STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

422 Activities

Curious minds come alive through hands-on STEM exploration. Learners solve problems, build designs, and explore real-world challenges using science, technology, engineering, and math.

Activities

Phases of the Moon

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Phases of the Moon

NASA

6 - 12

1 Hour

Students learn about the phases of the moon, what they look like and how often they rotate between the cycle. The moon affects our ocean tides every day and depending on what phase it's in affects our high tides and low tides differently.

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Build the Strongest Bridge

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Build the Strongest Bridge

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students build two bridges and then test them to see which can carry the greater load. This activity builds engineering and critical-thinking skills as well as cooperative learning and design skills.

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What Is the Best Way to Search for Information Online?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Digital Voices

What Is the Best Way to Search for Information Online?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

50 Minutes

Searching for information online is a common task that people undertake many times each day. Navigating the internet requires skill and practice, and it is an essential tool for the twenty-first century. When used properly, internet search engines can point us to the information that we need. Otherwise, they may confuse us with irrelevant or questionable information. This lesson educates students about this essential element of using the internet.

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Build An Extension Arm

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Build An Extension Arm

OregonASK

6 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students learn about engineering as they design, build and test an extension arm.

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A Model of the Lungs

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

A Model of the Lungs

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students work in pairs to build a functioning model of human lungs.

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Raptors

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Raptors

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

50 Minutes

North America is home to an incredibly diverse range of birds, from the majestic national icon—the bald eagle—to the remarkably resilient whooping crane. More than 800 bird species occur in the United States. Some live here year-round, others migrate here seasonally, and some stop in on their migratory routes to other countries. Of these birds, dozens are listed on the U.S. endangered species list, facing threats such as climate change, habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species.

Perhaps the easiest way to identify a bird is feathers—but they share several other characteristics. Birds are vertebrates, meaning they have backbones. All female birds lay eggs, which the young develop before hatching. These animals are warm-blooded and can regulate their body temperature. All birds have wings, but not all birds use them to fly. Penguins and ostriches, for example, do not fly.

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Elevator Pitch Practice: Pen Exercise

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Elevator Pitch Practice: Pen Exercise

Young Entrepreneur Institute

3 - 12

20 Minutes

In this activity, students innovate a pen idea and practice presenting a pitch for it. The goals are to exercise creativity and problem solving; become more comfortable presenting to a group; start to establish a safe space by practicing constructive feedback with peers; develop or refine presentation skills such as pace, volume, tone, eye contact and confidence.

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S.INQ Up Careers Creative Communication

Leadership and Teamwork, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

S.INQ Up Careers Creative Communication

OregonASK

6 - 8

30 Minutes

Students explore the communication skills needed to design and engineer as they build from verbal instructions. This fun, hands-on activity gets everyone engaged!

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Replicating DNA

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Replicating DNA

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students make a model of a double-stranded DNA molecule. Then they cut the strand in half and replicate it to make 2 copies of the molecule. This activity builds understanding of DNA and how it is replicated.

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MLB Players STEM League Lesson 7: The Trade Deadline

Leadership and Teamwork, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

MLB Players STEM League Lesson 7: The Trade Deadline

Learn Fresh

3 - 8

1 Hour 30 Minutes

In professional baseball, the Trade Deadline is a pivotal moment for teams to make final trades before the playoffs. For students, this lesson marks their first opportunity to trade players, encouraging them to evaluate their roster, analyze performance data, and strengthen their team for the postseason.
In this lesson, educators act as commissioners, overseeing all trades to ensure fairness. The lesson also features a bonus activity on Compromise, where students develop negotiation and collaboration skills to navigate the trade process effectively.

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Egg Drop

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Egg Drop

OregonASK

3 - 8

1 Hour

Students create a protective device that prevents raw eggs from cracking when launched from high heights. This classic group project is fun for everyone!

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Target Quest (Grades 6-8)

Stories and Perspectives, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Target Quest (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students work in small groups to measure and construct 2-dimensional figures to match a target shape.

