STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

422 Activities

Curious minds come alive through hands-on STEM exploration. Learners solve problems, build designs, and explore real-world challenges using science, technology, engineering, and math.

Activities

Number Line Run

Leadership and Teamwork, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Number Line Run

PowerUp Fitness

K - 5

10 Minutes

PowerUp Number Line Skills - problem solve across the number line with this math and movement game.

Discover Activity

What Is a Digital Footprint?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Digital Voices

What Is a Digital Footprint?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students create a visual record of their recent online activity to help them see actions that are forming their permanent digital footprints.

Discover Activity

What Can You Hear?

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

What Can You Hear?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students conduct tests of their hearing. First, groups conduct a simple test to check the upper range of their hearing. Then, individuals conduct a second test to identify their complete hearing range. Students then compare and graph the results for their group. Finally, they have the option to conduct additional tests to find out more about their hearing. This activity builds understanding of how the ear works and the frequencies at which humans can hear.

Discover Activity

What’s an Adaptation?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

What’s an Adaptation?

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

50 Minutes

An adaptation is any trait that helps an animal or plant survive in its habitat. Adaptations are helpful only in the habitat for which an animal is adapted. A freshwater newt, used to living in or near water, wouldn’t survive long in the desert.

Diet, behavior, physical anatomy, and even physiology (internal mechanisms), are ways animals adapt to their surroundings. Many living things have evolved unique ways of dealing with the problems of survival. An animal’s adaptations develop over a very long time and can pass to their children, such as an eagle’s keen sense of sight or a hummingbird’s long beak

Discover Activity

Does the Current Climate Change Pose a Threat to Humans?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Does the Current Climate Change Pose a Threat to Humans?

The Nature Conservancy

9 - 12

1 Hour

Students research trends within a state’s climate and determine how those trends will impact humans.

Discover Activity

Drawing a New Invention (Grades 6-8)

Arts in Action, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Drawing a New Invention (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students brainstorm an invention that can be used in everyday life. They make a detailed drawing of their invention, including labels and descriptions, and then share their invention idea with the group.

Discover Activity

Evaluate a Business Idea (Grades 6-8)

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

Evaluate a Business Idea (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Entrepreneurs evaluate their business plans to make sure that they are devoting their time wisely and investing their money wisely as well. In many cases, seeking other people's opinions about their plans is a smart decision. These opinions might identify opportunities or drawbacks the entrepreneur had not considered. In today's activity, students will learn about several start-up ideas from their peers. Finally, they will conduct SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analyses about the business ideas and then apply the technique to evaluate their ideas.

Discover Activity

S.INQ Sound: Sound Travels

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

S.INQ Sound: Sound Travels

OregonASK

K - 5

30 Minutes

In this lesson, students will use a tuning fork and place it on different objects in order to find out through which material sound travels best, and through which material sound doesn’t travel well. These experiments in sound conductivity will help them visualize sound as a wave that travels through matter as a vibration.

Discover Activity

Farm to Table 3: Prototype Build

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Arts in Action

Farm to Table 3: Prototype Build

OregonASK

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students build the kitchen/farm inventions they created.

This is part 3 of 6 in a series. Start this series with “Farm to Table 1: Prototype Brainstorm” and “Farm to Table 2: Prototype Selection.” To take learning further after this activity, proceed to “Farm to Table 4: Prototype Test & Modify,” “Farm to Table 5: Prototype Naming” and Farm to Table 6: Prototype Share”

Discover Activity

Area Dice

Stories and Perspectives, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Area Dice

After-School All-Stars

6 - 12

15 Minutes

Students practice multiplication and visualizing area spaces with this fun math game.

Discover Activity

How Well Can You See?

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

How Well Can You See?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students conduct several eye tests. First, groups conduct a simple test to check their visual acuity. Then individuals conduct several online tests. Each person conducts the test twice under different conditions to compare the results. This activity builds understanding of how vision tests work and the differences in how people see.

Discover Activity

Guess the Function

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Guess the Function

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Math students often struggle to understand the concept of a function and to use function notation. In this activity, students are introduced to functions by playing a simple guessing game, generating functions of their own, and interpreting the functions of others.

Discover Activity

Number Line Run

Leadership and Teamwork, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Number Line Run

PowerUp Fitness

K - 5

10 Minutes

PowerUp Number Line Skills - problem solve across the number line with this math and movement game.

Discover Activity

What Is a Digital Footprint?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Digital Voices

What Is a Digital Footprint?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students create a visual record of their recent online activity to help them see actions that are forming their permanent digital footprints.

Discover Activity

What Can You Hear?

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

What Can You Hear?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

What’s an Adaptation?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

What’s an Adaptation?

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

50 Minutes

Discover Activity

Does the Current Climate Change Pose a Threat to Humans?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Does the Current Climate Change Pose a Threat to Humans?

