IF I COULD BUILD THE ALPHABET
STEM Classes KindergartenIF I COULD BUILD THE ALPHABET
Storybook STEM
Caution! Grab your hardhat and safety goggles because the alphabet is “under construction.” Students will pick a letter of the alphabet and choose their own materials to plan, design, and construct a letter as a creative literacy engineer.
IF I COULD BUILD THE ALPHABET
Storybook STEM
Caution! Grab your hardhat and safety goggles because the alphabet is “under construction.” Students will pick a letter of the alphabet and choose their own materials to plan, design, and construct a letter as a creative literacy engineer.
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DON’T CRACK THE EGG
STEM Classes KindergartenDON’T CRACK THE EGG
Storybook STEM
Whoops! Humpty Dumpty “sat on the wall” and “had a great fall.” Let’s turn back time to keep Humpty Dumpty from getting hurt. Students will use various materials to engineer a device that will protect an egg from cracking after its great fall.
NGSS: K-PS2-2, ETS1.A, ETS1.B
DON’T CRACK THE EGG
Storybook STEM
Whoops! Humpty Dumpty “sat on the wall” and “had a great fall.” Let’s turn back time to keep Humpty Dumpty from getting hurt. Students will use various materials to engineer a device that will protect an egg from cracking after its great fall.
NGSS: K-PS2-2, ETS1.A, ETS1.B
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HOG HOUSES
STEM Classes KindergartenHOG HOUSES
Storybook STEM
The Big Bad Wolf is back for more! Protect the three little pigs from their furry predator by helping them build strong, safe houses. Students will use open-ended materials to plan, design, and build a structure to keep the pigs safe from the Big Bad Wolf’s “huff and puff” antics.
NGSS: K-PS2-1, K-LS1-1, ETS1.A, ETS1.B CCSS RL.K.10
HOG HOUSES
Storybook STEM
The Big Bad Wolf is back for more! Protect the three little pigs from their furry predator by helping them build strong, safe houses. Students will use open-ended materials to plan, design, and build a structure to keep the pigs safe from the Big Bad Wolf’s “huff and puff” antics.
NGSS: K-PS2-1, K-LS1-1, ETS1.A, ETS1.B CCSS RL.K.10
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FROM CRAWLING CATERPILLAR TO BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY
STEM Classes KindergartenFROM CRAWLING CATERPILLAR TO BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY
Storybook STEM
Wait, caterpillars can’t consume cupcakes! Carle’s caterpillar becomes sick when he eats junk food in the story. So, what do caterpillars eat? How do they change from a crawling caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly? Students will explore these questions as they learn about the life cycle of a butterfly.
NGSS: K-LS1-1, K-ESS3-1
FROM CRAWLING CATERPILLAR TO BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY
Storybook STEM
Wait, caterpillars can’t consume cupcakes! Carle’s caterpillar becomes sick when he eats junk food in the story. So, what do caterpillars eat? How do they change from a crawling caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly? Students will explore these questions as they learn about the life cycle of a butterfly.
NGSS: K-LS1-1, K-ESS3-1
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WEATHER BOOKS
STEM Classes KindergartenWEATHER BOOKS
Weather
What’s the weather like? Design a weather report folder to use for observing and describing the weather. Students will see how weather affects our daily lives as we discuss the importance of dressing for the weather.
NGSS: K-ESS2.D
WEATHER BOOKS
Weather
What’s the weather like? Design a weather report folder to use for observing and describing the weather. Students will see how weather affects our daily lives as we discuss the importance of dressing for the weather.
NGSS: K-ESS2.D
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PLANT IN A BOTTLE
STEM Classes KindergartenPLANT IN A BOTTLE
Living and Non-Living Things
Students will build their own terrarium to take home, while investigating living and non-living things.
NGSS: K-LS1-1, K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3, 1-LS1-1
PLANT IN A BOTTLE
Living and Non-Living Things
Students will build their own terrarium to take home, while investigating living and non-living things.
NGSS: K-LS1-1, K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3, 1-LS1-1
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SHEEP IN A JEEP
STEM Classes KindergartenSHEEP IN A JEEP
Forces and Motion
Use a ramp, a sheep, and a jeep to investigate how pushes and pulls make objects travel various distances.
NGSS: K-PS2-1, K-PS2-2
SHEEP IN A JEEP
Forces and Motion
Use a ramp, a sheep, and a jeep to investigate how pushes and pulls make objects travel various distances.
