About the store
The Vivify team is on a mission to re-engineer STEM education! We are dedicated to creating authentic, engaging, and accessible K-12 STEM lessons that progressively develop critical STEM skills, knowledge, and habits of mind. Designed by a team of educators and engineers, our lessons are low-prep and classroom-tested. Join the over 25,000 educators, and vivify your classroom today!
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STEM Oil Spill Challenge - Earth Day STEM Activity
Oil Spill STEM Activity - Great for Earth Day! Learn about the effects of an oil spill on the environment through a hands-on engineering challenge! An oil spill has devastating impacts on ocean life. In this hands-on challenge, students design and test a solution to clean up oil from water and bird feathers using only the materials provided. The unit includes activities on the science of absorption, investigations on how different soaps interact with oil, and real-world connections to major oil
3rd - 6th
Earth Sciences, Engineering, Math
CCSS, NGSS
4.MD.A.1
, 5.MD.C.3
, 5.MD.C.5
+21
Also included in: Year-Round STEM Engineering Challenges Bundle (Middle School STEM)
Design a Space Lander Middle School STEM Unit | Engineering Our Cosmos
Design a Space Lander Middle School STEM Unit Inspired by the true story of NASA Flight Director Diana Trujillo, a Colombian-American aerospace engineer who played a key role in NASA’s Perseverance rover mission, this STEM unit blends engineering practices and physical science in an engaging design challenge. Drawing from the Mars 2020 landing, students design and build a mechanical lander to safely deliver astronauts, represented by ping pong balls, onto the Martian surface. The lander must ke
6th - 8th
Math, Science
CCSS, NGSS
6.EE.B.6
, 6.RP.A.3
, 8.F.B.4
+9
Also included in: 8th Grade Engineering Our Cosmos | GROWING BUNDLE!
STEM Catapult Math & Engineering Activity (Angles and Ratios)
Take the classic STEM challenge to the next level with design optimization and math connections! This STEM catapult challenge involves engineering, geometry, ratios, critical thinking, and teamwork in an engaging activity your students will love! Using the engineering design process along with math skills, teams of students will build two catapult designs from common materials. Each team will then test at three stations: Distance, Accuracy, and Power. Included are follow-up math problems for enh
3rd - 11th
Engineering, Math, Science
CCSS, NGSS, TEKS
4.MD.C.5
, 4.MD.C.6
, 5.MD.B.2
+25
Also included in: Middle School Distance Learning: Digital STEM Activity Bundle
STEM Careers BINGO Game! (Middle & High School)
A BINGO career game for science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) careers! Includes career descriptions and fun facts about each STEM career. An easy, low-prep activity that can last from 20 - 60 minutes! Includes 40 game boards cover 48 STEM careers with a companion (editable) Google Slide presentation of each career! **Grades K - 5 school version here**Distance learning version! Play during a virtual class! Send students a copy of the included Google Slides version of the game. Each studen
5th - 12th, Adult Education
Math, Science
Also included in: Middle School Distance Learning: Digital STEM Activity Bundle
Back to School (Stage 1 STEM) Bundle: 50+ Icebreaker Activities
Back to School Icebreaker STEM Bundle! Need back to school icebreakers or games that get students moving, communicating, working in teams, and building relationships? Here are 50+ of our favorite basic activities that are low-cost and low-prep for any classroom or subject! Working as a team, they will learn lessons in communication, innovation, hidden assumptions, and creativity that are central to the engineering process. Use as a warm-up, icebreaker, team building activity, or basic STEM and e
PreK - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Engineering
CCSS, NGSS
RST.6-8.7
, RST.6-8.8
, RST.6-8.9
+5
Elementary STEM Careers BINGO Game! (Intro to STEM Careers Game)
A Low-Prep STEM Game! Do you know what a sound engineer does? What about a food scientist? This twist on the classic BINGO game will expose students to exciting science, engineering, and other STEM careers. Students will have a great time playing this game and learning all about the possibilities of STEM! About: A BINGO career game for science, technology, engineering, andmath (STEM) careers! Includes career descriptions and fun facts about each STEM career. An easy, low-prep activity that can
K - 6th
Math, Science
Also included in: Elementary Distance Learning: Digital STEM Activity Bundle
Starter STEM Activities Engineering Design (Take Home STEM)
From catapults to cars to an egg drop challenge, this is your guide to getting started in STEM! Each activity has an in-depth student activity sheet along with a guide through the engineering design process. Materials are cheap, but the learning is fun, hands-on, and engaging! These low-prep engineering challenges are also great for sub plans in a STEM classroom!STEM for Distance Learning: You can also get the whole family involved with STEM learning by using these as take-home STEM challenges!
