100+ Free STEM Activities from Mizzen Education

STEM learning has the power to enhance critical thinking, spark creativity, and even ignite a student's lifelong passion for science, technology, engineering, or math.

However, finding high-quality, enjoyable, and affordable STEM activities for your afterschool program can be challenging.

That’s where Mizzen Education comes in.

Our free digital platform gives you instant access to hundreds of STEM activities and resources—tested and trusted by out-of-school time programs nationwide. Whether you’re looking for stand-alone activities or complete collections, Mizzen Education has what you need.

Join Mizzen Education today to spend less time lesson planning and more time inspiring your youth through STEM.

Make Quicksand

Grades: 3-5
Duration: 45 mins
Learning Standards: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

Student pairs work together to make quicksand out of cornstarch and water. They observe and experiment with the quicksand to analyze its properties. Students then explain in their own words how the quicksand works. This activity builds understanding of solids, liquids, and suspensions.

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Measurement Games

Grades: 6-8
Duration: 45 mins
Learning Standards: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

Students test their estimation and measurement skills as they compete for points. This fun activity shows the value of precise measurement instruments and how the unaided eye can be easily misled.

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Stats-Minded Scrabble® Tournament

Grades: 9-12
Duration: 45 mins
Learning Standards: Common Core (Math)

In traditional games of Scrabble® or other word games, the player with the highest total score is declared the winner. Not so in today’s activity! Students will play a word game in which the winner achieves a certain statistical goal, such as a mean score closest to 12 points or a set of scores with the greatest standard deviation.

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The Sponge Challenge

Grades: 6-12
Duration: 45 mins
Learning Standards: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

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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Fossil Match

Grades: 3-5
Duration: 45 mins
Learning Standards: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

Students stamp, drag, or roll objects in or through clay. Other students try to match each clay fossil with the object imprinted in it. This activity builds scientific inquiry and collaboration skills.

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Hidden Stars

Grades: K-2
Duration: 45 mins
Learning Standards: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

In this fun activity, students decorate paper stars, the leader arranges the stars in the classroom, and then students try to identify their stars and other stars. Students learn that a variety of factors affect how we see stars in the night sky. These factors include a star’s size, brightness, and distance to Earth.

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Improved academic performance

Increased exposure to STEM fields

Enhanced social and emotional development

Improved creativity and critical thinking

Preparation for future careers

Boosts confidence and independence

"If you’re looking to engage an engineering mindset after school, you’re going to want to check out Mizzen!"

- Rachel Moore

Program & Planning Specialist, Colorado Department of Education

"One of my favorite activities is the pollinator garden … My sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, they loved it."

- Melinda Shealey

Executive Director, Spirit of Sharing, Inc.

"These opportunities not only supplement classroom learning but also ignite curiosity, foster creativity, and instill a lifelong love for learning."

- Kayla Ambesi

Supervisor of Community Schools, Schenectady City School District

What Is Meant by a STEM Activity?

A STEM activity refers to a learning exercise that integrates elements from the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

These activities are designed to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and hands-on learning.

What Is the STEM Challenge for Kids?

A STEM challenge for kids is an activity or project that encourages children to use skills from science, technology, engineering, and math to solve a specific problem or complete a task.

These challenges are often hands-on, engaging, and designed to be both educational and fun.

What Is an Example of a STEM Activity?

An example of a STEM activity is building a simple bridge using everyday materials like popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and glue.

This encourages students to explore engineering and physics concepts by designing a bridge that can support a certain weight. Students can experiment with different structures and materials to see which design is the strongest. This teaches them about balance, weight distribution, and tension forces.

This activity integrates Science (understanding materials and forces), Technology (potential use of tools), Engineering (design and building), and Math (measuring dimensions and weight capacity).

STEM Afterschool Activities

Fun and Free STEM Activities for Your Out-0f-School Time Program

Top STEM Activities for Afterschool Fun

Make Quicksand

Measurement Games

Stats-Minded Scrabble® Tournament

The Sponge Challenge

Fossil Match

Hidden Stars

Access All Our Free STEM Activities Today!

What Are the Benefits of Afterschool STEM Programs?

Improved academic performance

Increased exposure to STEM fields

Enhanced social and emotional development

Improved creativity and critical thinking

Preparation for future careers

Boosts confidence and independence

Voices from Out-of-School Time

STEM Afterschool Programs FAQs

Spark STEM Passion in Young Learners