NGSS: K-PS2-1, K-PS2-2
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COLOR CRAZE
STEM Classes KindergartenCOLOR CRAZE
Storybook STEM
Poor Camilla Cream… Her skin has turned green. And red, orange, yellow, blue, and purple, too! Our skin cannot change color like Camilla Cream’s, but we can create the color of the rainbow ourselves. Students will create a self-portrait then use primary colors to give themselves “a bad case of stripes.”
COLOR CRAZE
Storybook STEM
Poor Camilla Cream… Her skin has turned green. And red, orange, yellow, blue, and purple, too! Our skin cannot change color like Camilla Cream’s, but we can create the color of the rainbow ourselves. Students will create a self-portrait then use primary colors to give themselves “a bad case of stripes.”
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LANDFORMS
STEM Classes 3rd GradeLANDFORMS
Explore Earth! Students will use clay to sculpt mountains, valleys, plains, plateaus, and other major landforms. Investigate where on earth these landforms can be found and what forces help shape our world. Discover the many different landforms that are located in our state of Michigan.
NGSS: 2-ESS2-2, 3-G1.0.1, 3-G1.0.2
LANDFORMS
Explore Earth! Students will use clay to sculpt mountains, valleys, plains, plateaus, and other major landforms. Investigate where on earth these landforms can be found and what forces help shape our world. Discover the many different landforms that are located in our state of Michigan.
NGSS: 2-ESS2-2, 3-G1.0.1, 3-G1.0.2
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LIGHT & SHADOWS
STEM Classes 1st GradeLIGHT & SHADOWS
Investigate the properties of this form of energy, while exploring shadows, mirrors and the light spectrum. Discover how you can block, reflect, and bend light with hands-on activities.
NGSS: 1-PS4-2, 1-PS4-3
LIGHT & SHADOWS
Investigate the properties of this form of energy, while exploring shadows, mirrors and the light spectrum. Discover how you can block, reflect, and bend light with hands-on activities.
NGSS: 1-PS4-2, 1-PS4-3
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SOUND
STEM Classes 1st GradeSOUND
What makes sound? Students will find out as they investigate vibrations, pitch, and loudness with fun hands-on activities.
NGSS: 1-PS4-1, 1-LS1-1
SOUND
What makes sound? Students will find out as they investigate vibrations, pitch, and loudness with fun hands-on activities.
NGSS: 1-PS4-1, 1-LS1-1
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MOON PHASE BOOKS
STEM Classes 1st GradeMOON PHASE BOOKS
Make a glow-in-the-dark moon phase book that will help students explore the predictable pattern of the shapes of the Moon we can see on Earth.
NGSS: 1-ESS1-1
MOON PHASE BOOKS
Make a glow-in-the-dark moon phase book that will help students explore the predictable pattern of the shapes of the Moon we can see on Earth.
NGSS: 1-ESS1-1
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BUILD YOUR OWN ECOSYSTEM – PLANT PARTS
STEM Classes 1st GradeBUILD YOUR OWN ECOSYSTEM – PLANT PARTS
Students will build an independent ecosystem to take home, while exploring plant parts. See how each of these structures help plants survive and grow.
NGSS: 1-LS1-1
BUILD YOUR OWN ECOSYSTEM – PLANT PARTS
Students will build an independent ecosystem to take home, while exploring plant parts. See how each of these structures help plants survive and grow.
NGSS: 1-LS1-1
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WATER FILTRATION
STEM Classes 5th GradeWATER FILTRATION
Where does the water come from? Where does it go? Students will explore the hydrosphere as they clean dirty water with filtration systems that they design, build, and test.
NGSS: 5-ESS2-2
WATER FILTRATION
Where does the water come from? Where does it go? Students will explore the hydrosphere as they clean dirty water with filtration systems that they design, build, and test.
NGSS: 5-ESS2-2
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GROUNDWATER
STEM Classes 2nd GradeGROUNDWATER
Build and manipulate a model groundwater system, while learning how removing, adding, and polluting water impacts our underground water system.
NGSS: 2-ESS2-3
GROUNDWATER
Build and manipulate a model groundwater system, while learning how removing, adding, and polluting water impacts our underground water system.
NGSS: 2-ESS2-3
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GALACTIC GOO
STEM Classes 2nd GradeGALACTIC GOO
Chemistry at its finest and most fun! Matter, molecules, and polymers will be discussed in this hands-on activity. Each student will make and take home a bag of their own goo!
