What is STEM? Activity for Middle School & Upper Elementary
$7.75
What is STEM? Comic and STEM Activity for Middle School and Upper Elementary
Help students answer the question What is STEM? with this engaging comic and hands-on STEM activity that introduces the core principles of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Perfect for upper elementary and middle school learners, this resource uses visual storytelling and real-world connections to build interest and understanding.
Students will read a comic illustrating various aspects of STEM, including careers and problem-solving. They will reflect on the importance of creativity and innovation, and then put their knowledge into action with a low-prep, paper airplane design challenge.
Whether you’re introducing a STEM unit, kicking off a school-wide initiative, or just looking for meaningful STEM activities to boost engagement, this lesson is an ideal way to get your students thinking like scientists and engineers from the start.
The Paper Airplane STEM Activity challenges your learners to apply engineering and design skills to compete in a class competition. As a class, they will brainstorm to create a list of testable paper airplane qualities and then team up to create their best prototype. The activity includes visual, comic-style instructions and a lab sheet.
What is STEM? Comic and Activity contents-
Google Slideshow
- Within the PDF, you will see a link to your own copy of Google Slides
- The content comic is separated into individual slides, making it easy for you to teach the concepts before they plow through reading the comic
- Editable
- Shareable
- Animated
What is STEM? Comic
- Designed to lay the foundational understanding of STEM
- Both color and black-line versions of each
- Easy to print up and deliver to each student
- Doubles as a science anchor chart poster
- Reading the content can be FUN for everyone in your classroom!
Doodle Notes / Guided Notes
- Words are removed from the comics, creating a fill-in-the-blank activity
- Students can follow along as you utilize the Google Slides
- Keeps learners involved in the learning process
- Makes note-taking more enjoyable
- Fun to color
- Glue into interactive notebooks
Extension Worksheet
- Designed to reinforce understanding and touch on STEM careers
- Maintains the comic style
- Another great addition to interactive notebooks
- Can be used as classwork or homework
- Provides additional support
- Still fun to color!
Paper Airplane STEM Activity
- Inquiry-based, hands-on, student-led activity
- The comic lays out the steps using illustrations, making it more approachable to students who avoid reading
- Includes a follow-up lab report worksheet
What is STEM Word Search
STEM Careers Scavenger Hunt
- Students are prompted to conduct research in search of a STEM career for each letter of the alphabet
- They are also expected to describe the career
Career Project
- Build on the scavenger hunt and take a deeper dive into a specific STEM career
- Students have the option to create a slideshow or poster
- The project description page includes questions to help guide learners through the research
One-Pager Comic Template
- Students are challenged to create their own one-pager about STEM
- The one-pager template enables learners to make a comic
- The process of drawing what they have learned will help solidify understanding
Easel Activities
- As many aspects of this lesson as possible will be available in an Easel format (worksheets that involve drawing are omitted)
- Upload assignments directly to your virtual classroom
- Makes it easy to assign make-up work
- Another great option for homework or substitutes
Detailed Lesson Plan
- Step-by-step lesson plan template providing ideas as to how you can utilize this resource
- This resource can have a duration of a week or more
Answer Keys and Rubrics for every aspect of this product that needs one!
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