STEM Explorers Science Resources

An Intro to Chemistry Observation LabThis free, hands-on station activity is designed to slow students down and train them to observe matter like chemists. Before formulas, reactions, or atoms, students practice identifying and describing physical properties using everyday objects placed around the room. Students rotate through 12 stations, identifying at least four physical properties at each station using precise, science-appropriate language. Teacher Instructions: Set up 12 stations arou

Build strong scientific thinking skills from day one! This bell work resource helps students practice making clear, precise scientific observations and distinguishing them from interpretations or conclusions. Instead of relying on keywords or memorized definitions, students compare paired statements and decide which observation a scientist would actually use when describing the physical properties of matter. This activity is ideal for the beginning of an introductory chemistry unit, a physic

Labeling the Solar System - Student Diagram Activity - Asteroid and Kuiper Belt Included In this three-page labeling activity, students identify and label the eight planets, as well as the Asteroid Belt, Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, using a clear and kid-friendly diagram. Perfect for upper-elementary and middle school Earth and Space Science. This resource is designed with built-in differentiation, making it easy to support a range of learners in your classroom. Choose the version that work

Crime Lab: Blood Spatter Analysis Lab: Heights, Angles & Mystery SamplesBring forensic science to life with this hands-on, student-friendly Blood Spatter Analysis Lab! Students safely explore how height, angle, and force affect droplet shape and then use their data to analyze teacher-made mystery splatter samples: just like real CSIs. Students conduct controlled tests, measure droplet diameters, compare straight vs. angled hits, and use evidence-based reasoning to determine the most likely h

Everybody loves a movie day: students and teachers alike sometimes just need a break. This Goodnight Oppy Exit Ticket turns a well-earned breather into an equally meaningful learning experience. This no-prep activity keeps students engaged during the Goodnight Oppy documentary while reinforcing key facts about NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity, and their missions on Mars. The 10 simple, easy-to-follow questions are designed so that even students who ar

In this hands-on lab, students explore how the color of a balloon affects the way it absorbs light and how quickly it pops when sunlight is focused on it. The problem asks: How does the color of a balloon affect how quickly it pops when sunlight is focused on it? Students begin with background research, learning that sunlight contains all the colors of the visible spectrum. They discover that colors appear as they do because of how they interact with light: darker colors like black absorb mo

Bring hands-on excitement to your classroom with this all-in-one, ready-to-go, highly engaging Dry Ice Lab resource! This is one of the labs your students will never forget! Designed for middle school students, this resource combines safety, engagement, and scientific exploration to help students understand state changes, sublimation, and observation skills. Buyers will receive 9 pages of resources, organized into 7 distinct parts that make this lab complete and teacher-friendly: Teacher

Landforms & Water Matching Worksheet – Science and GeographyReinforce key geography vocabulary with this engaging matching worksheet! Students will work with 10 important landforms and water features— lake, valley, plain, island, plateau, canyon, peninsula, isthmus, crater, and volcano—and match them to brief, clear definitions presented in a mixed order. Perfect for middle school geography, Earth science, or science enrichment. Builds critical thinking and strengthens vocabulary retention. Read

Freebie: 3 Quick & Easy STEM Challenges Looking for low-prep, high-engagement activities that get your students thinking, building, and collaborating? This freebie includes 3 ready-to-use STEM challenges that can easily fill three class periods with hands-on fun! What’s Included: Marble Run Challenge – Students design a paper-and-tape marble run under their tables to see whose marble takes the longest to travel. Paper Airplane Challenge – Teams test designs and compete to see which airplane f

Looking for a fun, hands-on way to help your students practice cardinal directions? In this creative activity, students design their own house floor plans and use North, South, East, West, and intercardinal directions, to describe locations within their homes. Students will apply map skills to answer questions like: Which room is in the northwest corner? Where is your bedroom compared to the kitchen? What room is directly south of the living room? Perfect for reinforcing spatial awareness and d

