mindMESA
32 Followers
Cañon City, Colorado, United States
About the store
The Expertise Behind the Innovation: With over 14 years of experience in the trenches of STEM education, we've led everything from all-female engineering cohorts to district-wide science initiatives. Our background isn't just in teaching science—it’s in advancing it through accessible technology. We’ve integrated programmable drones, CAD design, micro:bits, and 3D printing into curriculum that meets standards while capturing imaginations.
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3D Diorama Project: Ecosystems and Interactions
🏡 The Paper Habitats Project | Geography & Environmental Systems Performance Task Human Geography | Environment & Society | Sustainability | Resource Use | Middle School Social Studies/Science Bring geography and environmental systems to life with this hands-on project where students design a paper house, build a surrounding environment map, and explain how people interact with Earth’s resources. Students analyze how location shapes daily life, including food systems, water access, energy use,
5th - 9th
Environment, General Science, Geography
Ecosystems & Ecology Labs Bundle
⭐ Ecosystems & Ecology Labs BundleDescription: This bundle includes 16 hands-on labs, simulations, and projects designed to explore ecosystems, species interactions, energy flow, and human impacts on the environment. Students investigate biotic and abiotic factors, food webs, trophic levels, population dynamics, and ecological relationships through engaging hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and guided investigations. Perfect for Grades 5–10 Biology, Life Science, and Environmental
5th - 10th
Biology, Environment, General Science
Tinkercad Design Challenge Mini Project
🚀 Tinkercad Design Challenge | Creative 3D Modeling Mini Project Get students designing, creating, and thinking like digital makers with this engaging Tinkercad Design Challenge mini project! Students create an original 3D model in Tinkercad while practicing creativity, problem-solving, and introductory engineering/design skills. Perfect for STEM, technology, makerspace, computer science, engineering, or digital design classes. Students may create: inventions creatures vehicles gadgets b
5th - 9th
Engineering, General Science, Other (Arts)
Melt & Make! Polymorph Plastic STEM Engineering Design Challenge
🔥 Melt & Make! Polymorph Plastic STEM Engineering Design Challenge Invent • Prototype • Iterate • Present Turn students into real engineers with this highly engaging hands-on STEM invention challenge using reusable low-temperature thermoplastic! Students identify a real-world problem, sketch solutions, build prototypes from moldable Polymorph plastic, and improve their inventions through iterative engineering design. This project combines creativity, problem-solving, fabrication, materials sci
5th - 10th
Engineering, General Science, Physical Science
Aluminum Foil Boat Engineering Challenge — Density & Displacement
Title: Engineering Challenge — Aluminum Foil Boat Design Summary: In this hands-on engineering lab, students design and test aluminum foil boats to explore how density, buoyancy, and displacement determine whether objects float or sink. Each team builds two boat designs, predicts how many pennies each will hold, tests their designs, and records results. Students analyze how shape changes affect water displacement and buoyant force, then improve their second design based on observations. The lab
4th - 9th
Engineering, Physical Science
Also included in: Scientific Method and Measurement Skill Labs Bundle
Air Car STEM Challenge: Propeller Car Engineering Design Project (NGSS)
🚗 Air Car STEM Challenge: Build a Propeller-Powered Vehicle! Engineering Design Project | NGSS-Aligned | Grades 5–10 Turn your classroom into an engineering lab with this fast-paced, high-engagement STEM challenge where students design, build, and improve a battery-powered air car. The Goal: Create a propeller-driven vehicle that moves efficiently using thrust from a spinning fan. Students don’t just build—they test, analyze, and iterate, just like real engineers. ⚡ Why This Activity Work
5th - 10th
Basic Principles, Engineering, Physics
Photosynthesis & Plant Systems Bundle
🌱 Photosynthesis & Plant Systems BundleDescription: This bundle includes 10 hands-on labs, simulations, and guided activities designed to explore plant biology, energy flow, and the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Students investigate how plants capture and use energy, the exchange of gases, plant propagation, and growth in different conditions through engaging experiments, observations, and collaborative projects. Perfect for Grades 5–10 Biology, Life Science, and Envi
5th - 10th
Biology, Environment, General Science
Nature's Cleanup Crew Lab — Isopods & Decomposers in Soil Ecosystems
Title: Nature’s Cleanup Crew — Isopod Ecosystem Lab & Decomposer Investigation Summary: In this hands-on ecosystem investigation, students explore how consumers and decomposers work together to recycle nutrients in soil ecosystems. By observing organisms such as isopods, earthworms, and springtails, students identify their ecological roles and document how these “cleanup crew” organisms break down leaf litter and support nutrient cycling. Students complete observational drawings, analyze the rol
