These STEM projects are designed to introduce grade 1 students to various science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts in a hands-on and engaging way.
36 STEM projects for grade 1, along with a brief description for each week:
Week 1: Building Bridges
Description: Design and construct different types of bridges using various materials such as popsicle sticks, straws, and paper to test their strength and stability.
Week 2: Sink or Float
Description: Explore the concept of buoyancy by experimenting with different objects to determine whether they sink or float in water.
Week 3: Seed Sprouting
Description: Plant different types of seeds and observe their growth over time, learning about the basic needs of plants and the process of germination.
Week 4: Paper Airplanes
Description: Create and test various designs of paper airplanes to understand the principles of flight and aerodynamics.
Week 5: Magnetic Fun
Description: Investigate the properties of magnets by conducting experiments to explore attraction, repulsion, and the concept of magnetic fields.
Week 6: Solar System Model
Description: Build a model of the solar system using foam balls or other craft materials to understand the relative sizes and positions of the planets.
Week 7: Simple Machines
Description: Explore the six simple machines (lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, screw, and wedge) by building and experimenting with working models.
Week 8: Volcano Eruption
Description: Create a volcano model using baking soda and vinegar to simulate an eruption, learning about chemical reactions and the Earth’s geological features.
Week 9: Weather Station
Description: Set up a mini weather station to observe and record daily weather conditions, including temperature, humidity, and precipitation.
Week 10: Coding with Scratch Jr.
Description: Introduce basic coding concepts using Scratch Jr., a visual programming language, to create interactive stories and animations.
Week 11: Static Electricity
Description: Investigate static electricity by conducting experiments with balloons, combs, and different materials to observe and understand the transfer of charges.
Week 12: Animal Adaptations
Description: Research different animals and their adaptations to various environments, and create models or drawings to showcase their unique features.
Week 13: Human Body Senses
Description: Explore the five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell) through hands-on activities and experiments to understand how our bodies perceive the world.
Week 14: Water Cycle
Description: Create a visual representation of the water cycle, including evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, to understand the Earth’s water distribution.
Week 15: Sound Vibrations
Description: Investigate sound vibrations by building musical instruments or conducting experiments with tuning forks and water to explore pitch and frequency.
Week 16: Plant Life Cycle
Description: Learn about the life cycle of plants by observing and documenting the growth stages of a specific plant species from seed to maturity.
Week 17: Robotics with Cubelets
Description: Use Cubelets, modular robotic blocks, to build and program simple robots that can perform various tasks and demonstrate basic robotics concepts.
Week 18: Building a Windmill
Description: Construct a miniature windmill to understand how wind energy can be harnessed and used as a renewable source of power.
Week 19: Animal Habitats
Description: Research different animal habitats and create dioramas or models to showcase the specific characteristics and adaptations of each ecosystem.
Week 20: Geometric Shapes
Description: Identify and explore different geometric shapes in the environment, create artwork using these shapes, and investigate their properties.
Week 21: Circuitry with Snap Circuits
Description: Learn about basic circuitry and electricity by building circuits using Snap Circuits kits to create different electronic projects.
Week 22: Forces and Motion
Description: Investigate forces such as push, pull, friction, and gravity by conducting experiments with ramps, toy cars, and other objects to understand motion.
Week 23: Recycling and Upcycling
Description: Promote environmental awareness by engaging in recycling and upcycling projects, transforming waste materials into useful or creative items.
Week 24: States of Matter
Description: Explore the three states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) through experiments involving melting, freezing, evaporation, and condensation.
Week 25: Butterfly Life Cycle
Description: Study the life cycle of butterflies, from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis and butterfly, by observing and documenting their transformation.
Week 26: Architecture and Structures
Description: Learn about different types of structures and architectural designs, and build models using materials like toothpicks and marshmallows.
Week 27: Astronomy and Constellations
Description: Discover the wonders of the night sky by learning about constellations, their myths, and creating constellation artwork or models.
Week 28: Soil Investigation
Description: Investigate the properties of soil, including texture, color, and composition, and explore the importance of soil for plant growth.
Week 29: Light and Shadows
Description: Explore the behavior of light by experimenting with shadows, reflection, and refraction to understand how light travels and interacts with objects.
Week 30: Renewable Energy
Description: Research different sources of renewable energy such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, and design models or posters to showcase their benefits.
Week 31: Animal Classification
Description: Learn about the classification of animals into different groups (mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish) and create a classification chart or booklet.
Week 32: Sound and Musical Instruments
Description: Investigate sound production and different musical instruments, and create your own homemade instruments to explore pitch and timbre.
Week 33: Weather Forecasting
Description: Learn about weather forecasting by tracking weather patterns, interpreting weather symbols, and presenting daily weather forecasts.
Week 34: Coding with Bee-Bots
Description: Use Bee-Bots, programmable robots, to learn basic coding concepts, algorithms, and sequencing through hands-on activities and challenges.
Week 35: Buoyant Boats
Description: Design and build boats using various materials, testing their buoyancy and load-carrying capacity in water.
Week 36: Electricity and Circuits
Description: Explore electricity and circuits by building simple circuits using batteries, wires, and bulbs, and understanding the flow of electric current.