

By Trilby There’s nothing quite like the first week of school in the science classroom: fresh notebooks, clean lab tables, and curious (and slightly nervous) new students. Whether it’s your first year teaching or your fifteenth, starting strong makes all the difference. Over the years, I’ve created a handful of beginning of year science activities […]

5 Easy & Fun Syllabus Activity Ideas

This image shows two groups of three teenaged kids in a classroom. Each group is talking around a desk with various school supplies on the table in front of them.

By Trilby Let’s be honest… Going over the syllabus isn’t exactly the most thrilling part of the back-to-school season. But it is important. Students need to know how your class works, what you expect, and how to succeed. A well-planned syllabus activity can help you cover everything students need to know in a way that […]

Tips for Teaching Science Lab Safety Rules Without Putting Your Students to Sleep

This image shows two students in a Chemistry classroom. They are wearing goggles and have flasks and beakers of different colored liquids in front of them. The heading reads "Tips for Teaching Science Safety."

By Trilby Let’s be real. Science safety lab rules might not be the most thrilling part of science class, but they’re one of the most important. And in middle school, where curiosity sometimes comes with a side of chaos, setting clear expectations for lab behavior is essential. Short on time? Grab done-for-you science safety activities […]

How to Make End of Year Reflection for Students Meaningful and Memorable

This image is titled, "Tips for End of Year Reflections." It shows handouts for a "What I Wish I Knew: Infographic Advice for Next Year's Students" assignment on cork board surrounded by crayons and colored pencils.

By Trilby That final stretch of the school year always hits different. The tests are winding down, the calendar’s packed with field trips and assemblies, and your classroom starts to feel like a scrapbook of memories. But in the middle of the chaos, there’s this really special window to pause, reflect, and help students take […]

How to Make a DIY Earthquake Shake Table for Classroom STEM Projects

This image shows an earthquake shake table created from a whiteboard suspended inside a larger box using rubber bands and binder clips. The text reads, "How to DIY Earthquake Shake Tables."

By Trilby Why Use an Earthquake Shake Table in the Classroom? Looking for an exciting way to teach students about earthquakes, engineering, and structural stability? A DIY earthquake shake table for classroom projects is a hands-on tool that helps students understand how buildings respond to seismic forces. These simple, budget-friendly shake tables simulate earthquake motion […]

How to 3D Print a Keychain: A Fun, Hands-On Project for Middle School Makers

This image is titled, "3D Printing Keychain Project." The image shows a blue 3D printed keychain tag that reads, "Go Bears" and features a paw print. The keychain tag is next to a laptop that shows a 3D sketch of the same keychain tag.

By Trilby Looking for a beginner-friendly way to bring 3D printing into your classroom? A custom keychain is the perfect place to start. It’s small, personal, and packed with opportunities to build creativity and design thinking. Whether you’re brand new to 3D printing or looking to expand your maker activities, learning how to 3D print […]

Newton’s Laws Project Ideas: Engaging STEM Activities for Middle School

This image is titled, "Ideas for Teaching Newton's Laws." The image shows a balloon rocket created with a string and straw. There is a worksheet with data recorded as someone changed the circumference of the balloon and measured how far the balloon traveled.

By Trilby Looking for Newton’s Laws project ideas to help your students apply physics in a fun and interactive way? These engaging activities allow students to explore Newton’s three laws of motion in an exciting and hands-on way. Two of the best STEM activities to demonstrate these concepts are the balloon rocket and the egg […]

Engage Your Students with a STEM Careers Word Search and More

This image reads, "No Prep STEM Career Activities." There is a reading passage about environmental science careers with an environmental science word search. The worksheets are surrounded by school supplies on a blue background.

By Trilby Are you seeking engaging and low-prep resources to inspire your middle school students to explore STEM careers? Incorporating fun and educational activities like a STEM careers word search, a reading passage, and an interactive comprehension exercise can ignite curiosity and expand your students’ knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and math professions. Let’s explore […]

10 Exciting STEM Career Profiles to Inspire Your Students

This image is titled "10 STEM Careers." It shows three adults working with a computer and machinery.

By Trilby Inspiring students to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers starts with helping them see the incredible possibilities these fields offer. From developing cutting-edge technologies to solving global challenges, STEM careers combine innovation, problem-solving, and real-world impact. Let’s this exciting list of STEM careers that highlight how these roles shape our world […]

Life Cycle Project: Engaging Elementary Students in Science Exploration

This image shows a child observing a butterfly chrysalis hanging from a leaf. The text reads "Your Complete Guide to Life Cycle Projects."

By Trilby Hillenbrand Have you ever marveled at the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly? Witnessing the journey of a living organism from birth to adulthood is an awe-inspiring experience. A life cycle project offers a unique opportunity for students to explore the wonders of the natural world while developing crucial science skills. Through […]

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