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STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

422 Activities

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

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.

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Activities

Big Data Comes with Big Issues

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Digital Voices

Big Data Comes with Big Issues

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Many internet users often claim that “anything can be found online” or that “information is just a point, click, tap, or swipe away.” However, are we sacrificing our privacy in exchange for the convenience that the internet offers? In this activity, students will watch a video about how data is collected and used online, and then consider the benefits and consequences of this system.

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Building a Mini Greenhouse

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

Building a Mini Greenhouse

OregonASK

6 - 8

1 Hour

Students make a mini greenhouse and learn about how they work.

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Modeling DNA

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

Modeling DNA

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students construct a model of half of a strand of DNA, then work with partners to complete the double-strand. This activity builds understanding of the structure and function of DNA and prepares students for a deeper understanding of molecular genetics.

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The Sponge Challenge

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

The Sponge Challenge

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 12

45 Minutes

Students devise a method to wet all parts of a sponge (inside and out) within 10 seconds. This activity demonstrates an important lesson in life science about cell size.

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Practice Internet Hygiene

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Digital Voices

Practice Internet Hygiene

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

High school students may consider themselves to be experts on the internet and its protocols. However, they may not recognize how online activities can affect a computer, as well as the dangers that certain internet uses can invite. In this activity, students participate in a simulation of common internet usage, and then discover how easily personal information can be compromised.

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The Ecosystem Where I Live

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

The Ecosystem Where I Live

National Wildlife Federation

3 - 8

50 Minutes

An ecosystem is where plants and animals live with and interact with nonliving elements, both natural and human-made. Ecosystems host biotic or living organisms, as well as abiotic or nonliving parts. Biotic organisms include plants and wildlife, while abiotic components of an ecosystem include rocks, temperature, and soil. Ecosystems can be very big or very small; for example, a river is a huge ecosystem, and under a rock is a tiny ecosystem.

Every aspect of an ecosystem depends upon another, either directly or indirectly. To illustrate this, imagine the amount of rainfall in a given location is a variable (other variables include temperature, sunlight, and elevation) to predict the types of plants that will grow there. All of these factors will then support wildlife who depend on these plant species and weather conditions for survival.

Discover Activity

How Viruses Infect Cells

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

How Viruses Infect Cells

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students present skits in which they role-play the two infectious cycles that viruses undergo to attack cells: the lytic cycle and the lysogenic cycle. This activity combines biology and drama to teach skills in both disciplines.

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The Industrial Revolution

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, We The People

The Industrial Revolution

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

During the Industrial Revolution, many new technologies and inventions were introduced to Americans. Students learn all about them as they complete a scavenger hunt by using internet resources to find the answers to clues. They conclude the activity with a group discussion about the impact of these technologies on our lives today.

Discover Activity

Relative Sizes of Planets

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

Relative Sizes of Planets

OregonASK

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students visualize the relative volumes of the eight planets and the dwarf planet Pluto in the solar system.

Discover Activity

Logic Puzzle

We The People, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Logic Puzzle

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In earlier grades, students might have completed an activity in which they match descriptions or captions to individual photographs. Middle School students, however, will be intrigued by a more challenging version of this activity, in which an individual description might apply to many photos. Today, the students will work together to find the one reasonable match, among many possible matches, between 20 descriptions and 20 photos. Students will discover that finding the solution requires perseverance, logic and reasoning skills, and cooperation.

Discover Activity

Grid Paper Puzzles

We The People, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Grid Paper Puzzles

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Not all puzzles have simple solutions! In this activity, students try different strategies to divide a grid into rectangular regions. The goal is to make each region as equal in size as possible.

Discover Activity

Combat Global Climate Change—and Make Money, Too!

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

Combat Global Climate Change—and Make Money, Too!

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Student teams research various technologies and strategies for combating global climate change, including carbon capture, biofuel production, and new systems for mass transit. They recognize that each of these technologies could offer a huge profit for a savvy entrepreneur or business.

