Here are some FREE STEM activities to consider for summer. Try out a virtual camp. Or assemble a nature journal to use while you explore outdoors. There are also some individual projects that might peak your interest along with others that are listed on the sponsoring website. Invite your family to join in! Have a STEMy summer!
Secret Agent!
Spider Magazine (ages 6-9)
Learn a secret and ancient language that will allow you and your young learners—or their friends—to talk in code. Discover the special cipher that the Spartans of Greece used to communicate in times of war. This secret language looks like random letters but if you know the trick, you can decipher clandestine messages that no one else will understand. Cricket is providing the magazine article with code directions for free. Click here.
Camp DK
Eight weeks of themed ideas tied to various DK books. There are free activities that require no purchase: Road Trip, Science and Nature on the Ground and in the Sky, Animals, the Outdoors, Arts, Activism. Click here
Artopia: Painting!*
Grades 3-8
Since the times of the cavemen (and women), painting has been an important way for people to express themselves. This colorful site gives you opportunities to learn about the history of painting, to explore how paintings are made, and to discover how to compare and contrast different pieces of art. After delving into the "Painting Studio," you'll be well on your way to becoming the next Pablo Picasso! Click here
Artopia: Music!*
Grades 3-8
Whether it is classical or rock and roll, almost everybody loves music. Music lovers can explore this site to listen to performances, learn the names and sounds of instruments that make up an orchestra, and write about different kinds of music. Be sure to check out the "Music Studio" link to experiment with your favorite kinds of music. Click here
Explore the Great Outdoors
All grades
Summer evenings are often filled with the sounds of wildlife. With a later sunset than any other day of the year, the first day of summer is a great time to explore nature in your own backyard. Make discoveries of animals that are active by day or by night, or just keep a record of all of the beautiful summer flowers in your neighborhood! This nature notebook from CLICK Magazine is easy to print, fold, and carry around! (Print pages 1 & 4 back to back; print pages 2 & 3 back to back. Trim on dotted lines and assemble)
Grades K-2
Little Bins for Little Hands: Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano For Summer Fun*
Projects & Independent Study
Take science outdoors with a SANDBOX VOLCANO! When the weather is nice, try simple science experiments outside for a real hit with the kids. From pulleys to homemade ice cream, to bursting bags, this baking soda volcano is one of the coolest and easiest science activities for kids. Click here.
Osmosis Science Activities for Kids*
Projects & Independent Study
The concept of osmosis is taught to most grade school children at some level. Osmosis is a process where in fluid passes through semi-permeable membranes from an area of high concentration to one of lower concentration. To demonstrate to kids how osmosis occurs in everyday objects, you can conduct simple, inexpensive experiments at home. Click here
Grades 3-5
Air and Flight*
Critical Thinking
If we can't see air, how can it hold up an airplane? Check out this site, and conduct some experiments to discover the magic behind air! Click here
Science Fun: Duck In A Cup*
Projects & Independent Study
This is a fun and easy science activity that has a really impressive result. All you need are a few simple items and you can make a noisy sound device that is a lot of fun. Click here
52 Homemade Musical Instruments to Make*
Projects & Independent Study
You'll find a nice variety of homemade instruments in this article and many are pretty simple and easy to make. Click here
Grades 6-9
Science Friday: How To Make A Pop-Up Book With Engineering*
Projects & Independent Study
In this activity, you will learn how to make pop-ups by building two different pop-up mechanisms, pick out mathematical patterns that will help you predict pop-up motion, and then apply those ideas to build a card inspired by your favorite story. Click here
Science Fun: Cloud In A Bottle*
Projects & Independent Study
Learn how to make a cloud in a bottle with this super simple and really cool weather science activity. Click here
Animal Masks*
Art
You will create a 3-D animal or mask, paying close attention to details such as; color, shape, size, texture and facial features. Learn how to create 3-D animal or mask! Click here
Build a Wind Turbine (from Booklist 6/29/23 STEM Almost Invisible)
Laura Driscoll’s Wind Power (2023) explores how people have harnessed the power of the wind throughout history, from boats in ancient Egypt to today’s wind farms. Build a wind turbine step-by-step with Technovation’s YouTube video (1:48) and the items (cardboard tubes, straws, skewers, string, etc.) listed here.
* From Renzulli Learning Database (subscription)