12 Activities

NASA

NASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery.

Introduce youth to space and build STEM skills with activities that include experiments, observations, and team building.

Activities

Cookie Box Spectrometers

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

•

Grades 3 - 12

Cookie Box Spectrometers

By NASA

3 - 12

Students create their own spectrometers; also, they learn about the color spectrum.

Discover Activity

Cookie Box Spectrometers

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

1h•Grades 3 - 12

Exploring the Colors of Mars

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

•

Grades 3 - 5

Exploring the Colors of Mars

By NASA

3 - 5

Students use satellite and rover images to learn about the various features and materials that cause color variation on the surface of Mars. They will then use their knowledge to color a line drawing of Mars and add relief features using glue and powdered minerals. Students explain their choice of colors and minerals based on Mars minerology.

Discover Activity

Exploring the Colors of Mars

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

2h•Grades 3 - 5

Design a Crew Module

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

•

Grades 6 - 8

Design a Crew Module

By NASA

6 - 8

Are you ready for a challenge? Design and build a crew module model that will secure two 2 cm astronaut figures during a drop test.

Discover Activity

Design a Crew Module

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

1h•Grades 6 - 8

Heavy Lifting

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

45m

•

Grades 3 - 8

Heavy Lifting

By NASA

3 - 8

45m

Students construct balloon-powered rockets to launch the greatest payload possible to the classroom ceiling.

Discover Activity

Heavy Lifting

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

45m•Grades 3 - 8

Make an Eclipse Viewer

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

45m

•

Grades 3 - 12

Make an Eclipse Viewer

By NASA

3 - 12

45m

Students create a simple pinhole projector. Also, students have the opportunity to test their projectors and view the sun safely!

Discover Activity

Make an Eclipse Viewer

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

45m•Grades 3 - 12

Sound on a String

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

1h 30m

•

Grades K - 2

Sound on a String

By NASA

K - 2

1h 30m

Students will rotate through a series of center activities to develop a hypothesis for how sound travels as they experiment with different types of string, sizes of string, types of cups and sizes of cups.

Discover Activity

Sound on a String

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

1h 30m•Grades K - 2

Solar System Bead Activity

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

•

Grades K - 8

Solar System Bead Activity

By NASA

K - 8

Students construct -- and where appropriate, calculate -- a scale model of the solar system using beads and string.

Discover Activity

Solar System Bead Activity

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

1h•Grades K - 8

Stomp Rockets

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

1h 30m

•

Grades 3 - 12

Stomp Rockets

By NASA

3 - 12

1h 30m

Work individually or in teams of two to construct and launch paper rockets using a teacher-built PVC-pipe launcher.

Following the flight of their rocket, calculate the altitude their rocket achieved. Based on the flight performance of their rockets, analyze their rocket designs, modify or rebuild them, launch again, and calculate the altitude achieved to determine if their changes affected the performance of the rocket. Conclude the activity by writing a post-flight mission report.

Discover Activity

Stomp Rockets

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

1h 30m•Grades 3 - 12

Sound Effects

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

•

Grades 6 - 8

Sound Effects

By NASA

6 - 8

Students will learn about the principles of sound, specifically how to amplify and reduce sound volume. Students will construct a speaker to amplify the sound and then will be challenged to find a solution to reduce the perceived sound volume.

Discover Activity

Sound Effects

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

1h•Grades 6 - 8

Phases of the Moon

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

•

Grades 6 - 12

Phases of the Moon

By NASA

6 - 12

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.

Discover Activity

Phases of the Moon

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

1h•Grades 6 - 12

Make a Straw Rocket

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

30m

•

Grades 3 - 8

Make a Straw Rocket

By NASA

3 - 8

30m

Create a paper rocket that can be launched from a soda straw – then, modify the design to make the rocket fly farther!

Discover Activity

Make a Straw Rocket

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

30m•Grades 3 - 8

Habitat Planning

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

45m

•

Grades 3 - 8

Habitat Planning

By NASA

3 - 8

45m

Students think about and discuss the basic needs and activities that astronauts might partake in while living on the moon, and draw a habitat that can accommodate those activities.

