5 budget-friendly fun STEM activities for students
Justin "Mr. Fascinate" Shaifer
Making Innovation Accessible | Keynote Speaker | STEM Content Creator | Forbes 30 Under 30
After speaking with over 1,000 students in 2018 via STEM programs, I got the sense that today's STEM presentations and projects are pretty boring. This is especially true for low-budget programs.
Regardless of background, students deserve better insights into STEM than finger-wagging lectures. My non-profit's students didn't truly appreciate STEM until they experienced it. Here's how to provide STEM experiences for students without breaking the bank:
1) Magic
Students in amazement at the sight of a flying teabag. cc: David Chuchuca
Few things arouse student curiosity more effectively than an activity that begs the question, "How did you do THAT!?!?" Check out these budget-friendly science 'magic tricks' AND help your students become the most interesting person at parties when they get older:
There are a few to ways execute this: you can either perform the experiment yourself as a facilitator (cheaper), or you can teach students to perform their own magic tricks (a bit more expensive)
2) Freestyle Rap
Take off those headphones! Is something I'd say to one student every single day. Finally, I put on some hip-hop instrumentals and made him rap about science to the class as a 'consequence'. What he did next amazed us all! This kid could go toe to toe with any of the hip-hop greats, and it was all improv! No preparation!
Tom McFadden, a good friend, created a user-friendly online application called Science Freestyle. This awesome platform gives students an opportunity to turn their science lessons into hip-hop showcases. Students who have a preference for auditory learning may respond better to this.
His programs turn students into YouTube rap sensations. I strongly encourage you to check out his work!
I also have to give a shout out to my mentor and Columbia University adviser Dr. Chris Emdin, who hosts an annual Science Rap Battle in New York City called Science Genius.
Dr. Chris Emdin preparing NYC students for Science Genius Competition cc: New York Times
3) Bill Nye the Science Guy & friends
Bill Nye fixing his signature bow tie cc: Public Domain
If you're teaching students today, you may have grown up watching Bill Nye the Science Guy. You might assume this is too 'old school' for your students, but the show was ahead of its time in its approach to retaining student attention. Its jump-cut sequences and spouts of randomness resemble modern-day YouTube and Instagram content. I almost forgot how wacky this show was. Here are 48 full episodes of Bill Nye's revolutionary show.
Below are some modern STEM education YouTube channels that are immensely popular with my students:
4) Scratch Coding
Coding is an extremely valuable skill, but it can be tough to teach. Very few K-12 instructors know how to code. MIT really thought this through when they created Scratch, a free platform for younger students. Scratch teaches the essentials of coding by allowing students to pursue their own creative projects. Teachers, paraprofessionals or after-school practitioners can facilitate a scratch curriculum with 0 coding experience!
5) Citizen Science
Students may be unmotivated to perform science experiments unless their work will have a tangible impact. Below are some citizen science projects that allow students to contribute to society. Examples include searching for new planets and counting bug species in various locations!
Citizen Science Projects - PBS Kids
Hope these tips add value! I'm on a mission to make STEM cool for kids all over the world! Check out my website and email [email protected] to learn more!
Acoustiblok, Inc. Director Business Development, North America | President Association United States Army Suncoast Chapter
4 年My daughter teaches Math. Last year she taught Math and Science in Rual America (PA). I sent to her class last year some NASA icecream food. I sent enough so they could try with water and without water. The students loved the experience. I am thinking I should do something fun for her Math class (5th grade) You have inspired me to think of something! Maybe one day you could visit her school.?
Thanks for sharing Justin J. Shaifer.? I have been trying to brainstorm ideas!? Thanks for your creativity! Definitely going to try them! #funwithSTEM??#funwithSTEAM?
Community-engaged research and practice for impact
4 年Thank you so much for sharing these great ideas, Justin J. Shaifer. With recent provincial budget cuts to education in Alberta, these are simple and enticing ways teachers and parents can engage youngsters without necessarily feeling they have to be experts in STEM.
Early Child Development Professional/ Author Spiritual Guidance Through Alzheimer Dis-Ease/Team Member RNow Media/Team Writer & Co-Editor for Godlock Magazine/Team Writer the Church of God in Christ Whole Truth Magazine
4 年#GreatVision#GreatTips
Senior Investment Professional | |nfrastructure Investing
5 年Thank you for sharing the tips. I am looking for ways to make personal finance topics interesting for kids.