Kids' STEM Experiments and Activities
Peaking interest in science and technology is easy this season with fun, fall-themed STEM activities and events for kids > check out our top 4 picks:
1. Bright Schools Competition: Get your middle schooler to check Snapchat later and instead engage in a top-tier STEM competition that draws on a love of video, science and teamwork. The Bright Schools Competition (brought to you by the National Sleep Foundation and National Science Teacher’s Association) is a national video competition that helps students (and teachers) explore links between light and sleep. A team-based endeavor with thousands of dollars in cash prizes and STEM grants available, the Bright Schools Competition is a must for your budding scientist this year. Learn more and register today > click here.
2. Halloween Science Experiments: Kitchen science is a hoot this season with fun (and simple) experiments kids love. Find a good use for that extra Halloween candy with structure building and dissolving experiments straight from the classroom – more ideas here.
3. Fall STEM Challenge: Help kids young and old get out in nature and enjoy the wonder of the changing seasons with the Fall STEM Challenge from TheEducatorsSpinOnit. From walking to collecting and documenting leaf colors, shapes and sizes, this fun DIY challenge also involves a hands on craft for kids - click to learn more.
4. Cold Weather Experiments: As those fall temperatures begin to drop, your child’s imagination can peak with fun weather-based science experiments. Learning states of matter, freezing and melting temperatures, even a touch of chemistry is easy with fun cold weather experiments from LemonLimeAdventures – click here.
More about the Bright Schools Competition:
Registration open! Projects due Jan. 29, 2015. Winners announced April 2015. Teachers and parent leaders can become coaches and help students form a team of 2 to 4. Participants are asked to explore the correlation between light and sleep using scientific inquiry or engineering design concepts. Awards include:
Student Awards
All students receive an entry certificate to acknowledge their hard work in the competition.
First Place: each student on the winning team receives a cash prize of $5,000
Second Place: each student on the winning team receives a cash prize of $2,500
Third Place: each student on the winning team receives a cash prize of $1,500
Teacher Awards
First Place Team – technology package (e.g. Vernier Deluxe Middle School Probeware Package – up to $1000 value), all-expense paid trip to one NSTA conference and one year membership to NSTA (total value: $3000 )
Second Place Team –all-expense paid trip to one NSTA conference and a one-year membership to NSTA (total value: up to $2,100)
Third Place Team – one-year membership to NSTA and a gift certificate to the NSTA store (total value: up to $500)
