299 results
Free middle school engineering projects
Balloon Car STEM Challenge: Engineering Design Process
Balloon Car STEM Challenge! Challenge students to build a balloon-powered car that can travel 5 feet! This STEM challenge will take your students through the engineering design process as they brainstorm, design, build, and test with a fun and engaging project. STEM challenges incorporate math and science concepts with creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. Students are provided with a Mission Sheet and a Student Handout that guides them through the engineering design process. Included i
Subjects:
Grades:
3rd - 9th
Types:
NGSS:
K-2-ETS1-2
, K-2-ETS1-3
, K-2-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
...
Also included in: Year-Round STEM Activity Bundle (Elementary STEM)
Paper Airplane STEM challenge
Challenge students to build a paper airplane that can go at least go as far as possible. Building a Paper Airplane provides opportunities for investigation, team work, developing design skills and understanding the four forces of flight. ..................................................................................................................................................................Similar Resources:Parachute STEM challengePaper circuit activityAnemometer STEM challengeBalloon car
Subjects:
Grades:
3rd - 6th
Types:
Also included in: STEM BUNDLE (AIR based projects)
STEM Raft Challenge Distance Learning
Building a Raft STEM Challenge is an activity where students construct rafts out of straws, tape, and string. Students then test their creations and redesign their rafts. Your students will love learning and will be engaged at home or at school in the Engineering Design Process. ⭐These activities can also be used for STEAM Activities, STEM After School Programs, Summer Programs, Clubs, Maker Spaces, or at home. You will save money, time, and your students will be engaged in yearlong STEM Acti
Subjects:
Grades:
3rd - 6th
Types:
NGSS:
3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
Leprechaun Trap: Engineering Challenge Project ~ Great STEM Activity!
Engineering Challenge:
Can you create a trap that can catch and hold one leprechaun cut-out?
Materials: (per student)
Variety of found materials (outdoor or craft)
Scissors, tape and glue
Cardboard and paper scraps
Popsicle sticks, straws, etc.
This packet contains all the information you need to make this a great engineering activity in your classroom! Lab sheets, student and teacher instructions, and challenge signs are all included! Using simple and cheap materials, you can engage your
Subjects:
Grades:
2nd - 7th
Types:
Forensics Fun: Science Activity with Fingerprints & Thermal Energy
This product includes 2 activities related to forensics including revealing a student’s heat signature and unique fingerprint. This is a great STEM Family Night station! Activity 1: A worksheet that guides two students to compare their unique fingerprints with a real-world connection to forensics. A QR code reveals a STEM career video on forensic science and crime scenes. *Worksheet in both English and Spanish*Activity 2: This activity requires a thermal camera for students to explore the infrar
Subjects:
Grades:
PreK - 12th
Types:
Also included in: Bundle: STEM Family Night Planning Guide, Activity Instructions
Biomimicry NGSS STEM Project Distance Learning Life Science Adaptations LS4
NEWLY UPDATED PDFs for digital learning! This EXCITING and RELEVANT NGSS middle school STEM activity/project challenges students to explore the benefits of adaptations (MS-LS4) and then engineer a product (MS-ETS1 and MS-ETS1-4) for human use, called Biomimicry, in a fun and authentic way! In groups, students brainstorm a real world problem, investigate an adaptation and its benefit in the organism’s habitat, and individually design a "biomimetic" product to solve the problem. (Example: Grip sho
Subjects:
Grades:
4th - 9th
Types:
NGSS:
MS-ETS1-4
, MS-ETS1-1
Also included in: NGSS Middle School Science Activities and Lessons Growing MEGA Bundle
NGSS Space Engineering Design Project
What is more interesting than space, astronauts, and CANDY?In this project, students will learn about the engineering design cycle. They will learn about how astronauts must have specially designed food packages to use in space. They will go through the engineering design process to design, build, and refine a package that will allow astronauts to eat M&Ms in space. This activity is number 5 of 5 in a mini engineering unit. It is aligned tothe NGSS Engineering Design Standards (3-5-ETS1 and
Subjects:
Grades:
4th - 8th
Types:
NGSS:
MS-ETS1-2
, 3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, MS-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
...
