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STEM does not have to be expensive.
In fact, #STEMontheCheap solutions require more imagination, creativity, innovation, and invention than the shiny, expensive STEM things out there. This page highlights our favorite #STEMontheCheap resources from specific lessons to websites with hundreds of #STEMontheCheap ideas.
#NaturesWonder – What Made That? – #SciencingAndEngineering with @SciGalNielsen
Join STEMAZing Teacher Leader, Lisa Nielsen, as she notices and wonders about one of nature’s wonders in southern Arizona’s. There are so many amazing phenomena right outside your door. In this video you will learn ...
$1 Laser Pointer Macro Lens Hack
Learn how to take apart a $1 keychain laser pointer from Family Dollar and turn it into a macro lens for either a cell phone or tablet. It basically turns your device into a low-powered ...
$1 Solar Garden Light Hack
Hack this $1 Solar Garden Light to get a solar panel, high-intensity LEDs, a rechargeable battery, battery holder, and sometimes a switch ...
100th Day of School STEM Activities
Celebrate the 100th Day of school with this growing list of STEM activities related to the number 100! ...
A Penny for Your Moon and a Quarter for Your Earth
Learning Objectives Children will… • demonstrate the motion of the Moon’s rotation. • demonstrate that the Moon keeps the same face toward Earth. Key Question Does the Moon rotate or turn on its axis? Materials ...
Ant Wrangling – #SciencingAndEngineering with The STEMAZing Project
Teacher/Learning Coach Guide with Best Practices and Strategies for Engaging Students [Coming Soon!] Notice Phenomenon and Wonder Question Journal If you want to use this resource in Google Classroom, you can find a Google Slides ...
Ant Wrangling PQRST Sciencing Journal
Ant Wrangling makes for a great way to introduce students to the PQRST Sciencing Journal. Find the Ant Wrangling PQRST Journal by clicking on the hyperlink or on the image above. You will need to ...
Balloon-Powered Car
These #STEMontheCheap balloon powered cars are another engineering design challenge that allows for iteration through the engineering design process ...
Beginner Coding Game
Beginner Coding Game Young learners can begin to learn coding concepts using this simple game. NOTE: Arrows and functions set up to match the colors used to code Cubetto robot. Once your students have mastered ...
Bernoulli’s Principle – #SciencingAndEngineering with @TheSTEMAZingPro
Student Video Teacher Talk Video Teacher/Learning Coach Guide with Best Practices and Strategies for Engaging Students Notice Phenomenon and Wonder Question Journal If you want to use this resource in Google Classroom, you can find ...
Binary #MicDropMath (#MicDropCS) Lessons
This series of lessons is designed to take students' understanding of the binary number system way beyond the well known fact that it uses zeroes and ones. While each lesson can be used on its ...
Binary #MicDropMath Build Your Own Cards
This lesson will demonstrate to students how to make the binary #MicDropMath cards. A common question when engaging students with the Binary #MicDropMath is: “Why are those numbers on the cards?” In this lesson, they ...
Binary #MicDropMath Cards
There are five versions of the Binary #MicDropMath Cards below. To perform the Binary #MicDropMath, print out page one of the binary number cards. (NOTE: You only need to print these double-sided to include page ...
Binary #MicDropMath Multiply This
The following lesson engages students to explore exceptionally old algorithms used by Russian and Egyptian people to multiply two numbers together. It turns out these two algorithms are connected to the binary number system, which ...
Binary #MicDropMath Patterns
The Binary #MicDropMath Patterns lesson can be used to help students recognize patterns, understand how to make multiple hypotheses in science and math, and understand the importance of basing claims on more data rather than ...
Binary to Parity and ASCII – Google Slides for #MicDropMath
Google Slide Deck for all the #MicDropMath Lessons - patterns, cards, parity, error detection, and human computers ...
Buzz Off, from RAFT
Buzz Off, when whirled around, makes a sound like an insect. A fantastic project for engineering the way it performs by making modifications to the original design ...