5th - 9th
Biology, Earth Sciences, Environment
Also included in: Ecosystems & Ecology Labs Bundle
Submarine Engineering Challenge — Buoyancy & Ballast Tank Design
Title: 🌊 Density Exploration Lab — Build a Submarine Summary: In this hands-on engineering lab, students design and test a simple submarine to explore how density and buoyancy control floating and sinking. Using plastic cups, a balloon, tubing, and a syringe, teams adjust the submarine’s density by inflating or deflating the balloon, mimicking how real submarines use ballast tanks. Students observe how adding or removing air affects displacement and buoyant force, record results, and draw thei
5th - 10th
Engineering, Physical Science
Also included in: Scientific Method and Measurement Skill Labs Bundle
Matter in Motion Lab — PhET Simulation & Ice Cream Energy Lab
Title: Matter in Motion — Energy & Particle Behavior Summary: In this lab, students investigate how energy affects particle motion and states of matter. Using simulations, demonstrations, and hands-on activities, students observe how adding energy causes particles to move faster, spread farther apart, and change state, while removing energy slows particles, brings them closer, and can induce freezing or condensation. Activities include a PhET States of Matter simulation, a penny heating demonst
5th - 8th
Chemistry, Physical Science
Also included in: States of Matter and Phase Changes Labs Bundle
From Trash to Treasure: Making Recycled Paper – Sustainability Lab
Title: From Trash to Treasure: Making Recycled Paper – Sustainability Lab Summary: In this hands-on sustainability lab, students recycle used paper to create brand-new sheets of paper. By blending scrap paper into pulp and forming it with a mold and deckle, students explore how recycling and reuse reduce waste and conserve natural resources. The activity introduces key concepts such as recycling, reuse, and sustainability, while encouraging observation, reflection, and real-world connections t
5th - 9th
Earth Sciences, Environment, Physical Science
Also included in: Mixtures, Solutions, and Separation Chemistry Labs Bundle
Elastic Energy Engineering Challenge — Design, Build & Launch Lab
This lab transforms engineering concepts into a high-stakes competition, allowing students to "feel" the tension of potential energy and witness the immediate conversion into kinetic motion. Activity DescriptionThe Elastic Energy Challenge is a classic STEM engineering project centered on Mechanical Energy. Students step into the shoes of engineers as they move through the Engineering Design Process: from brainstorming and sketching to prototyping and iterative testing. The lab provides a phy
5th - 12th
Chemistry, Engineering, Physical Science
Also included in: Energy Forms & Transformations Labs Bundle
Plant Adaptations Field Lab — Observe Local Plants & Survival Traits
Title: Local Plant Adaptations Lab: Survival in Action 🌵 Summary: In this hands-on lab, students observe native desert plants such as prickly pear, cholla, agave, and yucca to identify adaptations that help plants survive and reproduce. Students record how traits like spines, thick leaves, and narrow foliage help access resources, avoid herbivory, and conserve water. The activity connects adaptations to population survival, resource availability, and carrying capacity, and includes an observ
5th - 10th
Biology, Environment
Also included in: Evolution and Natural Selection Bundle
Ecosystem Diorama Project — Model Biotic & Abiotic Interactions
Title: Ecosystem Diorama Project – Biotic & Abiotic Interactions Summary: In this hands-on project, students create a 3-D diorama of an ecosystem to explore how living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components interact. Students model an ecosystem of their choice—forest, desert, grassland, freshwater, marine, or tundra—by including producers, consumers, decomposers, and abiotic factors. The project emphasizes energy flow, food webs, predator–prey relationships, populations, and niches. Inclu
5th - 9th
Biology, Environment
Also included in: Ecosystems & Ecology Labs Bundle
Perler Bead Phase Change Lab — Melting, Freezing & Particle Diagrams
Title: Phase Change Lab: Meltable Bead Fusion Summary: In this hands-on lab, students observe phase changes using Perler beads, exploring how energy affects particle motion. They create designs on pegboards, watch the beads melt under teacher-operated heat, and then cool to solidify, recording observations and particle diagrams at each stage. Students discuss how heating causes melting and cooling causes freezing, linking particle motion to energy changes. Vocabulary terms such as melting, free
5th - 8th
Chemistry, Physical Science
Also included in: States of Matter and Phase Changes Labs Bundle
Syringe Compression Lab — Comparing Solid, Liquid & Gas States
Title: Matter Under Pressure: The Great Syringe Challenge Summary: In this hands-on lab, students explore the properties of matter and how different states—solids, liquids, and gases—respond to compression. Using syringes, students test air, water, and a solid object to observe compressibility and record their findings. The lab also includes a hydraulic system demonstration, showing how incompressible liquids can transfer force between connected syringes. Students complete cloze notes, record o
