STEM Bins for Elementary Students
Want to see my STEM Bins setup up close and personal? Watch the following video!
“I’m finished! What do I do now?”
How many times during our teaching day do we hear these words from our students? Oftentimes, it is much too often, and students are provided a handful of the same options to keep them busy until our next transition. Sometimes students are instructed to read, sometimes to write in journals, and others are given yet another worksheet to complete. Lately, I’ve been considering a way to change up our game, and I’ve thought to myself:
Instead of giving our kids MORE work, let’s give them more MEANINGFUL work.
For elementary students, meaningful work should be hands-on, engaging, and open ended. Why?! Because children have a natural drive to play, explore, and engineer whenever possible.
Enter STEM BINS!
What are STEM Bins?
STEM Bins are plastic school boxes filled with an engineering manipulative of your choice, such as Legos, pattern blocks, base ten blocks, unifix cubes, toothpicks and playdough, or popsicle sticks with velcro on the ends. The boxes also contain small sets of task cards on metal rings that picture a variety of basic engineering structures. STEM Bins can be placed on an easily accessible shelf in the classroom or inside a classroom MakerSpace area. When students’ regular classwork is complete, they can take one STEM Bin at a time, either to their seat or a more quiet carpet area so as not to distract other students who are working, and get a quiet moment to engineer. They use the materials in the box to construct as many different structures on the cards as they can. And instead of being just “busy,” students are engaged in creative, complex tasks and are encouraged to think like inventors. Kinesthetic learners, spatial learners, and logical learners will love exploring the different possibilities for the building materials as they try to construct more challenging structures.
Even better? The prep and management on the teacher’s part is minimal! The task cards are interchangeable with any building material and include real world photos to encourage students to visualize more realistic structures.
STEM Bins for Upper Grades
Upper Grade teachers, STEM Bins will even work for you! So many third through fifth grade students and teachers are loving the hands-on engagement that STEM Bins provide. I’ve added task cards with no photo cues and written response sheets that are just right for big kids:
Getting Organized
Most of the suggested materials for STEM Bins are math manipulatives or inexpensive crafting materials that you likely already have in your classroom or can pick up at the dollar store. I’m always on the hunt for anything and everything that my students can build with so I can add it to my STEM Bins!
Click below to purchase a set of 12 school boxes through my Amazon Affiliate Link:
Customizing STEM Bins
Since every classroom has a variety of manipulatives already on hand, I’ve also included editable box covers and task cards so you can customize them to your needs. Some of my favorite places to find engineering materials are Target Dollar Spot and the Dollar Store.
When to Use STEM Bins
STEM Bins aren’t just ideal for early finishers! Here are some ways you can use them elsewhere during your day:
Adding Literacy to STEM Bins
You can also take students’ engineering a step further by adding a written component. The youngest students in Pre K and Kinder can can draw pictures of their different structures. First through fifth graders can “Build, Draw, and Write” with descriptive sentences or imaginative stories about their structures. If you’d like to save copies, simply place any of the templates inside plastic page protectors and students can use dry erase markers to write and wipe drawings and responses.
Click below to see my answers to Frequently Asked Questions about STEM Bins:
Keeping STEM Bins Fresh
Looking to keep your STEM Bins fresh and exciting throughout the year? Check out the post below:
Also, check out my Bundle of Seasonal Task Cards, literacy and math Quick Writes, and all new Outdoor Discovery STEM Bins below!
I hope you will consider giving your students a hands-on alternative to busy work with STEM Bins in your classroom!
***Fonts by KG Fonts and Styled Image by Jen Jones of Hello Literacy.***
***This post contain an affiliate link for Amazon. By purchasing an item on the Amazon site using this link, I will receive a small commission on your purchase.***
These are amazing! I just purchased the pack and printed everything out. Do you have the letter cards that say STEM BINS in your store? I didn’t see them in the packet. Or, maybe they are letter cards from a teacher company.
Thanks for your help!
Anne
Hi Anne! These are letter cards from Mardel Education in their “Chalk Talk” collection that you can order online. I did just add a header poster to the STEM Bin pack on TpT if you’d like to use that. Just redownload from “My Purchases” and you will have it. Thank you so much and I hope you and your students love them! 🙂
I LOVE LOVE LOVE these!!
BTW, just saw that you’re in Norman! I’m in KY, however, my hubs is from Creek Co! He went to school in Tahlequah and has taken me to several games in Norman! Boomer!
LOVE it!! SOONER!!! 🙂 Thanks so much, Jen!
