Allison Smith
8 Followers
OTTUMWA, Iowa, United States
About the store
I taught 8th grade science for five years, where I loved sparking curiosity and helping students connect learning to the real world. I also served on my districts curriculum development team for two years, creating engaging lessons and resources for K-12 classrooms. After transitioning to homeschooling, I gained a new perspective on how to make learning flexible, fun, and meaningful. With experience in both traditional and home education, I create ready to use resources that practical and creative. My goal is to save teachers time while inspiring students to explore, question, and grow in their learning.
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Flywheel Spinner- Rotational Inertia & Stored Energy (Grades 4–9) 2-Page STEM
Title Flywheel Spinner 🔁 Rotational Inertia & Stored Energy (Grades 4–9) — 2-Page STEM Challenge + Data Table & 20-pt Rubric Short blurb Students design a string-pull flywheel and test how mass placement and hub size affect spin time. Quick build, clear metrics, and a student-friendly 20-pt rubric—print & go. Full description In this hands-on challenge, learners build a cardboard (or lid) flywheel with a string-pull axle, then investigate how rotational inertia changes with mass pl
4th - 12th
Engineering, Physical Science
NGSS
MS-PS3-5
, 3-5-ETS1-2
, HS-PS3-3
Gingerbread Insulation Lab, Keep the Cookie Cabin Warm! Holiday 3rd-12th
Description How do we keep a gingerbread “cookie cabin” warm in winter? In this hands-on heat transfer lab, teams test everyday insulators (foil, felt, bubble wrap, cotton, foam, paper, etc.) to minimize thermal energy loss. Students design fair tests, collect temperature data over time, and iterate to improve their cabin’s insulation. ❄️🍪🔥 What students do 🛠️ Build a testable “cookie cabin” (small box or graham-cracker cabin—not for eating) with a thermometer port. 🔬 Plan a fair test:
3rd - 12th
Engineering, General Science, Physics
Fall STEM Challenge Bundle 4 Hands-On Activities for Elementary & Middle School
🍁 Fall STEM Challenge Bundle — 4 Hands-On Activities for Elementary & Middle School Description: Save time and money with this ready-to-use Fall STEM Bundle! Includes four exciting, low-prep challenges that integrate science, technology, engineering, and math — perfect for a full week of seasonal fun. Includes 4 Activities: 🎃 Pumpkin Catapult Challenge 🍎 Apple Oxidation Test 🍂 Leaf Tower Engineering 🎈 Thanksgiving Parade Balloon Design ✅ Designed for Grades 3–8 ✅ Each activity fi
4th - 9th
Chemistry, Engineering, Physics
Pi-Day Catapult — Optimize Angle & Tension (Predict vs. Measure) | MS–HS NGSS
Description (NGSS included) Celebrate Pi-Day with a data-driven projectile challenge! Students tune angle and tension on a simple launcher, then predict vs. measure range and compute percent error. Teams graph Range vs. Angle (and optional Range vs. Pullback) and explain results with CER. 🧠📈 🔬 Investigate: hold one variable constant to fairly test the other. 🧮 Model: use a calibration shot or R ≈ (v²·sin(2θ))/g to predict. 📊 Analyze: compare predicted vs. measured; percent error
3rd - 12th
Engineering, General Science, Physics
Bridge of Love (Truss Strength) — popsicle-stick “arch/Truss” with tensile tests
Design, build, and break (safely!) a popsicle-stick truss/arch bridge to explore tension vs. compression, load paths, and failure modes. Teams prototype, test with a hanging bucket, and compare strength-to-weight for engineering optimization. 💪📈 Students will: 🧠 Plan a design that meets criteria & constraints (span, clearance, materials). 🧪 Build & test a truss/arch using craft sticks and glue; add weight gradually until first crack & max load. 📊 Record & analyze mass, first-crack lo
3rd - 12th
Engineering, General Science, Physics
Paper Helicopters: Rotor Length vs Fall Time — Data Tables + Scatter Plot | 3–12
🚁 Forces & Motion meets Data Literacy. Learners design three rotor lengths (L1–L3), collect 3 trials each from a fixed drop height, compute averages, and graph Rotor Length vs Time on a scatter plot. Middle/high school extensions add best-fit analysis and force/drag reasoning. What’s Included Student Pack p.1: Background, IV/DV/controls, criteria, sketch box with dimension callouts Student Pack p.2: Three data tables (L1–L3), large scatter-plot grid, best-fit guidance, CER prompts Teache
5th - 12th
Engineering, Physical Science, Physics
Pumpkin Catapult Challenge — Fall STEM Activity | Force & Motion Experimen
Description: Launch into fall with this hands-on STEM challenge! Students design and test a mini catapult using simple materials to launch candy pumpkins (or pom-poms). Perfect for teaching force, motion, and energy transfer in a fun, seasonal way. ✅ Low-prep printable worksheet ✅ Covers Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math ✅ Great for early finishers, sub plans, or one-day STEM lessons ✅ Ideal for grades 3–8 Skills Covered: Force & motion Engineering design Measurement & data collect
4th - 8th
Art History, Engineering, Physics
Gingerbread House Engineering Challenge — Winter STEM Activity | Stability
🏠 Gingerbread House Engineering Challenge — Winter STEM Activity | Stability & Load-Bearing Description: Build, test, and improve! In this engineering-based winter STEM challenge, students design gingerbread (or graham cracker) houses and test how much weight they can hold using 1-, 2-, and 5-lb bags of flour. Perfect for integrating design thinking, structure, and problem solving with holiday cheer. ✅ Hands-on and collaborative ✅ Great for winter break weeks or STEM Fridays ✅ Connects scienc
4th - 9th
Engineering, General Science
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About the store
Experience
I taught 8th grade science for five years, where I loved sparking curiosity and helping students connect learning to the real world. I also served on my districts curriculum development team for two years, creating engaging lessons and resources for K-12 classrooms. After transitioning to homeschooling, I gained a new perspective on how to make learning flexible, fun, and meaningful. With experience in both traditional and home education, I create ready to use resources that practical and creative. My goal is to save teachers time while inspiring students to explore, question, and grow in their learning.
Teaching style
My teaching style combines quick, focused worksheets with hands-on activites that keep students engaged. I believe in balancing skill practice with interactive exploration to make learning meaningful. I am also creating bundled units that demonstrate educational standards specifically.
Awards & shining teacher moments
I was honored with the Principal's Coin for my leadership with the Science Club. I also helped develop district curriculum and was selected to pilot a phenomenon-based learning program.
My own education history
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry, as well as a Master's degree in Secondary Science Instruction and Curriculum Development. This combination has given me a strong foundation in both science content and effective teaching practices.
Additional biographical information
I am a lifelonger learning that loves inspiring my students (now children) to look with wonder and exploration at the beautiful world God created.
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