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!
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!
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.
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.
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:
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:
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:
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!
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