National STEM/STEAM Day is November 8th!
November 8th is “National STEM/STEAM Day” – a day to encourage kids to explore and pursue their interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math in fun and engaging ways. The ultimate goal is to show kids that these subjects are already all around them in everyday life, and that their favorite hobbies are actually rooted in science, technology, engineering, art and math.
Here are some fun STEM/STEAM activities to try out with your kids at home today:
1. Make Your Own Rock Candy
Did you know you can grow your own rock candy crystals? Any chef would agree that cooking is basically applied science and, unless you are an actual scientist working from home, your kitchen is the closest thing you’ve got to a lab. Following a recipe is essentially the same as running an experiment, and the best part is that you get to eat the delicious result. This project is no exception. Making rock candy is easy—it only requires sugar, water, patience, and a basic understanding of the science behind it!
Go to this link for the full recipe and science behind this at-home experiment.
2. Build a Marble Run
Marble runs make great engineering challenges for kids. And they can come in many different shapes and forms! The types of materials that can be used for this activity are endless. Some popular choices are cardboard boxes, wooden craft sticks, Legos, pool noodles, toilet paper tubes, and magnets.
Visit this link for more inspiration on types of marble runs to build.
3. Create a Colorful Volcano
This rainbow baking soda volcano experiment is a mesmerizing and colorful science experiment that can be created with common kitchen household items like baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring. This experiment is an acid/base reaction. Vinegar is acidic and baking soda is a base. When you mix an acid with a base, two new chemicals form – carbonic acid and sodium acetate. The new acid then decomposes into water and carbon dioxide which causes the volcano to bubble over.
Go to this link for the full instructions on how to run this activity with your kids at home.
For more creative and fun STEM/STEAM ideas, visit this Pinterest page.
