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Our Favorite Projects for Summertime STEAM

Written by Kim OrrMay 14, 2024

Collage of images of activities featured in this article.

We're launching into summer by highlighting 15 of our favorite summertime projects for students, including a Mars student challenge you can do again and again.

Just because the school year is coming to a close doesn't mean student learning has to go on vacation. In fact, with our collections of more than 100 guided out-of-school time activities and student projects that are perfect for summertime, you can find a number of ideas for keeping kids engaged while they learn about STEAM and explore NASA missions and science in the process.

Here are 15 of our favorite summer-worthy activities, plus more ways to engage students in STEAM this summer.

Project.

Make a Scale Solar System

Use beads and string, sidewalk chalk, or your own creative choice of materials to build a scale model of planet sizes or distances in the solar system.

Project.

NASA Space Voyagers: The Game

In this strategy card game, you'll build spacecraft that can explore the Moon, Mars, and other destinations throughout our solar system while withstanding challenges thrown your way.

Project.

Look at the Moon! Journaling Project

Draw what you see in a Moon Journal and see if you can predict the moon phase that comes next.

Project.

Make a Moon Phases Calendar and Calculator

Like a decoder wheel for the Moon, this calendar will show you where and when to see the Moon and every moon phase throughout the year.

Project.

Make and Code a Light-Powered Device

In this challenge, you will build and program a light-powered device that can move to collect as much light as possible while not overheating.

Project.

Make a Paper Mars Helicopter

Build a paper helicopter, then see if you can improve the design like NASA engineers did when making the first helicopter for Mars.

Project.

Make a Straw Rocket

Create a paper rocket that can be launched from a soda straw – then, modify the design to make the rocket fly farther!

Project.

Make a Paper Glider

Turn a piece of paper into a glider inspired by a NASA design.

Project.

Space Origami: Make Your Own Starshade

Make your own model of this folding NASA space technology designed to help capture the first images of planets outside our solar system!

Project.

Do a Mineral Mystery Experiment

Dissolve salts in water, then observe what happens when the water evaporates. Now updated with findings from Mars!

Project.

Make a Moon Crater

Make craters like the ones you can see on the Moon using simple baking ingredients!

Instructor Guide.

Design an Alien

Learners imagine and draw an alien that can survive with traits and environmental conditions that scientists look for in the search for life beyond Earth.

Instructor Guide.

Modeling an Asteroid

Learners imagine and draw an alien that can survive with traits and environmental conditions that scientists look for in the search for life beyond Earth.

Instructor Guide.

Model the Expanding Universe

Students learn about the role of dark energy and dark matter in the expansion of the universe, then make a model using balloons.

This last one is a great option for summer camps and other out-of-school time groups looking to fill their summer programming with STEAM. Explore seven weeks worth of lessons and activities that can be customized to your group's needs and get kids planning and designing their own mission to Mars!

Lesson.

Mission to Mars Student Challenge

Get students exploring Mars with NASA scientists, engineers, and the Perseverance rover as they learn all about STEM and design their very own mission to the Red Planet!

Explore More

Explore the full collections of guided activities and projects at the links below:

Collection.

Out-of-School Time STEAM

Explore a collection of guided STEAM activities for out-of-school time groups.

Collection.

Summertime Projects for Students

Build paper rockets and gliders, make a moon journal, write space poetry and more. These projects are the perfect way to launch into summer.

About the Author

Kim Orr

Content Strategist & Editor, NASA JPL Education

Kim Orr leads content strategy for the Education Office at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Her work includes editing, writing, and design for the JPL Education website, social media channels, newsletter, and other digital communications platforms.