Discover Activity

Phases of the Moon

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Phases of the Moon

NASA

6 - 12

1 Hour

Discover Activity

Build the Strongest Bridge

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Build the Strongest Bridge

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students build two bridges and then test them to see which can carry the greater load. This activity builds engineering and critical-thinking skills as well as cooperative learning and design skills.

Discover Activity

What Is the Best Way to Search for Information Online?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Digital Voices

What Is the Best Way to Search for Information Online?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

50 Minutes

Discover Activity

Build An Extension Arm

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Build An Extension Arm

OregonASK

6 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students learn about engineering as they design, build and test an extension arm.

Discover Activity

A Model of the Lungs

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

A Model of the Lungs

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students work in pairs to build a functioning model of human lungs.

Discover Activity

Raptors

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Raptors

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

50 Minutes

Discover Activity

Elevator Pitch Practice: Pen Exercise

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Elevator Pitch Practice: Pen Exercise

Young Entrepreneur Institute

3 - 12

20 Minutes

Discover Activity

S.INQ Up Careers Creative Communication

Leadership and Teamwork, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

S.INQ Up Careers Creative Communication

OregonASK

6 - 8

30 Minutes

Students explore the communication skills needed to design and engineer as they build from verbal instructions. This fun, hands-on activity gets everyone engaged!

Discover Activity

Replicating DNA

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Replicating DNA

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

MLB Players STEM League Lesson 7: The Trade Deadline

Leadership and Teamwork, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

MLB Players STEM League Lesson 7: The Trade Deadline

Learn Fresh

3 - 8

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Discover Activity

Egg Drop

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Egg Drop

OregonASK

3 - 8

1 Hour

Students create a protective device that prevents raw eggs from cracking when launched from high heights. This classic group project is fun for everyone!

Discover Activity

Target Quest (Grades 6-8)

Stories and Perspectives, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Target Quest (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students work in small groups to measure and construct 2-dimensional figures to match a target shape.

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Collections

Animal Migrations

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

4 Activities

Animal Migrations

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

Migration is the seasonal movement of animals from one habitat to another as they search for food or living conditions. In this playlist we'll connect to nature and learn a little about the migrations of the monarch butterfly, bats, and raptors.

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Understanding Climate Change

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

7 Activities

Understanding Climate Change

The Nature Conservancy

9 - 12

6 Hours

Students will explore the relationship between weather and climate and nature's role in creating resilience.

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Real World Arts & Design

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Arts in Action

6 Activities

Real World Arts & Design

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

4 Hours 40 Minutes

Students go through a variety of fun arts and design activities that have real world applications.

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STEM Activities at Home for 9-12th Grades

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

9 Activities

STEM Activities at Home for 9-12th Grades

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

7 Hours 45 Minutes

Students engage in science and engineering activities that contain accessible materials.

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Intro to Entrepreneurship (Grades 3-5)

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

3 Activities

Intro to Entrepreneurship (Grades 3-5)

VentureLab

3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

This foundational series of activities introduces upper elementary students to the concept of entrepreneurship. Expanding beyond the idea that entrepreneurs are just people who set up and run a company, the team at VentureLab wants students to also develop an entrepreneurial way of thinking and acting on ideas.

Through this collection of activities, students develop an understanding of the basic entrepreneurial skills and mindset, as well as what it means and feels like to be an entrepreneur.

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Visual Arts Activities For 3rd-5th Grade at Home

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Arts in Action

13 Activities

Visual Arts Activities For 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

13 Hours 30 Minutes

This Playlist provides younger students a variety of visual arts activities that encourages creative thinking at home.

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S.INQ Sound

Arts in Action, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

9 Activities

S.INQ Sound

OregonASK

K - 5

4 Hours 30 Minutes

This lesson has hands-on activities ranging from learning about sound, pitch, and amplification through material exploration to designing, building, testing and modifying their own musical instruments.

