Ever since Katie King and I released our Storybook STEM Units for K-2 last December, upper grade teachers in third, fourth, and fifth grade have been begging us for a similar version with novel studies.  Well, we’ve been working our tails off for the past few months, and both happen share a love of all things young adult literature.  In… Read More

The Best STEM Challenge for Grades 2-5 Improve Student Learning with a STEM Challenge The Roller Coaster STEM Challenge from my May STEM Challenges pack covers a variety of standards related to force and motion. Students discover the difference between potential (stored) energy and kinetic (working) energy.  Students also learn about friction, momentum, and gravity.  The design of a working… Read More

STEM in the Great Outdoors The other day, I was on my back patio with my own two and four year old kiddos, Ellie and Beau, basking in the beautiful spring sunshine as I watched them play.  My son found a stack of small planter cups that we were planning to use, and immediately sat on the patio to start… Read More

I’m always searching for simple, innovative ways to implement iPads into STEM challenges and activities.  As a “newbie” to iPad integration over the past year, I continually look to the guidance of other iPad savvy teacher bloggers such as Kami Butterfield of Teaching with Appitude and Erin Flanagan of Erintegration. Here are my Top 3 favorite FREE kid-friendly apps that… Read More

Here we are, over halfway through the school year, and your kiddos have been movin’ and groovin’ with STEM Bins all year long!  Your students love them, and they’re fitting seamlessly into your daily routine. Maybe you’ve tried incorporating them as Morning Work, or as a choice for early finishers. Maybe you’ve started using them during centers, during indoor recess,… Read More