About the store
The Vivify team is on a mission to re-engineer STEM education! We are dedicated to creating authentic, engaging, and accessible K-12 STEM lessons that progressively develop critical STEM skills, knowledge, and habits of mind. Designed by a team of educators and engineers, our lessons are low-prep and classroom-tested. Join the over 25,000 educators, and vivify your classroom today!
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Building Bricks STEM Biomes and Habitats Engineering Design Challenge
Your students are terrestrial ecologists working to investigate and conserve animal habitats. They must first build a landscape of a biome (temperate forest, rainforest, freshwater, ocean, grasslands, desert, tundra, or taiga). Then they will use the engineering design process to solve a problem from one of the editable 64 included challenge cards. Can they make a trap to catch poachers? Can they help an okapi reach its food, or build a shelter to protect an animal from its predator? There is
1st - 6th
Biology, Engineering, Science
NGSS
K-2-ETS1-2
, K-2-ETS1-3
, K-2-ETS1-1
+8
Also included in: Biomes & Animal Habitats Bundle
Building Bricks STEM Winter Engineering Design Challenge
30 Winter Building Challenges! Your students are earth scientists on a mission to study Antarctica. They will first construct their winter wonderland (either using building bricks or paper). Then, students will receive one of the 30 challenge cards to solve a problem or add a creation to their landscape. They might need to save a polar bear stuck on an iceberg or build a home for walruses! This activity works well as an introduction to the engineering design process, in centers, or a makerspace.
1st - 6th
Engineering, Science
NGSS
K-2-ETS1-2
, K-2-ETS1-3
, K-2-ETS1-1
+3
Also included in: Year-Round STEM Activity Bundle (Elementary STEM)
Building Bricks STEM Challenge Mats - GROWING BUNDLE!
Building Bricks STEM Challenge Mats - GROWING BUNDLE!Ignite your students' passion for STEM and engineering with our Building Bricks Challenge Mats! Designed for K-5 students, each set of our mats offer multiple unique, hands-on design challenges that spark creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Each mat features an engaging scenario and open-ended prompt, encouraging students to think like real engineers as they build solutions using building bricks (such as LEGO® blocks). These
K - 5th
Engineering
NGSS
3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
Building Bricks STEM Volcano Island Engineering Design Challenge
Your students are volcanologists on a deserted island when they suddenly become stranded. They then must use the engineering design process to solve a problem from one of the 30 included challenge cards. Students are first tasked with building an island (either using building bricks or paper) before using building bricks to build their design solutions. Click here for an editable STEM journal to use with distance learning, including digital and printable versions.This activity works well as a
1st - 6th
Engineering, Science
NGSS
K-2-ETS1-2
, K-2-ETS1-3
, K-2-ETS1-1
+3
Also included in: Year-Round STEM Activity Bundle (Elementary STEM)
Biomes & Animal Habitats Bundle
Biomes & Animal Habitats BundleGo in-depth in your students' understanding of biomes and animal habitats while sharpening their problem-solving and engineering design skills. This bundle includes task cards to use the engineering design process to solve problems in each of 8 biomes (temperate forest, rainforest, tundra, taiga, ocean, freshwater, desert, and grassland). Then apply their knowledge by diving into a long-term animal habitat project where students build a diorama to represent the hab
K - 5th
Engineering, Science
NGSS
K-2-ETS1-2
, K-2-ETS1-3
, K-2-ETS1-1
+9
Building Bricks STEM Fall Design Challenge
Learn all about fall with 30 STEM Building Challenges! Are your students ready to learn about fall? They will first construct their landscape (either using building bricks or paper). Then, students will receive one of the 30 challenge cards to solve a problem or add a creation to their landscape. They might need to build a kite, something they are thankful for, or even a maze with 3 dead ends and more! This activity works well as an introduction to the engineering design process, in centers, or
3rd - 5th
Engineering, Science
NGSS
3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
Also included in: Year-Round STEM Activity Bundle (Elementary STEM)
Year-Round STEM Task Cards for Building Bricks: Growing Bundle!
