S.T.E.M. Ideas for a Makerspace- Just a Start
Build a CatapultSupplies needed
· 7 craft sticks, 3 rubber bands, milk cap, cotton balls {or other objects to launch}
Directions
· Stack 5 craft sticks together, and rubber band the ends.
· Stack 2 craft sticks together, and wrap a rubber band around the very end.
· Separate the 2 craft sticks. Place the stack of 5 craft sticks between the 2 craft sticks.
· Wrap a rubber band around all of the craft sticks to hold the catapult together.
· Glue a milk cap {or something similar} on to serve as a launching platform.
· Push down on the top craft stick and release to launch an object from the milk cap. / Rocket Balloon
Supplies needed
• Balloon (long works better), String, Plastic Straw, Tape
Directions
• Thread the string through the drinking straw.
• Tie the end of the string on something stable at one end of the room (e.g. the back of a chair).
• Extend the string to about 1-15 feet, pull tightly and fasten to another stable object at approximately the same height as the other end (e.g. another chair back or a door handle).
• Blow up the balloon.
• While still holding the balloon tightly to prevent it deflating, tape the balloon to the underside of the drinking straw using a couple of pieces of tape. Then gently pull the balloon and drinking straw to one end of the string.
• Let go of the balloon and watch it fly along the string.
Straw Structures
Supplies needed
• Straws (Bendable), Tape, Scissors
Directions
• Adults: Cut a roughly one inch slit through the long end of each straw. This will make the end easy to insert into another straw. Do this on the long straw ends only.
• Show your kids how to insert one straw into another. Let them know that they should insert the long end of one straw into the short end of another. Do this for three straws to form a triangle.
• Repeat this making a whole set of triangle structures.
• Start taping the triangles together along the long sides.
• Create structures by taping the straws in unique shapes. We found that taping them together and then bending the straws to form a larger shape was an easy way to create a simple structure. / Marshmallow Structures
Supplies needed
• Marshmallows, toothpicks
Directions
· Create structures by placing toothpicks into the marshmallow
· Put a marshmallow on the other end of the toothpick.
· Choose one marshmallow from the completed toothpick and insert another toothpick at a different angle.
· Repeat these steps until you have completed the structure you desire.
String Phone
Supplies needed
• String, Plastic Cups, Scissors, Paper Clips
Directions
· Cut a long piece of string, you can experiment with different lengths but perhaps 20 metres (66 feet) is a good place to start.
· Poke a small hole in the bottom of each cup.
· Thread the string through each cup and tie knots at each end to stop it pulling through the cup (alternatively you can use a paper clip, washer or similar small object to hold the string in place).
· Move into position with you and a friend holding the cups at a distance that makes the string tight (making sure the string isn't touching anything else).
ST.E.M. Websites for More Ideas
· http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/index.html· http://pbskids.org/designsquad/build/
· http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore
· http://summerstem.weebly.com/
· http://www.funology.com/science-experiments/ / · http://www.playdoughtoplato.com/stem-activities-for-kids/
· https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/22-customizable-stem-project-based-learning-activities
· http://www.kidsciencechallenge.com/year-four/teachers_activities.php