STEM Challenges

The STEM Challenges collection features engaging, week-long projects that immerse students in real-world problem solving and collaborative design. Each challenge includes a video introduction, teacher-led slideshow, detailed lesson plans, and a guided student notebook to support brainstorming, testing, and reflection. Using inexpensive materials and aligned to TEKS and NGSS standards, these challenges encourage creativity, perseverance, and accountability as students design, revise, and share their solutions.

STEM Challenge - Project A Touch of Nature - Water Cycle in a Bottle - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project All Abuzz - Design a Pollinator Garden - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project All Hands On Deck - Design an Artificial Hand - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Arches - Protect Geologic Arches from Damage - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Big, Bigger, Biggest - Design Scale Models of Redwoods - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Birdman - Design a Bird Beak for a Feeding Frenzy - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Bring on the Sun - Build a Soda Can Solar Heater - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Clean It Up - Create a Water Purifier - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Create a Home - Build a Prototype Birdhouse - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Crystal Clear - Identify a Mystery Mineral - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Drift Away - Create a Continental Drift Model - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Dry Bones - Create a Model Skeleton - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Electric - Design a System to Harness Wave Energy - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Environmental Remediator - Clean Up an Oil Spill - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Explore Mars - Create a Space Probe for a MARS Mission - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Face the Music - Build Musical Instruments - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Far Out - Make a Lava Lamp - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project How Does Your Garden Grow? - Design a Strawberry Garden - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Hurricane Defender - Build a Hurricane Proof House - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project I Lava You - Rebuild After A Volcano - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project In the Mist - Design a Gorilla Research Enclosure - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Inhabit Mars - Build a Landing Device for Mars - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Keys to the Kingdom - Create a Button Dichotomous Key - Grades 6-8

STEM Challenge - Project Last Dance - Design a Prairie Chicken Research Enclosure - Grades 6-8

2021 TEKS 5E Lessons: 4th Grade Earth Science Bundle

2021 TEKS 5E Lessons: 4th Grade Life Science Bundle

2021 TEKS 5E Lessons: 4th Grade Physical Science Bundle

2021 TEKS 5E Lessons: 5th Grade Earth Science Bundle