The STEM approach in education emerged to raise individuals capable of solving the complex problems of the 21st-century knowledge society. We want our children and students to be able to solve problems and develop 21st-century skills — but how?

Implementing STEM education starting from the preschool years can be the first step. As a STEM lead teacher and a science teacher with a master’s degree in Educational Technology, I have drawn on my own knowledge and experience to create this series of STEM lesson plans.

We are at the first stage of the series: I have prepared five printable lesson plans designed specifically for preschool children (ages 4–6), ready to be implemented at school, in kindergarten, at activity centers, or even at home.

In each these PDF lesson plans you will find a list of materials and setup instructions, embedded resource links (real and clickable), optional activity extensions, and notes for educators.


1) ๐Ÿงฒ Magnet Detectives: What Will Stick?

A hands-on STEM lesson plan designed for curious little learners! This engaging activity lets kindergarten students explore magnetic and non-magnetic materials through play-based investigation using magnets and hidden objects in sand trays. 

You can download the lesson plan here.



2) ๐ŸŒˆ Rainbow Science: Colors in Action!

Dive into the magic of color with this engaging, hands-on color mixing STEM activity designed especially for young learners! This printable lesson plan guides students through scientific exploration and playful experimentation. 

You can download the lesson plan here.



3) ๐Ÿš€ A Day in Space: Mini Astronauts!

Bring the excitement of space exploration into your classroom with this fun, hands-on STEM lesson plan designed for kindergarten (ages 4–6). Perfect for science centers, space weeks, or anytime your little learners are curious about rockets, planets, or astronauts!

You can download the lesson plan here.




4) ๐Ÿพ Paw Print Detectives: Whose Footprint is This?

Spark curiosity with this engaging activity with STEM-aligned learning goals (Science, Math, Engineering, Technology) designed for kindergarten (ages 4–6). In this printable lesson plan, children explore animal footprints through hands-on activities—observing, matching, sorting, and creating their own stamps. No animal figurines required!

You can download the lesson plan here.



5) ๐Ÿฃ Egg Drop Challenge: Can you save the egg?

This fun and hands-on Egg Drop Challenge is the perfect STEM lesson plan for Pre-K and Kindergarten! Children explore the concept of gravity, experiment with different materials, and design protective landing systems to keep their eggs from cracking. It’s a joyful blend of science, problem-solving, and early engineering — perfect for curious little minds!

You can download the lesson plan here.


For teachers, homeschooling parents, and STEM educators, these easy-to-implement, printable lesson plans require minimal preparation. Don’t forget to stay tuned for the elementary, middle, and high school versions of this series!


Redox Reaction in Action with a Salty Twist!

Ever wondered how everyday materials can create fascinating chemical reactions? In this experiment, we’ll combine copper (II) sulfate and aluminum, and witness a dramatic redox reaction — with a surprising catalyst: table salt! (see how table salt speeds up the reaction!). This reaction is a great way to visualize electron transfer, metal reactivity, and the power of chemistry in action.

๐Ÿ”ฌ Perfect for: High school students, homeschoolers, and science lovers who enjoy safe, hands-on chemistry. 

Why This Experiment Is Great for Students

  • Easy setup with household materials

  • Visual proof of redox chemistry

  • Sparks curiosity and hands-on learning

Whether you’re a science teacher or a parent looking for a creative activity, this experiment is an excitingway to explore real chemistry. 

Discover a fun and safe redox experiment using copper sulfate and aluminum foil! 


๐Ÿ” What Is a Redox Reaction?

Redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions involve the transfer of electrons between substances. In this experiment, aluminum (Al) is oxidized, and copper ions (Cu²⁺) are reduced — and we use table salt to catalyze the process!

๐Ÿ”ฌ Science Behind the Reaction

Here’s what happens in chemical terms:

Word Equation:
Copper (II) sulfate + Aluminum → Aluminum sulfate + Copper
Balanced Chemical Equation:
3CuSO₄ + 2Al → Al₂(SO₄)₃ + 3Cu

  • Aluminum loses electrons (oxidation)

  • Copper ions gain electrons (reduction)

  • Chloride ions (Cl⁻) from table salt speed up the reaction by disrupting the aluminum oxide layer.

What’s Happening? ๐Ÿ”
This is a redox reaction, where aluminum is oxidized (loses electrons) and copper is reduced (gains electrons). The chloride ions (from the table salt) help break down the protective oxide layer on aluminum, making the reaction possible to observe 

๐Ÿงช Materials You'll Need

  • Copper (II) sulfate (CuSO₄)

  • Aluminum foil or plates(Al)

  • Table salt (NaCl)

  • Beaker or glass container

  • Stirring rod

  • Safety goggles 

  • Gloves 

  • Lab coat or apron

Tip: You can find copper sulfate at gardening or aquarium supply stores.


⚠️ Safety First

Always wear safety goggles, gloves, and a lab coat. Avoid skin contact with copper sulfate. Adult supervision is recommended.