NGSS: 2-PS1-1, 2-PS1-2, 2-PS1-3, 2-PS1-4
GALACTIC GOO
Chemistry at its finest and most fun! Matter, molecules, and polymers will be discussed in this hands-on activity. Each student will make and take home a bag of their own goo!
NGSS: 2-PS1-1, 2-PS1-2, 2-PS1-3, 2-PS1-4
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LANDFORMS
STEM Classes 2nd GradeLANDFORMS
Explore Earth! Students will use clay to sculpt mountains, valleys, plains, plateaus, and other major landforms. Investigate where on earth these landforms can be found and what forces help shape our world. Discover the many different landforms that are located in our state of Michigan.
NGSS: 2-ESS2-2, 3-G1.0.1, 3-G1.0.2
LANDFORMS
Explore Earth! Students will use clay to sculpt mountains, valleys, plains, plateaus, and other major landforms. Investigate where on earth these landforms can be found and what forces help shape our world. Discover the many different landforms that are located in our state of Michigan.
NGSS: 2-ESS2-2, 3-G1.0.1, 3-G1.0.2
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BUILD YOUR OWN ECOSYSTEM – NEEDS OF LIVING THINGS
STEM Classes 2nd GradeBUILD YOUR OWN ECOSYSTEM – NEEDS OF LIVING THINGS
Investigate ecosystems and the water cycle, and learn what living things need to survive. Students will build an independent ecosystem to take home. Work collaboratively to design an investigation that explores how light affects plant growth.
NGSS: 2-LS2-1
BUILD YOUR OWN ECOSYSTEM – NEEDS OF LIVING THINGS
Investigate ecosystems and the water cycle, and learn what living things need to survive. Students will build an independent ecosystem to take home. Work collaboratively to design an investigation that explores how light affects plant growth.
NGSS: 2-LS2-1
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ICE CREAM
STEM Classes 2nd GradeICE CREAM
A sweet way to study solids, liquids, and gases! Working in groups, students will use beakers, measuring cups, and measuring spoons to mix up solids and liquids into an ice cream base. Educators will add the “magic liquid” that changes their liquid into solid ice cream. Each student gets some ice cream to taste.
NGSS: 2-PS1-1, 2-PS1-3, 2-PS1-4
ICE CREAM
A sweet way to study solids, liquids, and gases! Working in groups, students will use beakers, measuring cups, and measuring spoons to mix up solids and liquids into an ice cream base. Educators will add the “magic liquid” that changes their liquid into solid ice cream. Each student gets some ice cream to taste.
NGSS: 2-PS1-1, 2-PS1-3, 2-PS1-4
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FOSSIL SCIENCE
STEM Classes 3rd GradeFOSSIL SCIENCE
Make a plaster fossil model to take home and touch real fossils, while learning how fossils are formed and how they provide evidence of life long ago.
NGSS: 3-LS4-1, 4-ESS1-1
FOSSIL SCIENCE
Make a plaster fossil model to take home and touch real fossils, while learning how fossils are formed and how they provide evidence of life long ago.
NGSS: 3-LS4-1, 4-ESS1-1
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MARBLE ROLLER COASTERS
STEM Classes 3rd GradeMARBLE ROLLER COASTERS
Investigate balanced and unbalanced forces acting on a marble as students build a roller coaster that moves a marble through upside-down loops, curves, and drops.
NGSS: 3-PS2-1, 3-PS2-2
MARBLE ROLLER COASTERS
Investigate balanced and unbalanced forces acting on a marble as students build a roller coaster that moves a marble through upside-down loops, curves, and drops.
NGSS: 3-PS2-1, 3-PS2-2
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BUILD YOUR OWN ECOSYSTEM – CHANGING ENVIRONMENTS
STEM Classes 3rd GradeBUILD YOUR OWN ECOSYSTEM – CHANGING ENVIRONMENTS
Investigate ecosystems and the water cycle, and learn what living things need to survive. Students will build an independent ecosystem to take home. Work collaboratively to design an investigation that explores how changing environmental features affect plant growth.
NGSS: 3-LS4-4
BUILD YOUR OWN ECOSYSTEM – CHANGING ENVIRONMENTS
Investigate ecosystems and the water cycle, and learn what living things need to survive. Students will build an independent ecosystem to take home. Work collaboratively to design an investigation that explores how changing environmental features affect plant growth.
