Light Table STEM Activities for Elementary Learners

We have an SHINING new addition to our Makerspace, and my kids are absolutely loving it! Thanks to generous donors from my most recent Donorschoose project, we’re bringing learning to “light” with our beautiful new light table STEM activities and building manipulatives.

COLOR-CHANGING LIGHT TABLE

AFFORdABLE STANDARD LIGHT TABLE

Light table activities have endless possibilities to naturally integrate, science, math, engineering, and so much more. They’re the perfect addition to Makerspaces, classrooms, media centers, and more and are appropriate for all ages. There’s just something about that magical element of light that naturally engages our kids’ curiosity and interest! Here are just a few of the reasons why I added a light table our Makerspace:

Light Bright on Light Table

I plan to switch out light table activities every month in Makerspace to keep engagement high. We’re starting the year with these light bright peg boards and pegs from Lakeshore Learning.

Oh, and did I mention that this specific light table CHANGES COLORS?! You can use the remote to change the light to blue, red, green, or add multicolored fade effects. Perfect to build excitement for special seasons or holidays!

There are so many possibilities with light bright pegs! Of course, Students can create their own designs, but my wheels are already turning with math integrations like arrays, graphing, basic operations, and more. Stay tuned!

STEM Speed Builds on the Light Table

One of the many reasons I was so excited to get a light table was because it integrates perfectly with SO MANY of our STEM Bins Speed Builds card sets! I set up 3 pocket charts behind the light table. The middle chart has ideas for basic creative structures. The charts on either side have specific Speed Build challenges to match the building manipulative. The left chart has “Build it Flat” two-dimensional challenges and the right chart has “Build it Up” three-dimensional challenges. It’s the perfect way to integrate problem solving, logical reasoning, spatial reasoning, and more into your students’ light table experience.

Mini Cups on the Light Table

Here’s a closer look at the Mini Cups Speed Build cards. Neon mini cups are found HERE.

Pattern Blocks on the Light Table

Pattern Blocks are a wonderful manipulative to add to the light table! Here are some of my Pattern Block Speed Build cards that students can choose from:

LARGE MAGNETIC PATTERN BLOCKS

STANDARD TRANSLUCENT PATTERN BLOCKS

Snap Cubes on the Light Table

How cool are these translucent snap cubes? Snap Cubes Speed Build cards are found HERE.

Building Bricks / LEGO on the Light Table

LEGO is already a favorite choice in Makerspace, but adding these magical translucent bricks to the light table takes engagement to the next level! Grab these LEGO Speed Builds cards HERE. The extra large bricks shown below are from Lakeshore Learning. Classic translucent building bricks are found HERE.

Magna-Tiles on the Light Table

Another big favorite! My kids absolutely LOVE Magna-tiles, and it’s almost like they were made to be on a light table! My Magna-tiles Speed Builds cards are found HERE.

Magnetic Cubes on the Light Table

I added these magnetic cubes to Makerspace last year, and they were an immediate hit! Add them to the light table for that extra special glow! And my kids LOVE these Magnetic Cubes Speed Builds!

STEM Bins Speed Builds Mega Bundle

Looking for ALL my STEM Speed Builds cards in one place? Check out my MEGA Bundle with leveled challenge cards for 12 different building manipulatives!