Procedure:

  1. Pour 25 grams of copper (II) sulfate and 100ml distilled water into a beaker to prepare a solution 

  2. Add a pinch of table salt (NaCl). This provides chloride ions (Cl⁻) that act as a catalyst in the reaction.

  3. Drop in a piece of aluminum foil or many pieces of small aluminum plates.

  4. Observe the beaker: You’ll notice bubbling, heat release, and a reddish layer forming — that’s pure copper! (Almost)




Conclusion:
This experiment shows how reactivity and redox chemistry go hand in hand. With just a few household items and lab safety in mind, you can bring complex science concepts to life — right in your classroom or kitchen lab.




๐Ÿง  FAQs

Q: Can I reuse the copper formed?
A: You can collect it, but it’s not pure enough for practical reuse.

Q: What age group is this suitable for?
A: Ideal for middle school to high school (12+), with supervision.


Watch This On Youtube




Want more hands-on science?
Stay tuned for more exciting STEM experiments!


If your school has a dark-colored wall, consider transforming it into a chalk-friendly art space. This area can become both a creative outlet and an educational tool—especially when decorated with science-themed illustrations. Drawings of lab equipment, cell structures, or physics formulas can serve as engaging visual aids that spark curiosity and reinforce learning.




I’ve implemented this idea with my own students, and it quickly became a favorite activity. One challenge involved drawing the molecular structure of the “happiness hormone” (serotonin), while another featured a humorous chalkboard note about Avogadro’s number—a concept many students find hard to remember.

One of the most popular pieces we created was a colorful sketch of the DNA double helix. It beautifully linked Chemistry and Biology by illustrating the molecule that carries the genetic instructions of life. The drawing captured the attention of both students and teachers, turning an ordinary wall into a conversation starter and a memorable learning moment.

As the challenges of environmental pollution continue to grow, there is an increasing focus on conserving raw materials and energy. Paper recycling offers a practical and impactful topic for science and STEM education, making it ideal for classroom discussions, student projects, and hands-on assignments.


Consider guiding your students through the steps of the engineering design process during the paper recycling activity. This approach can transform a simple task into a rich, hands-on STEM learning experience.



  • Waste paper is first soaked in water to soften it.
  • The softened pulp is then shaped using a fine-mesh sieve.
  • Food coloring can be added at this stage to give the recycled paper a colorful appearance.
  • Once shaped, the paper is left to dry completely.
  • Finally, the recycled paper is tested by drawing on it and folding it to check its quality and durability.




Recycling paper plays a key role in conserving both energy and natural resources. While large-scale paper recycling is usually carried out in licensed facilities, the basic process can easily be demonstrated in school laboratories—or even at home—as an educational activity.


 

This activity is both easy to prepare and highly engaging for students. It serves as an effective way to introduce the concept of sound tones and is suitable for use during science lessons, extracurricular clubs, or independent project work. One of the strengths of this activity is its accessibility—the required materials are simple and can be readily found at home or in the classroom, making it an inclusive and adaptable option for diverse learning environments.






One of my professors during my master’s program once told us that every teacher should have a box filled with miscellaneous items—popsicle sticks, old tires, scrap paper, marbles, broken toys—anything that might seem useless at first glance. When approached with creativity and curiosity, these everyday objects can be transformed into meaningful teaching tools.

At the school where I worked, we didn’t have a budget for laboratory supplies. This challenge pushed me to think outside the box and look for alternative experiments using only the materials we had on hand. In doing so, I discovered a wide range of unconventional lab activities and creative classroom experiments, many of which I later shared with chemistry teachers across the country.

That experience taught me a powerful lesson: sometimes, limitations aren’t obstacles—they’re opportunities for innovation.


Lewis structures, a fundamental topic in high school chemistry, are also among the most challenging concepts for students to master.


A lack of understanding in this area can lead to difficulties in related topics such as chemical bonding, interactions between species, mixtures, solutions, and VSEPR theory. For this reason, a solid grasp of molecular structures is essential for long-term success in chemistry.


Let me tell you about a creative project one of my students did! I had asked him to complete a chemistry project. He’s a huge fan of Legos, though molecular structures weren’t exactly his strong suit—but he absolutely did an outstanding job.


One of the most important aspects of learning chemistry is becoming familiar with the formulas, systematic names, and common names of frequently used compounds. It is essential for students to learn these compounds, as they will not only encounter them repeatedly in high school chemistry classes but also find them relevant in real-life contexts.







Even unprepared students may feel encouraged to participate, and this can motivate them to come more prepared next time. Adding fun, movement-based challenges for incorrect answers (such as hopping on one foot, singing a song, doing push-ups) can increase both excitement and learning retention. These playful elements can make students eager to play the game again and again.


Whether it’s the teacher or, like in my case, a creative student, anyone can set up this matching game. My student used magnets on the board, but a cork board does the job just fine. The best part? This matching game is highly adaptable and can be easily modified for different subjects beyond chemistry.

 

As all you know, one of the most popular games among young people when they gather is Taboo game.

 In this game, players attempt to get their teammates to guess a target word without using a list of related "forbidden" words. This engaging and interactive game can be easily adapted to the classroom setting and integrated into your lessons to support learning in a fun and meaningful way.





It can serve as a fun and educational activity that boosts student engagement, especially in subjects like biology where mastering a large number of terms is essential. You can also assign students to create their own version of the game as homework or a project, allowing them to reinforce their understanding while developing creativity and collaboration skills.






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