Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.1.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Teachers are Terrific ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://teachersareterrific.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Blog](https://teachersareterrific.com/blog) - [Halloween STEM Challenge: Make Your Own Pumpkin Launcher](https://teachersareterrific.com/2022/09/its-pumpkin-launching-time.html) - STEM Pumpkin Launcher for Halloween! Teams build launching devices to propel a tiny candy pumpkin or a pom-pom. Use this STEM Challenge any time of year! - [Marbles in the STEM Lab- Unique Roller Coasters](https://teachersareterrific.com/2026/09/marbles-in-the-stem-lab-unique-roller-coasters.html) - Are you ready to build a quick marble run with this low-prep STEM challenge! Let's turn simple materials into an exciting marble run. The very first time I pulled out foam tubes and marbles and mentioned roller coasters, I knew my students were hooked on STEM forever. That challenge is their very favorite and it’s - [Solve the Case - Mystery Escapes Students Love (you will, too!)](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/08/solve-the-case-mystery-escapes-students-love-you-will-too.html) - No Locks Mystery Escapes feature a fiction story. Students work together & solve 4 puzzles to "escape" & solve the case! Read & follow directions to break out! - [Proven Hack to Increase Student Engagement in Elementary STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/05/adding-a-budget-in-stem.html) - Teacher Hack for STEM Projects for Upper Elementary- students “purchase” materials a follow a budget in this engaging STEM Challenge. - [Pencils Projects- A Unique Back to School STEM Activity](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/07/pencils-projects-a-unique-back-to-school-stem-activity.html) - STEM Challenges – These 3 projects use unique building materials- pencils! Perfect for back-to-school time. Drawbridges, Pencil Boxes, and Twirling Towers! - [Low-Prep Classroom Activities for the End of the School Year](https://teachersareterrific.com/2025/05/low-prep-classroom-activities-for-the-end-of-the-school-year.html) - The end of the school year is hectic. Try these ideas and resources to save time! Engaging activities and ideas for busy teachers! - [How to Have the Best First Week of School Ever!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2025/07/how-to-have-the-best-first-week-of-school-ever.html) - The first week of school! Ideas, resources, &tips to stay on track & have fun. STEM, reading, writing, math, mini escapes, & posters are featured in this post. - [How to Turn STEM Failures into Learning Opportunities!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2026/08/how-to-turn-stem-failures-into-learning-opportunities.html) - STEM Challenges present learning opportunities! Students learn from mistakes & redesign easily. This blog post has examples of our failures and ideas for you to try. - [Sports and STEM: How to Create an Engaging Learning Environment](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/10/engaging-stem-sports-activities.html) - STEM Sports Resource Round-Up- This post features a Sports Escape and STEM Challenges ideas and tips. A FREE STEM challenge is also featured on this post. - [Exciting Escape Rooms and STEM Challenges Perfect For Holiday Fun!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/11/christmas-escape-rooms-for-upper-elementary.html) - Christmas Escape Rooms & STEM Challenges are perfect for the holiday! Locked box or no locks escape projects are highly engaging! Add a STEM Challenge for fun! - [Best Christmas STEM Activity Ever - The Toy Zip Line!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/11/christmas-zip-line-adventure.html) - Christmas STEM Challenge- Students build a sleigh & toy zip line for Santa to fly down! What a fun delivery challenge! Highly engaging and fun for the holiday! - [Creative and Unique- The Brown Bag Christmas Tree Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/11/the-brown-bag-tree-christmas-stem.html) - STEM challenge for Christmas . You will love the easy prep of this STEM Challenge all about using simple materials to create a Brown Bag Christmas tree. - [9 Christmas Resources to Make December Full of Learning](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/11/9-resources-to-make-december-full-of-learning.html) - Let's keep your students engaged during the busy chaotic Christmas season. I have some time-saving resources for you that students love! Christmas Resources just for you but first... Is Christmas your favorite time of year? It certainly is mine and there are two really big reasons... First of all, I was born on Christmas - [Candy Canes Make An Interesting Material In The STEM Lab!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/11/stem-challenge-with-a-candy-cane.html) - This unique Candy Cane STEM Activity has 6 different tasks. Teams build an assigned structure using the candy cane in a functional way. Expect creative builds! - [A Ski Lift Challenge in the STEM Lab](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/11/lets-go-skiing-in-the-stem-lab.html) - STEM challenge-Students create a ski lift chair and the skier! Students are so creative in adding ski outfits to these models! Fun challenge for everyone! - [10 STEM Challenges You Must Try Now- Engaging and Fun](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/12/10-must-try-stem-challenges.html) - STEM Challenges You Must try NOW! Students use the Design Process to design 10 different structures. Included are 10 Challenges you must try- tips & Ideas! - [Creative STEM Bridge Building Activities You Will Love!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/12/tips-for-building-bridges-in-stem.html) - Bridge Building in STEM Class- This blog post features a bridge for every grade level and tips about building them! Resource suggestions also included. - [Exciting and Easy Prep Scavenger Hunts with Nonfiction Reading](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/12/scavenger-hunts-and-escape-rooms.html) - Easy prep activities to keep students engaged! This post shares many resources designed for you! Scavenger Hunts, No Locks Escape Rooms, and more! - [6 Unique Ways to Build with Straws](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/01/stem-challenges-6-ways-to-build-with-straws.html) - STEM Projects building with straws! Featuring 6 STEM Challenges using straws as a main building material. Easy prep and high engagement for awesome resources. - [Fabulous Boats STEM Challenge (It's Our Favorite!)](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/01/fabulous-boats-stem-challenge.html) - STEM Activity Build a boat! Students use a budget to “purchase” materials and build a weight-bearing boat. Highly engaging and a student- favorite activity. - [5 Amazing Mazes in the STEM Lab](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/01/mazes-in-the-stem-lab.html) - Amazing Mazes resource round-up- This post features a Maze Escape Room and 3 STEM Projects. Perfect for a STEM lab or regular elementary classroom. - [The Best STEM Activity Ever- It's the Basketball Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/02/basketball-stem-challenge-highly-engaging-projects.html) - STEM Project - Students design and build a basketball with netting and a catapulting device to throw the ball through the hoop! Let the fun begin! - [5 Projects Students Love- Building Cars In STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/03/building-cars-in-the-lab-a-round-up-of-styles.html) - Let's take off and explore the world of building cars in STEM. Design, construct, and race your cars and learn about motion, mechanics, and even Newton's Laws! - [Book Review Made Fun: Elementary Book in a Bag Project](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/04/book-in-bag-project-great-alternative.html) - Are you looking for an easy and engaging alternative to a book report? This Book in a Bag Project is perfect! Let students shine with this creative project! - [Flight Projects Students Love (and you will, too!)](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/04/flight-projects-for-elementary-students.html) - Looking for something engaging? How about 3 STEM challenges featuring experiments and using test results to create the ultimate flying machine! I know I say this all the time- but when I place the word "Airplanes" or "Helicopters" or "Hoop Flyers" on our agenda board the kids are immediately engaged. They love to fly anything. - [Grab these Bargain Materials for Your STEM Class](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/04/bargain-materials-for-your-stem-class.html) - Looking for STEM Supplies? Grab materials from a Dollar Store. This article lists items & how they are used! Bargains for your STEM Lab & easy prep resources. - [10 Teacher Hacks You Need Right Now!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/04/10-teacher-hacks-you-need-today.html) - Teachers need all the things. All the tips. All the stuff. All the Teacher HACKS! Try these 10 ideas to organize your classroom and save a little money! - [Innovative Math and STEM Activities for Elementary Students](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/05/combine-math-stem-and-competitions.html) - Let's combine Math and STEM and collect data. Students will use data to calculate the mean, median, mode, and range after completing each task! - [Get Started With Simple STEM Ideas and Projects](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/06/simple-stem-ideas-to-get-started.html) - Simple STEM Ideas to Get Started with STEM Projects. Tips from a STEM Specialist include hints, ideas, and resources. Get organized, practice teamwork, &more! - [5 STEM Challenges You Have Never Heard of and Need to Try Now!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/06/5-stem-challenges-you-have-never-heard-of-and-need-to-try-now.html) - 5 STEM challenges you've never heard of but need to try. Engaging activities students love & you will, too. Pencil Boxes, Hammocks, Twirling Towers, & more! - [Best Sellers- STEM Challenges Ready for You NOW!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/06/best-sellers-stem-challenges-ready-for-you-now.html) - STEM Challenges - best sellers from Teachers are Terrific include five fabulous, easy-to-prep, highly engaging STEM activities loved by teachers and students. - [How to Make Sure You Choose the Right STEM Resources](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/07/how-to-make-sure-you-choose-the-right-stem-resources.html) - STEM Activities! How to choose the STEM resources you want to try, what you look for in STEM, & simple ideas to help you get started in STEM. Tips in this post! - [6 STEM Projects Perfect For Elementary Teachers New To STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/07/6-stem-projects-perfect-for-elementary-teachers-new-to-stem.html) - STEM Projects that are perfect for new STEM or classroom Teachers. Easy prep, easy materials, and full of problem-solving. Lessons already planned for you! - [The Best Free STEM Teaching Materials You Can Grab Today](https://teachersareterrific.com/2025/06/the-best-free-stem-teaching-materials-you-can-grab-today.html) - The Best Free Resources for STEM- grab these resources and posters today! Four STEM Challenges and a Design Process posters set- all FREE! Download and enjoy! - [Unique STEM Challenges Students Love (and you will, too!)](https://teachersareterrific.com/2025/02/unique-stem-challenges-students-love-and-you-will-too.html) - STEM Challenges with unique properties to get you out of the rut of all challenges looking the same! This blog post details 5 unique STEM challenges students love! - [The Most Popular Easy Prep Challenges featuring Cardboard](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/12/the-most-popular-easy-prep-challenges-featuring-cardboard.html) - Five of the most popular STEM Challenges featuring cardboard as the main building material. Projects are easy prep for elementary STEM. Bridges, Towers, &more! - [The Biggest Barriers to STEM Education and How to Ignore Them](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/11/the-biggest-barriers-to-stem-education-and-how-to-ignore-them.html) - STEM Education is too important to let these words bother you! There are projects that will work for you on a budget and work with your standards and subjects you teach! Let me share a few ideas! The idea for this post came after I read an article about the reasons STEM is not a - [Scientific Method Resources To Engage And Surprise Students!