Edu News | May 14, 2024
Our Favorite Projects for Summertime STEAM
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.
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ProjectMake 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.
Subject Science
Grades 2-12
Time 30-60 mins
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ProjectNASA 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.
Subject Engineering
Grades 6-12
Time 1-2 hours
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ProjectLook 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.
Subject Science
Grades K-8
Time 1-2 mins/day for 30 days
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ProjectMake 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.
Subject Science
Grades K-12
Time Less than 30 mins
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ProjectMake 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.
Subject Technology
Grades 6-12
Time 2+ hours
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ProjectMake 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.
Subject Engineering
Grades 2-8
Time 30-60 mins
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ProjectMake 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!
Subject Engineering
Grades 4-8
Time Less than 30 mins
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ProjectMake a Paper Glider
Turn a piece of paper into a glider inspired by a NASA design.
Subject Engineering
Grades 3-8
Time 30-60 mins
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ProjectSpace 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!
Subject Engineering
Grades 4-12
Time Less than 30 mins
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ProjectDo a Mineral Mystery Experiment
Dissolve salts in water, then observe what happens when the water evaporates. Now updated with findings from Mars!
Subject Science
Grades 2-12
Time Two sessions of 30-60 mins
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ProjectMake a Moon Crater
Make craters like the ones you can see on the Moon using simple baking ingredients!
Subject Science
Grades 2-8
Time 30-60 mins
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Instructor GuideDesign 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.
Subject Science
Grades 2-8
Time 30-60 mins
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Instructor GuideModeling 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.
Subject Science
Grades 3-5
Time 30-60 mins
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Instructor GuideModel 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.
Subject Science
Grades 6-12
Time 30-60 mins
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!
Explore More
Explore the full collections of guided activities and projects at the links below:-
CollectionOut-of-School Time STEAM
Explore a collection of guided STEAM activities for out-of-school time groups.
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CollectionSummertime 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.
TAGS: K-12 Education, Out-of-School Time, Afterschool, Informal Education, Summer, Resources, Projects, Students, STEAM
