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Top STEM Competitions – Could Your Student Be the Next Winner?
- 16 January //
- Posted in Teaching Resources //
- Tags : competitions, contests, math, science, STEM
- Comments Off on Top STEM Competitions – Could Your Student Be the Next Winner?
Engaging in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) competitions offers students invaluable opportunities to apply their knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, become effective problem-solvers of real-world solutions, and ignite a passion for innovation. These contests not only enhance academic learning but also prepare students for future careers in STEM fields. Below is a list of top STEM competitions, categorized by educational level, along with essential considerations for participation.
Because contests and competitions are a great way to encourage and benefit students in STEM subjects, it’s a valuable tool in inspiring students to pursue careers in STEM-related fields – of which there is a major shortage. Quality competitions are therefore key in providing students with hands-on practice and application of core STEM concepts.
Before we dive into our list of the top STEM competitions by age group, here are a few considerations to think about:
Considerations Before Participating in STEM Competitions:
- Curriculum Alignment: Ensure the competition complements your educational objectives and standards. Do you have the classroom time to devote to working with students and their entries? If not, consider starting a school club dedicated to the project.
- Cost: Evaluate any associated expenses, including materials and potential travel. Many competitions do not cost anything, other than time. Others require the purchase or donation of materials. Still others require travel and associated expenses. Determine your budget prior to selecting a competition to avoid disappointing students if funding is not available. In the case where funding is not available, give the students the opportunity to brainstorm fundraising ideas.
- Timeline: Confirm that the competition’s schedule aligns with your academic calendar. Each competition will have a set of competition guidelines. In addition, some will require registration well before the submission deadline. Make sure that the timeline works with your teaching schedule so that students have ample time to complete quality projects they’re proud of.
Individual vs. Team Participation: Decide whether to compete individually or as part of a team, based on the competition’s structure. Remember, science is collaborative, and so are many STEM competitions. You’ll need to make a call on whether it’s best for your students to compete individually, in small teams, or as a class, and then select a competition that fits those needs.
STEM Competitions for Multiple Age Groups
American Computer Science League (ACSL)
- American Computer Science League (ACSL): An international competition that challenges students from grades K-12 to solve computer science and programming problems. Divisions are based on age and experience, covering topics like Number Systems, Boolean Algebra, and Digital Electronics. Languages used include Python, C++, and Java. An added benefit is that the competition is also online.
VEX Robotics Competition
- VEX Robotics Competition: A game-based engineering competition where student teams design and build robots. Divided into divisions such as Full Volume for grades 4-8 and Over Under for grades 9-12. The competition is an ideal environment for honing skills through the Teamwork Challenge to maximize scores, Robot Skills Challenge where you race against the clock, and STEM Research Project where students use the scientific method to research and solve a challenge.
ExploraVision Competition
- ExploraVision: The National Science Teachers Association and Toshiba ask small teams of K-12 students to envision what a current technology will look like in the future. The ExploraVision competition has refocused over the past several years to align with Next Generation Science Standards. The format of the competition is great, because it teaches students academic methods for presenting information. For example, students are required to submit an Abstract, detailed description meeting the requirements of sub-categories, a Bibliography, and Sample Web Pages.
FIRST Robotics Competition
- FIRST Robotics is the perfect competition if your students have an interest in robotics. With school teams and clubs worldwide, hundreds of thousands of students grades K-12 from countries all over the world participate annually in hands-on mentor-based robotics programs and competitions. It’s split into different age groups, with grades Pre-K to 8th taking part in the LEGO league, grades 7-12 taking part in the Tech Challenge, while older students in grades 9-12 can participate in the Robotics Competition. Winners gain access to substantial scholarships.
Science Olympiad
- Science Olympiad: Founded in 1984, this time-tested competition remains as popular as ever. Science Olympiad competitions take place in all fifty states of the US and are open to students in grades 6 – 12. Tournaments focus on teamwork and consist of standards-based challenges. Become part of the 6,000 teams today by checking out the latest rules.
American Rocketry Challenge Competition
- American Rocketry Challenge: What won’t students love about building rockets? Packet with a host of STEM skills, this competition is the perfect opportunity to get students excited to improve their designs and excel. The America Rocketry Challenge is open to middle and high school students, who take part in designing, building, and flying rockets complete with “astronaut” eggs. What’s great about this competition is that categories extend beyond just building a rocket, with Marketing Competitions and Presentation Competitions also honing valuable skills needed in STEM fields. With over 5,000 students participating in previous years, it’s proof that this competition is wildly fun and rewarding ($100,000 in prizes doesn’t hurt either!).
Technology Student Association Competition
- Technology Student Association: The TSA is all about developing leadership and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and one of the mechanisms they achieve this is through competitions. They have a whole host to browse, depending on age and grade and the format varies to span hands-on design challenges, multiple choice questions, and an essay based around an annual theme. For example this year’s high school division offers Engineering Design, Technology Problem-solving, and Video Game Design. Check out the TSA website for more information.
EngineerGirl Essay Contest
- EngineerGirl Essay Content: Each fall the site posts an engineering-related prompt for students grades 3 – 12 to write about. Despite the name, the content is open to all students in grades 3 – 12, not just girls! This year, the prompt is to write about the lifecycle of an object that you use in your daily life.