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2024/09/scientific-method-resources-to-engage-and-surprise-students.html) - Six time-saving resources featuring the scientific method! Experiments, a Flip Book, posters, task cards, &an interactive notebook project with 10 activities. - [Trick-or-Treat Learning: Halloween Activities That Elementary Students Love](https://teachersareterrific.com/2025/09/trick-or-treat-learning-halloween-activities-that-elementary-students-love.html) - Looking for Halloween activities? Try these exciting, skill-building projects for elementary students—fun, hands-on, and classroom-ready. Includes STEM, escapes, & puzzles. - [STEM Project Problems? Here’s How to Solve Them!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2025/10/stem-project-problems-heres-how-to-solve-them.html) - STEM Projects that have problems and how to solve - a blog post from a STEM specialist with photos of projects and tips! Resources include a Newton's Cradle! - [A Unique STEM Engineering Project- Crossing a Chasm](https://teachersareterrific.com/2026/08/a-unique-stem-engineering-project-crossing-a-chasm.html) - Do your students know what a chasm is? This STEM Challenge is perfect for learning new things and solving a unique dilemma with engineering skills! Rescue me! Are you humming a song after reading those two words? I always do! My students love a good rescue challenge, and this one started with a book I - [Let's Get Ready for a Football STEM Challenge!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2021/10/lets-get-ready-for-a-football-stem-challenge.html) - A football STEM Challenge for elementary students! This includes creating the goalpost &a way of propelling the football. Companion resources are also featured. - [Easy Bridge STEM Challenge You and Your Students Will Love!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/04/an-easy-bridge-stem-challenge.html) - STEM Design &build a model of a bridge. Choose from 4 types of bridges and decide which model to build. How accurately can students replicate the bridge? - [Tennis Ball Towers - A Challenge with a Twist](https://teachersareterrific.com/2021/01/tennis-ball-towers-a-wacky-challenge-indeed.html) - Tennis Ball Towers feature a tricky use of materials to hold a tennis ball aloft. Students work diligently to lift the tennis ball using the materials well. - [How to Build a Robotic Hand: An Elementary STEM Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/09/the-robotic-hand-stem-challenge.html) - This STEM Challenge turned out to be fun and so packed-full of learning. My students were a little skeptical when I started talking about this challenge. Turns out- they loved it! (I think their skepticism was in not understanding what we were building!) And then they learned so much. That's a win-win for me (and - [How to Combine Sports and STEM for Engaging Learning Activities](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/10/are-you-ready-for-some-football.html) - Are you ready for a winning combo? We tried three sports-related challenges recently and WOW this was a big hit! The challenges were challenging, but the results were spectacular. So, here we go with 3 ways to add some sports to your STEM class and 2 great hints about materials! This should get - [5 Awesome (and Unique) Tower Challenges for STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/03/5-awesome-and-unique-tower-challenges-for-stem.html) - STEM Tower Challenges- 5 easy prep fabulous towers. Five STEM challenges tested with upper elementary. Each challenge has a detailed teacher’s guide. - [The Best STEM Posters to Spark Student Interest](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/07/the-must-haves-for-your-stem-decor.html) - Let’s decorate your STEM space- these are the best STEM posters & must-have items for your STEM lab décor. Student friendly, attractive, & engaging visuals. - [How to Make an Easy Bulletin Board](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/04/how-to-make-easy-bulletin-board.html) - Science and STEM Bulletin Boards! Templates for 4 boards with great ideas for elementary science or STEM displays & projects for classroom teachers. Easy & Fun! - [Tips And Tricks For The Best Bulletin Boards Ever!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/06/tips-for-bulletin-boards-science-stem.html) - Ways to use bulletin board templates in the elementary classroom. Ideas for decorating your science or STEM spaces with displays you create in your own style! - [Team Building Ideas for Engaging STEM Students Now!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/05/team-building-ideas-for-stem.html) - If you are looking for ways to use games for team building in your STEM lab (or regular classroom) I have three fabulous activities for you to try! Part of my first few days of school, as a regular classroom teacher, was always about team building (community building). It's those relationships you nurture right from the - [6 Ways to Focus on Teamwork in STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/07/how-to-tips-for-successful-teamwork.html) - Teamwork in STEM- Article featuring three STEM Challenges, posters, team-building activities, job badges, helpful tips, and more! 6 Ways to Focus on Teamwork - [Bottle Flipping in the STEM Lab- An Exciting Experiment & Design](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/11/conquering-great-bottle-flip-challenge.html) - STEM Challenge Bottle Flipping Activity: Students experiment with different bottle sizes and use their data to design a new flipping method. - [Summer Camp STEM is the Best Outdoor Fun!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2022/05/summer-camp-stem-fun-projects.html) - Summer Camp STEM- fun projects for elementary students. Check these 5exciting projects to keep those summer camp students busy & engaged! Perfect all year, too! - [5 Egg Drop STEM Challenge Ideas Students Love](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/08/egg-static-over-these-projects.html) - Try 5 egg drop STEM challenges that build problem-solving and engineering design skills using simple materials. Perfect for elementary classrooms. - [Exciting Amusement Park Rides to Enjoy with Summertime STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/05/amusement-park-rides-stem-challenges.html) - STEM Summer Projects! Students design & build 4 different summer amusement park rides. Ferris wheel, roller coasters, water, slides, & more! Student favorites! - [Roller Coasters is the Best STEM Challenge Ever](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/04/why-this-is-best-stem-challenge-ever.html) - STEM Challenge- elementary students experiment with hills & loops and then design a roller coaster model made of foam tubes. Tips & ideas included in this post. - [Ways to Stay Engaged at the End of the Year](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/04/staying-engaged-at-end-of-year.html) - STEM Tips, Ideas, and Resources! Ways to maintain engagement at the end of the year. Stay busy and involved with these projects! Take the stress out of your last month. - [6 Little Secrets You Need to Know about Bubbles in the STEM Lab!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/05/bubbles-in-the-classroom.html) - STEM Challenge- After experimenting with bubbles, students design & build a wand to blow bubbles. Includes tips and hints for creating the bubbles and wands! - [The Best Landforms Projects for Elementary Science](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/09/landform-resource-round-up.html) - Engaging landforms projects for elementary science with STEM challenges, reading passages, task cards, escape rooms, and a ready-to-use booklet kit. - [Exciting Spring STEM Projects For Kids: Seeds In The Classroom](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/03/seed-projects-in-stem.html) - Perfect Spring STEM Projects- Students design models of flowers & flower parts, build a bird feeder, and demonstrate forms of seed dispersal! Seed Projects! - [Easy and Fun Projects for STEM on Earth Day](https://teachersareterrific.com/2017/03/3-sure-fire-ways-to-engage-your-kids.html) - Get hands-on this Earth Day with STEM projects! Solar Ovens, Water Pipelines, & Earthquake Projects, let's celebrate our planet with innovation and creativity. - [Earth Day Projects for the Classroom: Hands-On Activities Students Love](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/03/earth-day-heres-why-its-best-day-ever.html) - Looking for Earth Day classroom projects? Try hands-on activities students love that promote environmental responsibility and problem-solving. - [Amazing STEM Activities for Exploring Animal Adaptations in the Classroom](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/10/animal-adaptations.html) - Are your students intrigued by studying animals? I have some resources that will save you so much time! Take a look! My third graders always loved the animal stories in the basal reader the best. (Yes, we had basal readers and this was in 2013!) One of our favorite stories was about an eccentric old - [The Famous Flood Barrier STEM Challenge in the Lab](https://teachersareterrific.com/2017/06/flood-barriers.html) - STEM Challenge Flood Barriers Experiment & Design Activity. Students experiment with absorbent materials & design a barrier to protect a doghouse from flooding. - [Easy Materials with Great Results- Build a Landmark Tower](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/09/easy-towers-using-only-12-items.html) - STEM Easy Towers- Students use limited materials for these 3 STEM projects. Can they build replicas of landmark towers using only 12 straws or cards? - [Shaking in the STEM Lab with the Earthquake Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/03/so-many-ways-to-create-earthquake.html) - STEM Earthquake Challenge - students experiment on cardboard houses & different materials to create the best structure to withstand a simulated earthquake. - [The Famous Bucket Tower STEM Challenge - a Must-Try Project](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/12/bucket-towers-a-must-try-stem-challenge.html) - STEM Challenge Bucket Tower Activity: Students must design and build a tower that supports a bucket and define a functional purpose for it. Easy prep upper elementary project. - [The Ultimate March Round-Up- Resources for Busy Teachers](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/02/the-windy-month-of-march.html) - The perfect resources for the busy month of March - designed for busy teachers who need engaging activities. - [Can Your Windmill Catch the Wind? A Fun Classroom STEM Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2017/02/building-windmills-in-stem-lab.html) - Explore an easy prep wind power STEM project where students design and build a working windmill. A hands-on engineering challenge that teaches renewable energy, problem