Checkerboard Coding Game
Use arrows with Velcro dots and code to insects or small animals. Checkerboard games from Dollar Tree make this a great #STEMontheCheap game ...
Color Addition – Primary and Secondary Colors of Light
Use this worksheet with the RGB Light Show to simply focus on the primary and secondary colors of light. If you are looking for more advanced demonstration of understanding, look at RGB Light Show Worksheet ...
Color Me 100
Roll a die. Starting at 1, color in that many squares. Switch colors, roll die again, and color in that many squares. Continue until you reach 100! How many rolls did it take you to ...
Constellation Boxes
These #STEMontheCheap models can be used to teach perspective and vantage point. Challenge students to model actual constellations ...
Cover Up – a hack of Muggins!
Cover Up is a hack of the game Muggins! with various leveled versions below to make it accessible to students starting in preschool. All you need to do is print the game board, get dice ...
Density: Condiment Packet Cartesian Diver
Using an empty 2-liter bottle, condiment packets (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, etc), water, salt, and a bowl, children will explore how to make the condiment back rise and fall at their command as they make a ...
Density: Orange Life Jacket
Using an orange, a large clear bowl, and water, children will explore whether or not an unpeeled orange will sink or float in water. They will then take the peel off the orange and test ...
Density: Salty and Sweet
Using a fresh raw egg, water, a tall glass, salt, sugar, 1/2 tsp measuring spoon, and 1 c measuring cup, children will explore whether or not a raw eggs sinks or floats in water. They ...
Density: See Level
Using honey, light corn syrup, dish soap, vegetable oil, water, rubbing alcohol, a tall glass or clear plastic vase, small drinking glass, food baster, glass marble, a grape, paper clip, food coloring (optional), 1/4 c ...
Density: Will It Sink or Will It Float?
Using a couple tea light candles, clay, water, a ruler, pencil, and a clear plastic container, children will explore with things that sink and things that float. They will start to understand that weight doesn't ...
Design Inspirations from RAFT – STEMAZing Virtual Adaptation
Design Inspirations is taken from an Idea Sheet from RAFT (Resource Area for Teaching). The following STEMAZing Teacher Guide for Design Inspirations Virtual describes how to use this lesson virtually and provides links to prepared ...
Diecast Car Loop-the-Loop PQRST Sciencing Journal
Using supplies found at your local Dollar Tree (#STEMontheCheap), you can engage students with an awesome scientific experiment to guide students through how to use the Die Cast Car Loop-the-Loop PQRST Sciencing Journal to design ...
Dry Erase Phun – #SciencingAndEngineering with @TheSTEMAZingPro
Teacher/Learning Coach Guide with Best Practices and Strategies for Engaging Students [Coming Soon!] Notice Phenomenon and Wonder Question Journal If you want to use this resource in Google Classroom, you can find a Google Slides ...
Earth Orbits the Sun
Learning Objectives Children will… • observe how Earth orbits the Sun. • learn the Sun is at the center of the Earth’s orbit. • understand one revolution of the Earth around the Sun is a ...
Eddy Current Tube Demo
This classic physics demonstration shows how a magnet falling through a copper pipe will slow down as it transfers some of its energy to move electrons in the conductive copper pipe. Those moving electrons create ...
Exploratorium Science Snacks
Snacks from the Exploratorium are not the kind you eat! They're for learning and having fun! Exploratorium Science Snacks are miniature versions of some of the most popular exhibits at the Exploratorium. Each Science Snack ...
Flag and Primary Color Afterimage Optical Illusions
You can either print these out in color or just look at them on a screen to see an afterimage based on how your red, green, and blue color receptors work in your eye. What ...
Fourto
Fourto is a hack of the game Quarto. Learn how to make your own pieces for either $2 with dollar store pieces, the cost of copies of the 2D pieces, or use the template to ...
Geological Columns
Using fossils, plaster of Paris, and sand, create geological columns for your students to explore and discover. A great nature of science lesson! Digging Through the Columns Worksheet Rock Column Lab Revised ...