Future City Competition
- Future City is a competition aimed at encouraging students to think about and solve real-world problems using cross-curricular skills to bring STEM to life! With climate change and sustainability being at the center of attention, and a point of anxiety for many youth, the competition hinges on a single question: “How can we make the world a better place?” This year’s theme is to conceptualise and design a 100% electrically powered city with energy generated from green sources. Students participate from all over the world and barriers to entry are low, with the entire program able to be completed for less than $100.
Game-a-Thon Competition
- Game-a-thon: Kids love games, so why not put them in the driver’s seat and have them create a card or board game? With Game-a-thon, cards, dice, and board games make for creative, hands-on learning. In this competition, students create games based on math concepts and submit videos of their games in action. The website has loads of examples from previous years for inspiration.
Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Competition
- Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS): The Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most esteemed science competition, invites high school seniors to participate in a unique and prestigious opportunity. To enter, students must undertake an original independent research project, supplementing their applications with recommendation letters and transcripts. Notably, 13 alumni of this competition have gone on to win the Nobel Prize—an impressive testament to its caliber. The competition is open to any senior-year high school student with the chance to win significant financial prizes and the opportunity for young scientists to showcase their groundbreaking work.
Other Competitions of Interest
- American Geosciences Institute Contests – In honor of October’s Earth Science Week, the AGI offers several annual contests for kids that celebrate Earth through visual arts, a nice option to support STEAM curriculums.
- MOEMS – This Math Olympiad for students in grades 4 – 8, allows students to compete in teams of up to 35 via an online monthly math test.
Elementary School STEM Competitions
- Science Olympiad Elementary Division: Offers young students the chance to engage in various science-related events, fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills.
STEM Competitions for Middle School Students
- National Science Bowl: A nationwide academic competition that tests students’ knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics.
- Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge – In this competition, students in grades 5 – 8 create videos on unique solutions to everyday problems. Multiple levels of prizes are given, including a grand prize worth thousands of dollars.
- MATHCOUNTS – Each four-student middle school team creates a video that teaches the solution to and a real-world application of a math problem selected from the MATHCOUNT’s handbook. MATHCOUNTS also offers “bee” style competitions and club programs.
- eCYBERMISSION – This web-based competition, sponsored by the U.S. Army, is for teams of students in grades 6 – 9 and focuses on real-life applications of STEM.
STEM Competitions for High School Students
- SourceAmerica Design Challenge – High school students innovate workplace technologies that diminish obstacles standing between people with disabilities and employment opportunities.
- Google Science Fair – Students 13-18 perform in-depth investigations of real-world problems in this competition that awards many prizes in different age categories.
- Imagine Cup – Microsoft’s Imagine Cup challenges high school students worldwide to create software applications that help resolve some of the world’s most challenging problems.
- Mathworks Math Modeling (M3) Challenge – A free, internet-based math challenge for juniors and seniors that addresses a real-world problem. The competition offers numerous scholarships to top-placing teams.
- Clean Tech Competition – Individuals and small student groups research, design, and produce papers around a real-world environmental theme that integrates eco-friendly energy sources.
- Regeneron Science Talent Search – Billed as the oldest U.S. science and math competition, this one is limited to high school seniors who submit original science research. The top 300 entries earn cash prizes and finalists will go on to compete for a huge cash prize.
- Math Prize for Girls – This is a competitive math prize for high school girls, held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology each fall. Only 300 students will be selected to compete and applicants must take an American Mathematics Competition exam prior to applying for this competition.
Other Competitions of Interest:
- Science Olympiad Division C: Allows high school students to compete in a variety of science and engineering events at regional, state, and national levels.
- American Regions Mathematics League (ARML): A comprehensive mathematics contest consisting of multiple rounds, including team, individual, and relay rounds.
- Congressional App Challenge: A public challenge where high school students ideate, code, and build their own apps, with winning apps eligible to be featured in the Capitol Building.
- Junior Science and Humanities Symposium: A STEM competition where students present their original scientific research to judges and peers, with scholarships awarded at regional and national levels.
This is just a sampling of the many STEM competitions available. Many students also participate in local and regional science fairs that allow students to conduct and present authentic research and potentially compete at the national level in competitions like the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and Broadcom MASTERS. However, most students will not win a national competition, so before entering students in a competition, consider the intrinsic value of participation. Look for well-organized competitions that offer clearly defined rules and judging criteria, as well as constructive feedback for all participants.
Remember to check out Help Teaching’s collection of science worksheets and online lessons to support your science teaching needs. If you enjoyed reading this article, try our Ultimate Guide to Teaching Science.
Fun Daily Activities for Earth Science Week
- 1 October //
- Posted in For Parents, Teaching Resources //
- Tags : activities for children, earth science, STEM
- Comments Off on Fun Daily Activities for Earth Science Week

Earth Science Week is October 13-19, and it is the perfect time to show our appreciation for our home planet! With our Activities for Earth Science WEek, each day of the week focuses on specific geoscience-themed celebrations. To help you and your students partake in this year’s events, we have put together a list of activities for each day of Earth Science Week.
Activities for Earth Science Week
Contests
STEM contests and competitions are a fun way to engage students in learning. The American Geosciences Institute offers several contests as part of Earth Science Week. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade may enter a visual arts contest, while an essay contest is open to students in sixth through ninth grade, and a photography contest and a video contest are open to all ages.
