If you have been hearing the acronym STEM or STEAM being thrown around like the word of the day, and you don’t know as much about them as you would like, this is the resource for you! It’s time to have an all-in-one, awesome STEM resources guide that helps to explain STEM and its importance for kids!

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What is STEM or STEAM?

So you might ask, what does STEM or STEAM stand for? STEM is science, technology, engineering, and math. STEAM is STEM, plus the addition of art. You can read more about why STEAM is so awesome below.

The most important thing you can take away from this is that STEM or STEAM is for everyone! Yes, kids of all ages can work on STEM projects and enjoy STEM lessons. STEM projects are great for group work, too!

STEM is everywhere! Just look around. The simple fact that STEM surrounds us is why it’s so important for kids to be a part of, to use and to understand STEM. From the buildings you see in town, the bridges that connect places, the computers we use, the software programs that go with them, and to the air we breathe, STEM is what makes it all possible.

We need kids to know STEM, to feel comfortable with STEM, and to practice STEM every day.

Science activities for kids STEM STEAM lesson plansPin

STEM Resources to Get You Started

The awesome STEM resources below have been put together by bloggers, parents, and teachers. We had a little fun and turned it into an A-Z guide.

Here you will find awesome STEM resources for preschoolers to elementary. Think… Ideas for STEM lessons, STEM curriculum, STEM activities. Even free STEM kits for teachers and parents.

Makes sure to use this page as your STEM guide. Bookmark this page, pin it, share it, and use it! We want you to feel comfortable with STEM and show your kids how fun STEM can be!

Try This: Applying what you learn about to STEM to real life is key! This handy guide will help you get set up with a real-life STEM challenge at home or in the classroom.

What Is STEM? 

Read more about what makes a project a STEM project! Explore the four pillars of STEM: science, technology, engineering, and math. How do all of these pillars work together? What is a STEM challenge?

STEM Kits for Kids

STEM sounds expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Check out how you can set up STEM activities with a small budget at home or in the classroom. STEM should be accessible to everyone. Also, check out our must-have STEM supplies! Also check out our list for 30 fantastic premade STEM kits for Kids.

Easy Set-Up STEM Activities

This is a huge resource of science experiments and STEM activities that we have done over the last few years. You will find various science experiments and STEM challenges for junior scientists or engineers.

Valuable Lessons STEM Provides

We know STEM is important, but do we really know what some of the best benefits that STEM projects provide? STEM activities can teach valuable life lessons your kids will carry with them for years to come. Read our top 10 life lessons that STEM projects provide.

Printable STEM Pack

Add a printable STEM challenge worksheet to your next project. If you have a child who feels comfortable writing and you want to extend your STEM activities to fit your lesson plans, these sheets should do the trick. Also great for an older kid who needs to record the data and results of their experiments.

NOTE: You’ll find that most of our engineering and STEM or science projects on this website have a free printable worksheet to go along with them. You will find more than 150!

 

What is STEAM?

STEAM is STEM but with the addition of art! Read more about what makes STEAM so special. We have many fantastic STEAM projects, from animal cell collages to solubility flower bouquets!

STEM Books to Inspire Kids

These are some of my son’s favorite books to read repeatedly. They provide so many ideas for little minds. I have chosen not activity books but story books about young kids that add STEM elements throughout.

More Engineering Resources

Below you’ll find various engineering resources to supplement the many engineering projects on the website. From the design process to fun books to key vocabulary terms…you can feel confident providing these valuable skills. Each one of the resources below has a free printable!

ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS

Engineers often follow a design process. There are many different design processes that all engineers use, but each one includes the same basic steps to identify and solve problems.

An example of the process is “ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve.” This process is flexible and may be completed in any order. Learn more about the Engineering Design Process.

WHAT IS AN ENGINEER?

Is a scientist an engineer? Is an engineer a scientist? It might not be very clear! Often scientists and engineers work together to solve a problem. You may find it hard to understand how they are similar yet different. Learn more about what an engineer is.

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ENGINEERING BOOKS FOR KIDS

Sometimes the best way to introduce STEM is through a colorfully illustrated book with characters your kids can relate to! Check out this fantastic list of teacher-approved engineering books, and get ready to spark curiosity and exploration!