solving, and classroom-ready STEM fun. - [Exciting Ways to Celebrate Winter Sports](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/10/fun-ways-to-celebrate-winter-sports.html) - Winter Sports resource round-up- This post features a Winter Sports Escape and a Ski Lift STEM Challenge. Perfect for Wintertime! Tips and resources included. - [3 Valentine’s Day STEM Activities Elementary Students Will Love](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/02/whats-going-on-in-lab-its-heart-series.html) - Are you ready for a few challenges for Valentine's Day in your classroom? Maybe you need some fun activities that also have some teamwork, communication, data recording, measuring, estimating, testing, and more! Oh. My. Goodness. We tested some Valentine's Day STEM challenges in the last week and LOVED all of them! Which one will - [3 Ways to Engineer a Great Valentine's Day](https://teachersareterrific.com/2017/01/what-going-on-in-lab-valentines-day-stem.html) - If you are ready to design and build for Valentine's Day here's a treat for you - three challenges to help you celebrate and learn at the same time! We tested these last year and they were the favorites of every group! It might have had something to do with the candy involved, but the - [The Best Valentine's Day Activities for Kids: Classroom-Friendly Fun](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/01/stem-challenges-with-lots-of-heart.html) - Valentine’s Day resource round-up featuring a Valentine’s Day Escape Room, reading passages, Math worksheets, and STEM Challenges. Perfect for February. - [Groundhog Day Resources for an Exciting Celebration](https://teachersareterrific.com/2022/12/engaging-resources-for-groundhog-day.html) - Fun resources for a fun holiday! It's all Groundhog Day- task cards, Boom cards, Color-by-Number, Escape Room, and a flip book! Student engagement guaranteed! - [The Amazing Index Card Tower Best Ever STEM Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2017/03/index-card-towers.html) - STEM Challenge Index Card Towers- This easy prep challenge is a favorite of STEM students! You will love the detailed teacher's guide - [STEM Students Need These Cardboard Tricks Now!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/02/using-cardboard-in-stem-attachment-techniques.html) - Connecting cardboard pieces in STEM can be tricky. Teach techniques for attaching carboard pieces by creating an attachment display students can refer to later. - [9 Ways To Beat The STEM Winter Blues](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/01/how-to-add-some-winter-time-to-your.html) - Are you ready to add some winter to your classroom? Try winter STEM, math, escape rooms, and reading your students will love. Projects to beat the Winter Blues! - [Snowman STEM and Puzzles: The Best Winter Resource Collection](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/10/winter-resources-for-busy-teachers.html) - Winter Resource ideas students love- including escape rooms in 3 styles, math worksheets, reading passages, task cards, and STEM challenges! Check this post! - [How to Demonstrate Newton's Laws with 5 Simple Projects](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/03/5-easy-ways-to-learn-newtons-laws.html) - STEM Challenges are the perfect way to demonstrate Newton's Laws of Motion. Here are 5 projects that are great for elementary students. Hands-on activities! - [Christmas STEM Is The Best STEM Ever!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2017/11/its-looking-lot-like-christmas-in-stem.html) - It's looking like Christmas in STEM! Details about FIVE STEM challenges on this blog post! Exciting activities to grab the attention of students in December! - [6 Ways to Tackle Halloween and Keep Students Engaged](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/10/ways-to-tackle-halloween-in-your.html) - Let's get you ready for tackling Halloween in your classroom! The month of October can just fly by! And then it can be the longest month of the year (well, except for May!) For most of my classroom teaching years, I had third graders and they loved Halloween. I did, too, but I always - [Trick or Treat with Halloween STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2017/10/trick-or-treat-halloween-stem.html) - Do your students talk endlessly about trick or treat time? Do they love Halloween jokes and riddles? I know mine always do! Even the jokes that make us groan (pun intended)! "What is a skeleton's favorite instrument?" The answer to that one will definitely make you groan... We tried some challenges specifically for the month - [Adding a Little Halloween - with Spiders and Skeletons](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/10/adding-little-halloween-with-spiders.html) - Do you celebrate Halloween in the classroom? I know some school systems are moving away from holiday celebrations. My school has a Halloween 'snack' - not a party. The students do not dress in costumes at school. It is a very low key day. But, what if you are interested in something that is a - [Halloween Projects Students Love (and you will, too)!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/08/time-saving-resources-for-halloween.html) - STEM for Halloween- Creepy Maze, Pumpkin Lifting Elevator, or a Pumpkin Candy Launcher. Detailed teacher’s guides full of tips to create a spooky Halloween! - [STEM Christmas Challenge Guide: Engaging Tasks for All Grades](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/12/5-ways-to-add-stem-and-christmas-in.html) - Are you ready for some holiday STEM Christmas activities! Tackle these exciting challenges and keep your students engaged in this buy season! - [Exciting STEM Project: How to Make a Newton’s Cradle](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/09/the-amazing-newtons-cradle.html) - STEM Challenge- students design a Newton’s Cradle to show the 3rd Law of Motion. This STEM Challenge is designed for upper elementary or middle school students. - [The Versatile Elevator Challenge & Ways to Add Rigor](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/09/stem-elevator-challenge-ways-to-add-rigor.html) - STEM Challenge - Design an elevator! The elevator must lift a load by turning a crank. Change the item being lifted to anything in this versatile activity. - [Amazing Paper Airplanes - The Most Engaging Project Ever](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/01/amazing-paper-airplanes.html) - Paper Airplanes STEM Activity! An excellent way to integrate science & fun. Students have fun while designing their own airplanes. It's the perfect STEM project! - [The Best STEM Ever - Easy-Prep Index Card Tower](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/02/the-best-stem-tower-ever.html) - Need a great STEM Challenge? Without a doubt, this little challenge is one of the best ever! It's super simple and amazingly complex. It's the Index Card Tower! - [Transform Your Classroom with Exciting Pirate-Themed Activities!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/08/ahoy-lets-talk-about-pirates.html) - Ahoy Pirates! Transform your classroom with perfect pirate-themed resources- Pirate reading passages, an elementary breakout, a STEM Challenge, & nonfiction task cards! - [How to Teach Your Classroom Rules with STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/06/teach-classroom-rules-with-stem.html) - STEM students use materials to design models of classroom rules. Works perfectly for regular classrooms or STEM labs. Perfect for the start of a school year! - [STEM Spaghetti Tower Challenge and Some Variations for Fun!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/07/the-great-spaghetti-challenge-and-few.html) - The versatile spaghetti tower STEM Challenge! This resource offers endless creativity & problem-solving opportunities for students using only a few materials. - [The Paper Chain- An Easy Prep STEM Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2015/08/the-paper-chain-an-easy-prep-stem-challenge.html) - STEM Project – This challenge uses one sheet of paper! Students create the longest paper chain possible. Great problem-solving & perfect for back to school. - [Let's Get Ready for Back-to-School Time with Exciting Resources!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/07/its-time-back-to-school-is-here.html) - A collection of back-to-school resources all created by Teachers are Terrific. This includes STEM, Reading and Math, Escape rooms, No locks Breakouts, & Posters. - [5 Ways to Decorate for Science!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2015/11/decorate-for-science-in-the-elementary-classroom.html) - Decorating your classroom at the beginning of the year (or any time) is a challenge. Let me help with these ideas! There's always so much to do at the beginning of the school year. For me, this was really brought home when I started a new job with a science lab as my classroom. An - [The Mushy Marshmallow Bridge Challenge is Amazing!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/01/marshmallow-bridge-for-win.html) - Build a Bridge - The STEM activity is to build a bridge using marshmallows. The bridge must hold weight & be a specific length. Tips and ideas on this post! - [Hands-On STEM Robot Challenge for Kids: Build a Machine That Makes Life Easier!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/04/do-you-need-robot-to-make-your-life.html) - Hands-On STEM Robot Challenge for Kids: Build a Machine That Makes Life Easier! This is the question I posed to my third graders one day. Just imagine what they told me! Of course, they needed a robot, but the imaginings about what the robot could do for them were... maybe not very realistic. - [The Unique Popcorn Challenge in the STEM Lab](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/02/the-great-popcorn-stem-challenge.html) - The famous Popcorn STEM Challenge! Students build a perfectly sized container for a specific amount of popcorn. This STEM activity is all about volume. - [Easy And Versatile - Craft Sticks for the Win!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/12/craft-sticks-and-stem.html) - STEM Challenges and craft sticks (popsicle sticks) and tips for using them in projects! It's all on this blog post, along with challenge ideas and resources. - [Safety Tools and Tips for the Lab](https://teachersareterrific.com/2021/01/safety-tools-and-tips-for-the-lab.html) - If you are here thinking this might be lab tools like beakers and Bunsen burners then stop reading right here. Just kidding, you should go ahead and read this anyway. It will be helpful, especially if you have kids in your room that think scissors are meant to poke and stab things…So, let’s get going. Mind you, - [Impossibly Easy Prep STEM Challenges You Don't Want To Miss](https://teachersareterrific.com/2021/02/cant-miss-easy-stem-challenges.html) - Try these easy prep STEM challenges! Tested & teacher-approved, they’re designed by a STEM specialist to spark creativity and problem-solving in your students. - [Tips From a STEM Specialist- Things You Need To Know](https://teachersareterrific.com/2021/03/things-i-wish-i-had-known.html) - Tips from a STEM Specialist - Based on experience in an elementary STEM Lab for creating success in your classroom. Tips, examples, & resource ideas. - [You Can Combine STEM Projects And Math With Great Results](https://teachersareterrific.com/2021/03/math-and-stem-a-perfect-combo.html) - You can combine STEM projects and Math to increase engagement and fun! Tips and applicable resources are featured in this article by a STEM specialist. - [5 Myths About STEM and How To Tackle Them](https://teachersareterrific.com/2021/04/5-myths-about-stem.html) - Ready to tackle STEM Challenges? This post is for you! Let's dispel the myths about STEM that are floating around. The post has tips and resource ideas for you! - [Best Practices for High Engagement in STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2021/04/best-practices-for-stem.html) - STEM Best Practices - This post will give you ideas, tips, &resources to ensure your students are successful and tackling challenges using strategies that work. - [Debunking STEM Misconceptions - The Truth About What STEM Is Not!