The Nature Conservancy

9 - 12

1 Hour

Students research trends within a state’s climate and determine how those trends will impact humans.

Discover Activity

Drawing a New Invention (Grades 6-8)

Arts in Action, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Drawing a New Invention (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Evaluate a Business Idea (Grades 6-8)

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

Evaluate a Business Idea (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

S.INQ Sound: Sound Travels

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

S.INQ Sound: Sound Travels

OregonASK

K - 5

30 Minutes

Discover Activity

Farm to Table 3: Prototype Build

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Arts in Action

Farm to Table 3: Prototype Build

OregonASK

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students build the kitchen/farm inventions they created.

Discover Activity

Area Dice

Stories and Perspectives, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Area Dice

After-School All-Stars

6 - 12

15 Minutes

Students practice multiplication and visualizing area spaces with this fun math game.

Discover Activity

How Well Can You See?

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

How Well Can You See?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Guess the Function

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Guess the Function

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Collections

How to Grow Dahlias

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

5 Activities

How to Grow Dahlias

Farm to Table Kids

3 - 8

6 Hours 50 Minutes

“How to Grow Dahlias: A Full-Season Garden Guide”

Once your learners know “Things to Know Before You Grow,” it’s time to dig into the garden and get their hands dirty with one of the most beloved and magical plants of all—dahlias! In this joyful, in-depth module, youth follow the full life cycle of a dahlia, from inspecting tubers in spring to harvesting show-stopping blooms, and finally saving those tubers for next season’s magic. Along the way, they’ll learn how to identify healthy tubers, prep and plant with confidence, care for their plants organically, and participate in the fall tradition of cutting back, dividing, and overwintering their garden’s gold.

The “How to Grow Dahlias” collection includes five hands-on lessons and a library of interactive worksheets, journal pages, and planting-day checklists—plus several engaging “how-to” videos from Farmer Steph herself. Whether you’re growing dahlias in a schoolyard bed or in containers on a sunny windowsill, this module turns your classroom into a bloom-filled lab where kids learn to nurture life, track seasonal change, and celebrate every stage of the growing cycle.

By the end of this series, students won’t just grow flowers—they’ll grow confidence, observation skills, and a lifelong appreciation for the natural beauty they helped bring to life.

Discover Collection

S.INQ Invisible Forces

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

8 Activities

S.INQ Invisible Forces

OregonASK

K - 5

10 Hours

S.INQ Invisible Forces explores state, magnetic, and other invisible forces that youth can engage with simple materials. This curriculum offers activities that guide youth through STEM concepts using the engineering design process. Every lesson includes time for brainstorming and reflection and allows ample opportunity for hands-on exploration.

Discover Collection

Indicator Species

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Belonging and Community, The Natural World

3 Activities

Indicator Species

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

2 Hours

Indicator species are integral to evaluating the health of ecosystems. They are early indicators of changing environmental conditions that may prove detrimental to other species in the same region. Insects, including dragonflies, are climate sensitive species since much of their growth and development depends on temperature.

In this lesson, students will learn about dragonflies as indicators of climate change. They will become familiar with the life cycle of a dragonfly, learn to identify different species of dragonflies, and assess dragonfly biodiversity. At each of these learning milestones, students will engage in a discussion about how rapid changes in climate conditions can be detrimental not only to dragonflies but to the success and survival of wildlife around the world.

Discover Collection

American History: Elevating Black Voices (K-2)

Leadership and Teamwork, Arts in Action, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Stories and Perspectives, We The People

13 Activities

American History: Elevating Black Voices (K-2)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

9 Hours 10 Minutes

The American History: Elevating Black Voices Collection is a weekly, hands-on playlist that helps young learners explore how stories, creativity, problem-solving, and leadership shape communities and American history. Through engaging texts, Innovator Trading Cards, and theme-based activities in literacy, STEM, the arts, and teamwork, students discover lesser-known Black Americans whose voices and ideas have made a lasting impact. Each week introduces a new theme that strengthens early reading skills, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking, while giving learners multiple opportunities to apply their understanding through play and exploration. Designed for easy facilitation and joyful learning, this playlist shows that innovation takes many forms—and that every voice matters.

For a consistent learning experience, it is recommended that this collection be completed in the sequence outlined below. This allows learners to apply the weekly themes from the Innovator Playing Cards through supplementary activities.

Week 1: Storytelling and Voice

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

New End to the Story

Round Robin Storytelling

Animal Interviews

Week 2: Inventing and Problem Solving

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Balanced Mobile

Sound on a String

Mechanical Engineering Tops

Week 3: Creativity and Expression

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Masquerade Masks

Music and Rhythm (Grades k-2)

Creative Play Design Challenges

Week 4: Leadership and Change

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Playing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

People Bingo

What is a Quality

Discover Collection

Setting Up Science Notebooks

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

4 Activities

Setting Up Science Notebooks

California Academy of Sciences

K - 12

3 Hours 30 Minutes

This collection of activities helps students set up science notebooks for the beginning of your science lessons for the year, semester, term, or week. By learning to establish systems, organize information, and sketch like a scientist, students learn and practice processes of analysis, note-taking, and scientific inquiry.