Geometry Playground
The Exploratorium's Geometry Playground Activities will help spark students' interest in geometry. They are designed for classroom use but can also be done by families or other groups. This collection also includes Outdoor Activities for ...
Get Outta Here! – a hack of Knock-Out!
Get Outta Here! (also available in the kinder Excuse Me, Please version for littles) is a hack of the game Knock-Out! with various leveled versions below to make it accessible to students starting in preschool ...
Gobblet: Hack it! Make Cubelet!
Based on the concept of Tic-Tac-Toe, Gobblet takes strategy to the next level. This game takes just seconds to learn but a lifetime to master. It develops strategic thinking, problems solving skills and memory. Gobble up, line up ...
got problems? let’s solve ’em Engineering Journal
From noticing problems to brainstorming solutions to testing prototypes, making modifications, and marketing a final product, this journal will walk students step-by-step through the engineering design process as it relates to solving a problem for ...
Gravity Visualized
Gravity Visualized is a video of physics teacher Dan Burns explaining his space-time warping demo. A 2-kg mass in the middle with rolling marbles show orbits. A large marble rolling with a smaller one next ...
How big a celestial body are you? Earth, Moon, & Sun Sizing
Learning Objectives Children will… • observe the size differences between the Earth, Moon, and Sun. • discuss the location of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. Key Question Of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, which is ...
Human Computers – Creative Message Communication
Believe it or not, there is a five-letter word encoded in the cards shown in the image. Start with lessons on the binary number system. Then, learn how computers use parity bits for error detection ...
Hypothesis Cubes – Best Nature of Science Lesson of ALL TIME!
Hypothesis cubes is the BEST nature of science lesson of all time. Engage students to use evidence to support their claims and then demonstrate the way science works by leaving the "answer" unsettled in the ...
Hypothesis Cubes Virtual – BEST Nature of Science Lesson of ALL time!
Hypothesis cubes is the BEST nature of science lesson of all time. Engage students to use evidence to support their claims and then demonstrate the way science works by leaving the "answer" unsettled in the ...
IDEAS Engineering Journal
The IDEAS Engineering Journal is designed to be used to engage students to iterate through then engineering design process using a starting model of something they have built. Two looper airplanes, pool noodle rockets, and ...
M&Ms Are Phenomenal – #SciencingAndEngineering with @TheSTEMAZingPro
Teacher/Learning Coach Guide with Best Practices and Strategies for Engaging Students [Coming Soon!] Notice Phenomenon and Wonder Question Journal If you want to use this resource in Google Classroom, you can find a Google Slides ...
Magnets: Fish Tales
Learning Objectives Children will… • make a fishing game. • quantify the strength of magnets by how many big fish and little fish they capture. • use their imaginations to tell stories about their fishing ...
Magnets: Float Like A Butterfly, Sting Like A Bee
Learning Objectives Children will… • have an opportunity to test their creativity in this open-ended activity in which children will use magnets and other materials to build systems that defy gravity. Key Question How can ...
Magnets: May the Force Be With You
Learning Objectives Children will… • compare the magnetic strength of two separate magnets with the magnetic strength of two magnets together. Key Question How many paper clips will a magnet hold? Which would hold more ...
Magnets: Sorting Challenge
Learning Objectives Children will… • sort small objects manually. • experience the increased efficiency of sorting the objects using a magnet. • learn that not all metals are magnetic, a common misconception. Key Question Which ...
Matchbox Car PQRST
This powerful lesson will not only teach students how to identify variables, design a scientific experiment, collect data, make a CER (claim, evidence, and reasoning) based on their experiment, and continue thinking in questions, it ...
Math Magic Card Tricks
There are card tricks which are slight of hand and card tricks which rely on the discrete mathematics inherent to a regular deck of cards. These fall into the latter category. Don't worry, you do ...