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2021/05/a-few-things-that-stem-is-not.html) - STEM misconceptions explained, resource ideas, project tips, and resource samples provided by a STEM Specialist. This post is perfect for new STEM teachers! - [Must Have STEM Materials You Need Now!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2021/07/must-have-materials-for-stem.html) - These are the must have STEM materials you need for most STEM Challenges and how we use them! Tips and ideas for STEM Challenges with examples and photos! - [Unlock Hidden Treasures: Pirate Resources That Engage and Inspire](https://teachersareterrific.com/2021/08/boating-and-pirates-oh-my.html) - A round up of boating & pirate resources to transform your classroom & keep students engaged and learning. Includes STEM, reading, task cards, & escape rooms. - [Easy Ways to Organize for STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2021/08/easy-ways-to-organize-for-stem.html) - Some practical and easy ways to stay organized with your STEM supplies. Tips and photos will help you -check this blog post for details. - [Quick Ways To Avoid Total Flops In STEM Class](https://teachersareterrific.com/2021/09/7-tips-to-avoid-a-total-flop-in-stem.html) - STEM Challenges can work perfectly - or NOT! This post offers great tips for what to do when your STEM lesson is a total flop! Failures are the way we learn! - [Simple Tips for The Time Crunch in STEM Class](https://teachersareterrific.com/2021/09/time-crunch-tips.html) - 6 Simple Tips for managing your time in the STEM Lab. Tips include storage ideas, cardboard ideas, and more! Easy ideas you can use today and everyday! - [10 Unique Ways To Use Pipe Cleaners in STEM Classrooms](https://teachersareterrific.com/2022/01/10-pipe-cleaner-projects-in-stem-2.html) - STEM Pipe cleaner projects! STEM Challenges that make use of this versatile, bendable, twistable fun material- the simple fuzzy stick known as a pipe cleaner. - [Elementary STEM FAQs: Expert Answers To The 5 Most Asked Questions](https://teachersareterrific.com/2022/04/5-questions-i-am-asked-most-often.html) - STEM Most Asked Questions & Answers! A STEM Specialist answers your FAQ's with tips, ideas, and links to resources. STEM for Elementary students is the focus. - [You Need Color-by-Number Worksheets in Your Classroom Now!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/02/engaging-students-with-color-by-number.html) - Versatile & engaging worksheets for the elementary classroom! These color-by-number pages are a hit with students as they solve math problems to find the key. - [Launching Devices and Catapults in the STEM Lab](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/02/catapulting-devices-in-the-stem-lab.html) - STEM Catapults! Five different launching activities are detailed on this post with tips and ideas included. Catapults Roundup with highly engaging tasks! - [4 Perfect STEM Activities For Successful Teacher Observations](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/03/4-perfect-stem-challenges-for-observations.html) - 4 Perfect STEM Challenges for your formal teacher observations. Boats, Spaghetti Towers, Platform Towers, & the Popcorn Challenge. Highly engaging activities! - [Solving Problems With The Wacky Water Slide Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/04/whats-going-on-in-lab-water-slides.html) - STEM Project Design & build a model of a water slide with specific rules. Test by pouring water to take a passenger down the chute. Full of problem-solving! - [How to Take the Stress Out of the Planning Step](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/05/the-planning-step-in-stem-projects.html) - STEM - Plan for STEM Designs using a Sketch-Talk-Decide procedure. This is a student-tested procedure that works. Designed for upper elementary students. - [No Locks Easy Prep and Highly Engaging Escape Rooms](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/05/no-prep-no-locks-escape-room.html) - Escape Rooms – No locks escapes are paper/pencil events with 4 puzzles to solve to earn an escape route. Easy prep & engaging resources already created for you! - [How to Use Picture Books to Inspire STEM Challenges](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/05/9-picture-books-for-stem-challenges.html) - 9 STEM projects featuring picture books. Check this post for the recommended books paired with fabulous STEM activities. Add a book to any STEM Challenge! - [Guaranteed Fun in the STEM Lab with Water Projects](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/05/how-to-have-water-week-in-stem.html) - STEM Water Projects- This include boats, pipelines, slides, towers, sailboats, & flood resistant structures. Students love the projects and you will, too! - [Amazing Ways to Use Quotes Posters in the Classroom](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/05/ways-to-use-quotes-posters.html) - Ways to use Quotes posters in the classroom. Ideas for decorating your science or STEM spaces with posters showing scientists, watercolors, students, & quotes. - [How to Create a "Mad" Scientist Bulletin Board](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/06/mad-about-science-bulletin-boards.html) - How to create an amazing scientist 3D bulletin board. Tips & photos included for a board you can leave up all year! Included are ways to repurpose this board! - [Get Ready for Back to School Time with Exciting Resources](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/06/lets-get-ready-for-back-to-school-time.html) - Get ready for Back to School! This fun post has ideas to get you excited about beginning a new year including, escape rooms, STEM, reading, math, & flip books! - [Exciting Ways to Build Bridges in STEM Class](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/06/building-bridges-in-stem-class.html) - Building Bridges in STEM Class- This round up of STEM projects is all about designing and improving bridges. Tips and hints for elementary STEM students. - [Unexpected Things I Learned from First Grade STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/07/learning-about-stem-from-first-graders.html) - STEM & 1st Graders! Try STEM Challenges with first graders. They love STEM and approach tasks with their own unique style. Tips and ideas in this post. - [Ferris Wheel Project Students Love (and you will, too!)](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/07/stem-activity-ferris-wheels.html) - Ferris Wheel STEM Challenge activity for upper elementary and middle school students. Teams create a dimensional turning 2-sided-wheel that must be held aloft. - [Planner Made for Specialists – Editable and Easy to Use](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/06/the-perfect-planner-for-specialists.html) - This Specialist's planner is designed for teachers who want simple planners with editable covers, editable planning pages, calendars, inserts, and note pages. - [4 Amazing Mazes- Projects for the STEM Lab](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/07/marvelous-mazes-4-projects-for-elementary-students.html) - STEM Mazes! Tips about creating three different kinds of mazes. These highly engaging projects are easy prep and full of problem-solving! Also competitive! - [5 Things to Avoid and What to Focus on Instead](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/07/5-things-not-to-do-in-stem.html) - Things to Focus on in STEM! Five things NOT to do in STEM class- details && tips about each item will help you make decisions. A freebie is included. - [Tackling Volume Projects In The STEM Lab- Easy Ideas](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/07/6-ways-to-tackle-math-in-stem.html) - Volume resource round-up- 3 ways to tackle volume in the elementary classroom. Students measure, estimate, build and scoop. Includes the Popcorn Volume Task. - [An Easy Prep STEM Challenge And The Scientific Method](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/08/the-scientific-method-with-hoop-flyers.html) - Experiment & design STEM Activity- Use the scientific method then design the ultimate hoop flyer. Accurate data is important! An easy-prep challenge! - [4 Unique Activities To Learn About Muscles and Bones](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/08/muscles-and-bones-quick-resource-guide.html) - Ideas for a study of Muscles and Bones! These elementary resources include an Escape Room, a STEM Challenge, worksheets, & task cards. - [The Best Teamwork Projects for Elementary Students](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/08/two-teams-working-together.html) - Students working together in STEM. Two teams have the same materials & each builds part of a structure. The teams join the two parts as one structure! Teamwork. - [Your Study of Sharks will be Amazing!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/09/its-shark-week.html) - If you are ready for a room transformation featuring sharks, I have some time-savers for you. Let's create a Shark Week! Students love anything about sharks and I have so many ways to take advantage of their interest. We start our study off with a few picture books and some reading passages. Then we tackle - [Volcano Projects- A Round-up Of Fun Activities Students Love!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/09/volcanoes-in-stem-resources-for-busy-teachers.html) - Volcanoes resource round-up with an Escape Room, reading passages, a flip booklet, and a STEM Challenge. Perfect for your study of landforms & volcanoes. - [An Easy Way to Help You Plan for STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/10/an-easy-way-to-help-you-plan-for-stem.html) - Plan for STEM with 1st and 2nd grade STEM and picture books. Book recommendations and STEM projects are included! Tips and ideas for our youngest engineers. - [Mini Foosball: A Fun STEM Challenge for Kids](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/10/foosball-in-the-stem-lab.html) - STEM Challenge Mini Foosball - Students create a working mini-foosball table. Tips and ideas for this engaging STEM Activity for elementary classrooms! - [Exciting Space Exploration Ideas for the Classroom](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/10/exploring-space-in-the-classroom.html) - Space topics for elementary students- includes Escape Room, STEM Challenge, reading, and more! Details are on this blog post full of amazing ideas and tips. - [Easy Prep STEM with the Great Toothpick Tower Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/03/toothpick-towers-tips-and-tricks.html) - The Toothpick Towers STEM Challenge is a perfect STEM activity - two materials and very challenging! This will encourage collaboration and perseverance. - [Boho Style Bulletin Board Ideas You Must Try Now!