I know I would have to purchase the individual items but does the TPT package come with the individual task/activities cards for each bin or do I have to create me own task? Also, do you think this would still be good for 6th grade? my students have little to no concept of all of science and my school just became a STEAM school. I’m thinking this would be a great idea but I’m worried that if I purchase it it would be challenging enough for my students since this is for a pre-k, k, 1 class.
Hi Brittany,
I am adding extension options and modifications to the pack later today that would work for grades 3-5. I had the assistance of a fourth grade teacher to help me create them. Please download the preview on the product later today and take a look at the materials up close so that you can see if they might be appropriate for 6th as well.
Thank you!
Looks amazing Brooke! Per usual. Keep it up! Thanks for the shout-out!
These look great! As much as I want to use them for early finishers, I was planning on doing morning tubs, but wondering if this would be a better idea for the morning tubs? Then I am still stuck with early finishers??
Hi Michelle! It’s completely up to you and your management style and how they might work best in your classroom. Let me know which one you decide! 🙂
Love these ! Would love to see them expanded to be STEAM and include some art supplies although you already use pipe cleaners and other craft supplies and have students draw on the literacy connection piece!
Hi Susie! I actually updated the package and it now includes a full STEAM version! 🙂
Hi Brooke,
I am attempting to incorporate stem into my classroom this school year (3rd grade). Really liked your article about how to get started (ordering the books on Amazon). I just noticed your stem bins and think they are a really good idea. Do I have to create my own tasks or are there tasks included? Also, I have been watching your literacy videos on YouTube and plan to incorporate some of your ideas. I am one of those teachers that like centers to be flexible enough to last a few weeks.
Hi Adriane! All of the task cards are already included in the STEM Bins and there are also editable cards if you’d like to add some of your own. I’m so glad you’re incorporating STEM and flexible literacy centers this year! I hope you and your students love them! 🙂
.I am a little confused about the steam bins. Do the students use any of the materials in the bins to create the objects pictured on pages 9-11. Or, do certain pictures go with certain bins…:)
Hi Adriane!
Almost all of the challenges/task cards are interchangeable with the materials, although some will definitely be more challenging. You will be amazed what your kids can come up with. 🙂
I think I must be missing something but is there a list somewhere of what is in each bin? I would love to see it so I know how much stuff I have to buy before investing in this. I love this idea and would probably use it as morning tubs as I need something to get my kids through the cloakroom and into the classroom quickly. These would be a fantastic motivator.
Hi Elizabeth! Here are the suggested materials in the pack, although there are also editable covers for you to add your own materials too. 🙂
-Legos
-Base Ten Blocks
-Pattern Blocks
-Popsicle sticks with Velcro
-Index cards and tape
-Dominoes
-Unifix Cubes
-Playdough and toothpicks
-Pipe Cleaners
-Dixie Cups
I love this idea. I coordinate curriculum for our district after school programs and I think this would be great. Where do I go to download and purchase?
Hi Beth! Thank you so much! I agree that these would be fantastic for an after school program.
Here is the link to purchase:
bit.ly/stembins
This may seem like a silly question, but do you buy the craft sticks with the Velcro attached or just make them yourself ? I love STEM and these are amazing! I will be buying these soon. 🙂
Hi Alice! Thank you so much! I actually made them myself. My daughter stuck all the Velcro dots on for me! 🙂
Do you put the same task cards in every bin?
Hi Alyssa! No, I mix them up and put about 6 different cards per ring and rotate them every once in awhile. You can also put them on rings in small sets and hang them on tacks or hooks near the boxes so that students can grab a ring themselves. 🙂
Are the recommended bins (through amazon) big enough like the ones in your video?
Hi Anastasia! They are the exact same dimensions and brand as mine from Walmart, although you may be able to find them cheaper at a local store. 🙂
If I want to buy some of things do you send to other countries
Hi Lulu! All of my products are downloadable files on Teachers Pay Teachers, so there is no shipping required. My store name is Brooke Brown – Teach Outside the Box. 🙂
Do you let students use a variety of materials to build with or are they only allowed to choose one?
Hi Tamara! It completely depends on your class and purpose, as well as what time of day you plan to use them. At first, I require them to choose just one. If you intend to use them for early finishers or an independent work option, this is the best way to start. Since the classes I serve are only 10-12 students, I allow them to combine materials and work together as necessary. 🙂
I love the look of the STEM bins and would like to use them for early finishers. If the children are in the middle of creating but it is now time for the next lesson do you find this is an issue? if so how do you deal with this?
Hi Kerry! We practice and review that expectation first thing with my students. They know that it is a privilege, so when time is up, they must deconstruct and put away within 2-3 minutes according to my timer. I also encourage them to help one another clean up so that they get to keep the privilege. It has worked great so far! 🙂
Do you put the Velcro Dots on the both ends and both sides of the popsicle sticks? Does it matter which part of the velcro goes where? I have seen the pictures but it is hard to tell….I will be downloading the cards! Great ideas! Thank you!
