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 Introduction — Slides, Worksheet & Answer KeyThis Crime Lab: Blood Spatter Introduction resource gives students a clear, safe, and accessible foundation before diving into a hands-on blood spatter lab. Perfect for STEM Lab classes, forensics units, or any teacher introducing evidence analysis for the first time. Students learn and practice the three essential features of droplet analysis: Diameter Shape Satellites The slideshow teaches each concept with visual example

Crime Lab: How CSIs Investigate a Crime Scene: Worksheet, Answer Key, Editable Slideshow & Teacher GuideThis independent, no-prep activity teaches students how real Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs) approach an investigation, from first observations to final reports. Students work through the interactive slideshow featuring the fascinating “Dollhouse Nutshell” crime scenes created by Frances Glessner Lee, learning how CSIs: Step 1: Secure and observe the scene Step 2: Record everything thr

Help your middle school students master mechanical advantage with this print-and-go, differentiated resource! Focused on Levers, Pulleys, Inclined Planes, and Wheel & Axles, these worksheets are perfect for students just being introduced to simple machines. What’s included:Editable format: Easily adjust numbers, problems, or wording to fit your classroom.Two worksheets: Level 1 includes the MA equations for guided practice; Level 2 has more questions without equations for independent challen

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

Speed Equation Practice Problems (Speed = Distance ÷ Time)This worksheet gives students practice applying the speed equation in a variety of ways. With 10 practice problems, students will solve for speed, distance, and time—keeping them engaged and encouraging deeper understanding of the relationship between the three variables. The problems are mixed in order so students can’t just memorize a process; they need to think critically about which calculation to use. An answer key is included for

Work, Force, and Distance Practice Problems WorksheetThis worksheet gives students practice using the work equation ( W = F × d) to solve real-world science problems. It includes 5 practice problems with clear formatting and the equation provided at the top for easy reference. An answer key is included for quick grading or self-checking. Perfect as a class assignment, homework, review activity, or bell ringer in any physical science or introductory physics class.

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

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

Solvent vs. Solute: Chromatography Lab – Slideshow, Practice Problems, and Lesson Walkthrough BundleThis bundle gives you everything you need to introduce students to solutes, solvents, and ink chromatography. It's designed to be easy to teach and engaging for students, with a mix of direct instruction, practice, and a hands-on lab. Great for middle school science or introductory chemistry, and includes three individual products, bundled together to save you $2. What’s Included:Solvent vs. Solut

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

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

This no-prep digital escape room about Earth’s spheres is designed using Google Forms to create an engaging breakout room experience for your students. They solve multiple-choice and short answer questions with built-in response validation to unlock each section and progress through key vocabulary like biosphere, geosphere, and cryosphere. Perfect for remote, blended, modern classroom, or in-person learning, this activity is easy to assign and self-paced.

This is a practice worksheet or quiz for the very beginning introduction stages of balancing chemical equations. In this worksheet, students are not yet balancing the equation, but demonstrating knowledge of necessary parts to be able to do so. In this worksheet, students identify the reactants, products, subscripts, and coefficients in chemical equations, as well as counting the number of atoms on each side of the reaction, and determining if equations are balanced or not. I will add an answe

Name that Phase! Moon Phases Google Slides Bell Ringer or Exit Ticket with Key Students identify phases of the moon with corresponding photos. Separate student slides from key, then assign to students in Google Classroom for a simple bell ringer or exit ticket activity! Thank you!