Also included in: NGSS Engineering Design Mini Unit Bundle (3-5-ETS1 and MS-ETS1)
STEM Activity Challenge Levitating ping pong ball 6th - 8th grade
STEM Middle School Classroom ProjectStudents will work in groups to discover the phenomenon that occurs when a ping pong ball is placed above a straw and air is blown through the straw. Most people would expect the ping-pong ball to fly up and off to the side—but it doesn't. Due to Bernoulli's Principle, the ball will hover in the air above the straw. This project can end with a demonstration using a shop-vac or hairdryer with a ping-pong ball that will produce the same interesting results.***If
Grades:
6th - 8th
Types:
Also included in: STEM Activity Challenges 16 Pack #1 (Middle School)
Minecraft STEM Activities and Challenges Freebie
Here’s a creative and fun STEM Activity FREEBIE to share and show just how exciting STEM Challenges can be in a Competitive Classroom Setting! These Outta the Box Classroom Competition Challenges can be done on a Fun Friday or within the week during your science block. This hands on building challenge is part of GATER Educator's "Outta the Box Classroom Competitions". The theme of the full OTB Classroom Competion is “MINECRAFT: Survival Mode”. For this activity students will read tidbits of info
Grades:
4th - 7th
Types:
Also included in: MINECRAFT Activities Bundle
STEM Activity Challenge - Lava Lamps (Middle School)
STEM Middle School Classroom ProjectIn this S.T.E.M lab, students will work in groups to make a lava lamp from a water bottle. After filling the water bottle with oil, water, and food coloring, students will drop some effervescent tablets in and watch their creation come to life! This is a quite simple project for middle schoolers, but it's lots of fun.***If you are interested in a differentiated version of this resource for grades K-8, please click here.This STEM Activity Challenge includes te
Grades:
6th - 8th
Types:
Also included in: STEM Activity Challenges 16 Pack #2 (Middle School)
Explore the Universe: Science Astronomy Scavenger Hunt
Using the Sky View app, available for free on Apple and Android tablets, students explore planets, stars, and satellites in the night sky by completing a scavenger hunt. Students find the Moon, International Space Station, Hubble Telescope, and the planets in our Solar System. Perfect for individual activity, a STEM Family Night, or small group station. Great STEM Family Night Station! Worksheet is in both English and Spanish. Looking for more STEM lessons? Our team of engineers and educators is
Subjects:
Grades:
K - 11th
Types:
Also included in: Bundle: STEM Family Night Planning Guide, Activity Instructions
Stop Motion Animation Activity
Combine storytelling with STEM! Students choose from three STEM scenarios to create a stop motion animation video. Instructions are provided on how to use a free Chromebook extension to setup a stop motion activity. The same activities can be completed with iPads or Kindles with a stop motion app. Materials required are Chromebooks, trifold boards for a backdrop, and action figures or other movie props. Stikbots are the perfect action figure to use!Click here for an editable STEM journal to use
Subjects:
Grades:
PreK - 12th
Types:
Also included in: Bundle: STEM Family Night Planning Guide, Activity Instructions
Engineering Design Challenge: Spaghetti & Marshmallow Towers
Get your students collaborating and using their higher order thinking skills in this fun, hands-on activity! This activity is perfect to incorporate into an engineering unit or use as an additional fun activity! Students individually brainstorm building ideas and then share with group members to evaluate and decide on a final design.The provided constraints in the activity require students to collaborate and be creative in order to successfully complete the challenge. Product Includes:Google D
Subjects:
Grades:
5th - 12th
Types:
Basics of Makey Makey: STEM Activity
If you haven't already discovered Makey Makey, stop everything and watch this video! These little circuit boards bring together coding, invention, creativity, and electronics. Just plug into any computer, and with no software download required, watch as your students turn conductive items (PlayDoh, oranges, pencil lead) into a controller that replaces a keyboard or mouse! We love using these with from elementary all the way to high school! Click here for an editable STEM journal to use with dist
Subjects:
Grades:
PreK - 12th
Types:
Also included in: Bundle: STEM Family Night Planning Guide, Activity Instructions
STEM Wars Activity - Levitate a Sphere
This fun “STEM WARS” (not STAR WARS) :) themed STEM Training Mission activity will challenge your student’s ability to use “The Force”. They will use The Force to get their STEM Ball (AKA Ping Pong Ball) to levitate. In doing this, they will discover the phenomenon that occurs when a ping pong ball is placed above a straw and air is blown through the straw. Most people would expect the ping-pong ball to fly up and off to the side—but it doesn't. Due to Bernoulli's Principle, the ball will hover
Subjects:
Grades:
1st - 8th
Types:
Also included in: STEM Wars: Five Training Missions Bundle May the 4th
Renewable Energy STEM Challenge Design a Sailing Ship Lab Using Wind Power