Discover Collection

Urban Runoff: Solving the Issue of Impact

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

5 Activities

Urban Runoff: Solving the Issue of Impact

The Nature Conservancy

9 - 12

6 Hours

Youth evaluate the design of outside spaces to determine whether the space is set to contribute or minimize runoff – a climate issue, especially in urban areas. They design a solution to uncover design flaws with green infrastructure.

Discover Collection

S.INQ Mechanical Engineering

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

6 Activities

S.INQ Mechanical Engineering

OregonASK

K - 5

4 Hours

This set of lessons will prepare teachers to explore mechanical engineering with their students using Engineering Design Grids. Simple materials like cardboard and rubber bands provide the power to build and test tops, vehicles, catapults, and safety devices in the classroom. Students will be exposed to mechanical engineering, and how they brainstorm, build, test, and modify devices with moving parts.

Discover Collection

Learning Scientific Sketching

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

4 Activities

Learning Scientific Sketching

California Academy of Sciences

3 - 12

4 Hours

This collection of activities teaches students how to sketch like scientists. Students learn techniques for observation, data collection, and analysis. After learning and practicing these introductory sketching techniques, they will then be able to confidently use their skills for scientific inquiry.

Discover Collection

Caring for Urban Forests

Belonging and Community, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

3 Activities

Caring for Urban Forests

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

2 Hours

Our local ecosystems provide many ecosystem services that endow us with resources, opportunities for recreation and cultural expression, and support the safety quality of life for all living things, including humans. Street trees perform a number of ecosystem services for both humans and wildlife. They filter our air, provide passive cooling and heating, capture carbon, take up storm water (a vital aspect in cities prone to flooding due to climate change— see our Sustainable Cities module for more information on this topic), reduce noise, provide food, shelter, and provide abundant beauty.

In this module, students will learn about each type of ecosystem service: Provisioning, Regulating, Cultural, and Supporting, and research the ways they are being threatened in their local communities. They will also participate in air temperature to better understand the ecosystem services trees provide which are especially important in urban environments. This research will conclude with a service learning opportunity in which students will restore tree beds.

Discover Collection

How to Grow Dahlias

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

5 Activities

How to Grow Dahlias

Farm to Table Kids

3 - 8

6 Hours 50 Minutes

“How to Grow Dahlias: A Full-Season Garden Guide”

By the end of this series, students won’t just grow flowers—they’ll grow confidence, observation skills, and a lifelong appreciation for the natural beauty they helped bring to life.

Discover Collection

S.INQ Invisible Forces

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

8 Activities

S.INQ Invisible Forces

OregonASK

K - 5

10 Hours

Discover Collection

Indicator Species

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Belonging and Community, The Natural World

3 Activities

Indicator Species

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

2 Hours

Discover Collection

American History: Elevating Black Voices (K-2)

Leadership and Teamwork, Arts in Action, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Stories and Perspectives, We The People

13 Activities

American History: Elevating Black Voices (K-2)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

9 Hours 10 Minutes

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

New End to the Story

Round Robin Storytelling

Animal Interviews

Week 2: Inventing and Problem Solving

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Balanced Mobile

Sound on a String

Mechanical Engineering Tops

Week 3: Creativity and Expression

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Masquerade Masks

Music and Rhythm (Grades k-2)

Creative Play Design Challenges

Week 4: Leadership and Change

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Playing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

People Bingo

What is a Quality

Discover Collection

Setting Up Science Notebooks

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

4 Activities

Setting Up Science Notebooks

California Academy of Sciences

K - 12

3 Hours 30 Minutes

Discover Collection

Urban Runoff: Solving the Issue of Impact

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

5 Activities

Urban Runoff: Solving the Issue of Impact

The Nature Conservancy

9 - 12

6 Hours

Discover Collection

S.INQ Mechanical Engineering

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

6 Activities

S.INQ Mechanical Engineering

OregonASK

K - 5

4 Hours

Discover Collection

Learning Scientific Sketching

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

4 Activities

Learning Scientific Sketching

California Academy of Sciences

3 - 12

4 Hours

Discover Collection

Caring for Urban Forests

Belonging and Community, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

3 Activities

Caring for Urban Forests

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

2 Hours

Discover Collection

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Library

Categories Collaborators Explore All Activities All Collections

Community

Our Story Team Mizzen Events The Mizzen Minute

Engage

Newsroom Contact Us

Account