As the leaves change color and the days grow shorter and school begins again it's the perfect time to dive into some exciting STEM activities that will spark curiosity and creativity! Whether you're just beginning your STEM journey or looking to deepen your skills, "WeAreSTEMGirls" has got you covered with fun and educational activities that you can do at home or with friends. From coding challenges to science experiments, there’s something for every young scientist to enjoy this fall.
Here are fun and easy STEM challenge using common household items:
1. Egg Drop Challenge (Ages 10-15)
Objective: Design a contraption that will protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a height!
What You'll Need:
- A raw egg
- Tape
- Plastic straws, cotton balls, paper towels, or any soft materials
- Plastic bags (optional for parachute effect)
- Scissors
How to Get Started:
- Using the materials provided, create a structure around the egg to cushion it when dropped.
- You can use tape to secure the materials, but the goal is to prevent the egg from cracking upon impact.
- Test your contraption by dropping it from a certain height (start with a table, and then try higher heights like from a staircase or balcony).
- After each drop, check to see if the egg survived. If it cracks, adjust your design and try again!
STEM Skills Learned:
- Physics: Understanding gravity, force, and impact.
- Engineering: Designing and building a protective structure.
- Critical Thinking: Experimenting with different materials and methods to improve your design.
This challenge encourages creative problem-solving while teaching the basics of physics and engineering
2. Autumn Leaf Chromatography (Ages 5-10)
Why do leaves change color in the fall? Discover the hidden colors in leaves by doing a simple chromatography experiment. This activity is perfect for younger STEM girls who love hands-on learning.
What You'll Need:
- Freshly picked leaves
- Coffee filters
- Rubbing alcohol
- Glass jars
- Pencil and tape
How to Get Started:
- Tear the leaves into small pieces and place them in a jar.
- Cover the leaves with rubbing alcohol and let them sit.
- Cut a strip of coffee filter and tape it to a pencil, then place the strip into the jar.
- Watch as the colors from the leaves separate on the filter!
STEM Skills Learned:
- Chemistry: Learn about pigments in leaves, such as chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanins, and how they are separated through the process of chromatography.
- Scientific Observation: Practice careful observation by noting the changes in color as the pigments separate and learn to record and analyze results.
- Botany: Understand why leaves change color in the fall and explore the role of different pigments in plants.
- Experimentation: Develop experimental skills by testing different types of leaves and predicting which colors will appear based on their type.