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/06/always-boho-and-amazing-posters.html) - Let's decorate your classroom with Boho style posters. These soothing neutral colors & motivational quotes are perfect for your bulletin boards! (Tips & ideas) - [Let's Tackle a Study of Spiders with Exciting Projects](https://teachersareterrific.com/2023/08/ideas-for-a-spider-themed-week.html) - Spiders! These elementary resources include an Escape Room, a STEM Challenge, reading worksheets, task cards, and a flip booklet. All about Spiders! - [How to Create an Amazing Science Bulletin Board](https://teachersareterrific.com/2014/12/bulletin-board-bonanza-2.html) - How to Create an Amazing Bulletin Board- that will last all year! Several examples are shown- including step-by-step for a Mad Scientist board! - [Fun and Easy Weather Activities for Elementary Students](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/08/weather-tips-that-will-put-you-on-cloud.html) - All about weather and fun resources! Are your studying about the weather in your classroom? I have so many amazing resources to share with you! From reading comprehension, task cards, flip books, and escape rooms I have you covered with engaging ideas for your study of weather! Let's take a look all things weather-related! I - [How to Make a Solar Oven: A Delicious Hands-On STEM Activity!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/03/all-you-need-is-sunshine-and-chocolate.html) - Solar Oven STEM Project- a student favorite that involves experiments and design. Test heat-absorbing materials & design the interior of a box to cook a treat! - [18 Reasons to Try STEM in 2018-PART 1](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/01/18-reasons-to-try-stem-in-2018-part-1.html) - A few years ago I switched from a regular classroom to the STEM Lab! I had no idea what I was going to do with this new job. I had no curriculum, no resources, no textbooks... nothing. It was, to say the least, daunting and quite scary. But, I believe in hands-on learning - [Fear Of Failure But Learning How Important It Is!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/01/fear-of-failure-in-stem-class.html) - Fear of failure in STEM classes gives teachers the unique position of teaching about learning from mistakes. This is a fun blog post with tips and ideas for you! - [4 Ways to Explore Chemical Changes in the Elementary Classroom](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/08/fizz-bubble-and-expand-chemicals-in.html) - This time-saving resource is an amazing set of tasks for learning about physical and chemical changes! Add interactive templates to the fun activities. - [Easy Solutions for Assigning Jobs in STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/06/easy-solutions-for-assigning-jobs-in-stem.html) - I hope you had a chance to join us for STEMCON 2020 in April. It is planned for next summer, too! We had such a fabulous experience with this STEM Conference. I cannot tell you how exciting it was. The STEMCON Facebook group was amazing- posts were nonstop and we loved hearing from attendees. I - [Making the Most of Materials in STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/06/how-to-make-most-with-stem-materials.html) - This post about making the most of STEM materials came about because the number one, absolute, most-asked question I receive from my readers and those interested in STEM resources have the same topic. MATERIALS! Where do I get materials? How much will this cost? What if I do not have the right things? What - [Some Truth About Spaghetti Towers (A STEM Challenge Idea)](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/07/some-truth-and-some-spaghetti-2.html) - Spaghetti Towers- A humorous look at how we made this STEM challenge an annual event. A great project for all ages! Easy-prep and huge problems to solve! - [5 Favorite STEM Challenges! (According to the Students)](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/03/5-best-stem-challenges-according-to-kids.html) - Favorite STEM Challenges: Ask the students about their favorite STEM tasks and these five are the ones they will mention! They love these! You will, too! - [5 Best STEM Challenges (According to the Students)](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/06/5-best-challenges-according-to-the-students.html) - 5 Best STEM Challenges voted by students! Includes Basketball Goals, Index Card Towers, Water, Slides, Earthquake Structures, &Roller Coasters. STEM Projects! - [Unique Bulletin Board Designs You Need to Try Soon!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/02/bulletin-board-bonanza.html) - Science Bulletin Board templates for 4 boards with ideas for elementary science displays & projects for classroom teachers. Easy & fun ideas for your classroom! - [STEM Projects Inspired by a Picture Book](https://teachersareterrific.com/2017/01/stem-projects-inspired-by-picture-books.html) - Do picture books work with STEM? One day I read a roomful of second graders this delightful book - What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? Then we talked about what we could build in STEM! This was magic with the youngest engineers. They loved having books read to them and I often - [7 Tips for the Busiest Month of the Year](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/09/7-tips-for-busiest-month-of-year.html) - I love the freshness of a new school year, don't you? I also love the busy-ness of the first few weeks of school! But, and there is always a but, I don't love the overwhelming feeling we all get as we try to write lesson plans, make nametags, hang bulletin boards, create new projects, and teach - [Everything You Need to Know About Bottle Cars](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/11/everything-you-need-to-know-about.html) - Yes, Bottle Cars! Not too long ago I was asked some questions about this amazing STEM challenge and I started searching for a blog post to recommend. Well, oh my goodness, I could not find where I have ever written very much about Bottle Cars! So, let's do it! I hope I can convince you - [Improving STEM Projects (An Important Step)](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/06/improving-stem-projects.html) - Improving STEM projects can be frustrating and then it becomes fascinating. Students will encounter so many unexpected things as they design and build. It is so amazing to watch their thought processes and the improvements they attempt. Stick with me as I share some examples of improvements and at the end, I will make some - [Back to School Time-Savers](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/07/back-to-school-time-savers.html) - Alright, it's mid-July! I know you are thinking about back to school time. You can't go shopping without seeing school supplies on sale or displays of new shoes and clothing, and I know you are getting excited. It's a fun time of year, isn't it? But... it's also stressful. You have ten tons to - [Up, Up, and Away with Parachutes](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/05/up-up-and-away-with-parachutes.html) - The first time I tried designing parachutes in STEM class I was flabbergasted by how much the students were engaged and how much they loved it. It could be because they stood on the tabletops to launch their parachutes! It is really an enlightening challenge and I have some tips for you about what to - [Is the Engineering Design Process Really Important?](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/06/is-engineering-design-process-really.html) - As a teacher, I am sure you have been overwhelmed! The last week of school, the first week of school, right before report cards go out, parent conference week, during an observation, and so many more occasions are when we all get that feeling that it's just too much. That is the exact situation I - [3 Cheers for the Drawbridge Project](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/10/the-drawbridge-project-that-made-us.html) - This amazing drawbridge challenge was inspired by a real-life event! My husband and I were vacationing in South Carolina and drove out to visit an island. As we started across a bridge we were suddenly stopped and then watched as the bridge swung open. It was a drawbridge! Instead of opening in the center, - [All About Seeds and Seed Dispersal](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/04/all-about-seeds-and-seed-dispersal.html) - These amazing ideas will help students understand seed dispersal in a hands-on way. You will love the easy prep and engaging activities! Many years ago I taught third grade and every year we completed a hands-on study of seeds. We planted a fast-growing seed called the Brassica and watched our little plants go through their entire - [The Great Cereal Box Project (with a little bit of math)](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/05/the-great-cereal-box-project-with.html) - This STEM Cereal Box project is one of my personal favorites! It's a 2-3 session challenge packed full of Math! There are several ways you can add to the creativity of this project- with advertising, commercials, and performing- if you wish to expand the experience. What is it all about? Keep reading and - [Building Hammocks in a Few Easy Steps](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/05/building-hammocks-in-few-easy-steps.html) - Hammocks for STEM students? Of, course! Now, if you thinking of how we love lying in a hammock on the beach, surrounded by palm trees, and listening to the sounds of the waves rolling in slowly, I am not promising you that this challenge will recreate that scene for you- but it is still fun! - [How to Change a STEM Challenge with a Book](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/10/how-to-change-stem-challenge-with-book.html) - Have you ever combined STEM and a book? Let's be honest. Every time we teach a lesson we approach it a little differently. We learn as the students learn and the next time we try something we build from that experience. This is especially true for me and STEM. Every single time I try a - [Pom-Pom Blasters Save the Day!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/11/how-pom-poms-blasters-save-day.html) - Ah, yes! The Great Pom-Pom Challenge! But, did it start out to be a pompom? Well, no. The test class used marshmallows. The tiny ones. And, yes, in case you were wondering, the tiny marshmallows are just as sticky as the big ones. So, something had to save the day, right? To Be Honest... Marshmallows - [3 Ways to Add More Writing to STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/01/3-ways-to-add-more-writing-to-stem.html) - Can a mathematician, scientist, or engineer solve complex problems successfully without being able to interpret the solution in words? It seems essential to me! This is why writing in a STEM class is so important. Writing should accompany every assignment. But how? How can you add more writing to STEM? I have some information for - [Why You Need to Build Towers (A Tower Round-Up)](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/02/a-tower-round-up.html) - We build towers quite often! But, why? I have a few reasons. This Tower Round-up will answer your questions. First, let's see just how many different kinds of towers we have tried: are you ready for the number? 16. Sixteen. And that is not counting the ones we tried that were failures that I have - [Keeping Introverts Engaged](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/05/keeping-introverts-engaged.html) - Full disclosure: I am an introvert. As a young student I was the student that followed all the rules and never raised my hand or spoke out. I did not want attention called to myself. In a group, I rarely spoke and never took charge. I am fairly certain I would not have enjoyed STEM - [Five Best Challenges (According to the Teacher)](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/06/five-best-challenges-according-to-the-teacher.html) - Several years ago I asked students to vote for their favorite STEM Challenges. That turned out to be a great blog post and then I added my two cents with a post about my favorite STEM Challenges. I will link those challenges for you at the bottom! It is fun to go back and see - [Shortcuts for STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/12/shortcuts-for-stem.html) - Get ready for some shortcuts for your STEM projects. This includes ways to use materials, easy ways to facilitate measuring distances, saving materials for future projects, and more! Simple shortcuts that you will love! Seriously, who doesn't love hearing new teacher hacks or ways to simplify our lives? Let's focus on a few things for - [Designing a Dream House - Elementary Style!