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      • visualizing
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    • environmental print
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    • word building
    • word consciousness
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    • creative writing
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    • counting
    • numbers
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    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
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      • speaking
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      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
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      • christmas
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STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens

home / featured / STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens
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As a teacher and parent, I am always, always on the hunt for free, hands-on STEM activities for kids and teens.

It’s always been my goal to raise confident, curious kids–children who question the world around them and want to learn how and why things work the way they do. So whenever we’ve had questions about things, we researched the answer together.

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens | teachmama.com

I was recently introduced to an incredible resource that I’m thrilled to share with parents and educators–it’s totally free, it’s hands-on, and it’s seriously a celebration of all things STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

It’s the 4-H STEM Lab, and when the great people at HughesNet and 4-H asked me to share the 4-H STEM Lab coolness with you, I was totally game.

HughesNet and 4-H teamed up to bring STEM Lab to life, and the partnership is awesome:ย 

  • HughesNet and 4-H serves the same small, local communities across America which are passionate about STEM education, building future leaders, and the role they will play in advancing our countryโ€™s competitiveness in the global economy.ย 
  • The goal is to inspire the next generation of leaders in STEM because access to quality STEM education shouldnโ€™t be determined by where you live.ย 
  • Read more about the HughesNet and 4-H partnership here.

Oh, how I wish something like this existed when my kids were home with me all day! The great news? No matter how old your kids are, I’m betting there’s something on this site for you.

Really and truly, it’s awesome.

Here’s the skinny. . .

STEM Lab — Free, Hands-On STEM Activities for Kids & Teens

STEM Lab is an online hub offering fun, hands-on STEM activities developed by top public universities and 4-H groups to spark kidsโ€™ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

STEM Lab is

  • found here —4-H.org/STEMLab;
  • geared toward students age 4-16 years old;
  • full of projects that include easy-to-follow instructions, discussion questions, and supply lists (many supplies you’ll have at home!);
  • for use in home or classroom or club — each project comes with a “Messy Meter” ranging from “clean” to “mega mess”;
  • preparing youth for the future, opening doors to exciting potential careers in STEM fields;
  • making sure that all children, no matter where they live, have access to hands-on, experiential STEM learning.

How do you use STEM Lab?

Simple!

1. Visitย 4-H.org/STEMLab.

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens

 

2. Fill out the Search Bar — decide on a topic and grade range.

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens

3.ย  Search for a project that appeals to you.

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens

4. Have fun and learn!

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens

We put the 4-H STEM Lab to the test, and it was a blast.

My nieces gave the Fizzy Foam Funย activity a go, and it was perfect for these two preschoolers.

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens | teachmama.com0016

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens | teachmama.com

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens | teachmama.com

They could not wait to have some Fizzy Foam Fun! It was a gorgeous day, so we took the girls to the store in the morning to purchase the items.

Luckily, we only needed items that are readily available at the grocery store.

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens | teachmama.com

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens | teachmama.com

The activity was very easy for the girls to participate in–and they loved it!

They even learned simple things like how to make a funnel out of a paper plate in order to more easily put the ingredients into the water bottle. The funny thing is that later that day, they wanted to do the same thing on the sand, on their own!

Great skill transfer if you ask me!

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens | teachmama.com

We tried the experiment with red and blue food coloring, and the girls were Ohhhhhh-ing and Ahhhhhhh-ing each time.

They were surprised at how different the bubbles felt than how they looked.

I think they expected it to feel more like a thick shaving cream-like foam. Lots of important learning!

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens | teachmama.com

And my own kids learned a ton by making their own Rubber Band Car.

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens | teachmama.com

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens | teachmama.com

We definitely learned that we should have used a flatter container; the website uses an empty mustard bottle–which we didn’t have on hand–so we went for a peanut container. (Easier to clean and empty for us!)

However, our container was more round, so it made making holes for the front and back axels more tricky.

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens | teachmama.com

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens | teachmama.com

Of course, I supervised the whole activity–especially the poking with a knife and using the hot glue gun!

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens | teachmama.com

Getting the hang of making the knots and tightening the rubber bands took a bit of time for us, but with a little patience and deep breathing, we got it.

What was helpful for us was to print out the directions for our activities and use them along with the online directions.

You know that we’re not super science focused over here; however the reading to learn is an important skill emphasized quite often. I loved the practice it gave all of us!

And what really interested Owen and Cora was the fact that the Rubber Band Car distance is a challenge in the Guinness Book of World Records–and the site helps you through timing, recording, etc. I think it’s definitely something that my kids will go back to and try.