International EarthCache Day – Sunday
What better way to kick of Earth Science Week than with a scavenger hunt? EarthCaching is geocaching with a geoscience twist. Gather the kids, their phones or any portable devise with GPS technology, and head outdoors to find some educational treasures.
EarthCaching – An Educator’s Guide
The EarthCaching Educator’s Guide, put out by the Geological Society of America, provides all the background information, tips, and lesson plans required for parents and teachers to get their students started with earthcaching.
EarthCache Listings
Ready to find an earthcache? Visit geocaching.com to locate a nearby earthcache.
Earth Science Literacy Day – Monday
Earth Science Literacy Day focuses on the “Big Ideas” that we should all understand about earth science. Start by watching the Big Idea videos by the American Geosciences Institute. Then, why not take the opportunity to hook children on learning about our planet through reading? Below are a few of our favorite fiction books that feature geoscience themes. Most of these books complement Big Idea 6: Life Evolves on Earth and Big Idea 8: Natural Hazards Affect Humans!
Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp by Carol Diggory Shields
Young children will enjoy the creative rhyming and variety of dinosaurs dancing it up at the dinosaur stomp. Adults will enjoy the way geologic time is interwoven throughout this rollicking story.
Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne
The beloved Magic Tree House series begins in the prehistoric past with Dinosaurs Before Dark. Early readers that have already started the series can skip the later geo-themed books, Vacation Under the Volcano or Earthquake in the Early Morning.
I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79 by Lauren Tarshis
Older elementary students who are fans of adventure and historical fiction will flip through the pages of this story about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Related books in this series include, I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 and I Survived the Joplin Tornado, 2011.
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
What better way to appreciate what the earth’s surface offers us than to take it away? Middle school readers will want to keep the lights on and find out what happens when the power goes out in the underground city of Ember.
Ashfall by Mike Mullin
High school students who enjoy disaster fiction will be drawn into the post-apocalyptic world of Ashfall. However, in this novel, the force that destroys the earth as we know isn’t aliens or governments, it’s our very own Yellowstone supervolcano.
No Child Left Inside Day – Tuesday
Time to go outside! Geoscience happens outdoors, so take advantage of this day and get your students and children outside with these activities.
Outdoor Education Stations
Coordinate an outdoor geoscience activity with a local earth science organization or setup education stations in your own backyard or school grounds.
Every Kid in a Park
If you teach or know any fourth grade students, take this day to get them signed up for the Every Kid in a Park program. The pass allows all U.S. fourth grade and home-school equivalent students and their families to visit hundreds of national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges for free. Bonus, the pass is good through the end of August, making it the perfect motivational tool for getting outside all year long!
Earth Observation Day – Tuesday
Take advantage of Earth Observation Day by engaging your students in practical applications of Earth Science data. Introduce your students to remote sensing with one of these lessons or activities or connect with a remote sensing scientist. Visit the Earth Observation Day website to get started!
National Fossil Day – Wednesday
If you are fortunate enough to have fossils on hand for students to examine, then today is the day to do so! If not, don’t worry, students can still participate in National Fossil Day with these activities.
Online Fossil Activities
Take students on an interactive adventure to the past without leaving the classroom with the Fossil Mysteries interactive. View fossils on exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History with the NMNH virtual tour. Explore online paleontology games and activities from the American Museum of Natural History. Try our free Fossils online lesson too.
Art and Photography Contest
Get creative by entering the National Fossil Day Art Content. The winning submission for each age group will be featured on the official National Fossil Day website.
Geoscience for Everyone Day – Thursday
How do we manage our mineral resources? Can we predict natural hazards? Could we survive on Mars? These are all issues geoscientists grapple with on a daily basis. Geoscience for Everyone Day is set aside for students to learn about geoscience careers.
Career Exploration
Allow your student to explore future career paths today. Science Buddies offers a great collection of job overviews and education and training information for those interested in Earth and Environmental Science careers. PBS’ Dragonfly TV features videos about Real Scientists, including an ocean scientist, meteorologist, marine geologist, and paleontologist.
Geologic Map Day – Friday
Geologic Map Day is dedicated to the important role geologic mapping plays in society. Geologic maps tell us much more than the location of roads and landmarks. Instead, they tell us about the history of the earth below our feet – the types of rocks and their ages, fault lines, and folds, all essential information for land-use planning.
Learn About Geologic Maps
For those unfamiliar with geologic maps, a primer is in order. Start by reading the Geologic Maps site by the US Geological Survey and the National Parks Service, then, explore the One Geology Portal.
Interpret a Geologic Map
Get hands-on and try interpreting a geologic map. Okay, it’s not quite that simple, but there are some excellent tools and lessons available. Start with the Visible Geology interactive, What’s Under My Feet, Geologic Maps and Groundwater, or Geologic Maps & Earthquakes.
International Archaeology Day – Saturday
Earth Science Week wraps up with International Archaeology Day, the perfect opportunity for families to experience the real-world intersection of geoscience and history.
Attend an Archaeology Day Event
The Archaeological Institute of America’s website has an interactive map and searchable database of Archaeology Day events happening around the world. Chances are there is a family-friendly tour, open house, fair, or exhibit near you.
Join a Dig!
Some archaeological sites allow volunteers to join in the dig free of charge. Search for potential volunteer opportunities here. If you and your students can’t participate in a dig, then go virtual with InteractiveDigs.com.