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Operation: Mindset

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

6 Activities

Operation: Mindset

Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship

6 - 12

8 Hours 20 Minutes

Students discover what it means to think and act like an entrepreneur in this series of fun and engaging lessons. First, students learn about the mindset traits and behaviors of successful entrepreneurs before taking a survey that reveals the characteristics of their own entrepreneurial mindset. Students then participate in a series of four challenges – each designed to activate two of the eight domains of the entrepreneurial mindset. The module wraps up with students creating an action plan to further grow their own entrepreneurial potential.

Recommended Module Sequence

NFTE recommends that Lessons 1, 2, and 6 are facilitated in the order listed below. However, Lessons 3, 4, and 5 can be facilitated in any order. Lessons 3, 4, 5, and 6 can also be done independently for teachers looking for exercises that engage students in those non-cognitive skills.

Lesson 1: Pitch Yourself

Lesson 2: EMI Pre-Survey Analysis

Lesson 3: Tower of Power

Entrepreneurial Mindset Domain Focus: Creativity & Innovation and Initiative & Self-Reliance

Lesson 4: Chill or Grill

Entrepreneurial Mindset Domain Focus: Flexibility & Adaptability and Comfort with Risk

Lesson 5: Picture This

Entrepreneurial Mindset Domain Focus: Communication & Collaboration and Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Lesson 6: Startup Survival

Entrepreneurial Mindset Domains: Opportunity Recognition & Future Orientation

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Animal Families and Nearby Nature

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

3 Activities

Animal Families and Nearby Nature

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

We can learn a lot when we take time to observe nature nearby. In this playlist, youth learn about six animal families, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, fish, birds, and mammals. Additionally, we take a look at the plants in the community and how they support the animal families.

Discover Collection

Animal Migrations

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

4 Activities

Animal Migrations

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

Discover Collection

Understanding Climate Change

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

7 Activities

Understanding Climate Change

The Nature Conservancy

9 - 12

6 Hours

Students will explore the relationship between weather and climate and nature's role in creating resilience.

Discover Collection

Real World Arts & Design

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Arts in Action

6 Activities

Real World Arts & Design

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

4 Hours 40 Minutes

Students go through a variety of fun arts and design activities that have real world applications.

Discover Collection

STEM Activities at Home for 9-12th Grades

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

9 Activities

STEM Activities at Home for 9-12th Grades

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

7 Hours 45 Minutes

Students engage in science and engineering activities that contain accessible materials.

Discover Collection

Intro to Entrepreneurship (Grades 3-5)

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

3 Activities

Intro to Entrepreneurship (Grades 3-5)

VentureLab

3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Through this collection of activities, students develop an understanding of the basic entrepreneurial skills and mindset, as well as what it means and feels like to be an entrepreneur.

Discover Collection

Visual Arts Activities For 3rd-5th Grade at Home

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Arts in Action

13 Activities

Visual Arts Activities For 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

13 Hours 30 Minutes

This Playlist provides younger students a variety of visual arts activities that encourages creative thinking at home.

Discover Collection

S.INQ Sound

Arts in Action, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

9 Activities

S.INQ Sound

OregonASK

K - 5

4 Hours 30 Minutes

Discover Collection

Operation: Mindset

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

6 Activities

Operation: Mindset

Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship

6 - 12

8 Hours 20 Minutes

Recommended Module Sequence

Lesson 1: Pitch Yourself

Lesson 2: EMI Pre-Survey Analysis

Lesson 3: Tower of Power

Entrepreneurial Mindset Domain Focus: Creativity & Innovation and Initiative & Self-Reliance

Lesson 4: Chill or Grill

Entrepreneurial Mindset Domain Focus: Flexibility & Adaptability and Comfort with Risk

Lesson 5: Picture This

Entrepreneurial Mindset Domain Focus: Communication & Collaboration and Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Lesson 6: Startup Survival

Entrepreneurial Mindset Domains: Opportunity Recognition & Future Orientation

Discover Collection

Animal Families and Nearby Nature

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

3 Activities

Animal Families and Nearby Nature

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

Discover Collection

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Library

Categories Collaborators Explore All Activities All Collections

Community

Our Story Team Mizzen Events The Mizzen Minute

Engage

Newsroom Contact Us Privacy Policy

Account