NGSS: 3-LS4-4
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CATCH A WAVE
STEM Classes 4th GradeCATCH A WAVE
Energy moves in waves! Students will use duct tape, skewers, and modeling clay to build wave models that demonstrate how energy moves through matter. Students will explore mechanical waves, wave frequency, and amplitude.
NGSS: 4-PS4-1
CATCH A WAVE
Energy moves in waves! Students will use duct tape, skewers, and modeling clay to build wave models that demonstrate how energy moves through matter. Students will explore mechanical waves, wave frequency, and amplitude.
NGSS: 4-PS4-1
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ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS
STEM Classes 4th GradeELECTRICAL CIRCUITS
Students will explore the basics of electrical circuits while experimenting with batteries, buzzers, bulbs, and switches. Students will make a paper circuit project to take home.
NGSS: 4-PS3-2, 4-PS3-4
ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS
Students will explore the basics of electrical circuits while experimenting with batteries, buzzers, bulbs, and switches. Students will make a paper circuit project to take home.
NGSS: 4-PS3-2, 4-PS3-4
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EYE DISSECTION
STEM Classes 4th GradeEYE DISSECTION
Students will explore the structure and function of an eye while learning how objects are seen when light reflects off the surface and enters the eye. Students will dissect a sheep eye.
NGSS: 4-PS4-2, 4-LS1-2
EYE DISSECTION
Students will explore the structure and function of an eye while learning how objects are seen when light reflects off the surface and enters the eye. Students will dissect a sheep eye.
NGSS: 4-PS4-2, 4-LS1-2
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PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL CHANGES
STEM Classes 5th GradePHYSICAL & CHEMICAL CHANGES
Students will explore how matter changes, while observing changes in state of matter and making separating mixtures. Students will follow procedures and look for evidence of chemical changes, while measuring and mixing chemicals to create chemical reactions.
NGSS: 5-PS1-2
PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL CHANGES
Students will explore how matter changes, while observing changes in state of matter and making separating mixtures. Students will follow procedures and look for evidence of chemical changes, while measuring and mixing chemicals to create chemical reactions.
NGSS: 5-PS1-2
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MYSTERY POWDER
STEM Classes 5th GradeMYSTERY POWDER
Someone has spilled white powder in the Learning Lab. Students will use observation and a series of chemical tests to collect data on known powders and then compare that data to the unknown powder’s tests to identify it.
NGSS: 5-PS1-3
MYSTERY POWDER
Someone has spilled white powder in the Learning Lab. Students will use observation and a series of chemical tests to collect data on known powders and then compare that data to the unknown powder’s tests to identify it.
NGSS: 5-PS1-3
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OWL PELLETS & FOOD WEBS
STEM Classes 5th GradeOWL PELLETS & FOOD WEBS
Whooo eats who? Explore how energy moves through an owl’s food web while dissecting an owl pellet. Learn about owl adaptations that make these birds of prey such successful hunters.
NGSS: 5-PS3-1, 5-LS2-1
OWL PELLETS & FOOD WEBS
Whooo eats who? Explore how energy moves through an owl’s food web while dissecting an owl pellet. Learn about owl adaptations that make these birds of prey such successful hunters.
NGSS: 5-PS3-1, 5-LS2-1
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MOON PHASES & ECLIPSES
STEM Classes 5th GradeMOON PHASES & ECLIPSES
Students will make a glow-in-the-dark Moon phase book and an eclipse project, while exploring the motion of the Earth and Moon.
NGSS: 5-ESS1-2
MOON PHASES & ECLIPSES
Students will make a glow-in-the-dark Moon phase book and an eclipse project, while exploring the motion of the Earth and Moon.
NGSS: 5-ESS1-2
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TELESCOPE WORKSHOP
STEM Classes Middle SchoolTELESCOPE WORKSHOP
Using telescopes, students will learn about the properties of light, how light propagates through space, and how astronomers use lenses and telescopes to measure properties of distant objects. This class focuses on using a mixture of hands-on application and data driven analysis to expand the students’ understanding of light and astronomy.
NGSS: MS-PS4-1, MS-PS4-2, MS-ESS1-3
TELESCOPE WORKSHOP
Using telescopes, students will learn about the properties of light, how light propagates through space, and how astronomers use lenses and telescopes to measure properties of distant objects. This class focuses on using a mixture of hands-on application and data driven analysis to expand the students’ understanding of light and astronomy.
NGSS: MS-PS4-1, MS-PS4-2, MS-ESS1-3
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