Vivify STEM Blog
Data Driven Design: Wind Energy Engineering Challenge
What if your students could design a machine powered by nothing but the wind? Inspired by the true story of William Kamkwamba, a teen from Malawi who built a windmill to bring electricity to his village, this challenge asks students to design and build a wind-powered machine that can lift a weight. But instead of just throwing together materials, we ask students to use data to inform their design!
How to Integrate STEM into Your Gifted & Talented Program
Are you looking to elevate your Gifted and Talented program with exciting, hands-on STEM learning? Lauren shares her journey into STEM education, key similarities between STEM and GT learning goals, successful project ideas, and real-world examples from my classroom. Let’s dive into how you can seamlessly integrate STEM into your GT program for deeper, more engaging learning experiences!
A Search for Life: Astro-Rover STEM Challenge
The Astro-Rover STEM Challenge is a classroom favorite, with many of my students calling it the highlight of their entire school year! What makes this space-themed unit unique is the way it blends science concepts and design thinking into one truly interdisciplinary package. The Astro-Rover STEM lesson, perfect for middle school classrooms, captivates students with the thrilling topic of alien life while aligning with key NGSS science standards, such as understanding how the presence of water can indicate potential for life.
Eating in Space 5E Science: Design a Menu for an Astronaut!
Did you know that astronauts eat mac and cheese in space? That’s just one of 203 different things on the menu!