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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Exoplanet Habitable Zone Data Analysis Real NASA Data Middle School NGSS Space
Are we alone in the universe?In this high-engagement, real-world data investigation, students step into the role of astronomers as they analyze actual NASA Kepler Space Telescope data to explore one of the biggest scientific questions of all time: 👉 How many planets in our galaxy could support life?This is not a basic worksheet—this is a full data-driven science experience that builds critical thinking, graphing, and real scientific reasoning skills. 🔬 WHAT MAKES THIS RESOURCE UNIQUE ✔
5th - 10th
Earth Sciences, Physics
NGSS
MS-ESS1-2
, MS-ESS1-3
Also included in: Real Data Science Bundle | NGSS Labs Earth Space Biology MS Activities
Snowball Launcher — Projectile Motion STEM Challenge (Grades 3–12, NGSS Aligned)
Title: Snowball Launcher — Projectile Motion STEM Challenge (Grades 3–12, NGSS Aligned)Description (emoji-friendly): Launch into winter physics! ❄️ Students test a paper-ball or pom-pom “snowball” launcher to explore projectile motion. Teams hold pullback constant and vary launch angle, measuring distance vs. angle to discover the peak near 45°. They graph data, justify conclusions with CER, and (optionally) estimate launch speed using the range formula. 🎯📈 NGSS Alignment: 3–5: 3-5-ET
3rd - 12th
General Science, Measurement, Physics
Singing Sand Dunes Reading Comprehension (MS-PS4) Questions, Answer Key, Subplan
Hook your students with one of the coolest natural phenomena on Earth: sand dunes that “sing.” This high-interest nonfiction reading explains how dunes produce real booming/whistling sounds and connects the phenomenon to mechanical waves and wave properties (frequency, amplitude, wavelength). It includes 10 rigorous comprehension questions AND a complete answer key, making it perfect for zero-prep sub plans, early finishers, or a phenomenon-based lesson opener. ✅ What’s Included 7-pag
4th - 12th
General Science, Physical Science, Physics
Magnetic North Pole Reading Comprehension (NGSS MS-PS2-3, MS-ESS2-2) Zero Prep
Hook your students with a real-world mystery: Earth’s Magnetic North Pole is moving fast—so fast that scientists had to issue an emergency update to navigation models used by GPS and smartphones. This high-interest informational text explains why the pole moves, how Earth’s magnetic field is generated, and what the impacts are—then checks understanding with 10 rigorous comprehension questions that push beyond “right there” answers into real scientific reasoning. ✅ What’s Included 5-page
4th - 12th
Earth Sciences, Physical Science, Physics
NGSS
MS-ESS2-2
, MS-PS2-3
Cranberry Bog Boat — Buoyancy & Density STEM Challenge (Grades 3–12, NGSS Aligne
Make buoyancy click with a seasonal engineering lab: students design a small foil “bog boat” that carries the maximum mass (cranberries/coins/washers) before sinking. They plan, build, test in a water bin, record data, and iterate to optimize stability and displacement—perfect for stations or a full-period lab. What students do Plan & sketch under material/size constraints, predict capacity. Test in rounds, adding equal-mass items until failure; record max mass, freeboard, and failure mode.
3rd - 12th
General Science, Measurement, Physics
Candy Corn Parachute Drop — Holiday STEM Challenge (Grades 3–12, NGSS Aligned)
Description Boost engagement with a seasonal engineering challenge that’s easy to prep, budget-friendly, and truly data-driven. In the Candy Corn Parachute Drop, students design, build, and test a parachute that carries a candy-corn payload. They compete for the longest average fall time while meeting real-world constraints, then analyze results and iterate like engineers. What students do Plan a design under material and size limits, predict performance, and sketch. Build a canopy + lines +
4th - 12th
General Science, Physics
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
Candy Cane Cantilever — Holiday Structures & Torque STEM Challenge (Grades 3–12,
Engineer a festive cantilever that reaches the farthest overhang beyond the table edge—using only candy canes and limited tape! Students plan, build, test, and iterate while applying torque and center of mass ideas. Perfect for a high-engagement holiday lab, stations, or a one-period challenge. 🍬🧰 What students do 🧠 Plan & sketch: identify anchor vs. arm, place joints/tape, predict max overhang. 🧪 Test & measure: record trials, overhang (cm), stability (10 s), failure modes. 📈 Analyze
3rd - 12th
General Science, Geometry, 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
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
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
Holiday Light Circuit — Winter STEM Challenge | Electricity & Engineering
💡 Holiday Light Circuit — Winter STEM Challenge | Electricity & Engineering Activity Description: Brighten your classroom with this creative and educational STEM activity! Students design their own holiday-themed card or project and create a simple working circuit using LEDs, batteries, and copper tape. Perfect for combining creativity with science and engineering. ✅ Engaging, hands-on holiday project ✅ Encourages troubleshooting and design thinking ✅ Great for December lessons or STEM Friday
6th - 9th
Physics
Leaf Tower Engineering — Fall STEM Challenge | Balance & Design Activity
🍂 Leaf Tower Engineering — Fall STEM Challenge | Balance & Design Activity Description: Challenge your students to build the tallest “leaf tower” using natural materials! This fun outdoor or indoor activity teaches design, stability, and problem solving while celebrating fall. ✅ Quick, easy setup — no special supplies ✅ Encourages creativity and teamwork ✅ Great for early finishers or makerspace use Skills Covered: Balance & stability Engineering design Measurement Includes: Materials list
4th - 9th
Physics
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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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