Looking for more ways to learn about planet Earth? Visit HelpTeaching.com and try our free Earth Science printables and lessons.
10 Activities to Celebrate World Oceans Day
- 1 June //
- Posted in Teaching Resources //
- Tags : activities for children, summer activities, world oceans day
- Comments Off on 10 Activities to Celebrate World Oceans Day
Each year on June 8th, we observe World Oceans Day to draw attention to how important our planet’s seas and oceans are to life and livelihoods. Did you know, for example, that the up to 50% of our oxygen comes from the ocean? And if you thought rainforests were the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, think again – it’s actually our oceans, which makes sense since they cover 70% of the Earth’s surface.
So this World Oceans Day, help your students understand just how important it is to protect it, sustainably use its resources, and how we can benefit from learning more about it. So put on a blue shirt and forge ahead with these ten fun ways to celebrate World Oceans Day with your class or family.
1. Skipper Your Crew to a World Oceans Day Event
Check out World Ocean Day’s website to find out what events are going on in your area. You can also list your own events and learn more about youth initiatives. From art contests to film festivals to hands-on exhibits, there are ocean activities taking place around the world and students can discover a whole community of passionate youth working to protect our oceans for future generations.
2. “Fish are Friends, Not Food”
Who doesn’t love battered or crumbed fish, juicy mussels, moreish shrimp, and the versatility of tuna? Did you know that the oceans are the main source of protein for a billion people around the world? That puts enormous pressure on fish stocks, the majority of which are overfished and in their populations in decline.
While this can all sound pretty depressing, you can teach students how to make informed decisions as consumers and teach their families how to be ocean warriors using their wallets at stores and restaurants. Discover which fish are the most eco-friendly to buy and consume. You can then do this worksheet on ocean zones so students know where the fish they buy is coming from.
3. Say No to Plastic
Plastics are one of the biggest threats to ocean health and one of the easiest things to change from a lifestyle perspective. Each year, trillions of pieces of plastic enter the world’s river systems and water ways and end up in the oceans. They slowly gather into gyres, some of which are bigger than the state of Texas.
Plastics in the oceans aren’t just a hazard to its inhabitants that eat it or get tangled up in it, but they break down into micro-plastics which then enter the food chain and we humans end up eating!
This year, teach your students about the impact of single-use plastics, like drinking straws and packaging, and the importance of recycling and responsibly disposing plastic. When done, you can then organize a beach clean up. If the ocean is too far away from you, remember, plastics can travel for hundreds of miles before entering the oceans, so even a plastic clean-up along rivers, streams, or your community will benefit the oceans.
4. Ocean Explorers
It’s much easier to protect something when you’ve got a connection to it. Google has an amazing feature called Google Ocean in which you can explore the vast waters much like street view has changed the way we explore areas of land. Discover images, locations, and other media with this this stunning collection.
If you’re able to, set your bearings to your local aquarium. Students of all ages will enjoy viewing and interacting with the amazing variety of sea life on display.
5. Where the Currents Go
The currents of the world play a huge role in the kinds of ecosystems and animals that are found in a region. First, teach your students about currents and use our Currents worksheet to reinforce their understanding. Then, for some extra fun and impactful awareness, take a look at Adrift.org. This amazing interactive website shows just how far plastics can travel in the ocean, and drives home the lesson that one’s mindless actions at home can have a big impact on others around the world. Challenge your students to predict the path of pollution before seeing where it actually lands up.
6. Sail Over to the Smithsonian
We love the Smithsonian and the wealth of information available for students and teachers. This World Oceans Day, check out its diverse collection of ocean-related lesson plans for educators. From the impact of oil spills, to light penetration, and marine environments, to name just some, there’s something for all subjects and all grades from K-12.
7. Dive into an Ocean-themed Reading Adventure
For landlubbers who can’t venture out to sea, dive into an ocean-themed book for a reading adventure worthy of the high seas. Get started with one of these nautical tales.
Nautical Novels and Seaworthy Stories
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Swimmy by Leo Lionni
Flotsam by David Wiesner
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater (Worksheet)
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (Worksheet)
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Billy Budd by Herman Melville
The Pearl by John Steinbeck (Worksheet)
Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
The Odyssey by Homer (Worksheet)
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
8. Action Starts with Awareness
Ahoy! Teachers, students, and families can join an Ocean Guardian Program and plan a school or community conservation project, submit ocean-themed artwork, stories, or poetry, and even become involved in diving!
9. A Good Day for the Beach
Head to the beach! What better way to celebrate World Oceans Day then by digging in the sand, discovering tide pools, and surfing the waves? It’s a perfect opportunity for students to explore the environment while also teaching them the importance of not interferring with the local ecosystem by removing shells, catching small creatures, or turning over rocks.
10. There’s No Place Like Home
Movies like Finding Nemo are often box-office hits and seen by millions of people around the world. Unfortunately, while creating awareness, it can also increase the demand for the creatures featured in the films. Without careful research, would-be hobbyists can end up fuelling the illegal capture and trade of wildlife or products such as shells and coral, or worse yet, killing creatures through lack of knowledge.
Marine creatures belong in their natural environment and should only be kept by experts. Rather than buy marine creatures for enjoyment at home, visit a local aquarium that’s contributing to research and protection.
