STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning is a foundational aspect of a child’s education. When it comes to classroom activities connected to STEM concepts, educators, parents, and facilitators are tasked with finding new, unique ways to facilitate the curriculum. Seasonal STEM lessons are a great way to engage students in what they are learning.
As the season begins to change and spring is in full bloom, spring-themed STEM activities can be used to get students excited about learning in and out of the classroom. This article includes over 10 Spring STEM activities for the classroom or afterschool program to spring students into STEM literacy!
Planting Seeds of Knowledge
Gardening lessons are a great long-term way to engage students in STEM learning. To start the lesson, educators can have students work together to create a classroom garden full of soil and a unique set of flowers and plants they have chosen. Then, throughout Spring, educators can have students make observations about the garden and connect their findings to biological concepts, such as plant life cycles, photosynthesis, and biodiversity.
This gardening STEM lesson also introduces students to a lifelong hobby/passion for gardening that they can take with them outside of school and into their adult lives!
The Physics of Flight
Through building, designing, and flying kites, students can learn about various principles of aerodynamics, such as lift and drag. This activity is an example of disguised learning, where students think they are playing while they learn about key engineering and science concepts.
Here is a step by step instruction on how to build kites in the classroom or at home. Then, once the kite is foundationally sound, students can decorate their kite – adding in the perfect amount of art and creativity.
Math in Nature
It is extremely beneficial for students when STEM lessons are connected to real world experiences. There are math lessons all around us, especially in nature. Educators, parents, and facilitators can host a scavenger hunt where students have to run around outside to find a variety of materials in nature (leaves, sticks, pinecones, etc). This outdoor activity gets students some much needed Vitamin D and exercise that will get them ready to engage in classroom learning. Once students collect their items, they can discover the mathematical patterns found in nature, which is the perfect early introduction to geometry.
Weather Watchers
There are a variety of STEM lessons connected to the weather. This makes these lessons the perfect addition to the spring STEM curriculum. Below is a list of easy-to-implement STEM lessons to introduce students to the world of meteorology:
- Do It Yourself Rain Gauge: You know what they say, April showers bring May flowers! Now is the perfect time to have students create their own rain gauge to track spring rainfall.
- Tracking Climate Patterns: Through tracking the temperature day to day, students can start to note climate patterns in their town. Students can collect data over a 1-2 week period and then make observations based on what they have observed.
- At-Home Wind Vane: Creating an at-home wind vane allows students to track wind patterns and strength. Through the use of wind vanes, students can learn how to create a hypothesis, collect data, and analyze their findings to draw insightful conclusions.
Insect Investigators
There are many bugs that reappear during the spring, making insect investigations a great way to bring seasonal STEM lessons in the classroom or at-home learning experience. Here are a variety of insect related lessons that will get students engaged with real-world science lessons:
- Have a lesson focused around insect identification of bugs that can be found in your area during the spring.
- Conduction lifecycle studies for specific bugs.
- Learn about bees and their role in pollination.
Renewable Energy Experiments
The STEM workforce plays a major role in the continuation of advancements in society. It is key students are able to connect their classroom STEM lessons to real-world experiences and scenarios. A major topic right now is around renewable energy sources, which will impact the way society uses energy in the future.
Here is a list of STEM lessons to implement in the classroom this spring focused around renewable energy:
- Solar Ovens: Through the creation of a DIY solar oven, students will learn about the sun’s energy, absorption, and insulation.
- Windmills: Using wind to create energy is a common practice now, especially in certain areas in the United States. Students can create their own wind turbines to better understand alternative energy sources.
- Weather Impacts on Energy Sources: Students can conduct a long-term energy experiment to understand the importance of alternative energy sources and the different options currently available. More specifically, students can look into the impact weather has on energy sources and production, impacting which options can be used in their area.
Supplement Your Spring Curriculum with STEM Sports®
Incorporating in seasonal STEM activities is a great way to keep learning new, relevant, and exciting for students. The spring season presents the exciting opportunity for students to take their learning outside of the classroom for outdoor lessons.
If you are an educator looking for an engaging STEM curriculum to implement with your students this spring, click here to explore STEM Sports® curricula offerings. These lessons are the perfect turnkey addition to any classroom curriculum map, especially if you are trying to take learning outdoors this season!
