45 EASY STEM ACTIVITIES for STEM Sub Plans, Centers, Warm-Ups & Early Finishers

Looking for easy STEM activities to implement in your classroom? Quick Build STEM Activities are the perfect addition to any elementary or middle school classroom!

If you're limited on time, you'll love using these simple STEM activities in centers, makerspaces, choice boards, easy STEM sub plans and more!

A quick build in STEM is like a quick write in ELA: Students will not go all the way through the engineering design process; instead, they will choose a challenge and quickly “draft” a design to build. The focus of these activities is primarily on the build. Reflection questions are also provided for those who want to add a little analysis after the build.

Quick Build STEM Challenges:

✅ Are quick & easy to implement (~15-20 minutes)

✅ Use 5 or fewer simple materials

✅ Emphasize problem-solving & critical thinking

✅ Focus on two or more STEM strands (science, technology, engineering, math)

✅ Have built-in self differentiation; students choose between two options for each challenge

✅ Have editable student pages so you can make any changes needed for your students

Note: Quick Build STEM activities are best completed individually or in student pairs.

⭐ Use the view preview button under the cover photo to see more details, including a FREEBIE sample and an overview of the simple materials needed.

⭐ Included in This Resource ⭐

• 45 Quick Build STEM Challenges (SEE BELOW FOR LIST OF STEM ACTIVITIES)
  
• Two (2) EDITABLE Student Handouts for each Quick Build challenge to record & reflect on their designs. Files are editable within Google Slides™.
  
• Two (2) Build Options with each challenge for student choice / self-differentiation
  
• Teacher Notes & Tips
  
• Labels, Instructions & Materials Lists to set up activities in bins or folders
  

Included Quick Build STEM Challenge Activities:

1. Coin Tower (From Towers - Set 1)
2. One-Page Tower
3. A River Runs Through It Tower
4. Ice Cream Cone (From 3D Solids - Set 2)
5. Cylinder Platform
6. Gift Box
7. Lever Launcher (From Simple Machines - Set 3)
8. Wheelbarrow
9. Ramp It Up
10. Where to Work? (From Back to School - Set 4)
11. Sloppy Supplies
12. Water Within Reach
13. What a Drag (From Air - Set 5)
14. Slower, Safer, Softer
15. Head in the Clouds
16. New Kicks (From Wearables - Set 6)
17. Cranium Cover
18. Frame Yourself
19. Trap 3 (From Polygons - Set 7)
20. Polygon Party
21. Rectangle Paper Chain
22. Home Sweet Home (From At Home - Set 8)
23. Poo Be Gone
24. Bookshelf
25. Catch & Release (From Halloween - Set 9)
26. Bat Branch
27. Throne of Bones
28. On Shaky Ground (From More Towers - Set 10)
29. Tricky Terrain
30. Skyscraper
31. Paper Bag Bridge (From Bridges - Set 11)
32. Brawny Bridge
33. Rainbow Bridge
34. Land Sailing (From Boats - Set 12; no water needed)
35. Anchors Aweigh
36. Rough Water Raft
37. Gone Fishing (From Animals - Set 13)
38. Hamster Wheel
39. Bird Beak
40. Homemade Hoops (From Fun & Games - Set 14)
41. Can't-Miss Bowling
42. Fore!
43. On the Recline (From At the Pool - Set 15)
44. Dive Right In
45. Sun Shade

❤️ Ways to Use This Resource ❤️

• Makerspaces
• STEM centers
• STEM Sub plans
• STEM choice boards
• Early finishers
• Homework
• STEM nights
• Grab bag challenges (Place all materials inside a brown paper bag. Students grab a mystery bag and design for the challenge they find inside.)
• For parents waiting for teacher conferences, Open House, Back to School Night, etc.
  

❤️ What teachers are saying about Quick Build STEM Activities ❤️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "These challenges are perfect! Just a few simple materials, choice for students and highly engaging. Easy to accomplish in a short stem class. Thank you!"
(Kathie G., 3rd - 5th grade teacher, Bundle 1)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "I did one of the activities with my students and I left a second one for a sub to complete with them. My students loved both of the challenges."
(Rachel F., 3rd - 4th grade teacher, Bundle)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "My students loved this. They had so much fun!"

(Allison W., 2nd - 6th grade teacher, Bundle 1)

Related Products

• Quick Build STEM Activities Freebie

• STEM Activities in 30 minutes or Less - STEM Improv Bundle

• Character Education for STEM Classes: STEM Ideals Bundle

• STEM Activities Mega Bundle