STEM Quick Wins

STEM Quick Wins are relevant science, technology, engineering, and math activities that can be done at home or other locations with easily accessible materials.

Each STEM Quick Win has an instruction sheet and short video of a STEM Connection staff member explaining and showing the activity.
Activities are based on Next Generation Science Standards, process standards, and employability skills standards and touch on a variety of STEM content and practices
Activities are designed for kindergarten through 5th grade students but can easily be differentiated for preschool and middle school students
Interviews with STEM professionals help introduce youth to potential STEM careers and the skills it takes to be successful

Earth Science

Rain in a Cup/Lluvia en una Taza – Activity Video

Kids Gardening – Activity Video

Painting with Soil – Activity Video

Cotton Ball Clouds/ Nubes de Bolas de Algodón- Activity Video

Saltwater vs. Freshwater/Agua Dulce vs. Agua Salada – Activity Video

Soil Sedimentation – Activity Video

Air Pollution Catcher – Activity Video

Earthquake Activity – Activity Video

Garden in a Bag – Activity Video

Terrarium – Activity Video

Physical Science

Soap Science – Activity Video

Melt an Ice Cube – Activity Video

Float or Sink – Activity Video

Lava Lamp – Activity Video

Pom Pom Launcher – Activity Video

Parachutes – Activity Video

Color Chromatography/Cromatografía en Color – Activity Video

Inclined Planes – Activity Video

Bubbles – Activity Video

Ice Cream in a Bag – Activity Video

Paper Airplanes – Activity Video

Kaleidoscope – Activity Video

Life Science

Specimen Bracelet – Activity Video

Spring Scavenger Hunt – Activity Video

Color Hunt/Caza de Colores – Activity Video

Onion Planting – Video

Start a Sprout – Activity Video

Beaks – Activity Video

Model of a Virus/Hacer un Modelo de Virus – Activity Video

Spot 5 examples of Animal Evidence – Video

Ephemeral Art – Activity Video

Kitchen Scrap Garden – Activity Video

Living vs. Non-living – Activity Video

Animal Observations – Activity Video

Insect Hunt – Activity Video

Ant Hills Art- Activity Video

Toilet Paper Tube Owls – Activity Video

Engineer a Nest – Activity Video

Make Your Own Animal – Activity Video

Creek Exploration – Activity Video

Pollinator Count – Activity Video

Insect Art – Activity Video

Science, Math, Engineering Process Standards

Cup Tower – Activity Video

Make Your Own Stress Ball/Haz Tu Propia Bola de Estrés – Activity Video

Toothpick Towers/Torres de Palillos de Dientes – Activity Video

Mystery Bag – Activity Video

2-D and 3-D shapes/Formas 2D y 3D – Activity Video

Spot 5 Signs of Spring Hike – Video

Build a Basket – Activity Video

Growing Numbers – Activity Video

Spot 5 Numbers Hike – Video

Build a Boat – Activity Video

Estimation Jars – Activity Video

Groovy Graphing – Activity (simple) Activity (extended) Video

Natural and Manmade Patterns – Activity Video

Mystery Scents/Aroma Misterioso – Activity Video

Thaumatropes – Activity Video

Bridges – Activity Video

Kindness Rocks – Activity Video

Butterfly Symmetry – Activity Video

Drop Copters – Activity Video

Design a Doghouse – Activity Video

One Plastic Bag Bracelet – Activity Video

Interviews with STEM Professionals

Questions for a STEM Professional PDF

Interview with a Nurse – Activity Video

Interview with a Soil Specialist – Activity Video

Interview with an Engineer – Video

Interview with a Database Administrator – Video

Interview with an Ecologist – Video

Interview with an Entomologist – Activity Video

Interview with a Meteorologist – Video

Interview with a Doctor – Video

Interview with an Environmental Specialist – Video

Interview with a Pilot – Video

The Indiana Department of Education supports STEM Quick Wins!

Click here to read our letter of Support from IDOE.

“We are very pleased to see The STEM Connection is finding new, innovative ways to engage with students during the pandemic. While these events are unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed, it is nice to see your continued efforts to support our city’s youth. Education is so important, especially now, while many parents are being pushed outside of their comfort zone. Great job in continuing to push your mission forward!”

– Ryan Basore, Commercial Sales Consultant, Citizens Energy Group