The main thing I want to put forward today is that we shouldn’t assess for sake of assessing or out of habit. Assessments should always be thoughtful and serve a worthy purpose. So, before making any decisions about assessments, ask yourself why are you doing STEM challenges in your classroom? What do you hope to achieve? What […]
STEM Challenges: To Assess or Not to Assess… Read More »
By now, I hope you’re home enjoying a well-earned Winter Break! Maybe you’re sipping on some hot chocolate, looking for some engaging ways to get your kids thinking deeply when you return to school. Keep this winter STEM activity in your back pocket! Wait for one of those tough days when you and your students
Popular Marshmallow Winter STEM Challenge: Frozen Fortress Read More »
You are almost to Christmas/Winter Break, or maybe you’re visiting after break and looking for a way to ease those late winter blues! This snowman STEM activity is perfect if you’re looking for very low-prep and very simple materials. In fact, all you really need is a few sheets of copy paper, tape, and scissors
Superb Snowman STEM Activity: Snowman Stretch Read More »
How long should a STEM challenge take? Is there more to STEM challenges than just designing & building? How do I plan a STEM challenge? How does it break down into smaller parts? If you’ve found yourself asking any of the questions above, you’re in the right place! Essentially, you’re wondering how to best approach the
The STEM Challenge Cycle Read More »
You are almost to Winter Break and this winter STEM activity is just what you need to solve every teacher’s dilemma during this time of year–how can you have fun and enjoy the holidays without wasting instructional time? STEM Challenges … the answer is always STEM Challenges!! Premise of Sleigh/Sled & Slope In Sleigh/Sled &
Worthwhile Winter STEM Activity: Sleigh/Sled & Slope Read More »
I know you are going to miss some of the things going on in my blog, YouTube channel and TpT store. Who has the time to keep up with their own lives, let alone someone else’s whole deal?! Hopefully, these monthly updates will make it easier to catch all the updates and teaching tidbits to make your
As the holiday break inches ever closer, keeping students engaged in academic work can be an uphill battle! Engaging winter or Christmas classroom activities like this December STEM challenge are the perfect way to get kids excited to work collaboratively in deep critical thinking and problem solving! This week’s December STEM challenge is one of
December STEM Challenge: Riveting Reindeer Relay Read More »
Congratulations, teachers! You are almost to a beautiful, well-deserved Christmas/Winter break, but getting to that finish line can be its own impossible challenge! The kids’ brains are toast, and (likely) so is yours! But because you are a responsible adult, you don’t want to throw in the towel too early and risk wasting instructional time,
Festive Winter/Christmas STEM Activity: Candy Cane Calamity Read More »
We don’t like to be the bearers of bad news. Some of us avoid conflict at all costs, but we do our students a gross disservice when we shield them from challenges in a bid to protect their self esteem. Perhaps they will avoid the temporary sting of defeat when we don’t challenge them, but they will
All Students Deserve to Fail Read More »
Congratulations, teacher! You’re almost there. You’ve almost made it to Thanksgiving break, but we all know those last few days can be difficult for you and your students. When everyone is more than ready for a rest and some turkey, focusing on school can be challenging for all. Why consider incorporating a STEM activity for
Turkey Transporter: Festive STEM Activity for Thanksgiving Read More »