Lessons and Resources
If you are swamped with lesson planning, check out Help Teaching’s collection of pre-made, ocean-themed worksheets. Or, have your students try our online lessons on Ocean Vocabulary Words, Ocean Zones, Tsunamis, or Tides. Our friends over at Kidskonnect.com has a large collection of facts and worksheets for kids about Oceans too!
Have other suggestions for celebrating World Oceans Day with students and children? Share them in the comments! Read The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Science for more ways to invigorate your science curriculum and teaching.
5 Summer Science Exploration Ideas for Kids
- 29 May //
- Posted in For Parents, Teaching Resources //
- Tags : activities for children, science, STEM, summer
- Comments Off on 5 Summer Science Exploration Ideas for Kids
Science surrounds us and summer offers the perfect time for families to explore science in action. Avoid the summer slump and try some of these suggestions for summer science adventures with your child. Most of these activities are low-cost or free, but be sure to check with your local library before heading out to learn about free and discount passes to museums and other local attractions.
Our List of Summer Science Ideas
1. Participate in a Citizen Science Project
Science is collaborate by nature, so join in and lend a hand by participating in a citizen science project. Project participants support scientific research by:
- Classifying the shapes of galaxies (see Galaxy Zoo),
- Extracting weather data from old whaling logbooks (see Old Weather – Whaling),
- Collecting ants (see School of Ants),
- Monitoring monarch larva populations (see Monarch Larva Monitoring Project).
These are just a few of citizen science projects looking for volunteers and many welcome help from children working with the guidance of an adult. Search for other citizen science projects at Zooniverse and SciStarter.
2. Become a National Park Service Junior Ranger
With parks from Maine to California and everywhere in-between, the National Park Service offers an affordable option for hands-on summer science fun. Fourth grade students qualify for free annual park passes through the Every Kid Outdoors program. The Junior Rangers Program gives kids the opportunity to explore nature, attend ranger guided programs, and complete activities for each park. If your budding park ranger completes a Junior Ranger Program, each park offers a patch or badge and a certificate of completion. Can’t visit a particular park? Visit the NPS’s on-line WebRangers page.
3. Visit a Science Center
There are many fabulous science museums that offer kids access to interactive learning opportunities. For those fortunate enough to be within driving distance to a NASA center, consider a visit. Learn about space exploration, aeronautics, and ongoing missions and discoveries. Many of the centers, including Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FL, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, welcome visitors and offer tours. If you can’t travel to a visitor center, then be sure to visit NASA Wavelength and explore the vast collection of educational resources NASA has to offer.
With centers across the nation, the Audubon Society provides outdoor adventure for all ages. Visit a sanctuary, go on a hike, and explore the local lands and wildlife. Many centers offer nature-themed programs designed exclusively for children and families as well as summer camps. Centers are open to the public, but those with memberships may visit for free and receive discounts on programs and camps. Find an Audubon Center near you.
4. Try Hands-On Science Activities
Hands-on science activities at home are a great way to have some summer fun, spend family time together, and even learn a little something new. Science at home is affordable and typically can be conducted with household objects and resources. Follow your child’s lead and try experiments related to his or her interests. Get started with these science activities for kids or browse this collection of home science activities from Scientific American.
5. Star Watch
Grab a blanket and the bug spray and head outside for some star gazing. If possible, get away from light pollution, you will be amazed at what you can see once your eyes adjust to the dark on a clear night. Bring a star chart and try to locate a few stars, planets, constellations, and galaxies. Use binoculars to identify surface features of the moon. If that isn’t spectacular enough for your aspiring astronomer, try counting the number of “shooting stars” during a meteor shower. August’s Perseids meteor shower is a great one to enjoy on a warm summer evening. Check out this year’s not-to-miss celestial events to watch with kids.
Above all, be sure to get your kids outside to get some fresh air and soak up some vitamin D!
Looking for more ideas for summer fun with your children? Be sure to read 100 Summer Activities for Kids!
11 Prime Days to Celebrate Math Holidays
- 22 February //
- Posted in Teaching Resources //
- Tags : activities for children, math, teacher resources
- Comments Off on 11 Prime Days to Celebrate Math Holidays

If you’re a math teacher, every day is a reason to celebrate math, but did you know that there are also a multitude of “holidays” centered around math? Using a math holiday as an angle to get students excited about math adds up to a whole lot of fun! We hope this list will inspire and energize your math teaching throughout the year. Keep reading to discover 11 prime days to celebrate math holidays.
1. Our first math holiday is e Day
If you teach any high school students with irrational math fears, then help them transcend their fears on February 7. Euler’s number, e, which is both irrational and transcendental, rounds to 2.7, thus we have e Day on 2/7. Show students the practical use of Euler’s number by introducing them to continuous compounding interest. A little lesson in financial literacy is always valuable!
2. 100th Day of School
The number of creative ways to celebrate this day is certainly not limited to 100! Ask students to bring in containers of 100 small objects and display them around the school. Have students create a list of 100 reasons why they love their school or community. Explore what life was like 100 years ago. Collect 100 food items and donate them to your local food pantry. Visit Help Teaching to use our 100 charts and lessons, as well as all of our counting worksheets.