Discover Activity

Habitat Planning

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

45m•Grades 3 - 8

Featured in These Collections

American History: Elevating Black Voices (K-2)

Leadership and Teamwork • Arts • STEM • Literacy • History and Society

130 Items

•

Grades K - 2

Collection

American History: Elevating Black Voices (K-2)

K - 2

The American History: Elevating Black Voices Collection is a weekly, hands-on playlist that helps young learners explore how stories, creativity, problem-solving, and leadership shape communities and American history. Through engaging texts, Innovator Trading Cards, and theme-based activities in literacy, STEM, the arts, and teamwork, students discover lesser-known Black Americans whose voices and ideas have made a lasting impact. Each week introduces a new theme that strengthens early reading skills, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking, while giving learners multiple opportunities to apply their understanding through play and exploration. Designed for easy facilitation and joyful learning, this playlist shows that innovation takes many forms—and that every voice matters.

For a consistent learning experience, it is recommended that this collection be completed in the sequence outlined below. This allows learners to apply the weekly themes from the Innovator Playing Cards through supplementary activities.

Week 1: Storytelling and Voice

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

New End to the Story

Round Robin Storytelling

Animal Interviews

Week 2: Inventing and Problem Solving

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Balanced Mobile

Sound on a String

Mechanical Engineering Tops

Week 3: Creativity and Expression

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Masquerade Masks

Music and Rhythm (Grades k-2)

Creative Play Design Challenges

Week 4: Leadership and Change

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Playing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

People Bingo

What is a Quality

Discover Collection

American History: Elevating Black Voices (K-2)

Leadership and Teamwork • Arts • STEM • Literacy • History and Society

Grades K - 2

COLLECTION

Catalyze STEM Learning with Kayla Ambesi

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

120 Items

•

All Grades

Collection

Catalyze STEM Learning with Kayla Ambesi

All Grades

From robots and rockets to quicksand, plants, weather, and wildlife, this playlist ignites curiosity in STEM, inspiring the joy of discovery. Youth will design and test a kite in flight (learning about wind and weight); make rock candy crystals (discovering supersaturation), record and sketch nature (learning about climate and weather); and craft a protective device for a falling egg (exploring momentum and energy).

"By engaging in STEM activities that go beyond textbooks and lectures, youth can explore their interests, develop critical thinking skills, and gain practical knowledge that transcends traditional education. Investing in these experiences empowers them to become well-rounded individuals equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving world." — Kayla Ambesi

Kayla Ambesi is the Supervisor of Community Schools at Schenectady City School District in New York. With a passion for education and engagement, she oversees six community schools and leads districtwide STEAM Camps, K-12 summer enrichment, and a "STEM Saturdays" collaboration with Union College. Kayla is the devoted mother of four children and holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the esteemed College of Saint Rose.

Discover Collection

Catalyze STEM Learning with Kayla Ambesi

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

All Grades

COLLECTION

15-30 Minute Activities for Busy Summer Days

Literacy • Social and Emotional Awareness • Arts • STEM • Leadership and Teamwork

120 Items

•

Grades K - 8

Collection

15-30 Minute Activities for Busy Summer Days

K - 8

Need quick summer camp activities that are easy to lead? These 15-30 minute low-prep activities are perfect for transitions, schedule gaps, rainy days, and last-minute plan changes. Designed for summer programs, they keep youth engaged without adding stress to your day.

Discover Collection

15-30 Minute Activities for Busy Summer Days

Literacy • Social and Emotional Awareness • Arts • STEM • Leadership and Teamwork

Grades K - 8

COLLECTION

STEM Activities for Summer Camp

STEM

130 Items

•

Grades K - 8

Collection

STEM Activities for Summer Camp

K - 8

Keep curiosity high all summer with hands-on STEM activities that are fun, engaging, and easy to lead. From simple science experiments to engineering challenges, these ready-to-use lessons make summer planning easier while helping youth explore, create, and learn through play.

Discover Collection

STEM Activities for Summer Camp

STEM

Grades K - 8

COLLECTION

STEAM Discovery & Learning with Mizzen Education

Arts • STEM

190 Items

•

All Grades

Collection

STEAM Discovery & Learning with Mizzen Education

All Grades

This playlist will ignite curiosity and creativity for grades K-12 with a lineup of specially-curated STEAM activities! From mind-bending math puzzles and hands-on science experiments to coding adventures and imaginative art projects, each activity is a new gateway to discovery!

Discover Collection

STEAM Discovery & Learning with Mizzen Education

Arts • STEM

All Grades

COLLECTION