Activities and project ideas for a STEAM fair

More than a renewed focus on science, technology, engineering, art, & math, STEAM means teaching these subjects through messy problems that connect learning and make ideas stick.

Here are a few short activities and longer PBL-style projects to inspire your student's work, whether they are showing off their efforts, teaching others who to do an activity or presenting a science-fair-style project.

Grades K-2

Water

• Properties of water
• How leaves get water
• Color-changing flowers - capillary action in carnations
• Capillary action

Winter

• STEM for preschool
• Snow science
• Frost in a can
  
  

Grades 3-5

Science Design

• Use UV-beads to make and test an animal shelter
• PBS Design Squad

Environmental

• Make your own paper
• Why vegetation matters

A project approach

• Real world STEAM projects
• Creative Educator STEAM lessons

Additional ideas and resources

Create a STEAM center
Many ideas work for station rotations too!

STEAM ideas for LEGOs

STEM ideas for a family night
Try an activity live with families

STEAM Stations - Materials list
all items available from a dollar store

Dollar Store Maker Projects
Easy STEM and design projects using inexpensive materials

25 classic science experiments

The Science Kid (YouTube Channel)

National Geographic Resource Library
PreK-2 activities