Join CINSAM virtually* for FREE, fun, hands-on STEM activities that you can do in the classroom or right at home! We are excited to join your learning space and guide you and your student(s) through these exciting, educational lessons.
STEM2U lessons are targeted to elementary and middle school grades. Read on to learn more about current and past lessons, and register today!
*Lessons are live and held virtually using Zoom. Recordings of each lesson can be accessed after each meet.
Browse the session menu below for all the winter/spring sessions. You may also download or print this information. This schedule is subject to change. Please check back regularly for updates.
Download or Print the Fall 2022 Schedule & Lesson Details (PDF)
Description:
This lesson will focus as an introduction to Criteria and Constraints and allow students time to focus on the steps of the Engineering Design Process. Students will be following Criteria and Constraints to complete a design challenge.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: MS-ETS1-1 Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
SEP: Asking Questions and Defining Problems: Asking questions and defining problems in 6-8 builds on K-5 experiences and progresses to specifying relationships between variables and clarifying arguments and models.
CCC: Influence of Science, Engineering, and Technology on Society and the Natural World: The uses of technologies and limitations on their use are driven by individual or societal needs, desires, and values; by the findings of scientific research; and by differences in such factors as climate, natural resources, and economic conditions.
Description:
Students will design and build a working lava lamp using specific materials and criteria.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: ETS1-2 Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 3-5 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to include investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World
Description:
Students will design a working Rube Goldberg machine, focusing on incorporating simple machines in the design. The device must drop an item into a cup and contain at least one simple machine.
Materials Needed:
*Supplies may vary per group and what you have available- you can set this up so students must build a device from what you have available within your classroom
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS2-1 Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
SEP: Planning and Carry Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 3-5 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to include investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Cause and Effect: Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified
Description:
Students will design a tractor, pulled by magnets, that will allow Farmer Norse to overcome the Harvest challenges he has faced this year and end his farming year successfully.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS2-4 Define a simple design problem that can be solved by applying scientific ideas about magnets.
SEP: Asking Questions or Defining Problems: Define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.
CCC: Interdependence of Science, Engineering and Technology: Science discoveries about the natural world can often lead to new and improved technologies, which are developed through the engineering design process.
Description:
Students will focus on the strength of triangles in engineering to construct a toothpick bridge that can withstand the most weight.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: ETS1-3 Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 3-5 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to include investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World
Description:
Students will design and build a creature demonstrating how its external structures help it survive.
Materials Needed: Optional materials could include:
Standards Connection:
DCI: LS1-1 Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
SEP: Engaging in Argument from Evidence: Construct an argument with evidence, data, and/or a model.
CCC: Systems and System Models: A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions.
Description:
Students will design and build working parachute candy droppers that will drop Halloween candy to children.
Materials Needed (per group or student):
Standards Connection:
DCI: ETS1-2 Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 3-5 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to include investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World
Description:
Students will work in teams to discover and build structures that demonstrate how engineers construct buildings to survive powerful forces such as earthquakes.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: ETS1-3 Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 3-5 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to include investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World
Description:
Students will design and build a volcano focusing on the physical and chemical changes that occur within the volcano during an eruption.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS1-4 Construct an argument with evidence that some changes caused by heating or cooling can be reversed and some cannot.
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations in K-2 builds on prior experiences and processes to simple investigations.
CCC: Energy and Matter: Objects may break into smaller pieces and be put together into larger pieces or may change shapes.
Description:
Students will design a device to grab ocean pollution from the water.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: ESS3-1 Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
SEP: Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information: Obtain and combine information to explain phenomena or solutions to a design problem.
CCC: Science Addresses Questions About the Natural and Material World: Science findings are limited to questions that can be answered with empirical evidence.
Description:
Students will be challenged to construct a model of the James Webb Telescope and then design a way to pack it and deploy it using only string and tape.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: ETS1-2 Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 3-5 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to include investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World
Description:
Students will design a working model to demonstrate how Earth rotates and revolves in the solar system.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: ETS1-3 Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Plan and conduct an investigation collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence using fair tests.
CCC: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World
Description:
Students will design and build a hand-pollinator using selected materials. The pollinators will compete to see which one can carry the most “pollen” to a flower.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Students will observe first-hand what happens to energy when objects collide on their pinball prototypes. We will use evidence from our observations to answer questions regarding the relationship of the speed of an object and its energy.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Students will learn about the importance and cause of the autumnal equinox. They will then build their own sundial and explore how it works.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Students will work to demonstrate their skills on the greatest cup stacking challenge while adhering to the criteria and constraints given to them. They will also dive into beginner-level unplugged coding!
Materials Needed:
Description:
Students will explore balanced and unbalanced forces while they create balloon-powered cars. Students will get to experience Newton’s third law firsthand as they work to get their car to move.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Dive into Biochemistry with this chromatography challenge! Students will learn to use chromatography to separate colors.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Who doesn’t love pumpkin chunking? Students will design, build, and test their own pumpkin catapults using basic materials and little candy corn pumpkins.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Unsure of what to do with all that extra candy? Donate it to science while learning about physical and chemical changes.