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/09/designing-dream-house-elementary-style.html) - Here is a perfect challenge to practice using area and perimeter in a design project. Design your Dream House! What a perfect idea this little project is! I still remember designing my dream house when I was a little girl. I filled notebooks with drawings of the rooms and where the furniture would be. I - [The Unique Bucket Tower Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2015/09/whats-going-on-in-science-class-bucket.html) - Bucket Tower. It even sounds silly. I never dreamed when we invented this challenge that it would become so popular. Except for Building Boats and Roller Coasters, this is the challenge that I get the most questions about. I promise this is what happened: I had a class prepared for a tower building challenge. - [Making Newton's Laws Easy](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/03/newtons-laws-of-motion-easy.html) - Newton's Laws and easy in the same sentence? Maybe not, but trust me I have some resources that will do just that! But first, how do you display your classroom agenda? I have an easel right outside my door that lists what each grade level is doing and recently it said. "It's Newton Week!" The - [Sharks Resource Guide](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/07/sharks-resource-guide.html) - I have so many resources to share with you that are all about sharks! So, let's talk about ways I can help you with transforming your classroom for Shark Week or any week you need engaging ideas for your students. How about Sharks Task Cards? I started creating these task card sets out of a - [6 Engaging Ways to Close Out the Year](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/04/6-engaging-ways-to-close-out-year.html) - The school year's end is fast approaching and if you are like me it's time for Panic Mode! How on earth are you going to get everything finished and keep the kids busy and engaged with meaningful work and still have some end-of-the-year fun? Is this even possible? Well, I have some - [Tips for Back to School](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/07/terrific-timely-tips-for-back-to-school.html) - Are you excited to think about school starting back? I always wish there were a few more days of summer until I actually go to school and start working in my classroom! I love putting up fresh bulletin board paper and new borders and I love working on all the ideas I have thought - [The California Gold Rush](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/09/rushing-for-gold.html) - Let's make the Gold Rush easy for upper elementary students with fun resources! Are you ready to tackle the California Gold Rush? I have a funny story for you! First, what style was your first computer? What was the first game you played on the computer? Here's the funny part- our first family computer was - [Snow Day - Are you ready?](https://teachersareterrific.com/2017/01/ready-for-a-snow-day.html) - Are you ready for a snow day? I know we all love having those unexpected days off. A few years ago we had several days in a row off for a huge snowstorm and the kids in my town had the best time. In Alabama, we don't have a lot of snow- certainly not enough - [A Winter Wonderland in the STEM Lab](https://teachersareterrific.com/2017/12/how-to-create-winter-wonderland-in-stem.html) - Sometimes you have to just make that winter wonderland- especially if you live in the south! Before I share some STEM Challenges with you I have a little story... When I was a little girl my family lived in Germany. Snow was a constant in our winter lives. We walked to the bus stop in - [Easy, Engaging Sporting Events in the STEM Lab!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2017/11/easy-engaging-sporting-events-in-stem.html) - Are you looking for easy and engaging Sports ideas for STEM? I have you covered, but first... Ready for some truth? About a year ago I was looking for ideas for Thanksgiving STEM projects to complete a STEM by the Month series. Everything I found was about turkeys and Pilgrims and the Mayflower. It also really - [How to Create the Perfect Summer Camp STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/05/how-to-create-perfect-summer-camp-stem.html) - Does your school system have summer school or summer camp? I hope so! Summer camp is the perfect setting for STEM activities- many of which can be completed outdoors. Kids love STEM and summertime is the perfect time to continue to work on those collaboration skills. I have some super engaging challenges to share with - [Blow Tubes - Hook Your Students on STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/09/blow-tubes-easy-way-to-hook-your-kids.html) - Once upon a time... I was a classroom teacher. Third grade! Then one summer I made the switch to be a specialist- the STEM Lab teacher. Our students had never had STEM. So, I knew I was going to have to open the first few classes with a sure "hook" to get them interested and - [Ways to Show Seed Dispersal](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/05/april-showers-bring-may-flowers-lab.html) - It may be too early in the spring to think about seeds and ways to show seed dispersal. In fact, the weather may not be cooperating at all! Is it rainy during April where you live? I can still remember the baseball season when my son was little and the month of April was always - [So Many Landform Projects!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/07/so-many-landform-projects.html) - A few years ago (when I was teaching third grade) our state standards for Science and Social Studies both included landforms. It didn't take long for me to have tons of landform activities since we had to hit those standards with two subjects. At that time we also had a basal reading series that - [Shake, Rattle, and Roll! The Earthquake Challenge!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/04/whats-going-on-in-lab-earthquakes.html) - Shake, Rattle, and Roll! Are you ready for this? It's the earthquake challenge and jiggly jello...... and, boy do I have a story to tell you! Here's My Story... and I'm Sticking to it! This is a challenge I wanted to try for a long time. I thought a jello base as the shake table - [An Exciting Escape Room for the End of the Year](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/05/an-exciting-escape-room-for-end-of-year.html) - And suddenly it was May! How does this happen? I mean, one minute we are coming back from Christmas Break and then it's March, and you blink and it's May! I know we all have a secret countdown for the days that are left, but I also know this for sure- It is panic-time - [Animal Adaptations Resources Round-Up](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/03/can-you-see-me-now-animal-adaptations.html) - Did you know that there are spiders that can totally immerse themselves in the pollen-covered center of a flower and there they will lay- just waiting for a flying insect to stop by to sip some nectar? And then, without much movement at all, the spider catches some dinner! Totally fascinating! And it's all about - [Have a Blast with Balloon Cars!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/10/how-to-have-blast-with-balloon-cars.html) - Are you ready to have a blast with a very exciting STEM Challenge? Actually, that's a statement that can be true of all STEM Challenges! This one has a unique quality and a competitive component. Hold onto your hats! The first time we tried this challenge the kids were quite aghast at the lack of - [Designing Containers STEM Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/08/designing-containers-stem-challenge.html) - Would you like to hear the back-story of this STEM challenge we call Designing Containers? We have to go waaaay back for this story... So, the first two months of being the STEM Specialist were hard. I had no idea what I was doing! The first challenges for each grade level took 5-6 weeks to - [Balloons Rockets with a Twist](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/09/balloons-rockets-with-a-twist.html) - I feel like you have probably seen balloon rockets before now. I can remember taking fifth-graders to the gym to set up lines for our balloon rockets over 30 years ago. We set up horizontal strings and students used the propulsion of air from a balloon to zip their "rockets" from one end of the - [Cardboard Tube Projects for STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/11/cardboard-tube-projects-for-stem.html) - I know you use cardboard tubes for STEM projects and I have some ideas for challenges you can try. But, first, why is a cardboard tube so great? Tubes are flexible. They bend easily and can be used as a springboard.Tubes are easy to cut or make holes in.Tubes are lightweight and come in many - [5 Towers That are Perfect for Back to School Time!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/08/back-to-school-stem.html) - Are you ready to go back to school? I am guessing you are and I know you are excited to get busy decorating and organizing and planning! Let me help you with some easy-peasy STEM Challenges! It's all about Towers! Now, let me just tell you---- we build towers ALL THE TIME! Kids - [Summertime STEM Projects That are Great All Year!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2017/05/summertimestemprojects.html) - A few years back (okay a lot of years) there was a theme park in Nashville called Opryland. This was the closest park we could get to and it had a fabulous section of kid's rides and even some of the adult rides were tame enough for our children. The kids especially loved the water slides. - [Why Catapults Bring Cheers to the Lab!