Getting Started With First Grade STEM Activities and Challenges
Teaching STEM in first grade can be a little intimidating, but you can do it!
We created a few activities for you to teach students what an engineer is, how to be curious throughout the school year, how to use their imagination to design new ideas, and what science is.
All of these STEM Challenges can be found inside the STEM Teachers Club Membership.
STEM is a great way to teach first graders about how to be kind, safe, and work hard as they discover the joy of STEM learning.
4 First Grade STEM Challenges to get started with STEM:
A Box Can Be Many Things Engineering Read Aloud STEM Challenge
If I Built a House Engineering Read Aloud STEM Challenge
Marshall Mellow Engineering Read Aloud STEM Challenge
Intro to STEM Be a Maker Read Aloud STEAM Challenge
Each challenge connects to a read aloud book to help students connect to the activities and is designed specifically with first graders in mind.
They build simple projects to give them a firm foundation in engineering. The lessons align with First Grade NGSS covering all of the engineering standards.
A Box Can Be Many Things by Dana Meachen Rau
Unlock creativity and engineer endless ideas out of simple materials!
Connect STEM and Literacy with this amazing Read Aloud STEM Activity as a companion to A Box Can Be Many Things by Dana Meachen Rau.
Being an engineer takes a lot of work! Engineers are curious about things and ask a lot of questions. They observe the things around them, take notes and draw things that they see.
Students have time to explore with simple objects and talk with a friend about what those objects could be. Then they become an engineer and design what their box will be, just like in the story.
Material List:
A Box Can Be Many Things by Dana Meachen Rau
pencils and STEM journals
cardboard boxes and other recyclable materials
scissors
tape and/or glue
colored paper
crayons or markers
This STEM Challenges aligns to NGSS Engineering Standards for first Grade, but can be used in K-2.
If I Built a House by Chris Van Dusen
Design and build your dream house!
Connect STEM and Literacy with this amazing Read Aloud STEM Activity as a companion to If I built a House by Chris Van Dusen.
Students design and create their own floor plan for a house.
Material List:
If I Built a House by Chris Van Dusen
pencils
crayons, markers, or colored pencils
popsicle sticks
clothespins
This STEM Challenge aligns to NGSS Engineering Standards for First Grade, but can be used in K-2.
Marshall Mellow by JJ Landis
Build a marshmallow catapult!
Connect STEM and Literacy with this amazing Read Aloud STEM Activity as a companion to Marshall Mellow by JJ Landis.
Students design, build, and test 2 catapults. After they complete their challenge, they compare and reflect on what they learned.
Material List to Build the Bridge:
Marshall Mellow by JJ Landis
popsicle sticks
plastic spoons
rubber bands
toilet paper rolls
binder clips
tape
bottle caps
marshmallows
This STEM Challenges aligns to NGSS Engineering Standards for first Grade, but can be used in K-2.
Be a Maker by Katey Howes
Integrate 1st Grade STEM at the beginning of the school year!
Connect STEM and Literacy with this amazing NGSS Aligned back to school Read Aloud STEM Activity as a companion for Be a Maker by Katey Howes.
In the story, the girl makes a tower and learns about balance. She makes art, movement, and music. She imagines things and building things. She makes blueprints and maps.
In this 1st Grade STEM Challenge, students will create a new design for transportation between home and school. Students will also have an opportunity to build their name out of classroom supplies to introduce themselves to their class.
Material List:
cardboard tube
pipe cleaners
play dough
Chart Paper
Scissors
Glue
Name Building Materials (ex. straws, popsicle sticks, blocks, pipe cleaners, sticks)
Be a Maker by Katey Howes
This STEM Challenge is for First Grade, but can be used in Kindergarten, First Grade, or Second Grade.
We hope you have found this blog post helpful. To stay connected with Carly and Adam's teaching tips and classroom freebies be sure to follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Teachers Pay Teachers, and subscribe to our blog!