3. Pi Day
Pi may be infinite, but Pi Day is not. Celebrate Pi Day on March 14 in recognition of its common abbreviation, 3.14. Plan a party with your students, but wait to sound the party horns until exactly 1:59 in the afternoon (3.14159)! Double the fun and make it a party for Albert Einstein, whose birthday is also on March 14. Be sure to check out Help Teaching’s worksheets featuring the number pi. Pi Day also kicks off World Math Week.
4. Mathematics & Statistics Awareness Month
Use all 1 + 4 + 9 + 16 days of April to celebrate the beauty and fun of mathematics. Focus on bringing math alive by making math relevant for students and connecting math and statistics to real-world problems. Elementary students can record daily weather data throughout April, then graph and analyze their results. Middle school students are at an age where decision making becomes more independent. Connect daily decisions making to probability with the game-based activity SKUNK. High school students have enough mathematical background to develop statistical questions on topics of personal interest, then collect, interpret, and present their data. Get started with this collection of statistics worksheets.
5. Square Root Day
The only thing square about Square Root Day is the date. When the day and the month are both the square root of the last two digits of the year, we have a Square Root Day. April 4, 2016 (4/4/16) was a Square Root Day, but the next one won’t be until May 5, 2025 (5/5/25)! Get radical and make these special days square-themed.
6. Palindrome Days
Palindrome days aren’t just for students named Bob or Hannah. Palindrome days fall on any dates where the numbers of the month, day, and year are the same both forward and backward. For example, in the year 2022, February 22 was a palindrome date (22/02/2022) but only in countries where dates are written in the dd/mm/yyyy format! Challenge your students to formulate lists of future Palindrome dates. Start with five-digit Palindrome dates (M/DD/YY) and work up to eight-digit dates (MM/DD/YYYY).
7. Pythagorean Theorem Day
As proof that the squares don’t have a monopoly on the math holidays, Pythagorean Theorem Day comes around periodically. Also known as Right Triangle Day, recognize Pythagorean Theorem Day whenever the sums of the squares of the month and day equals the square of the last two digits of the year. August 15, 2017 (8/15/17) and December 16, 2020 (12/16/20) are both Pythagorean Theorem Days. Make sure to check out our self-paced lesson on Solving Right Triangles.
8. Math Storytelling Day
No need to divide your instructional time between math and ELA on September 25 (9/25), it’s Math Storytelling Day! There are many ways to teach math through storytelling. Start the day by reading Math Curse, The Grapes of Math, or Sir Cumference or any math story to your students. Try a math story lesson like The General Sherman Tree or Let’s Go to the Zoo. Then, provide a writing prompt and ask students to write and share their own math stories.
9. Powers of Ten Day
Although 10/10/10 has passed, each October 10 can still be used to illustrate the powers of tens. Show your students the power of magnitude by screening the classic film Powers of TenTM. Spend at least one-tenth of your class time this day doing hands-on decimal or base ten exponent activities.
10. Mole Day
No, this day doesn’t pay homage to the subterranean dwellers. Rather, it is a special day for anyone with an interest in math or chemistry. If you remember Avogadro’s number, then you may guess the date of this math day! Mole Day takes place on October 23 each year between 6:02 a.m. and 6:02 p.m. (6.02 x 10^23) during National Chemistry Week. Use Help Teaching’s Chemistry Lessons and this TedEd video to introduce students to mathematical moles.
11. Our last math holiday is Fibonacci Day
Quick, what number comes next: 0 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 + ___? If you said five, then embrace your inner math geek and celebrate Fibonacci Day with your students on November 23 (11/23). Take this day to let your students explore the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Ratio in nature. Mensa for Kids offers a nice selection of activities perfect for introducing students to the elegance of Fibonacci.

Visit HelpTeaching.com and utilize our growing library of K-12 math worksheets, lessons, and math generators!
5 Homeschooling Facts Everyone Should Know
- 20 February //
- Posted in For Parents //
- Tags : homeschooling, parenting
- Comments Off on 5 Homeschooling Facts Everyone Should Know

There’s an ongoing trend in the US when it comes to education – across the country, homeschooling is increasingly being discussed and executed as an education option. That means there’s an estimated two million students, or approximately 3% of the K-12 students learning from home. This is a massive increase from the past, whereby the homeschool population has increased by 74% since 1999. Keep reading to learn important homeschooling facts.
One of the main drivers of parents choosing to homeschool their children lies with moral and religious instruction, but a growing number of parents are choosing to do so for a number of other reasons, including greater freedom to travel, a more flexible curriculum, and better attention to students. There are, of course, systemic problems in education that also feed into the decision-making, such as dissatisfaction with public schools, bullying, concerns about the safety of school environments, or medical or special needs of the child, to name just some.
Even with the growing number of homeschooled students and the mind shift that’s taken place as a result of lockdown and Covid-19 learning from home, homeschooling families often still face skepticism. Despite the skepticism, homeschooling figures rival charter school enrollment, and it is seen as a viable alternative to expensive private schools.
As a result, homeschooling rates will most likely continue to increase. Whether you are a homeschooling parent, thinking about homeschooling, or simply interested in educational trends, here is a primer on homeschooling:
Homeschooling Facts You Need to Know
1. Homeschooling is Legal
Homeschooling is legal in the US and has been since 1993. However, every state has it’s own rules and regulations. This means it’s really important to do your research when considering homeschooling your child. Ten states and two US territories have no homeschooling requirements, for example, while six have high regulations.