2nd - 9th
Engineering, Math, Science
NGSS
K-2-ETS1-2
, K-2-ETS1-3
, MS-ETS1-2
+5
Bundle: STEM Family Night Planning Guide, Activity Instructions
STEM Family Night Planning Guide + Bonus Stations Bundle! Host a STEM or STEAM Family Night to generate excitement for STEM through hands-on activities and engage the whole school in the benefits of STEM learning! This all-inclusive planning guide has everything you need to host a successful STEM Family Night! The guide was created after experience hosting several successful Family Nights with over 350 participants. The activities have been vetted by math and science teachers for both elementary
K - 8th
Engineering, Science
NGSS
K-2-ETS1-2
, K-2-ETS1-3
, MS-ETS1-2
+5
Christmas STEM: Elf Zipline (Engineering Design)
A fun Christmas STEM Challenge for the winter holidays! Students will design a zip line vehicle to save an elf from a high place. This hands-on activity is an engaging design challenge that allows students to work in teams, apply the engineering design process, and connect math topics to real-world applications. Students will design a zip line to help rescue the elf! Elf Zipline Adventure STEM Activity Guide: Detailed teachers guide with links to resources Student handouts to guide them through
2nd - 9th
Engineering, Math
CCSS, NGSS
6.EE.A.1
, 7.EE.A.1
, 8.EE.A.1
+8
Also included in: Christmas STEM Challenges Bundle: Elf, Santa, and More!
STEM Sailboat Challenge Math & Engineering Activity
STEM Sailboat Engineering Activity Description Updated to include an editable STEM journals, instructional video, and teacher slides!The Sailboat STEM activity is a great way to incorporate the engineering design process into your classroom or afterschool program! Many are familiar with the boat buoyancy challenge, and this takes it one step further by adding a sail! Now students must build a boat to hold a specific weight as well as incorporate aerodynamic principals to make it move. This hand
4th - 10th
Engineering, Science
CCSS, NGSS, TEKS
6.G.A.1
, 6.G.A.2
, 6.G.A.3
+29
Also included in: Middle School Distance Learning: Digital STEM Activity Bundle
Save the Bees! Pollinator Hotel STEM Challenge
Save the bees with this pollinator hotel STEM Challenge! This is a great Earth Day activity! Activity Overview: Two types of solitary bees, mason and leaf cutter bees, are in search of a new home. They need a safe place to lay eggs. These eggs will turn into baby bees that will pollinate flowers and produce more delicious fruit! First, you will learn about pollinators and the needs of our bee friends. Then design and build a pollinator hotel to provide shelter and a place for bees to lay eggs. T
2nd - 8th
Engineering, Science
NGSS
MS-ETS1-2
, 3-5-ETS1-3
, MS-ETS1-4
+4
Also included in: Year-Round STEM Engineering Challenges Bundle (Middle School STEM)
Robot Hand STEM Project: Anatomy of a Hand Engineering Design Challenge
With only straws, string, tape, and paper, students create a movable hand to pick up objects! This STEM challenge guides students through learning about the anatomy of a human hand and how to design and build their own hand. Students will be amazed at the ability of their paper hand to pick up and move objects! Storyline: This challenge includes a Mission to Moon or Candy Grabber storyline to set the stage for the engineering design lesson. Instructional Video: The lesson comes with an instruc
4th - 9th
Biology, Engineering, General Science
CCSS, NGSS
6.RP.A.1
, 6.RP.A.2
, 6.RP.A.3
+5
Also included in: Mission to Moon: Year-Long Middle School STEM & Engineering Curriculum
