STEM Outside

Get your 4-6 grade students analyzing patterns and identifying mathematical relationships with this STEM math inquiry challenge exploring trapezoid area with a scaffolded assignment based on the Stanford University Youcubed task: Trap the Zoid! Students get a brief introduction to mathematical relationships and area with rectangles before they are challenged to develop a mathematical relationship to describe the area of trapezoids. Students analyze example trapezoids and test their ideas against

By the end of this inquiry lab, students should have practice measuring multiple angles on different inclined planes that they construct, and students will build up evidence and reasoning to support their claim to answer the question "How does the ramp angle of an inclined plane affect the force needed to pull an object up?" by exploring the practical function of ramps. Students will use the investigation materials to sketch and describe their plan to test and answer the question. Helpful hints

Get students moving outside, collecting a few fall leaves! When they return, students carefully observe the leaves with a magnifying glass and measure them with a ruler. This is a great opportunity for students to examine the properties of matter and consider the similarities and differences between the examples of leaf matter they find! This Google Slides activity includes background information on leaves, space for students to plan what properties they want to observe and how to observe them,

Give your students an opportunity to explore the world around them on a rainy day (or shortly after a rain!) Students can choose from doing a mild or spicy challenge scavenger hunt for items you may commonly find after a rain. All hunts include items like snails and puddles, and in the spicy version, students will also look for signs of natural processes (erosion, decomposition) and engineering designs for drainage (sewer drains, drainage ditches). After their scavenger hunt, students evaluate

Students can work individually or in small groups, at school or at home, to create a new hopscotch game that helps players practice their number facts. Two examples for addition to 10 and multiplication factors are provided, but students are encouraged to design their own rules and course. Space on the handout are provided for students to write their rules and draw their course to plan their game. Afterwards, there is a short reflection students can do after they have drawn and played their game

Students can work individually or in small groups, at school or at home, to create a new hopscotch game that helps players practice their number facts. Two examples for addition to 10 and multiplication factors are provided, but students are encouraged to design their own rules and course. Space on the handout are provided for students to write their rules and draw their course to plan their game. Afterwards, there is a short reflection students can do after they have drawn and played their game

Get your 4-6 grade students analyzing patterns and identifying mathematical relationships with this STEM math inquiry challenge exploring trapezoid area with a scaffolded assignment based on the Stanford University Youcubed task: Trap the Zoid! Students get a brief introduction to mathematical relationships and area with rectangles before they are challenged to develop a mathematical relationship to describe the area of trapezoids. Students analyze example trapezoids and test their ideas against