Materials Needed:
Description:
How do computers talk to one another? They transmit information through a code of 0s and 1s called binary. Students will learn about binary code and will create a bracelet of their initials in binary made out of beads.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Ready for an Escape Room challenge? Students will use logic and reasoning to find clues to unlock the State of Matter digital breakout puzzle.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Students will take their tower building skills to new heights with this challenge. Not only will they construct towers with limited materials, but they will have the added challenge of supporting a load-bearing bucket!
Materials Needed:
Description:
Aerodynamics will help you take flight in this lesson when you apply the concepts of drag, thrust, lift, and gravity to your paper airplane designs. Can you build an airplane that will fly the farthest?
Materials Needed:
Description:
Why do we wear coats in the winter? If you put a coat on a snowman, will it melt faster? Students will conduct a scientific experiment to test the impact of insulators on cold objects.
Materials Needed:
Description:
This lesson will focus as an introduction to Criteria and Constraints and allow students time to focus on the steps of the Engineering Design Process. Students will be following Criteria and Constraints to complete a design challenge.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: MS-ETS1-1 Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
SEP: Asking Questions and Defining Problems: Asking questions and defining problems in 6-8 builds on K-5 experiences and progresses to specifying relationships between variables and clarifying arguments and models.
CCC: Influence of Science, Engineering, and Technology on Society and the Natural World: The uses of technologies and limitations on their use are driven by individual or societal needs, desires, and values; by the findings of scientific research; and by differences in such factors as climate, natural resources, and economic conditions.
Description:
Students will design and build a working lava lamp using specific materials and criteria.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: ETS1-2 Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 3-5 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to include investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World
Description:
Students will design a working Rube Goldberg machine, focusing on incorporating simple machines in the design. The device must drop an item into a cup and contain at least one simple machine.
Materials Needed:
*Supplies may vary per group and what you have available- you can set this up so students must build a device from what you have available within your classroom
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS2-1 Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
SEP: Planning and Carry Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 3-5 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to include investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Cause and Effect: Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified
Description:
Students will make observations as ice changes states of matter. Students will manipulate the changes in states of matter with varying substances to determine which causes ice to change states faster.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS1.A Structure and Properties of Matter
PS1.B Chemical Reactions
SEP:
Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Planning and Carry Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
CCC: Energy and Matter
Description:
Designing a device to land on the moon is a tough challenge, but can your students also account for the thrust a design needs to have a safe lunar landing?
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS2.A Forces and Motion
PS2.B Types and Interactions
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
CCC: System and System Models
Description:
The Winter X Games have teamed up with our STEM students to design the fastest and farthest traveling ski jumpers.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS3.A Definitions of Energy
PS3.B Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Energy and Matter
Description:
What better way to learn about powerful magnetic forces than by using them to compete in a Magnetic Maze Showdown!
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS2.A Forces and Motion
PS2.B Types of Interactions
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
CCC: Energy and Matter
Description:
Combine your magnificent engineering skills with your inner artist and watch as the magic unfolds! Students create a bot that will design art!
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS3.A Definitions of Energy
PS3.B Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
CCC: Energy and Matter
Description:
Let’s get rockin’ with hands-on learning about types of rocks, and weathering and erosion!
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
ESS2.A Earth Materials and Systems
ESS2.C The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Patterns
Description:
Students will learn about momentum, forces, gravitational pull and other amazing STEM concepts as they compete in various Minute to Win It STEM challenges.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS2.A Forces and Motion
PS3.A Definitions of Energy
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Energy and Matter
Description:
Feeling lucky enough to catch a leprechaun? Join us as we put engineering to the ultimate test when we design traps to catch the sneaky little leprechauns.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS2.A Forces and Motion
PS2.B Types of Interactions
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Scale, Proportion and Quantity
Description:
Learn about the importance of the Earth’s most precious resource - water! Students will see first-hand how little fresh water there is on Earth and how to create their own filtration system to help clean it.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
ESS3.A Natural Resources
ESS3.C Human Impacts on Earth Systems
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Systems and System Models
Description:
Students will learn about alternative energy sources as they design and build working wind turbines. Students will test various structures within their turbines to create the most effective design.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS3.B Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
ESS3.A Natural Resources
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Cause and Effect
Description:
Students will discover how animals change the land over time and the impact it causes as they design, build and test beaver dams.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
LS2.C Ecosystem dynamics, functioning and resilience
LS2.A Interdependence relationships in ecosystems
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
CCC: Cause and Effect
Description:
While space travel is growing, humans must find a way to live safely on other planets without risking harmful exposure to UV rays. Students will explore designs to keep space travelers safe from direct UV rays.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS4.A Wave Properties
PS4.B Electromagnetic Radiation
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Patterns
