STEM Activities and Challenges Low Prep Engineering Design Process and Careers

The best variety of low prep STEM activities you'll find! These 20 STEM and STEAM activities can be completed with readily available materials and minimal prep - you can even use these for sub plans! Students will get hands-on exploring different STEM careers with these activities. Each activity is designed to take about one class period however the activity can span across two class periods to give ample time for redesigns and re-testing, or for a repeat challenge using different materials.

These are not quite no prep but they are close! "It has helped me start the STEAM lab at our school with very little effort on my part. The lessons are easy to use and fun for all ages."

These STEM activities can be used with elementary students OR middle school students - you will just need to alter the design criteria depending on the group. Suggestions for differentiation are included in the resource.

What You'll Get (20 Challenges in All):

10 STEM Challenges

10 More STEM Challenges

✅ 10 STEM Challenges (see more below) ✅

Each STEM activity includes a description, photographs of examples, a display page stating the challenge, as well as 5 "Talk Like an Engineer" word cards with relevant vocabulary.

⬇️ STEM Activities Included ⬇️

• Design a Bridge
• Design a Paper Airplane
• Design a Shelter
• Tallest Tower Challenge
• Challenging Maze Design
• Pompom Launcher
• Float a Boat STEM Challenge
• Fast & Slow Sled
• What a Drag: Parachute STEM Challenge
• Cantilever Challenge: Explore cross sections with this challenge!
• BONUS: All Aboard the Gear Train

Also Included

• Graphic organizers (includes Google Slides options)
• Engineering report (includes Google Slides or Docs option)
• Rubric option plus self-eval option. Choose either to document each challenge, or use the provided interactive pages (2) in your science notebooks.
• Engineering vocabulary + Quizlet activity
• Follow-up extension activity for each challenge

Please note: These activities are meant to be done with materials you have on hand, such as paper, office supplies, and recyclables. For this reason, they lend themselves very well to distance or hybrid learning models, homeschooling co-ops, libraries, and makerspaces, as well as traditional classroom settings. See detailed list below for more information regarding material requirements.

✅ 10 More STEM Challenges Contents ✅

Each challenge includes a description, photographs of examples, a display page stating the challenge, as well as 5 "Talk Like an Engineer" word cards with relevant vocabulary. The challenges cover a wide range of engineering disciplines: materials engineering (bubble challenge), industrial engineering (fidget fix), acoustical engineering (musical instrument), mechanical engineering (elevator, windshield wipers), code creator (software engineering), aeronautical engineering (windmill).

⬇️ STEM Challenges ⬇️

• Design a Zip Line
• Design a Windmill
• Fidget Fix: Design a fidget toy
• Code Creator Unplugged Coding Intro (create simple code with conditional statement IF ELSE, no computer necessary!)
• Design a Musical Instrument
• Bubble Wand STEM Challenge
• Elevator Challenge
• Design a Hammock
• Printing Press Design Challenge
• Windshield Wipers Mechanism STEM Design (synthesize a 4-bar linkage)

Also Included

• Graphic organizers
• Engineering report
• Rubric option. Choose either to document each challenge, or use the provided interactive pages (2) in your science notebooks.
• Engineering vocabulary + Quizlet activity

While these challenges are designed to be completed with readily available classroom and household materials, your students will have an easier time completing the challenges if you have the following materials available: foam paper sheets (for the printing press challenge), metal fasteners (for the windshield wiper challenge), thin cardboard (such as from cereal and other food boxes), and string (for the zip line and elevator challenges). You will also need to either have bubble solution or make your own with water, dish detergent, and either corn syrup or glycerin.

❤️ What Teachers are Saying About this Resource ❤️

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I love everything about this bundle. It is well worth the investment. The format for each of the activities is easy to follow, and the materials are thorough. I love the activities and will be able to use many of them for my Summer STEM program. This file saved me HOURS of planning time! Thank you!"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Great resource. It has helped me start the STEAM lab at our school with very little effort on my part. The lessons are easy to use and fun for all ages."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I'm piloting the STEAM program at our school this year, and this resource has been amazingly helpful! So many great ideas to build around, thanks!"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "My fourth graders did one of the activities and it kept the engaged the entire time. This is a great resource."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I bought this for my 2 gifted students to work on, thinking the rest of the class might enjoy it too. It is AMAZING! What a terrific resource bundle! Each of the challenges are cute, fun, but not too little-kid-ish, which is just perfect for my group! There are a few different choices for some of the planning worksheets, which is always nice. What perfectly crafted STEM projects! Love them all! Thanks SOOO much for your hard work in making this! My students will love it!"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I used this resource as the backbone of my middle school STEM course (primarily 6th graders). The activities are engaging, yet simple enough to prep and can open up conversations about STEM careers. Both my students and I like the consistent organization of the handouts as it helps them know what to expect each challenge as far as where to write certain pieces of information. I also love that there is a set of vocabulary included for each challenge!"

FAQs about STEM

Why use STEM activities in your classroom or homeschool?

These STEM activities are project-based and cross-curricular. Your students will gain experience in soft skill areas and foster a growth mindset while:

✅ Learning to work as part of a team.

✅ Communicating effectively and clearly to persuade others.

✅ Gaining confidence in presenting and speaking to groups.

✅ Persevering through a challenge when the initial design fails.

✅ Accepting constructive criticism from peers.

FAQs

Will I need to spend a lot of money on supplies?

You don't need a lot of expensive materials to get started! You probably have most of the supplies in your classroom already, or in your recycle bin. I have developed most of my STEM challenges to be easily modified based on the materials you have on hand. For most of the challenges, you will need basic office or craft supplies and household recyclables such as:

• tape
• paper, index cards, or card stock
• recyclables like plastic cups, paper towel rolls, and cereal boxes
• craft sticks or straws

I've never done STEM challenges before. What can I expect?

I've got you covered! There are notes and photos in the downloads, as well as tips. All of my STEM challenge resources guide students through the engineering design process step by step. If you are looking for a full guide to the Engineering Design Process, you can find that here.

Want to go paperless?

Digital resources are also included in this download (digital graphic organizer and journal). You may also wish to download this STEM Journal for use with ANY STEM Challenge where you can record the engineering design process without wasting paper.

Disclaimer: I have done my best to keep these as safe as possible. However, please make sure that you do your own due diligence when performing any STEM challenge. Adult supervision is necessary. Please use care, caution, and your best judgement when performing any STEM challenge, engineering challenge, or science experiment. The seller disclaims all liability for any damage or injury which might arise from the use of any of these projects.

© Meredith Anderson - Momgineer