Hi Rachel! Yes, I put them on both sides, with scratchy on one end and soft on the other. Hope that makes sense! 🙂
Hi! I think these are wonderful and purchased them, however, I must have done something wrong because when I open the attachments after downloading them they are all blank. Please help!
Hi Rosemary! These are Adobe PDF documents. Do you have Adobe Reader installed on your computer? It is a free download from their website. IF you’re still having trouble, please email me at brooke.brown.tpt@gmail.com.
Thank you! 🙂
Hi- I love your ideas! I bought the stuff but want to know how to introduce it to my class? I teach first grade and have never taught them the Stem idea. How would you start? Thanks! Ann
Hi Ann! Thank you so much! Here is a post all about how to introduce STEM to your students. 🙂
https://teachoutsidethebox.com/2016/06/setting-stage-stem-beginning-school-year/
Hi! I came across your site today while looking for NGSS ideas. I teach at an american school in Taiwan. I’d like to implement the STEM bins in my 1st grade class. Super idea! I will probably need to order the bins from Amazon and I can’t find your affiliate link. Am I missing something on your page?
Hello Rebecca! Here is the affiliate link:
https://www.amazon.com/Sterilite-17234812-Pencil-Splash-12-Pack/dp/B004GXB6QE/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=brookebrown-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=d02b79f08b1fb56a4cc799e1c9a564ba&creativeASIN=B004GXB6QE
Or you can just purchase plastic school boxes from a local store if you can find them. 🙂 I hope your first graders love them! Thank you so much!!
Putting these together and was wondering…
On the craft sticks, are there velcro dots on both sides AND both ends?
Hi Christina! I would definitely put them on both ends, but putting them on both sides is optional. I have two scratchy dots and two soft dots on each of my sticks (both sides and ends) so they can put them together in more different ways. 🙂
Hi! I just purchased this from TpT and I got all of the supplies. Every teacher I have shown this to all love the idea, as do I! I was just wondering about the Popsicle sticks with the velcro- do you put the velcro on both sides of the Popsicle sticks, with the rough and softer pieces on each end?
-Cj
Thank you so much, Cj!! I hope you and your students love them. 🙂 I put velcro on both sides of my sticks so that they’re a bit more versatile for building, with soft on one end and scratchy on the opposite end, then the same on the back side. Hope that makes sense! 🙂
I love these for my first graders! I was wondering if you will be making a winter set of cards to go with these bins. Thanks!
Hi Patrice! Yes, I’ve recently created a Growing Bundle of seasonal task cards that I will continue to add goodies to! 🙂 Here is the link:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Seasonal-Task-Cards-for-STEM-Bins-GROWING-MINI-BUNDLE-2801231
I LOVE these products! I have purchased both the STEM bins and the seasonal task cards! This is an on-going project for me. I have a question about the Velcro dots and popsicle sticks. When setting these up, did you put one set on each side? Is there a soft side on one end and a grabber side on the other? Also, do the dots match from front to back? I tried looking at the pictures but was unable to tell. I hope these questions make sense.
Thanks,
Alice
Hi Alice! Thank you so much for your purchases! I put one soft on one end and one scratchy on the other end, and they also match front to back. Hope that helps! 🙂
Thanks so much for these wonderful ideas
Hello! I have your stem bin activities in my classroom ready to go! I am just trying to figure out how I should let my kids use them. I would like to do it as an early finisher activity. What do you do if someone isn’t finished with their structure? I know that sometimes the kids have 10 minutes and I know some wouldn’t be finished by that time and complete the sheet to go along with it. Just trying to get an idea of how you run it In your classroom. Thank you!
Hi Danielle! Thanks so much for your purchase! I almost always require my kids to deconstruct when time is up, however, if it’s something extra special a child is working on, they may put it on a shelf to return to at another time. Hope that helps! 🙂
How long are the wooden planks for the stem bin?
They’re about the size of Jenga blocks. My favorite brand is called Keva Planks. 🙂
I am definitely going to purchase this and begin assembling them for this year, but I do have a quick question. I noticed that you put 6 cards on each ring. Does a student pick a box and then get 6 different structures they can build with the one box of materials? If so, how many sets of cards do you make? I am worried I won’t have enough structure cards for all of the early finishers.
Hi Nikki! I have 9 total sets of cards with 6 cards on each ring. The kids grab a ring of their choice and a STEM Bin. 🙂
With the craft sticks, was the self-sticky enough or did you have to add extra glue or something?
Self sticky works great! 🙂