Measuring Scavenger Hunt with Tubes
Learning Objectives Children will… • define measurement. • explore measurement with paper towel or toilet paper tubes. Key Question What can we measure with tubes? Materials Paper towel tubes (1 per person) Toilet paper tubes ...
Middle School Virtual Orientation to Groupwork Unit
This virtualized version of the Stanford SCALE Science Unit 0 - Orientation to Groupwork for 6th grade. was co-designed by Melissa Wilburn (6th grade STEMAZing Teacher Leader with the Marana Unified School District), Sherrie Dennis ...
Mining with Magnets
Learning Objectives Children will… • use a magnet to obtain magnetic bits from sand and then from soil. • they will compare these two quantities to see which is a better source of magnetic bits ...
Moon Phase Box Model – Instructables
Great model for showing the phases of the moon. For older students, you might consider adding a way to rotate the moon so you can also demonstrate tidal locking - same face of moon visible ...
Notice Phenomenon and Wonder Question Journals
Notice Phenomenon and Wonder Question Journals come in formats that are printer friendly and in Google classroom versions for both Slides and Docs. Great tools for helping students notice and wonder how the world works! ...
Notice, Wonder, Learn: Paper Circuits
These templates allow for initial exploration of paper circuits, series and parallel circuits, and circuit diagrams. Supplies are not too expensive and links to necessary supplies are included in the document below (final page). Check ...
One Page Kite
This incredible kite requires only a single piece of paper, a straw, crepe paper for tails, some tape, and string. (A hole punch is handy but not absolutely necessary.) It is incredible how well it ...
Paint Sample Scavenger Hunt
Key Question Can you discover items that match the color of the paint samples? Learning Objectives Children will… identify items that match the paint samples (red, orange, green, blue, purple, yellow). graph the total amount ...
Pepper’s Pyramid Projector
Turn your cell phone or tablet into a 3D hologram-like projector using plastic you would normally recycle. Reuse flat clear plastic to give this old physics trick a high tech twist. Less ecologically friendly, but ...
Perplexing Parallel Paper Circuit
Let your students explore the nature of science and use the science practices when they build this paper circuit and explore the rules that govern which LEDs will light at the same time and which ...
Phases of the Moon
Learning Objectives Children will… • become part of a model to demonstrate the phases of the moon. • match the phase of the moon they see using the model to phase of the moon cards ...
Physics Ring and Chain Trick
NOT MAGIC! Can you master the physics ring and chain trick? Check out this document for directions and info about where to get your own ring and chain - or 100s of them! ...
Pi Day Exporatorium
Founded at the Exploratorium by Prince of Pi, physicist Larry Shaw, Pi Day has become an international holiday, celebrated live and online all around the world ...
Pool Noodle Rocket
Build this Pool Noodle Rocket using, you guessed it, a pool noodle, duct tape, rubber bands, scissors, cardboard from a cereal box, a sharpened pencil, plastic knife, rocket fin template, ruler, sharpie, string, and a ...
PQRST Sciencing Journal
The A-Z (or at least P-T) template for helping your students process a phenomenon, play to learn, identify variables, design an experiment, conduct experiment to collect data, make a claim supported by evidence with scientific ...
PQRST Sciencing Journal – Virtual Edition
The PQRST Sciencing Journal - Virtual Edition is the interactive student notebook Google Slides version of our printable PQRST Sciencing Journal (click here for printable versions). Make a copy of the Google Slides and use ...
Projectile Popper
Build this Projectile Popper using an empty 32 oz Gatorade bottle, a string, rubber bands, drill (other options), scissors, goggles, bead, ping pong balls, and a box cutter (or knife). (NOTE: Adults should prep the ...
R.A.F.T. Resource Area for Teaching
Resource Area for Teaching has loads of Idea Sheets which you can search through for exceptional, #STEMontheCheap ideas like Design Inspirations ...
Rattle Writer
Build this Rattle Writer using just a pool noodle, electric toothbrush (found for $1 at dollar stores), a plastic knife, washable markers, rubber bands, googly eyes (optional but fun), paper, duct tape, and a ruler ...