Watch out, world!

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens | teachmama.com

I’ll be the first to admit, we’re not Guinness World Record-ready with our Rubber Band Car, but we tried! And boy–did we learn a ton about physics!

This was a super activity for us to try because my 9th grader is in AP Physics this year. Perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon!

What do you know about 4-H?ย 

4-H is a community.

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens

4โ€‘H is:

  • the nationโ€™s largest youth development organization which grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow;
  • the youth development program of our nationโ€™s Cooperative Extension System and USDA, and it serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3,000 local Extension offices;
  • active globally, where it collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries.
  • grows young people who are 4x’s more likely to contribute to their communities, 2x’s more likely to make healthier choices, 2x’s more likely to be civically active, and 2x’s more likely to participate in STEM programs;
  • where kids complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science,ย AGRICULTUREย and citizenship, in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adultย mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.

Head, Heart, Hands, and Health are the four Hs in 4โ€‘H, and they are the four values members work on through fun and engaging programs. The pledge is available in English and Spanish.

Follow 4-H:
  • 4-H on Twitter: @4H
  • 4-H on Instagram: @National4H
  • 4-H on Facebook: 4H
What do you know about HughesNet?
  • Hughes Network Systems is the global leader in broadband satellite technology and services for home and office.
  • Its flagship high-speed satellite Internet service is HughesNetยฎ, the worldโ€™s largest satellite network with over 1.2 million residential and business customers across the Americas.

 

  • HughesNet Twitter: @HughesNet
  • HughesNet Instagram: @HughesNet
  • HughesNet Facebook: HughesNet
  • Hughes LinkedIn:ย https://www.linkedin.com/company/hughesconnects/

What do you think?

Who will you share this awesome, free resource with? I’d love to know!

 

fyi: This post was written as part of a partnership with HughesNet and 4-H, but as always, my opinions are all my own, influenced only by my experience as a parent and educator.ย 

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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

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Quick! Thereโ€™s still time to see if your area is registered to participate in this yearโ€™s National Civics Bee! #ad

Click the link in my bio to learn more and to grab a TON of free resources for families and educators. 

This yearโ€™s registration deadline is approaching, but you still have time! 

What better way to get students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities? 

https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

#CivicsBuzz #strongcommunities #middleschool #civicsbee #teachersofIG
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Have you heard of The National Civics Bee? #ad 

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Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in your community will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. 

Learn how to bring The National Civics Bee to YOUR community now: https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

Iโ€™m thrilled to have partnered with @mom_select and @civicsbuzz for this exciting campaign! โ™ฅ๏ธ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’™

#CivicsBuzz #middleschoolers #teachersofIG #communitypartners
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(Itโ€™s what Rusty the ๐ŸฆŠ is currently reading.) 

Find it at your favorite bookstore or order here: https://amzn.to/3Pu3tWs

(This is my affiliate link, so when you use it, I will earn a small percentage of the sale, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for using my link and supporting my small business!)

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How can people with dyslexia learn to read? ๐Ÿค”

Here are the 3๏ธโƒฃ elements that reading instruction should contain in order to be most effective for students with dyslexiaโ€”

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #readingteacher #teachreading #dyslexiaawareness
View
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Lately when I find four leaf clovers, Iโ€™ve been leaving them. ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

So if youโ€™re in Maryland, and you happen upon a lonely, little 4-leafer with very little grass, weeds, or leaves around it, I donโ€™t know WHO tried to set you up for success.

#yougotthis #keepyoureyesopen #itsthelittlethings #kilpattyluck
View
Open
Okayโ€”how do we know if someone has dyslexia? 

Which professionas are able to make that important determination? 

โ–ถ๏ธ Watch to find out. 

Hit me with the questions you still have about dyslexiaโ€”and know we have a few more posts to go!

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #teachreading #readingteachersofig
View
Open
What are some of the common signs of dyslexia?

Watch to learn and find out!

#demystifyingdyslexia #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading #dyslexia
View
Open
True โœ… or false โŒ?

#demystifyingdyslexia #dyslexiaeducation #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading
View
Open
What do you know about dyslexia? 

What questions do you have about dyslexia? 

For the next few weeks leading up to my own start to the school year I am sharing a new series called โ€œDe-Mystifying Dyslexiaโ€ and I would love for you to join me! 

Follow in my stories or on the highlight above!

#dyslexia #teading  #readingteacher #raiseareader #demystifyingdyslexia

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