STEM Fall Pumpkin Catapult - Math & Engineering Activity
Looking for a pumpkin chunkin catapult challenge? Look no further with this fall or Halloween, Thanksgiving, or fall-themed STEM catapult activity! ** Note: This activity is the same as our STEM catapult challenge product, only centered around a fall pumpkin theme** Click to read more on the Vivify Catapult ChallengeThis STEM catapult challenge involves engineering, geometry, ratios, critical thinking, and teamwork in an engaging fall-themed activity your students will love! Using the engineeri
4th - 10th
Math, Science
CCSS, NGSS, TEKS
4.MD.C.5
, 4.MD.C.6
, 5.MD.B.2
+25
Also included in: Fall & Halloween STEM Challenges Activity Bundle
STEM Drag Device Parachute Challenge
Drag Device STEM Parachute Activity Students use the engineering design process and explore the forces of gravity and air resistance to design a drag device to slow down a payload. This challenge uses a ping pong ball to represent a rover landing on Mars. The rover must remain inside an uncovered cup during drop and impact testing. This hands-on activity is an engaging design challenge that allows students to work in teams, apply the engineering design process, and connect math topics to real-w
2nd - 8th
Engineering, Other (Math), Physical Science
CCSS, NGSS
6.G.A.1
, 6.G.A.2
, 6.G.A.3
+18
Also included in: Space STEM Starter Challenges MEGA Bundle: Middle School
Brain Safety STEM Challenge: Design a Football Helmet
Brain Safety STEM Activity: Design a safer football helmet! It’s football season. But wait, more and more players are getting concussions and hurting their brains! What keeps a football player’s brain safe? Your mission is to design and build a football helmet that protects a player's skull from cracking! This hands-on activity is an engaging design challenge that allows students to work in teams (or individually), apply the engineering design process, and connect math and science topics to rea
3rd - 9th
Engineering, Science
NGSS
MS-ETS1-2
, 3-5-ETS1-3
, MS-ETS1-4
+4
Also included in: Math, Sports & Engineering Activity Bundle: Ratios and Proportions
STEM Activity Hoop Glider Challenge (Variable Testing)
Hoop Glider STEM Activity with Digital & Printed Journal and Teacher Slides! The hoop glider STEM activity includes building a glider made from straw, tape, and index cards or paper to travel the farthest distance. Different activity versions are provided to accommodate student ability and time constraints. Topics Covered: Scientific Method through Variable TestingSTEM Career: Aerospace EngineeringEngineering Design ProcessForces of FlightRatiosThis hands-on activity shows students how to optim
1st - 10th
Engineering, Math
CCSS, NGSS
7.G.B.4
, 6.EE.C.9
, 6.RP.A.1
+17
Also included in: Year-Round STEM Activity Bundle (Elementary STEM)
Elementary STEM Space Lander Challenge
Completely Revamped (2025)! Space Lander STEM Challenge for Elementary! This STEM activity is one of our favorite engineering design challenges! The combination of ping pong balls and aliens makes this a winning STEM challenge! In this hands on challenge, students create a mechanical solution to solve a problem. The unit brings together engineering and physical science topics for an engaging engineering design challenge. Students use the engineering design process to create a lander to safely k
3rd - 5th
Physics, Science
CCSS, NGSS
3.MD.A.1
, 4.MD.A.1
, 4.MD.A.2
+14
Also included in: Space STEM Starter Challenges MEGA Bundle: Elementary Grades
Digital STEM Choice Board: Growing Bundle!