Discover Activity

Big Data Comes with Big Issues

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Digital Voices

Big Data Comes with Big Issues

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Many internet users often claim that “anything can be found online” or that “information is just a point, click, tap, or swipe away.” However, are we sacrificing our privacy in exchange for the convenience that the internet offers? In this activity, students will watch a video about how data is collected and used online, and then consider the benefits and consequences of this system.

Discover Activity

Building a Mini Greenhouse

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

Building a Mini Greenhouse

OregonASK

6 - 8

1 Hour

Students make a mini greenhouse and learn about how they work.

Discover Activity

Modeling DNA

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

Modeling DNA

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students construct a model of half of a strand of DNA, then work with partners to complete the double-strand. This activity builds understanding of the structure and function of DNA and prepares students for a deeper understanding of molecular genetics.

Discover Activity

The Sponge Challenge

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

The Sponge Challenge

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 12

45 Minutes

Students devise a method to wet all parts of a sponge (inside and out) within 10 seconds. This activity demonstrates an important lesson in life science about cell size.

Discover Activity

Practice Internet Hygiene

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Digital Voices

Practice Internet Hygiene

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

High school students may consider themselves to be experts on the internet and its protocols. However, they may not recognize how online activities can affect a computer, as well as the dangers that certain internet uses can invite. In this activity, students participate in a simulation of common internet usage, and then discover how easily personal information can be compromised.

Discover Activity

The Ecosystem Where I Live

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

The Ecosystem Where I Live

National Wildlife Federation

3 - 8

50 Minutes

An ecosystem is where plants and animals live with and interact with nonliving elements, both natural and human-made. Ecosystems host biotic or living organisms, as well as abiotic or nonliving parts. Biotic organisms include plants and wildlife, while abiotic components of an ecosystem include rocks, temperature, and soil. Ecosystems can be very big or very small; for example, a river is a huge ecosystem, and under a rock is a tiny ecosystem.

Every aspect of an ecosystem depends upon another, either directly or indirectly. To illustrate this, imagine the amount of rainfall in a given location is a variable (other variables include temperature, sunlight, and elevation) to predict the types of plants that will grow there. All of these factors will then support wildlife who depend on these plant species and weather conditions for survival.

Discover Activity

How Viruses Infect Cells

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

How Viruses Infect Cells

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students present skits in which they role-play the two infectious cycles that viruses undergo to attack cells: the lytic cycle and the lysogenic cycle. This activity combines biology and drama to teach skills in both disciplines.

Discover Activity

The Industrial Revolution

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, We The People

The Industrial Revolution

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

During the Industrial Revolution, many new technologies and inventions were introduced to Americans. Students learn all about them as they complete a scavenger hunt by using internet resources to find the answers to clues. They conclude the activity with a group discussion about the impact of these technologies on our lives today.

Discover Activity

Relative Sizes of Planets

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

Relative Sizes of Planets

OregonASK

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students visualize the relative volumes of the eight planets and the dwarf planet Pluto in the solar system.

Discover Activity

Logic Puzzle

We The People, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Logic Puzzle

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In earlier grades, students might have completed an activity in which they match descriptions or captions to individual photographs. Middle School students, however, will be intrigued by a more challenging version of this activity, in which an individual description might apply to many photos. Today, the students will work together to find the one reasonable match, among many possible matches, between 20 descriptions and 20 photos. Students will discover that finding the solution requires perseverance, logic and reasoning skills, and cooperation.

Discover Activity

Grid Paper Puzzles

We The People, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Grid Paper Puzzles

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Not all puzzles have simple solutions! In this activity, students try different strategies to divide a grid into rectangular regions. The goal is to make each region as equal in size as possible.

Discover Activity

Combat Global Climate Change—and Make Money, Too!

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

Combat Global Climate Change—and Make Money, Too!

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Student teams research various technologies and strategies for combating global climate change, including carbon capture, biofuel production, and new systems for mass transit. They recognize that each of these technologies could offer a huge profit for a savvy entrepreneur or business.

Discover Activity

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Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.

Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.