Welcome to Vivify’s Blog!
Astronaut Training and the 4 C's of STEM
Embark on a space adventure with your class! Challenge your students to complete astronaut training to collect all four badges: creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking! Read more on how to build foundational STEM skills through engaging and hands-on Stage 1 STEM activities through the theme of space exploration.
25 Year-Round STEM Task Cards for Building Bricks!
We love using Legos or other building bricks in our STEM classroom for quick builds or independent stations. Read on for our tips on developing task cards along with 25 ideas for quick build STEM challenges covering fall, summer, winter, and more!
Exploring National Parks with a STEM Challenge!
My most vivid family memories involved both travel and education. Not in a boring fashion, but super fun, “this will stick with me for the rest of my life” kind of way. Where did my traveling education occur? National Parks! And now, as an educator, I share my love for nature with a National Park project and STEM challenge. Read below for a semester unit on national parks that includes research, planning, budgeting, natural resources, and design through an experience that I hope will spark a sense of wonder and discovery for your students!
A Teacher’s Guide to Science Fair
Are you a teacher responsible for running Science Fair this year? Not sure where to start? Read on for our Science Fair Guide: Steps to Success! This post includes the basics of Science Fair, our steps to success for teachers, a free science fair poster, a nature of science lesson, and links to real student Science Fair project examples.
Best Free AI Tools for Educators
With the release of ChatGPT last year, teachers are still scrambling to catch up on the implications and potential of AI in our classrooms. While AI-generated essays and exams are a huge problem, in this post, we focus on all the benefits of AI for teachers! Read on for all the FREE AI tools that can help you improve lessons, support differentiation, ease administrative tasks, and give you some time back in your day. We also share 25 ChatGPT prompts for teachers!
How to Host a Debate in Your Science Classroom
Imagine a classroom buzzing with excitement as students engage in intellectual battles, passionately defending their scientific viewpoints. Science debates breathe life into scientific concepts, transforming the learning experience into a dynamic arena of ideas and exploration. In this post, we unravel the secrets to hosting a science debate for your classroom, a free resource to get you started, plus an example from my classroom covering GMOs and genetics.
Engineer a New Fruit! Genetics STEM Lab Activity
Are you ready to take your students on a fun and hands-on journey into the realm of genetics? Blend engineering principles with the tantalizing world of culinary delights with this delicious STEM lab! Read on to explore how food can become the ultimate medium for engaging K-12 students in thought-provoking lessons about genetics and food engineering concepts.
5 Tips for Teaching STEM With Robots
Programming Sphero robots can help students develop essential skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. From building simple obstacle courses to working through real-life cybersecurity challenges, students will be fascinated by what they can get robots to do, no matter what grade they are in. Read on for 5 tips for teaching STEM with Sphero robots!
Engineering and the 5E Science Model
Are you looking to add engineering to your science classroom? Most educators use the 5E learning model to teach science concepts. Can engineering design fit into 5E science units? Yes! Read on as we break down the steps of the 5E Science Learning Model, adding Engineering in 5E Science Model, and examples of an Engineering 5E Unit.
How to Teach STEM Through A Story
Do you begin your lessons with a story? Stories are a powerful tool that will increase engagement in STEM activities. Read below for strategies including a video on developing stories that provide motivation and tie in real-world STEM events and career connections. We also link a freebie blueprint to develop your own STEM storyline!