Digital STEM Choice Board: Growing Bundle! Get 20% off! Bring real-world STEM careers and real-world connections through digital STEM choice boards! A fun, engaging, and low-prep activity, this bundle is perfect as an exploration activity, backup plan, or for a substitute teacher! Great for end-of-year STEM! What is a STEM choice board? A choice board is a graphic organizer that allows students to choose from different activities from a central theme. Teachers may have students choose one of th
3rd - 8th
Engineering, Science
Bridge Engineering STEM Challenge - Women in STEM History Activity (Digital)
This engaging STEM challenge is a fun way to incorporate the engineering design process into your classroom or afterschool program! Students use the engineering design process and explore compression and tension forces in bridges while building their own bridge! This challenge also highlights Emily Warren Roebling, the first woman field engineer who was instrumental in the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. History, science, engineering, literature (optional), and math-- it is all included alo
6th - 12th
Applied Math, Engineering, Physical Science
CCSS
6.G.A.1
, 6.G.A.2
, 6.G.A.3
+12
Also included in: Women in STEM History Engineering Challenges Bundle
Bird Nest STEM Challenge (Biomimicry Engineering Activity)
Bird Nest Engineering Design Challenge Students will dive into the engineering design process with this hands-on STEM challenge building a nest to safely catch a falling egg. A follow-up activity teaches biomimicry by relating what was learned in building a bird nest and applying it to designing a landing pad for a space capsule. As a student-driven assignment, the purpose of the teacher is to act as a facilitator. You will provide the structure to the project, but students will take an active r
3rd - 8th
Engineering, Math
CCSS
3.MD.C.5
, 3.MD.C.5a
, 3.MD.C.5b
+34
Also included in: Middle School Distance Learning: Digital STEM Activity Bundle
Showing 1-20 of 89 results
About the store
Experience
The Vivify team is on a mission to re-engineer STEM education! We are dedicated to creating authentic, engaging, and accessible K-12 STEM lessons that progressively develop critical STEM skills, knowledge, and habits of mind. Designed by a team of educators and engineers, our lessons are low-prep and classroom-tested. Join the over 25,000 educators, and vivify your classroom today!
Teaching style
STEM transforms classrooms into an exciting world of curiosity, problem-solving, and creativity. Successful STEM education is an empowering interdisciplinary approach that brings math, science, and engineering concepts to life through challenging opportunities that mimic the complexities and excitement of the real world.
In our STEM classrooms, students apply math and science to a problem, using the engineering design process through technology. Our lessons follow the 3 Stages of STEM philosophy:
Stage 1 includes activities like tower challenges where students learn how to work together and develop essential habits of mind.
Stage 2 is where you introduce the engineering design process and add math and science, then use technology to solve a problem.
Stage 3 consists of longer, more complex challenges with a research component. In this stage, students solve a more open-ended problem and there is typically a final project that they present.
My own education history
Vivify is a STEM education company that is co-founded by Natasha Wilkerson and Claire Meschkat, two aerospace engineers turned educators who live in Texas.
Claire is a Pre-K thru 9th grade STEM teacher and STEM program coordinator at a Texas private school. She specializes in developing engineering curricula for elementary and middle school grades including the STEM Explorers series. Claire has a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and a Masters of Education in Educational Psychology - Creativity & Cognition from Texas A&M University. Before Vivify, she worked as an aerospace engineer at Boeing Commercial Airlines, Boeing Space Exploration, & Air Tractor, Inc.
Natasha is the founder of Space Club, a K-8 informal STEM program that is now an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit, the Cosmic Leap Foundation. Natasha specializes in research and development of engineering curricula and programming for middle school. Natasha has a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from Texas A&M University. Before Vivify, Natasha worked as an engineer for the United States Department of the Navy in radar and satellite spectrum management.
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