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/08/catapults-bring-cheers-to-lab.html) - It's Catapult Week! This is always met by cheers when kids see it on our agenda board. Outside our classroom, we have a large whiteboard and each week I list what each grade level will be building. Kids seriously take a look at this as they walk through and I often hear and see them - [5 Tips for STEM Newbies](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/09/5-tips-for-stem-newbies.html) - If you are new to STEM - a STEM Newbie- this post is for you. Even if you have been teaching STEM for a few years, thispost is for you! Do you shop at Teachers Pay Teachers? I sure do and I am so excited that many of my blog readers also shop at TpT - [Water Pipelines- An Amazing Real-Life Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/03/how-many-ways-can-you-stop-pipeline-leak.html) - Water Pipelines are perfect for Earth Day and it will be here before you know it, but why wait for a specific day. Celebrate the Earth every day! We have so many STEM challenges that we try in the spring and this one is perfect. It's the Water Pipeline Challenge! We also try - [21 Ideas to Try in STEM in 2021](https://teachersareterrific.com/2021/01/21-ideas-to-try-in-stem-in-2021.html) - New year, new thoughts, new ideas, and new resources! I love the feeling of the freshness of a new year, don't you? Are you ready to try a few new things? How about 21 new ideas in STEM? This list features some ideas for changing your STEM class, adding some new things to class, and - [5 Powerful Ways to Join Reading and Science](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/02/five-ways-to-add-reading-to-your.html) - Are you a reader? Do you worry about your students being readers? Of course, you do! Several years ago I became a trainer for our local science curriculum and now teach teachers how to use the science kits adopted for each grade. At one of those training sessions I conducted, a teacher said - [Rescue Me! A Challenge with Two Teams](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/12/rescue-me-challenge-with-two-teams.html) - The very first STEM Challenge we tried in fifth grade was a real-life dilemma. My idea was that a student group was camping in a desert and needed to elevate their food while they slept. They could only build the elevation device using the materials in their camping gear. It was fun and certainly - [Sailing Away with Sailboats](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/03/sailing-away-with-sailboats-in-stem-lab.html) - Ready to sail away? I never could have predicted how much STEM kids love to make boats. Building boats is one of the first projects we tackled a few years ago and they loved it so much. But, the boats we built were not sailboats. That didn't seem to matter to some of the - [Surefire Way to Engage (Hint: It's Candy!)](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/10/surefire-way-to-engage-hint-its-candy.html) - You know this already, I am sure. One way to grab the attention of your students is to add food to whatever you are doing! I always used food items as math manipulatives when I taught third grade. We graphed the colors of M &M's. We use Hershey's candy bars to show plate tectonics. On - [Rescue Me! A Real-Life Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/01/rescue-me-real-life-challenge.html) - Rescue me! Are you humming a song in your head after reading those two words! I always do. Now, are you ready for a rescue challenge? It turns out that my students love these rescue scenarios. This one was created after I read a book. This was an adult book and I will link it - [Let's Design Pancakes!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/01/lets-design-pancakes.html) - Design Pancakes. Really? I know. If you are a regular reader on this website you know that I create some wonky things for kids to experiment with or build. But, pancakes? Yes! Let me just tell you one thing about this challenge. It is highly engaging. The first time students saw this one on our - [Ways I Can Help You with the Messes in STEM](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/02/ways-i-can-help-you-with-messes-in-stem.html) - Do you follow me on Instagram? If you do, you may note that almost all my photos are project-oriented or contain tips. The photos are typical of that platform. But, are they the truth? Well, content-wise, the answer is yes. The words are the truth, but like most posts on Instagram, you are seeing the - [How to Make Seed Dispersal Hands-On](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/04/how-to-really-see-seed-dispersal.html) - This hands-on seed dispersal project had an interesting beginning... Once upon a time, our third graders planted seeds every spring and we watched the Brassica plant change through its entire life cycle- including pollinating them with dried bees. This was always my favorite day of the year! I would hint to my third graders that the "bees - [Cranking Device Dilemmas](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/10/cranking-device-dilemmas.html) - Cranking Device Dilemmas - say that three times fast! Ha! It's hard to say, I know! These challenges were also hard to invent a good name for. One of them is just called... "Cranking Devices". #clever The other is called "Rescue Devices". The two challenges have similar features, but share the dilemma of that crank! - [All You Need to Know about Marble Runs](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/02/marble-runs-in-the-lab.html) - Have you tried a marble run yet? The very first time I pulled out foam tubes and marbles and mentioned roller coasters I knew my students were hooked on STEM forever. That challenge is their very favorite and it's one they ask to repeat all the time. It's a fun one, but in my - [Crossing a Chasm- A Rescue Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/01/a-rescue-challenge-crossing-a-chasm.html) - Are you ready for a rescue challenge? I knew my students would love this rescue challenge because we have tried similar events. Could they invent something to cross a chasm, a ravine, powered only by the wind? First, we learned how to say the word "chasm"! Do you know how? It was fun to listen - [How Tall Will Your Stack Be?](https://teachersareterrific.com/2017/05/cupstacking.html) - Give a group of kids the task of stacking cups and see what happens. Go ahead..... I'll wait. So, what did they do? They built pyramids or tall stacks racing to make the tallest one- only to find the slightest movement would cause the whole stack to fall! It's a lot of fun... but - [What Specialists Wish You Knew](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/05/what-specialists-wish-you-knew.html) - This blog post has resonated with so many specialists. Whether you are a classroom teacher or a specialist you may find this post has something to think about. It is a beginning for a dialogue that should lift all of us, encourage us, and help us teach better and reach more- with respect for one another. Let - [A Cranking Device to the Rescue!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/01/whats-going-on-in-lab-rescue-devices.html) - Oh. My. Goodness. We had the MOST fun ever with this cranking device challenge! My test class loved being the guinea pigs for this challenge and helping decide on the rules of the task! The basic premise is that a team member has fallen over a drop-off and must be rescued. The remaining teammates - [Fast and Easy STEM Projects](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/09/fast-and-easy-stem-projects.html) - Are you looking for fast and east STEM ideas? Do you need something quick that takes very little prep? Are you looking for something that students can work on without sharing materials? I have some projects to share with you that are definitely fast and easy! I will also link some blog posts for you - [STEM Mystery Build- Excellent for Getting Started](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/03/mystery-builds-stem-challenge.html) - So, mystery build... What are you thinking of? What would happen if you gave groups of kids the same building materials, but then told each team to build something different? How cool would it be to see how they used the materials for several different structures? This is an idea that I have been mulling - [The Egg Parachute Project](https://teachersareterrific.com/2019/06/can-you-save-egg-parachute-project.html) - Egg parachutes? Really? Well, let me just tell you how excited students were to see "Egg Drop" on our agenda board! In fact, we had Egg Week! I had third graders designing Egg Cars. Fourth graders were working on Egg Towers. Fifth graders were doing the ultimate Egg Parachute Drop from a 20-foot - [Flood Barriers!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2015/11/whats-going-on-in-lab-flood-barriers.html) - Click on the image to see a fabulous post about Flood Barriers! - [How to Control the Flooding](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/05/control-the-flooding-stem.html) - Get your towels ready to control the flooding! But, I promise, cross my heart, it will be worth it. And it's just water, after all. It's the Great Flood Barrier Challenge and it is one of our absolute favorites. I love it because it involves experimentation and keeping data and then making decisions - [All About Failures in STEM Class](https://teachersareterrific.com/2015/05/all-about-mistakes-in-stem-class.html) - If you read my blog, and I hope you do, then you know that I only teach STEM/Science and I frequently use this space to talk about the great things we accomplish in our lab. Lest you think I am a superwoman and all things are always terrific, let's take a look at some not-so-great - [Satellite Towers for the Win!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2015/11/whats-going-on-in-lab-satellite-dish.html) - Oh. My. Goodness. We had the BEST time making these little satellite towers! This tower idea was hatched after talking with some students that love to build towers. They requested just a box of materials and time to just build a tower. Well, as much as that sounded like fun, I also thought there should - [Plop! Plop! Fizz, Fizz in the Lab!](https://teachersareterrific.com/2017/09/plop-plop-fizz-fizz-in-lab.html) - Do you remember the television commercials for Alka-Seltzer- "Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz, oh what a relief it is!" So, there's a story behind this one! I was looking for something in one of our lab cabinets and a box of effervescing tablets fell out. A third grader saw the box and said, "Hey, my grandma has - [Problem-Solving - The Heart of Stem -](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/07/the-heart-of-stem-problem-solving.html) - Problem-solving is truly the best part of STEM for me! It's watching kids "figure things out". Problem-solve, rethink, and do it again. Let's face it! Solving problems is what STEM is all about. Everything the students do leads to solving a problem and then another and then another. But, it's beautiful to watch. And, always, - [Are You Ready for the Famous Spoon Tower?](https://teachersareterrific.com/2020/03/are-you-ready-for-famous-spoon-tower.html) - Just put those words on your daily agenda- Spoon Tower. I promise, kids will be intrigued as they wonder what on earth they are going to build! Now, I will tell you that the first time we tried this challenge we just built a tower. It had to have a spoon on the top. This - [The Ultimate Team Building Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2017/12/a-unique-tower-challenge-with.html) - Oh. My. This challenge is the best event ever. Seriously. There's a background story first and then I will explain what on earth we did. It's basically a tower building challenge. Now, mind you, we have built towers out of just about everything and for different purposes and kids do love them. So, how - [Fun Bulletin Board Favorites](https://teachersareterrific.com/2015/09/five-for-friday-bulletins-boards-round-3.html) - Do you like to create bulletin boards? I don't know... You are a teacher. You get it. You have these big old boards to decorate. What do you do? This is my third round of bulletin board posts. Some have been easy to make and some not so much! But they have turned out great! - [7 Terrific & Easy Tips for Printing Posters](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/08/7-terrific-easy-tips-for-printing.html) - Once upon a time, the only way I could find posters for my classroom was to buy them at a school supply store or order them from a catalog. Then I became a STEM Lab teacher and I needed some really specific posters and could not find them anywhere. So, I started making them! - [How to Put Together a Perfect Planner for Specialists](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/05/how-to-put-together-perfect-planner-for.html) - Raise your hand if you can remember those awful "Plan Books" your admin passed out when school started every year. You know the ones with all those big boxes and the whole thing was larger than a legal size piece of paper. And it did not fit into any cute teacher bag you had ... - [Don't Worry - It's Just Water! (Slides, That is)](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/05/dont-worry-its-just-water-slides-that-is.html) - My STEM students all have their favorite challenges! Fourth