STEM and STEAM Ideas for Middle School Students
S.T.E.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) or S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities are an engaging way to get students interested in class.
Many students may be surprised to learn that creativity plays a role in math fields. STEAM activities can allow students to apply the concepts they’ve learned in math or science class in new ways. While some schools are offering STEM classes, you may want to occasionally incorporate STEM or STEAM activities into your math class. I’ve gathered a few simple STEAM ideas that are perfect for engaging middle schoolers.
Simple STEAM Challenge #1: Jumping Rope
Estimate the length (to the nearest inch) of the perfect jump rope that would work for YOU without using an actual jump rope or any type of rope.
Explain how you decided on the length.
Test out your perfect jump rope! (You can use an actual jump rope or rope if you have one. Cut it to the length you chose. If you do not have that, string or yarn can be used for observation. Cut it to the length you chose and hold it as you would when you jump rope.)
Did you create the perfect jump rope? Was it too short? Too long?
Simple STEAM Challenge #2: Folding Paper
Estimate how many times you think you can fold a piece of paper.
Measure the thickness of a single sheet of paper (the best you can) and record your measurement.
Now fold the sheet in half. Measure and record the thickness.
Fold it in half again. Measure and record the thickness.
Continuing folding, measuring, and recording the thickness until you can no longer fold the paper.
Create a graph showing the number of folds and the thickness of the paper.
Describe the graph.
If you could continue folding, when would the thickness be taller than the room?
Simple STEAM Challenge #3: Scaling the Sun
Have you ever made a model of the solar system? Most models of our solar system are not to scale. Explain what “to scale” means.
Find a large ball to represent the sun. Measure its diameter.
The sun’s diameter is 109 times the diameter of Earth. Based on the diameter you measured of your model sun, what diameter would a model Earth have in order to be to scale? Create a model Earth with this diameter out of paper.
Research how far apart the sun is from Earth. Using your models, can you place them so that their distance apart is to scale?
Simple STEAM Challenge #4: Tessellations
A tessellation is made up a repeating pattern over a flat surface. Let’s create one! Begin by cutting a square out of paper about the size of a sticky note.
Follow these instructions:
Start at corner A and cut in any path you choose to get to corner B.
Take the piece you cut off and attach it to side DC with tape.
Start at corner A and cut in any path you choose to get to corner D.
Take the piece you cut off and attach it to side BC with tape.
Stop here and take a look at the figure you created. If you are not pleased with it, start over.
Use a blank sheet of paper and place your figure in the middle. Trace around it.
Continue moving the figure around the page, aligning it with the sides that you have already drawn, and trace it again and again until the entire page is filled.
Now get creative! Add color and make the figures into whatever you choose.
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