Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – Part II

“How do I encourage my child to engage in STEM activities?

In STEM Part I, we discussed STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) and the growing prominence of such disciplines as physics, software design, trigonometry, and computer programming, as well as its many educational and career opportunities. We would like to share with you fun, hands-on, and interactive activities that will encourage your child to get excited about STEM topics and its concepts through exploratory and engaging experiences.

Elementary School

Fireworks in a Jar: To introduce your child to the properties of water and oil, and their behavior as they come into contact with one another, this simple experiment offers a tangible way to observe the characteristics of solubility. The materials that you need for this experiment can be easily found in your cupboard or kitchen: oil, water, a Mason jar, and food coloring.

Steps:

• Fill the Mason Jar with ¾ of the way full with warm water
• In a separate bowl, combine 3-4 tablespoons of oil and a few drops of different food coloring (red, blue, yellow, and green).
• Gently mix the oil and the food coloring together using a fork.
• Carefully pour the oil and watercolor mixture into the jar.
• Observe what happens when the oil, food coloring, and water mix together. The food coloring will slowing separate from the oil and dissolve into the water. As this happens, each color will expand in the water and start to mix with the other colors.

The food coloring will dissolve in water but not in the oil. Explain to your child the reason for this observation is because the oil is less dense than the water. As a result, the oil will continue to float at the top of the jar. The colored drops, however, are heavier than the oil, and therefore will sink in the water. As it does this, the droplets begin to dissolve and mix into the water, causing an explosion of color resembling those of fireworks.

Sand Volcano: This activity is not only fun for young learners but also a great opportunity to introduce them to the concepts behind a volcanic eruption. Necessary materials that are needed for this experiment include sand, a cup of baking soda, a cup of vinegar, and a sand bucket.

Steps:

• Fill the bucket with sand and continue to pack sand around it until the desired conical and volcanic shape is formed over and around the bucket of sand at the base.
• Pour the cup of baking soda over the top center of the volcano, then pour the desired amount of vinegar over the baking soda at the top of the volcano.
• Observe the bubbling over of the reaction and watch as the volcano erupts.

Seeds to Plants: This hands-on experiment teaches students the biological processes through which a seed germinates and grows into a plant. The necessary materials for this experiment include clear plastic cups, cotton pads, seed packs (consider using green beans, peas, corn, or pumpkin), and a spray bottle filled with water.

Steps:

• Students choose 3 seeds they want to plant.
• Discuss the characteristics of each seed such as shape, size, color, and texture.
• Cut out the bottom of the clear plastic cup until only the circular rim is showing. Then, turn the cup upside down.
• Spray the cotton pad until it is saturated with water.
• Gently place the wet cotton pad on top of the cup.
• Place three different seeds in the middle of the cotton pad.
• Using the water spray bottle, spray the seeds a few times so that they are moist.
• Over the course of 1-2 weeks, observe the transformation and growth that the seeds undergo.

Consider keeping a daily seed journal. Students can draw or sketch the seed based on their daily observations; they can also write a caption describing the physical appearance of the germinating seed.

Middle School

Build Your Own Lava Lamp: This is a fun and simple experiment that encourages students to explore the relationship between different elements in chemistry. Using a clear plastic bottle, water, a tablet of Alka-Seltzer, ½ a cup of vegetable oil, and food coloring, students can create their own lava lamp at home.

Steps:

• Fill the plastic bottle with water.
• Combine the other materials in the plastic bottle.
• Observe what happens to each of the components as they interact with one another.

This is an ideal activity that demonstrates the chemical and physical components of oil and water as they interact.

The Math Behind M&Ms: Using plain M&Ms, students have the opportunity to learn about concepts inherent in math, such as geometry and shapes, volume, and dimensions. This investigation incorporates concepts of geometry as students describe and measure lines, shapes, and distance, and learn about the properties of volume by measuring three-dimensional shapes. The necessary materials include two pieces of paper, Play-Doh or clay, and M$Ms. Students can line up or attempt to stack M&Ms on top of each other. During this experiment, students observe the properties of spherical shapes by recording the diameter and radius of the M&Ms. For more information on this unique experiment, visit http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-mm-geometry/

High School

• Grow Your Own Salad: As an interactive way to engage in life sciences and sustainability, students can create their own garden by growing tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and lettuce. These plants can be grown in the backyard or in separate pots. Through the cultivating process, students will learn the growth cycle of plants and vegetables, and the impact that water, sunlight, soil, and nutrition has on plant growth.
• Egg Drop Challenge: Pose this question to your child: What happens when you drop an egg from ceiling-height? Students can engineer and design a receptacle or vessel that will protect the egg and keep it from breaking when dropped. This project encourages students to be creative and imaginative in their use of materials that will successfully protect the egg.
• Astrology: Students can explore the clear night sky in search of constellations with or without a telescope. Students can locate and study constellations as well as learn about the myths behind them such as Orion’s Belt and the Pleiades Sisters (or the Seven Sisters). Incorporating the Internet, students can use “Sky Map,” a website built by a Google team of amateur astronomers, to help locate planets and stars in the night sky. Also, through NASA’s “Spot the Station” website, students can try to locate the International Space Station.
• Math Mastery: Consider using the website IXL.com, which offers grade-based math problems and activities that are engaging for students while it strengthens their math skills.
• Computer Science: “Scratch” is an exploratory computer science programming platform that provides students with the opportunity to learn basic computer science principles, such as coding.
  

STEM is a part of everyday life. We encourage you to begin seeking summer opportunities where your child can get involved in STEM projects. Perhaps, for younger learners, consider joining a Lego Club or even using building blocks to form architectural creations at home. Isn’t learning FUN?