What this means is that in high regulation states, like Oregon, for example, you’ll need to keep track of your child’s test scores, undergo professional evaluation, submit curriculum planning, notify schools in writing of your intention to homeschool your child, and in some cases, even proving your ability and qualification to teach. In Nebraska, which is another high regulation state, homeschools are treated like private schools and must cover specific subjects.
By contrast, a low or no regulation state, like Alaska, homeschoolers are not required to notify the state or district of their intention to homeschool, and it’s also not required to keep test scores or keep track of student progress.
Confused? The National Home Education Network maintains an At-a-Glance State Information page for anyone looking to learn more about homeschool regulations.
2. Homeschooled Students are Socialized
The stereotype that a typical homeschooled student lacks social skills and sits at a desk six hours a day, working either in isolation or just with a parent, has been shattered over the past decade.
The increase in the number of homeschoolers has led to an increase in the number of homeschool organizations providing support, activities, outings, and resources. Often homeschooled students study with siblings and other local homeschoolers, are members of youth sports leagues, and even participate in public school co-curricular activities.
In fact, in states like New Hampshire, homeschoolers’ access to public school co-curricular activities is protected by law. Many museums, libraries, and organizations now offer programs geared specifically toward homeschoolers. For more information about homeschool organizations, visit Home Education Magazine’s state-by-state list of support groups.
You can rest assured that your child has the opportunity to score above average on measures of emotional, social, and psychological development when exposed to these activities. It’s also worth mentioning that while more research is still needed, adults who were homeschooled as children are believed to be more tolerant of politics than those that were schooled in the public system, and they’re also more likely to participate in community services as well as vote and participate in public meetings.
3. Homeschooling Can Be Affordable
How much does it cost to homeschool? This will depend on the family and choice of curriculum, but $700 to $1,400 annually per student is frequently cited.
While there is potentially money to be gained by homeschooling, the highest cost of homeschooling is often the loss of income when a parent leaves the workforce to stay at home and teach the kids. It may not come as a surprise that the increase in the rate of homeschooling has coincided with the widespread availability of the Internet.
Although the majority of homeschooled students come from two-parent families with a stay-at-home parent, the Internet has opened the doors to telecommuting, off-hour options, and freelance work, which has allowed many more parents to homeschool while still contributing to household incomes. Many families got to test run this way of living during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and determining whether they could balance homeschooling alongside online work.
4. Homeschool Curriculum Choices are Abundant
One of the biggest areas of appeal with homeschooling is the variety of choices available when it comes to curriculum. There are many different philosophies and associated approaches to homeschooling, and the choice dictates the type of curriculum, for example, one might choose to stick to a more traditional structure of lessons and tests, or a family might choose to go with something more unorthodox like unschooling, where students choose what they learn.
Whatever philosophy you choose, resources are the next challenge. The purchase of curriculum packages or enrollment in an online program is a large portion of the direct cost of homeschooling a child. Considering students typically study several subject areas and require new materials and courses as they progress academically, the cost can add up over the years. However, with ingenuity and research, many families manage to educate their children at home on modest budgets. With the growing popularity of homeschooling, free and low-cost educational resources have flourished. For example, HelpTeaching.com and KidsKonnect.com offer printable worksheets for a wide range of grade levels and subjects.
Several major online schools provide courses for homeschooling students, and a number of elite universities, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, now offer massive open online courses, providing a free option for secondary students transitioning to college. Many homeschooling websites, like The Home School Mom, provide ample information to help parents make informed decisions as to the homeschooling method best for their children.
5. Homeschooling Isn’t Always a K-12 Commitment
It is not uncommon for families to homeschool for a period of time and then transition students into schools. Sometimes the homeschooling parent must return to work for financial reasons, the homeschool dynamic no longer works for the family, or the students themselves express the desire to enroll in school. The reverse can also be true. A student may transition from school to homeschooling when the current educational circumstances are not meeting the student’s needs. Some homeschool situations are temporary, for example, when a student is bullied, for family relocation or when a medical condition arises. Ideally, a strong partnership between parents and school personnel will help students transition either way successfully.
The decision to homeschool is a personal one, just as is the decision to send a student to the public, charter, private, or parochial school. The key is to make informed decisions about the best educational methods for each individual child.
Free Interactive Web Resources for Teaching Science
- 1 February //
- Posted in Teaching Resources //
- Tags : science, STEM, teaching resources, teaching tips
- Comments Off on Free Interactive Web Resources for Teaching Science

Science is a wonderful subject to teach. It’s all about exploring, learning, and discovering how the natural world works. The Internet is positively busting with amazing (and questionable) resources, which can lead to hours of your time being spent looking for quality resources to use in your classroom.
We hear your calls and have put together a list of Free Interactive Web Resources for Teaching Science that we love. While we’d all love to have operating rooms, telescopes, and a laboratory in the classroom, we’ve kept things simple. All you’ll need is an Internet connection, tablets, and computers, which we’re sure you already have in your teaching toolbox. With these interactive resources, your students can experience science unlike any generation before.
e-learning for Kids provides animated mini-courses covering many scientific disciplines for elementary and middle school students. Students can work their way through each course and take the provided quiz when finished.
