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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Ultimate STEM Engineering Challenges Bundle | 12 Hands-On STEM Labs & Projects
Ultimate STEM Engineering Challenges Bundle | 12 Hands-On STEM Labs & Design Projects | NGSS AlignedGrades: 5–10 Subjects: STEM, Engineering, Physical Science, Life Science, Makerspace Resource Type: STEM Activity Bundle Formats: PDF + Editable Files (where noted) 🚀 A Complete Hands-On STEM Engineering Program This Ultimate STEM Engineering Challenges Bundle includes 12 classroom-tested STEM labs and engineering design challenges that get students building, testing, analyzing, and im
5th - 10th
Basic Principles, Engineering, Physics
Waves, Sound, and Light Labs: Hands-On Physical Science & Physics Activities
Waves, Sound, and Light Labs BundleDescription: This bundle now includes 25 hands-on labs, simulations, and stations activities to explore the fascinating properties of waves, sound, and light. Students investigate wave interactions, sound waves, light waves, color, optics, refraction, and the electromagnetic spectrum through engaging experiments, simulations, and mini-labs. Perfect for Grades 5–10 Physical Science and Physics classes, these activities build conceptual understanding, critical
5th - 10th
Instructional Technology, Physical Science, Physics
Forces, Motion, and Newton's Laws Labs Bundle
Forces, Motion, and Newton’s Laws Labs BundleDescription: This bundle now includes 23 hands-on labs, simulations, stations activities, and engineering challenges to explore the principles of motion, force, friction, and simple machines. Students investigate Newton’s three laws, acceleration, inertia, action-reaction, friction, speed, particle motion, and mechanical advantage through engaging experiments, simulations, and design challenges. Perfect for Grades 5–10 Physical Science, Physics, Che
5th - 10th
General Science, Physical Science, Physics
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
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
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
Earth and Space Science: Geology & Earth’s Systems Bundle
Earth & Space Science: Geology & Earth’s Systems BundleDescription: This bundle now includes 15 hands-on labs, simulations, and engineering challenges that help students explore the structure, processes, and dynamics of Earth and the solar system. Students investigate rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, the rock cycle, crystallization, seismic activity, and solar system concepts through engaging experiments, models, and STEM design challenges. Perfect for Grades 3–9 Earth Science, Physical S
3rd - 9th
Earth Sciences, Environment, 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
Scientific Method and Measurement Skill Labs Bundle
Scientific Method & Measurement Skills BundleDescription: This bundle includes 16 hands-on labs, simulations, and projects designed to develop foundational science skills. Students explore experimental design, observation, data collection, measurement, and reproducibility through engaging activities such as penny drop challenges, reaction time tests, density experiments, procedural writing exercises, and hands-on engineering design projects. Perfect for Grades 4–10 Physical Science, General Sci
4th - 9th
Biology, Engineering, Physical Science
Energy Forms & Transformations Labs Bundle
Energy Forms & Transformations Labs BundleDescription: This bundle now includes 14 hands-on labs, simulations, stations activities, and literacy-based discussions to explore the fascinating world of energy. Students investigate gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, elastic energy, chemical energy, calorimetry, and the Law of Conservation of Energy through engaging experiments, simulations, engineering challenges, and real-world observations. Perfect for Grades 5–12 Physical Science,
5th - 12th
General Science, Physical Science, Physics
Mixtures, Solutions, and Separation Chemistry Labs Bundle
Mixtures, Solutions, and Separation Chemistry Labs BundleDescription: This bundle now includes 14 hands-on labs, simulations, and inquiry-based activities designed to teach students how to classify, separate, and quantify mixtures and solutions. Students explore techniques such as filtration, magnetism, evaporation, chromatography, serial dilution, and solubility experiments, connecting hands-on observations to fundamental chemistry concepts. Perfect for Grades 5–12 Chemistry and Physical Sci
5th - 12th
Chemistry, Physical Science
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
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
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
Energy & Heat Transfer Bundle
Energy & Heat Transfer Labs BundleDescription: This bundle now includes 16 hands-on labs, simulations, and stations activities designed to explore energy, energy transformations, and heat transfer. Students investigate forms of energy, kinetic and potential energy, conservation of energy, and conduction, convection, and radiation through engaging experiments, simulations, foldables, and sensory labs. Perfect for Grades 4–12 Physical Science, Physics, and Chemistry classes, these activities bu
4th - 12th
General Science, Physical Science, Physics
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
Atmosphere, Weather, Climate, and Hydrosphere Bundle
Atmosphere, Weather, Climate, and Hydrosphere BundleDescription: This bundle includes 14 hands-on labs, modeling projects, and data analysis activities to explore the dynamics of Earth’s atmosphere, weather patterns, climate, and water systems. Students investigate atmospheric layers, air pressure, cloud formation, condensation, climate graphs, the water cycle, evapotranspiration, density-driven ocean layering, groundwater filtration, and climate impacts on local economies. Engaging experiment
3rd - 9th
Earth Sciences, Environment, Physical Science
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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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