For this STEM Challenge, students must design and test a sailing ship in a tub of water to deliver a marshmallow passenger safely to the other side using a handheld fan as wind. This is the perfect science lab experiment to complete around Thanksgiving as you learn about the voyage of the Mayflower and the Plymouth colony. It also works well as part of a unit on wind power and renewable energy. This resource includes: teacher directions, discussion questions, and extension activities3 slides of
Subjects:
Grades:
3rd - 6th
Types:
NGSS:
3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
, 4-ESS3-1
Paper Circuits STEM Activity
Paper circuits are a fun way to teach circuits and conductivity. Students use the easy-to-follow diagrams to create their own card that will light up! Instructions are in both English and Spanish. Materials needed: paper, copper tape, LED lights, coin batteries, and clear tape. Students can also use markers or crayons to decorate the card. Included are instructions for using paper circuits as a classroom project or part of a STEM Family Night.Looking for more STEM lessons? Our team of engineers
Subjects:
Grades:
PreK - 12th
Types:
Also included in: Bundle: STEM Family Night Planning Guide, Activity Instructions
Build a Catapult Game STEM Challenge with just PAPER, TAPE & SCISSORS
Explore forces & motion, simple machines, trajectories, projectile motion, potential and kinetic energy, energy transfer, inertia, gravitational forces, and more with this versatile catapult STEM challenge. AMAZING RESULTS WITH JUST PAPER, TAPE & SCISSORS! You can follow all instructions on-screen or print them. This step by step project is a sampler of my more in-depth, open-ended project packets. All projects teach hands-on skills that empower students to explore and create. Start by m
Subjects:
Grades:
K - 12th
NGSS:
MS-ETS1-2
, 3-PS2-1
, 3-5-ETS1-3
, MS-PS2-4
, MS-ETS1-4
...
STEM Pumpkin Volume Activity
Are you looking for a fun STEM activity that connects to the book Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano and reinforces the skill volume? Pumpkin Volume STEM Activity will reinforce the math skill volume as they create nets for square and rectangular pumpkins. Your students will love designing, creating, and engineering. Students will problem solve and think critically as they complete their challenge and write stories about the adventures of their pumpkins. *These activities work great
Subjects:
Grades:
3rd - 6th
Types:
NGSS:
3-5-ETS1-3
, 3-5-ETS1-1
, 3-5-ETS1-2
The Great Egg Drop Challenge
Students will create a device designed to protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped onto a hard surface. Teacher's guide included. This project can be done by group or individually. Students will apply knowledge of: gravity, forces, pushes, pulls, drag, inertia, acceleration, and mass
Subjects:
Grades:
3rd - 6th
Middle School Math - Backpack Designer Project
Students will be working in teams to form Backpack Design Companies which will be competing with other teams to win the chance to become the featured backpack design for next year’s back-to-school sale. Teams will work together to improve the functionality, design, and physical comfort of backpacks so they will be more appealing to middle school students. Students will research the history and functions of backpacks in our society, develop new designs, build backpack prototypes, give and receiv
Subjects:
Grades:
5th - 8th
Types:
Also included in: 6th Grade Math - Full Year Curriculum Bundle - 2,000+ Pages
Egg Drop Challenge Editable STEM Lab End of Year Activity
Looking for a fun and engaging STEM activity for the end of the year or after state testing? If so, then the Egg Drop Challenge Editable STEM Lab End of Year Activity is the answer! Challenge your students to design an apparatus to save their egg from disaster after being dropped from a specified height. You can use a stairwell, the school bleachers, a school window… any height at all. This 3-page lab is completely editable and includes an editable scoring rubric AND an Award Certificate for the
Subjects:
Grades:
7th - 10th
Types:
NGSS:
MS-ETS1-2
, MS-ETS1-4
, MS-PS2-2
, MS-ETS1-1
STEM Activity Challenge: Popcorn Huff and Puff (Middle School)
STEM Project for Middle School—6th, 7th, and 8th grades.Working in teams, students will attempt to blow a piece of popcorn into an "empty" 2-liter bottle. To their surprise, they will find that it doesn't work. Students will discuss this phenomenon with their team and attempt to explain it. Students will discover that the bottle is actually full...full of air! They will then brainstorm modifications that may allow the popcorn to be blown into the bottle.***If you are interested in a differentiat
Subjects:
Grades:
6th - 8th
Types:
Also included in: STEM Activity Challenges 16 Pack #1 (Middle School)
Newton's Laws of Motion Slowest Marble Race
The Great Marble Race! This activity is meant to be used as a group project. Students will be racing marbles to see whose marble can race the SLOWEST. Using Newton's Laws of Motion, students will be using a thick poster board or cardboard and other recycled materials to create their race board. They should first understand common force and motion terms such as acceleration, friction, laws of motion, gravity, etc.
This is an assignment handout with guidelines for what is expected of students an
Grades:
3rd - 8th
Types:
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