Keywords:l-day science lab helps students visualize the relative sizes and distances between the Sun, Earth, and Moon through an engaging outdoor activity. Designed for middle school students, this lesson uses sidewalk chalk, measuring skill, and teamwork to bring the solar system to scale in a way students won’t forget.K Students will: Work as a class to draw a 7-meter Sun using sidewalk chalk (based on a scale of 1 cm = 2,000 km) Calculate and draw a correctly scaled Earth (about 6.4 cm) and

Science Starts with a Question! – A 4-Day Scientific Method Lab SeriesLooking for a low-prep structured, engaging way to teach students how to ask meaningful, testable scientific questions? This 4-day resource walks students through every step of the scientific method in a way that’s accessible, standards-aligned, and student-driven. From brainstorming to experimentation to writing and peer review, this resource has everything you need for introducing testable questions and the scientific meth

Clothespin Squeeze Lab – Hypothesis Practice, Variables, and Data AnalysisLooking for a simple, hands-on activity that helps middle to high school students practice key science skills? This engaging lab explores the question: Does frequent video gameplay improve hand muscle endurance? Students test muscle fatigue using a clothespin, then analyze their results to build a deeper understanding of the scientific method. This resource is perfect for introducing or reviewing how to: Write a clear

Law of Conservation of Mass Lab – Baking Soda, Vinegar, and a BalloonIn this lab, students mix baking soda and vinegar inside a closed system (a flask and balloon), measure the mass before and after the reaction, and figure out whether mass is truly conserved. This lab is perfect for 8th grade physical science courses, or general chemistry classes. This resource includes a two-page worksheet that walks students through the entire process. They'll make a hypothesis, record measurements, observe

Who Wrote the Note? Forensic Chemistry Chromatography Lab Uncover a classroom mystery while teaching key chemistry concepts! In this phenomenon-based chromatography lab, students become forensic scientists solving a case of exam theft using basic chemistry and forensic investigation skills. Phenomenon: A Stolen Test and an Anonymous NoteA teacher leaves their final exam unattended. Later that day, a mysterious note is found in the trash: “I got the answers. Meet at lunch. Don’t say anything

Help your students build a solid understanding of mixtures, solutes, and solvents with this engaging and easy-to-use worksheet! Perfect for middle school science, this resource includes 7 real-world examples that challenge students to identify the solvent and solute in each mixture. Pairs well with a chromatography lab! This worksheet is ideal as a: ✅ Bellringer or warm-up ✅ Early finisher activity ✅ Homework assignment ✅ Exit ticket ✅ Review before a quiz or lab Includes a complete answe

Introduction to Fingerprinting – 4-Day Forensic Science Mini-UnitEngage your students in hands-on forensic science with this 4-day mini-unit focused on fingerprinting basics, pattern identification, and crime-solving using everyday classroom materials! What’s Included:  13 pages engaging, ready-to-use materials!Teacher instructions for how to use this resource4 days of complete lesson plansStudent fingerprint formsFingerprint types handoutSelf Fingerprint Form Mystery Balloon Print WorksheetMyst

Looking for a fun, hands-on science activity that gets students practicing the scientific method? This Reaction Time Experiment is the perfect way to engage your students in real-world data collection, averaging, and graphing! In this activity, students will test their reaction times by catching a dropped ruler, then compare their results with an adult to find out who has faster reflexes! Students will collect data over 5 trials, calculate their average reaction time, and create a bar graph to

Looking for a hands-on, low-prep STEM challenge that gets students thinking creatively and working collaboratively? This Mystery Box Catapult Challenge is perfect for upper elementary through middle school learners! Students receive a surprise mix of simple materials and must use engineering, design thinking, and problem-solving skills to build a catapult that launches a ping pong or cotton ball the farthest. With easy setup and clear instructions, this activity is ideal for STEM labs, early fi

This no-prep, 5-day digital design unit guides students through the basics of Canva while building creative confidence. Students will create a personal slide, animated video slideshow, and an infographic—perfect for introducing visual design, presentation skills, and digital literacy. Each day includes clear objectives, teacher tips, and built-in feedback opportunities. Great for media, STEM, ELA, or advisory classes! Materials include editable instructions, project checklists, and a peer review