ENGINEERING VOCAB

Think like an engineer! Talk like an engineer! Act like an engineer! Get kids started with a vocabulary list that introduces some awesome engineering terms. Make sure to include them in your next engineering challenge or project.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

Use these reflection questions below with your kids after they have completed a STEM challenge. These questions will encourage discussion of the results and increase critical thinking skills. These questions or prompts will help to promote meaningful discussions individually and in groups. Read the questions for reflection here.

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STEM Lessons By Age Group

The links below create an amazing resource for STEM activities and understanding STEM and STEAM for different age groups. You will also find STEM planning ideas for teachers and homeschool curriculums. Whether you are a parent or a teacher, find excellent information on encouraging STEM with kids!

A TO Z OF THE BEST STEM RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES!

Below, you’ll find a fun list of possible STEM projects that cover a variety of topics, and most of them come with free printables. It’s a cinch to get started with STEM, no matter where you are!

A: Algorithms, Architecture, Animals, & Atoms

Architecture: 3 Little Pigs

LEGO Landmarks

Architecture: Eiffel Tower

Printable Algorithm Game

Animal Habitats Color By Number

Animal Cells STEAM Project

Atoms for Kids

B: Building Structures & Binary Code

LEGO Landmarks

Toothpick Structures

Spaghetti Tower Challenge

Binary Code with Margaret Hamilton

C: Coding & Colors

Coding Activities For Kids

LEGO Coding

Color Science for Kids

D: Design Process 

Design Process For Kids

E: Engineering

Engineering Activities

What Is An Engineer

F: Fractions

Fibonacci Fun

Hands On Fraction Activities

G: Geometry

Geometry Shapes For Kids

H: Hearts & Lungs

Heart Model

Lung Model

I: Inquiry and Inventors

Inquiry Science Experiments

Inventors Matching Game (Black History)

J: Journal Pages

Free Science and STEM Journal Pages

K: Kits

DIY Science Kits

Slime Kit

L: Life Cycles

Honey Bee Life Cycle

Bean Plant Life Cycle

Lady Bug Life Cycle

Plant Life Cycle

Frog Life Cycle

M: Measurement

Preschool Measurement Activities

What is Length?

What Weighs More?

N: Nature

Nature Science Experiments

O: Osmosis

Potato Osmosis Lab

Growing Gummy Bears

P: Physics, Physical Changes, and PH Scale

Simple Physics Experiments

Physical Changes

PH Scale

Q: Questioning

Questions For Reflection

R: Ramps

Ramps

S: Scientific Method, Simple Machines, STEAM

Scientific Method For Kids

Simple Machines

STEAM (Art and Science)

T: Technology

Technology & STEM in Preschool | Preschool Powol Packets

U: Universe

Universe Exploring Constellations

Watercolor Galaxy

Space Activities For Kids

V: Volume

Volume Experiment

W: Water and Women in STEM

Water Experiments

Women in STEM

Z: Zoetropes

Zoetropes | Share it! Science

Printable STEM Scavenger Hunt

Grab this free STEM scavenger hunt (Instant Download), and see how many items you can find!

Would You Rather Questions

Kids love would you rather questions, and these Would You Rather Science Questions are perfect for icebreakers, free time, and parties! We also have a Would You Rather Art Edition.

Printable Famous Scientists Pack

Inside The Pack: Find 22+ famous scientists/inventors to explore.

Each scientist includes: 

  • Project Sheet with instructions and step-by-step photos (additional printable included if applicable).
  • Biography Sheet that is kid-friendly. Get to know each scientist!
  • Animated Videos that cover a simple project idea to try for each scientist!
  • My Favorite Scientist Mini Pack to explore a favorite scientist further if desired.
  • Games! Secret Codes and Word Search Games
  • Supply List to help you fill your science kit for anytime projects!
  • Helpful Tips to make each project successful for Everyone!
  • Bonus Women In STEM pullout pack (note there are a few different activities, but some are the same, simply a convenient smaller pack to use when prepping)
  • NEW! Fibonacci, Picotte, Herrington, and  Edison Packs

BONUS BUNDLE PACK: What is A Scientist Pack (Lapbook included)

 

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