Introduce STEM with over 300 STEM Building Challenges!Are you looking for independent STEM stations for elementary? This growing bundle of STEM task cards covers major holidays and science topics for low-prep stations that only need building bricks or other non-consumable building materials. Just print and go! This activity works well as an introduction to the engineering design process, in centers, or in a Makerspace. Year-Round STEM Task Cards for Building Bricks - save 20% off individual less
2nd - 5th
Engineering, Science
Amazing Architects: STEM Family Night Task Cards
Amazing Architects is a great STEM Family Night station ( click here for bundle) that engages students and parents in building challenges. In this building activity, students will get a set of building materials plus 12 task cards to choose from. They must follow the constraints to complete the quick-build challenge. This is a great STEM Family Night station! Key Concepts: Students will need to understand the concept of design constraints. After building, they will need to confirm that the str
1st - 8th
Engineering, Physical Science
Also included in: Bundle: STEM Family Night Planning Guide, Activity Instructions
Building Bricks STEM Earth Day Design Challenge
Learn all about Earth Day with 30 STEM Building Challenges! Are you looking to celebrate Earth Day in your STEM Classroom? Do you need low-prep and hands-on activities related to Earth and environmental science? These Earth Day STEM Task Cards are the perfect way to engage budding engineers with hands-on and independent learning. They are great for early finishers, sub plans, or to build creativity and critical thinking skills. Students will first construct their landscape (either using buildi
3rd - 5th
Engineering
NGSS
3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
Building Bricks STEM Challenge Mats - STEM Careers
Building Bricks STEM Challenge Mats: STEM Careers Ignite your students' passion for STEM and engineering with our Building Bricks Challenge Mats! Designed for K-5 students, these mats offer 26 unique, hands-on design challenges that spark creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Each mat features an engaging scenario and open-ended prompt, encouraging students to think like real engineers as they build solutions using building bricks (such as LEGO® blocks). These versatile mats are p
K - 5th
Engineering
NGSS
3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
Also included in: Building Bricks STEM Challenge Mats - GROWING BUNDLE!
Building Bricks STEM Moon Base Engineering Design Challenge
Your students are planetary geologists on a mission to study the Moon. But how do they survive in that harsh environment? They must use the engineering design process to solve a problem from one of the 30 included challenge cards. Students are first tasked with constructing a lunar landscape (either using building bricks or paper) before using building bricks to build their design solutions. Click here for an editable STEM journal to use with distance learning, including digital and printable
1st - 6th
Engineering, Science
NGSS
K-2-ETS1-2
, K-2-ETS1-3
, K-2-ETS1-1
+3
Also included in: Space STEM Starter Challenges MEGA Bundle: Elementary Grades
Building Bricks STEM Challenge Mats - Through the ABCs
Building Bricks STEM Challenge Mats: Through the ABCsIgnite your students' passion for STEM and engineering with our Building Bricks Challenge Mats! Designed for K-5 students, these mats offer 26 unique, hands-on design challenges that spark creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Each mat features an engaging scenario and open-ended prompt, encouraging students to think like real engineers as they build solutions using building bricks (such as LEGO® blocks). These versatile mats ar
PreK - 1st
Engineering
NGSS
3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
Also included in: Building Bricks STEM Challenge Mats - GROWING BUNDLE!
Building Bricks STEM Valentine's Day Design Challenge
30 Valentine's Day Building Challenges! Your students will be in love with these design challenges that also teach them facts about the holiday. They will first construct their Valentine's Day landscape (either using building bricks or paper). Then, students will receive one of the 30 challenge cards to solve a problem or add a creation to their landscape. They might need to deliver a special valentine or make a new chocolate candy machine! This activity works well as an introduction to the engi
1st - 6th
Engineering, Science
NGSS
K-2-ETS1-2
, K-2-ETS1-3
, K-2-ETS1-1
+3
Also included in: Year-Round STEM Activity Bundle (Elementary STEM)
Building Bricks STEM - Spring Challenge Mats
Building Bricks STEM - Spring Challenge Mats Ignite your students' passion for STEM and engineering with our Building Bricks Challenge Mats! Designed for K-5 students, these mats offer 26 unique, hands-on design challenges that spark creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Each mat features an engaging scenario and open-ended prompt, encouraging students to think like real engineers as they build solutions using building bricks (such as LEGO® blocks). These versatile mats are perfec
K - 5th
Engineering
NGSS
3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
Building Bricks STEM Summer Design Challenge
Learn all about summer with 30 STEM Building Challenges! Are your students ready to learn about summer? They will first construct their landscape (either using building bricks or paper). Then, students will receive one of the 30 challenge cards to solve a problem or add a creation to their landscape. They might need to build a bucket for sand, a lifeguard stand, or even a beehive and more! This activity works well as an introduction to the engineering design process, in centers, or a Makerspace.
3rd - 5th
Engineering, Science
NGSS
3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
Also included in: Year-Round STEM Activity Bundle (Elementary STEM)
Building Bricks STEM - Winter Challenge Mats
Building Bricks STEM - Winter Challenge Mats Ignite your students' passion for STEM and engineering with our Building Bricks Challenge Mats! Designed for K-5 students, these mats offer 26 unique, hands-on design challenges that spark creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Each mat features an engaging scenario and open-ended prompt, encouraging students to think like real engineers as they build solutions using building bricks (such as LEGO® blocks). These versatile mats are perfec
K - 5th
Engineering
NGSS
3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
Also included in: Building Bricks STEM Challenge Mats - GROWING BUNDLE!