REAL Primary Colors Book
What are the primary colors? If you ask a physicist, they will have to ask you a question back. Are you talking about the primary colors of light, used for color addition, or the primary ...
REAL Primary Colors PQRST
How does your eye see a red apple? Explore this question using a phenomenon driven storyline to engage students in exploring how the eye works and how we create color using light and using pigments ...
RGB Color Light Show Video
Do you know the REAL primary colors? With just a few supplies from your local hardware store, you can recreate this STEMAZing demonstration of the REAL primary colors of light and color addition in your ...
RGB Light Show Worksheet
Do you know the REAL primary colors of light? Use this worksheet along with red, green, and blue flood lights to demonstrate the REAL primary colors of light and the principle of color addition. Find ...
RGB Primary Color Light Show Paper Circuit
Let students build this paper circuit to explore the REAL primary colors, which are NOT blue, yellow, and red! ...
Save My House on the Hill – #SciencingAndEngineering with Maddie Schepper
A Civil Engineering Flood Protection Project #SciencingAndEngineering Project Resources Teacher Talk with 2nd grade teacher Ms. Maddie Schepper and Robot General Sherrie Dennis Project Plan (detailed lesson description with links to all resources) STEMAZing Kit ...
Screaming Balloon
Engage young children with sound explorations using balloons with various things put inside them which you then roll around the inside of the balloon. The ECE Notice and Wonder Journal is a great resource to ...
SET
Race or collaboratively find a SET of three cards where each attribute (color, shape, number, and shading) is either all the same value or all different values on each card. SET builds cognitive, logical, and ...
Set Up for RGB Color Light Show Video
Video with tips about how to set up the RGB Light Show if you have your own set of red, green, and blue flood lights. Click on the title here, Set Up RGB Color Light ...
Shady Shapes (a ~$3 hack of Qwirkle)
Qwirkle is as simple as matching colors and shapes, but this game also requires tactical maneuvers and well-planned strategy. Earn points by building rows and columns of blocks that share a common shape or color. Look ...
Shapes Coding Game
Once your students master the beginning coding game, this is the next level. Use fun shapes and cube to engage young learners with mid-level and more advanced coding ideas. Shape Coding Game Directions Shape Coding ...
Skittles Science (and M&Ms too)
Key Question How can we create patterns using the dye (coloring) off Skittles and M&Ms? Learning Objectives Children will… identify and create patterns. change different independent variables of the experiment to see what effect it ...
Skype a Scientist
Skype a Scientist matches scientists with classrooms around the world! Scientists will skype into the classroom for 30-60 minute Q and A sessions that can cover the scientist’s expertise or what it’s like to be ...
Spacetime Simulator
You can make your own or borrow one from The STEMAZing Project if you attended this workshop. The spacetime simulator demonstrates how Einstein described gravity - masses warping spacetime and drawing other masses into the ...
Spin Top Spin, Mix Color Mix
Key Question Can you create a top that spins? What happens when you make changes to the top? Learning Objectives Children will… construct a simple spinning top. learn to use and experiment further with the ...
Star Light, Star Bright
Learning Objectives Children will… • describe patterns in the stars. • learn what a constellation is, some names of constellations, and their mythology. Key Questions Do stars have patterns? When are the stars visible? Materials ...
Star Wars Sound Machine
Adding a Styrofoam cup as a sounding board to a metal Slinky turns it into a Star Wars sound machine! ...
STEM Inventions
Fun and Easy STEM Projects for Kids Original DIY designs from truss bridges to rubber band race cars, helicopters and rockets. Explore 30 cools projects using craft sticks, masking tape, and more. For wheels and ...
STEM Night Stations
Looking for ways to engage families for STEM or Math Nights? We recommend using these stations but with students facilitating the learning experiences! In preparation for STEM night, have students master the art of facilitating ...
STEMAZing Journal Hack
Make graph paper STEMAZing journals that require no staples or tape using an old bookbinding trick ...
