Project-based learning is an ideal way to master STEAM skills in a way that feels relevant to students. Projects help students master useful skills, keep learning fun, and allow students to direct the course of their own education. That’s a win for everyone. It’s also a way to produce higher test scores without teaching to the test. The following project-based learning examples in science can engage even bored and frustrated students in STEAM:
Wildlife Observation Projects: Help students learn about wild animals by observing them in their natural habitats. The Secret Life of Wild Animals is an excellent beginner resource. The department of energy and environmental protection is an excellent resource.
Growing Plants: Growing plants is a delicate science that offers quick rewards and a chance to learn about botany, cooking, and even the geometry of plant design. Check out The Nature of Conservancy's resource for building a school garden.
Lego Mechanics: LEGOs are fun. They’re also a great way to master spatial reasoning, geometry, and beginning engineering. Try some of these motorized LEGO projects to help your students turn the toys they love into an education.
Build a Robot: Robots aren’t as complicated as they seem. Students can build a mini-robot in an afternoon with this guide. For an even more engrossing project, try one of these robots. Have a student who prefers a more old-fashioned approach to building? Help them make this propeller-powered car instead.
Create Your Own Entertainment: Help students build their own stop-motion animation with this guide. Then ask them to set it to music, create a compelling story, and use their imaginations to create something entertaining.
One of the most exhaustive resources of STEM projects was provided by Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science. They have created 4,000 of the very best STEM activities on the web. You can handpick activities from your favorite science museums, public television stations, universities, and other educational organizations. All activities are available to anyone, free of charge. Users can filter activities by age, material costs, and learning time to find exactly what they need for their educational program, class, or family. Here are project resources from Berkley's Lawrence Hall you can tap into:
Exploring the solar system – Students can explore the solar system with the new DIY solar system app. This new app, created by Howtosmile is now available on the App Store and Google Play, in both English and Spanish.
STEM projects categorized by topics – you can find STEM projects categorized by different topics. Each topic page includes national standards, big idea lists, popular media content, and concept maps. Topics pages also include a set of hands-on activities to use with students. The list of topics include: Energy, Climate, Life Sciences, Ocean Literacy, Astronomy, Cooking, PBS Shows, Health and the Human Body, and At Home Activities.
Museums offering at-home activities – the Howtosmile team has curated a list of science center, planetarium, aquarium, and children’s museum websites offering at-home activities and related learning resources.
Finally, here is another great source for Simple STEAM activities to do with household items. I hope that these project resources will provide you with plenty of opportunities to engage in meaningful project-based learning. Enjoy!