Building Bricks STEM Challenge Mats - Fall Challenges
Building Bricks STEM Challenge Mats: Fall ChallengesIgnite your students' passion for STEM and engineering with our Building Bricks Challenge Mats! Designed for K-5 students, these mats offer 26 unique, hands-on design challenges that spark creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Each mat features an engaging scenario and open-ended prompt, encouraging students to think like real engineers as they build solutions using building bricks (such as LEGO® blocks). These versatile mats are
K - 5th
Engineering
NGSS
3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
Also included in: Building Bricks STEM Challenge Mats - GROWING BUNDLE!
Building Bricks STEM St. Patrick's Day Design Challenge
Building Bricks STEM - 30 St. Patrick's Day Design ChallengesGet inspired by the luck of the Irish with these St. Patrick's Day Building Bricks Challenge Cards! Students will first construct their landscape (either using building bricks or paper) receiving one of the 30 challenge cards to solve a problem or add a creation to their landscape! They might need to build a castle, a boat, a four-leaf clover, and more! This activity works well as an introduction to the engineering design process, in c
3rd - 5th
Engineering, Science
NGSS
3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
Also included in: Year-Round STEM Activity Bundle (Elementary STEM)
Building Bricks: STEM Careers Task Cards
Introduce STEM Careers with 30 STEM Career Building Challenges! Are your students ready to learn about STEM Careers? They will first construct their landscape (either using building bricks or paper). Then, students will receive one of the 30 challenge cards to solve a problem or add a creation to their landscape. They might need to build a microscope, a ramp and car, or even a 3D blueprint and more! This activity works well as an introduction to the engineering design process, in centers, or a M
3rd - 5th
Engineering, Science
NGSS
3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
Also included in: Year-Round STEM Activity Bundle (Elementary STEM)
Building Bricks STEM Women's History Design Challenge
Break Stereotypes with 30 Women's History Building Challenges! Are your students ready to learn about Women's History? They will first construct their landscape (either using building bricks or paper). Then, students will receive one of the 30 challenge cards to solve a problem or add a creation to their landscape. They might need to build a school, a bridge, or even a moving "railroad" car and more! This activity works well as an introduction to the engineering design process, in centers, or a
3rd - 5th
Engineering, Science
NGSS
3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
Also included in: Year-Round STEM Activity Bundle (Elementary STEM)
Showing 1-20 of 24 results
About the store
Experience
The Vivify team is on a mission to re-engineer STEM education! We are dedicated to creating authentic, engaging, and accessible K-12 STEM lessons that progressively develop critical STEM skills, knowledge, and habits of mind. Designed by a team of educators and engineers, our lessons are low-prep and classroom-tested. Join the over 25,000 educators, and vivify your classroom today!
Teaching style
STEM transforms classrooms into an exciting world of curiosity, problem-solving, and creativity. Successful STEM education is an empowering interdisciplinary approach that brings math, science, and engineering concepts to life through challenging opportunities that mimic the complexities and excitement of the real world.
In our STEM classrooms, students apply math and science to a problem, using the engineering design process through technology. Our lessons follow the 3 Stages of STEM philosophy:
Stage 1 includes activities like tower challenges where students learn how to work together and develop essential habits of mind.
Stage 2 is where you introduce the engineering design process and add math and science, then use technology to solve a problem.
Stage 3 consists of longer, more complex challenges with a research component. In this stage, students solve a more open-ended problem and there is typically a final project that they present.
My own education history
Vivify is a STEM education company that is co-founded by Natasha Wilkerson and Claire Meschkat, two aerospace engineers turned educators who live in Texas.
Claire is a Pre-K thru 9th grade STEM teacher and STEM program coordinator at a Texas private school. She specializes in developing engineering curricula for elementary and middle school grades including the STEM Explorers series. Claire has a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and a Masters of Education in Educational Psychology - Creativity & Cognition from Texas A&M University. Before Vivify, she worked as an aerospace engineer at Boeing Commercial Airlines, Boeing Space Exploration, & Air Tractor, Inc.
Natasha is the founder of Space Club, a K-8 informal STEM program that is now an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit, the Cosmic Leap Foundation. Natasha specializes in research and development of engineering curricula and programming for middle school. Natasha has a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from Texas A&M University. Before Vivify, Natasha worked as an engineer for the United States Department of the Navy in radar and satellite spectrum management.
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