Straw Oboe
Using two different diameter straws, create an oboe with just a simple cut to create a reed and a little bit of practice ...
Sundials for Everyone! Evidence of Earth’s Rotation
Learning Objectives Children will… • learn what a sundial is and how it works. • observe and record the pattern of shadows the sun creates on their sundial. Key Question How can we use simple ...
Test Tube Patterns
Key Question What is the repeating pattern? Learning Objectives Children will… recognize and name colors. construct patterns. utilize tweezers to pick up pom-poms for fine motor practice. Materials Test tubes (baby soda bottles recommended) Printout ...
The $1 Pocket Microscope
Explore the microscopic world around you with this $1 3D printed microscope. Looking at insects, plants, and even dirt close up can be fascinating! ...
The Great Fossil Find
Students are taken on an imaginary fossil hunt. Following a script read by the teacher, students "find" (remove from envelope) paper "fossils" of some unknown creature, only a few at a time. Each time, they ...
The Science Toy Maker – Slater Harrison
From Walkalong Gliders, like the new Jagwing, to making your own helicopter propellers out of 2-liter soda bottles, this is a makers dream site! ...
Three Little Pigs Coding Story / La historia de la codificación de Los Tres Cerditos
Use the classic Three Little Pigs story to let young learners engage with coding and computational thinking skills. Utilice la historia clásica de Los tres cerditos para que los jóvenes estudiantes se involucren con la ...
Time Flies: Day, Night, Week, Month, Year
Learning Objectives Children will… • create a model of Earth rotating on its axis. • use the model to demonstrate a day and a week by making the model Earth rotate. • use the model ...
Tongue Depressor Harmonica
Create this #STEMontheCheap harmonica using large craft sticks, rubber bands, and some other inexpensive materials ...
Toys From Trash
#STEMontheCheap at its best! Our core belief is that children learn by doing - by touching, feeling, cutting, sticking -- pulling things apart, putting things together. We believe that this hands-on science helps them relate ...
Toys From Trash YouTube Channel
Our core belief is that children learn by doing - by touching, feeling, cutting, sticking -- pulling things apart, putting things together. We believe that this hands-on science helps them relate to curriculum and get ...
Trading Up – Two for One
Key Question How many of the final colored (orange, in the example) pieces can you collect? Learning Objectives Children will… practice counting. use conversions to trade up Unifix cubes for those with higher values. subitize ...
Two Looper Airplanes
The two looper airplane is a great model for having students engineer other designs. Fantastic to iterate through the engineering design process multiple times because it only takes straws, tape, and index cards to let ...
Unos, Dos, Tres – Unifix Cubes Patterns and Math
Key Questions What is the pattern? What is the number? What do the numbers add up to? Learning Objectives Children will… create patterns. apply one-to-one correspondence counting. demonstrate adding numbers with cards and cubes. break ...
Wack-a-Pack Science – PQRST
Our favorite phenomenon - Wack-a-Packs from Dollar Tree! These can generally be found for every holiday and also in the birthday section. Use this phenomenon to drive questions for lots of different avenues of exploration ...
Wobble Walkers
Folk toy turned engineering and STEAM project! Start with noticing and wondering using the first 12 seconds of the video below and then let students explore this pHun phenomenon. Templates for small, medium (original scale), ...
Worm World – #SciencingAndEngineering with Maddie Schepper
A Life Science Project for Wormologists The Worm World unit was designed for 2nd grade, but is usable at many levels. #SciencingAndEngineering Project Resources Teacher Talk with 2nd grade teacher Ms. Maddie Schepper and Robot ...
Write Your Own Picture Book Template
This template uses the storytelling frame (Rule 4) from Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling. Rule 4: "Once upon a time there was ___. Every day, ___. One day ___. Because of that, ___. Because of ...
You Be The Chemist
You Be The Chemist Activity Guides use common, inexpensive items so educators can provide hands-on learning for K-8 students to explore foundational science concepts. Hands-on learning engages young children in exploring science. These activities make real-world ...