graders love cooking pancakes and building roller coasters. Fifth graders love catapults and Newton's Cradles. The hands-down favorite challenge for third graders is WATERSLIDES! When I first started working on this challenge a few years back I knew kids would love it. It's messy, - [Five Best STEM Challenges! (According to the Teacher)](https://teachersareterrific.com/2016/04/five-best-stem-challenges-according-to.html) - Quick- What movie is this a line from - "It's the best of the best....." Can't decide? Keep thinking about it and I'll let you know later. In the meantime, this post is about the best of the best! About two weeks ago I added a post about the favorite STEM challenges in my - [Can you Find the Area of Your Home Sweet Home?](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/03/can-you-find-area-of-your-home-sweet.html) - Do you have a fabulous way to get students to remember the difference between area and perimeter? If you are like me you know all the tricks! But, if you still need some ideas, stick with this post- especially because there's a free activity hidden in it somewhere! Trick #1 - Word Play I know - [18 Reasons to Try STEM in 2018-PART 2](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/01/18-reasons-to-try-stem-in-2018-part-2.html) - I read an article a little while back that gave advice about writing blog post titles. One suggestion was to try using numbers. Well, maybe not the number 18. Nevertheless, it is 2018 and 18 seemed like the perfect number. I also felt pretty certain I could think of 18 reasons you should try STEM! The big - [Are You a Little "Under the Weather"?](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/04/are-you-little-under-weather.html) - A few months back I experimented with a STEM Challenge we called a Quest. Whoa! I could not have found a more perfect way to add a design challenge together with some intense problem-solving. It's a race against the clock and other teams to open locked boxes after completing a task. My fourth and fifth - [Craft Sticks for the Win with an Amazing Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/03/craft-sticks-for-win-with-amazing.html) - We have a waterpark in our town and because of this, it is really easy to talk about platforms. The Olympic sized pool has a three-tiered diving platform. In fact, many years ago an Olympic diver came to our town to use the pool and diving platform to train for the Olympics- where she eventually - [A Real Life Challenge with Cargo Drops](https://teachersareterrific.com/2018/05/a-real-life-challenge-with-cargo-drops.html) - We all have those moments in our lives that we will remember forever. One that I still think about is the tragic tsunami in 2004. The scenes of the devastated islands of Indonesia were haunting. And yet, with all the destruction there were people that survived. And for days after the tsunami rescue flights with airplanes ## Pages - [Home](https://teachersareterrific.com/) - Resources created for busy teachers focusing on upper elementary science & STEM. Detailed and thorough resources are ready to use, highly engaging, and loved by students. - [About Me](https://teachersareterrific.com/about) - Teachers Really Are Terrific! Hello Friends, let me share a few things about the teacher behind Teachers are Terrific! If you have landed here… You are probably a teacher. Maybe a teacher who is just overwhelmed. You are searching for resources. You are ready for a STEM project. You need something for a sub day. I - [Contact Me!](https://teachersareterrific.com/contact) - let's connect Thank you for your interest! Apple-alt Facebook-f Instagram Pinterest-p Name Email Message Send - [Privacy Policy](https://teachersareterrific.com/privacy-policy) - Privacy Policy Who we are: Our website address is: http://teachersareterrific.com. What personal data we collect and why we collect it: Comments When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection. An anonymized string - [Affiliate Links](https://teachersareterrific.com/affiliate-links) - FULL DISCLOSURE: You may encounter affiliate links from Amazon on my site. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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I began my current teaching position as a STEM ## Products - [BACK TO SCHOOL ESCAPE ROOM](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/back-to-school-escape-room) - An Escape Room experience for your elementary students is a perfect way to go back to school! In this Breakout, students solve puzzles to open locked boxes. This challenge was designed for fourth and fifth graders. - [Science/STEM Bulletin Board Set 4](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/science-stem-bulletin-board-set-4) - If you are decorating your STEM or Science classroom this set is perfect! It’s all about TEAMWORK! This set includes four templates to get your boards ready for STEM Challenges and group work! - [Science/STEM Bulletin Board Set 1](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/science-stem-bulletin-board-set-1) - Let’s make your life a little easier! Bulletin board templates for your Science or STEM classroom are finally here! - [Mini Escape Room Missing Teacher](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/mini-escape-room-missing-teacher) - If you are looking for a highly engaging breakout that focuses on reading and solving a mystery, then this Escape is for you! This fabulous paper/pencil breakout includes reading a fiction story and completing four puzzles to "escape." - [STEM Challenge Index Card Towers](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/index-card-towers-elementary-stem-challenge) - Save time with this easy-prep Index Card Towers STEM Challenge designed specifically for elementary students by a STEM specialist! Tested by students, this hands-on activity provides an engineering opportunity that encourages problem-solving, perseverance, and redesign. Best of all, preparation is a breeze—just gather one simple material, and your students are ready to take charge of the challenge! - [STEM Challenge Earthquake Structures](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/stem-challenge-earthquake-resistant-structures) - Students will design and build structures, then put them to the test with a shake tray to see if they can withstand the "earthquake." You'll love the easy-to-follow shake tray instructions, ready-made lab sheets, and three different challenge methods to choose from. - [STEM Challenge Paper Airplanes](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/stem-challenge-paper-airplanes) - Ready for a highly engaging STEM challenge? The Airplane STEM Challenge is the perfect activity! Students love throwing paper airplanes, so why not channel that energy into a hands-on STEM project? In this activity, students will experiment, test, and redesign to create the ultimate paper plane. It’s a fun way to teach key STEM skills like problem-solving, experimentation, and design iteration. Perfect for STEM elementary classrooms, this challenge is guaranteed to keep your students engaged! - [STEM Challenge Ferris Wheels](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/stem-challenge-ferris-wheels) - This is the amazing Ferris Wheel Challenge! Do your students need activities with many problems to solve? This STEM challenge features engineering symmetrical sides of a wheel that will turn freely. It is challenging, but oh-so fun! Your upper elementary students will love this event. You will love the detailed Teacher's guide. - [Haunted House Mini Escape](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/haunted-house-mini-escape) - This is the perfect escape room for the month of October and Halloween. If you are looking for a highly engaging breakout that focuses on reading and solving a mystery, then this Escape is for you! This fabulous paper/pencil breakout includes reading a fiction story and completing four puzzles to "escape." This is The Case of the Haunted House. - [HALLOWEEN ESCAPE ROOM WITH STEM CHALLENGE](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/halloween-escape-room-with-stem-challenge) - Are you looking for a great way to keep students engaged in October? This Haunted House Escape Room for elementary students is the perfect way to keep students busy and thinking! This Escape event uses math, a coordinated grid, and a Halloween puzzle. - [Halloween Pumpkin Catapult](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/halloween-pumpkin-catapult) - Perfect for any time of the Year! Students love to launch objects and this STEM activity can be used with many items to launch. We love using candy pumpkins in October! Try tiny hearts for Valentine's Day or jelly beans in the spring! Check the preview for alternative ideas! - [HALLOWEEN STEM ELEVATOR](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/halloween-stem-elevator) - Here's a fabulous STEM project with a focus on creating a cranking device that can lift small items. This engaging activity encourages problem-solving and engineering skills, all while keeping prep simple. The included teacher’s guide is clear, thorough, and designed to make setup a breeze. Plus, it’s been student-tested to ensure success in your classroom! - [STEM Candy Cane Challenge](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/stem-candy-cane-challenge) - This Candy Cane STEM Challenge turned out to be the most fun! Students must build a structure with a delightful twist. This is perfect for the month of December when you need to keep students engaged, but even after the holiday season, those leftover candy canes can provide a fun challenge. This Candy Cane STEM Challenge turned out to be the most fun! Students must build a structure with a delightful twist. - [STEM Toy Zip Line](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/stem-toy-zip-line) - Here’s a perfect easy-prep STEM challenge to try during the busy Christmas holiday season. This will be exciting for your students, and you will love the details included in this STEM Quick Challenge. Here’s a perfect easy-prep STEM challenge to try during the busy Christmas holiday season. - [STEM The Popcorn Challenge!](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/stem-the-popcorn-challenge) - The Popcorn Challenge is an exploration into volume! Students create a container to hold a specific amount of popcorn. The learning is priceless as students build large containers and test them! - [STEM Challenge Basketball Goals](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/basketball-goals-elementary-stem-challenge) - Basketball Goals! This basketball goal and shooter is the most fun activity ever in the STEM lab! This challenge is perfect for fall sports but don't forget the great basketball tournament in March! Your students will love competing in this Basketball STEM Challenge! Teamwork at its best. - [STEM Challenge Build a Foil Boat](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/stem-challenge-build-a-foil-boat) - Try this foil boat STEM activity! Students will design and build a boat that floats and holds weight without sinking. Perfect for classrooms looking for hands-on, exciting learning experiences! - [STEM Challenge Bucket Towers](https://teachersareterrific.com/product/bucket-towers-elementary-stem-challenge) - This one-of-a-kind STEM Activity has students designing and building a tower strong enough to hold a bucket filled with weights! This STEM Activity is a classroom favorite! It's engaging, filled with creativity, and huge fun. You’ll love the ready-made lab sheets and minimal prep work—perfect for busy teachers. Students will also explain the purpose of their bucket designs, leading to imaginative answers. 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