5th - 8th
Physical Science
Also included in: Scientific Method and Measurement Skill Labs Bundle
Creature Adaptation Engineering Project — Build a Survival Model
Title: 🐾 Creature Adaptation Modeling Project – Hands-On STEM Activity Summary: In this creative project, students design and build a model of an organism to showcase a key adaptation that aids survival. Using materials like paper, clay, cardboard, or recycled items, students highlight traits such as camouflage, fur, claws, or specialized roots. Each model includes an information card detailing the adaptation, its environment, and survival benefit. Students present their models briefly, rein
4th - 8th
Biology, Environment
Also included in: Evolution and Natural Selection Bundle
Invasive Species Project — How Non-Native Organisms Disrupt Ecosystems
Title: 🌎 Invasive Species Poster Project — Invaders That Change Everything Summary: Students research an invasive species and create a poster explaining how a non-native organism changes ecosystems. The poster includes the species’ ecosystem (native and invaded regions), its behavior and interactions with native species, and the environmental impacts caused by its introduction. Students also include labeled visuals such as images, maps, or food web diagrams to communicate ecosystem effects. T
5th - 8th
Biology, Environment
Also included in: Ecosystems & Ecology Labs Bundle
Keystone Species Research Project — How One Species Shapes an Ecosystem
Title: 🐾 Keystone Species Poster Project — Animals That Keep Ecosystems Together Summary: Students research a keystone species and create a poster explaining how one organism can have a major impact on an ecosystem. The poster includes the species’ ecosystem, its ecological role, and what could happen if it disappeared, along with images or a simple food web diagram. The activity helps students understand food webs, biodiversity, and ecosystem balance while practicing research and scientifi
5th - 8th
Biology, Environment
Also included in: Ecosystems & Ecology Labs Bundle
Phase Change Exploration Lab — Ice, Steam, Wax & Wax-Resist Art
Title: The Great Shape-Shift: Exploring the Magic of Matter Summary: In this hands-on lab, students explore how energy affects particle motion and drives phase changes in matter. Using demonstrations with ice, water, steam, and wax, students observe melting, freezing, condensation, evaporation, and sublimation, recording changes in state and particle behavior. A guided chart helps students connect each phase change to real-world examples, while a “super-vision” activity encourages imagining par
5th - 8th
Chemistry, Other (Arts), Physical Science
Also included in: States of Matter and Phase Changes Labs Bundle
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About the store
Experience
The Expertise Behind the Innovation: With over 14 years of experience in the trenches of STEM education, we've led everything from all-female engineering cohorts to district-wide science initiatives. Our background isn't just in teaching science—it’s in advancing it through accessible technology. We’ve integrated programmable drones, CAD design, micro:bits, and 3D printing into curriculum that meets standards while capturing imaginations.
Teaching style
Our Classroom Philosophy: We energize the learning environment with a blend of "maker" spirit and pedagogical expertise. Our style is experiential, hands-on, and deeply relevant. We don’t want students to just read about a concept; we want them to hold it in their hands. By bringing 3D design and cutting-edge tech into the classroom, we foster a space where students transition from being consumers of information to innovators and problem-solvers.
Beyond the Bells: Our commitment to the "educational frontier" extends to leadership and advocacy. We have successfully spearheaded mentoring initiatives and secured significant funding through DonorsChoose to revitalize science departments. At mindMESA, we aren't just selling files or prints—we are sharing a philosophy of collaborative, tech-forward, and joyful learning.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Georgia Tech STEM Educators Network Member, 2024
DeKalb PATH Academy Impact Teacher Award, 2021
U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Carson, CO, Mountain Mover Award, 2012
My own education history
Our educational journey is the DNA of mindMESA. With a Docctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Curriculum and Leadership from Columbus State University, where we specialized in how 3D printing and engineering interventions shape the way students see the world. Our 'E' and 'M' (Engineering and Math) come from a Master of Science in Biosystems Engineering Technology from the University of Tennessee, where we researched the physics of vehicle-terrain interaction. The 'S' (Science) was born at Berry College, where I earned a B.S. in Environmental Science, concentrating in Biology with a minor in Geology. Every print we make is backed by a lifetime of scientific inquiry.
Additional biographical information
Our journey reflects a deep commitment to innovation, collaboration, and educational excellence, with a clear vision to make a lasting impact on the field of STEAM education.
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