YouTube channels for kids such as SciShow Kids and NatGeo Kids
https://www.youtube.com/c/scishowkids/featured https://www.youtube.com/natgeokidsplaylists/featured
offer a wealth of well-researched information you can rely on in the classroom whether you’re teaching the body, volcanoes, or how we grow food.
Edheads offers a variety of exceptionally well-designed interactives with accompanying teacher guides. For example, let your students discover physics with the virtual Simple Machine.
VisionLearning https://www.visionlearning.com/en/glossary this is an excellent resource for providing explainers and definitions of scientific terms and concepts.
KS2 Bitesize by the BBC brings science alive with their collection of living things, materials, and physical processes interactives. Each topic includes animated activities, background reading, and a quiz.
BrainPop is an amazing resource to have in your teaching toolbox. It offers a wide variety of subjects and grade levels. It’s video lessons are well crafted and come with other teaching materials such as quizzes, worksheets, graphic organizers, related readings, and many more.
Smithsonian Learning Lab is a free and interactive site that provides teachers with literally millions of digital resources and tools that can be downloaded and even adapted. You can create personalized lessons and share them with colleagues as well as class rosters.
Learner.org provides dozens of interactives across scientific disciplines and is searchable by grade level. Be sure to try Amusement Park Physics, where students investigate the physics of amusement park rides by constructing animated roller coasters.
NASA Quest brings the expanses of the universe to K-12 classrooms with its innovative collection of interactive resources. Challenge students to design robotic airplanes to explore Mars, solve air traffic problems, or take part in the next NASA Quest Challenge.
PBS LearningMedia offers an extensive collection of interactive STEM resources. Search this collection of videos, audio files, interactives, and images by discipline and grade. The “Background Essays” and “Discussion Questions” offer great starting points for classroom use. Resources are free, but you need to register for an account after viewing three.
Scholastic offers a range of interactive activities geared toward elementary and middle school students. Check out the “Weather Watch” module. Students will enjoy playing Mother Nature with the Weather Maker interactive and solving real-world “weather mysteries” with the Weather Detective Web Quest.
Wonderville will grab students’ attention with their engaging collection of science-themed activities, comics, games, and videos.
Mystery Science Their Open-and-go lessons inspire kids to love science. Their K-5 science curriculum is loved by kids all over and they’re aligned to Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core!
PhET Science Simulations This site offers free, fun and interactive simulations on math and science that are research-based. PhET tests and evaluates each of its simulations extensively so that they provide the most educational value and effectiveness.
Stem Rising This is a US Department of Energy initiative aimed at inspiring and educating students to set them on an upward trajectory into a career in the STEM. It provides programs, competitions, events, internships, resources, and much more.
Exploratorium offers educational media perfect for classroom lessons and activities that center on playing to learn. It provides resources for a wide range of ages and ability levels and supports different educational philosophies from informal unschooling to more traditional classroom structures.
California Academy of Sciences is a treasure trove of diverse, research-rich lessons that will inspire budding scientists. This can be used along with the academy or as a standalone.
Defined Learning This website provides a stellar line up of resources that are perfect for project-based learning from kindergarten all the way up to 12th grade. It empowers students to thrive with research-proven methods.
America Recycles Day Activity Guide
- 7 November //
- Posted in Fun Facts //
- Tags : activities for children, earth science, recycling, STEM
- Comments Off on America Recycles Day Activity Guide

November 15 is America Recycles Day. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans recycled about 32% of their trash last year. The good news is this is a significant increase over the less than 10% that was recycled in 1980. The bad news is that a lot of our garbage still isn’t being recycled. Although we have come a long way in our recycling practices, we still have a long way to go. America Recycles Day is an opportunity to educate students about the importance of recycling, and more importantly, involve them in the process.
Create Recycling Infographics
Ask your students to research recycling facts and statistics, then create infographics based on their findings. Younger students can get creative and make poster infographics to display around school. Older students can craft digital infographics to post on school websites, classroom blogs, or social media. Get started by assigning our HelpTeaching lessons, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and The Trash Patrol, then by visiting the EPA’s Reduce, Reuse, Recycle website. Then use an infographic maker like Visme or Piktochart to present them. Below is a sample infographic for reference.

Host a Bottle and Can Drive
Bottle and can drives are great ways to encourage recycling and raise awareness, plus they double as fundraisers for schools and organizations. Students can help organize the event by contacting the local recycling center ahead of time, spreading the word in your community, sorting on the day of the drive, and arranging for collection bins and transportation of collected materials to the recycling center. For another simple and profitable way to encourage recycling, set up an ink cartridge recycling program at your school.
Attend an Event
Whether you are looking to get your children involved in a recycling event, enter a contest, or participate in a community clean up day, you can find something to do on America Recycles Day. There are over 2,000 events registered for America Recycles Day. Find one to attend in your area here.
Reduce Food Waste
With the approach of Thanksgiving, America Recycles Day is perfectly timed to encourage children to reduce food waste. Learn about composting or start a compost at home or school. Have students create a step-by-step plan to explain how they plan to reduce food waste at home. Better yet, have your students organize a food rescue program or donations for the local food pantry. Get started with these tips.
Get Crafty
If you plan on having your students create crafts for holiday decorations or gifts, then consider having them do so using materials that would otherwise be tossed out. Here is an excellent list of recycled crafts for kids. Also, use this writing prompt for eco-friendly gift ideas.
Reduce Electronic Waste
E-waste is an ever growing concern and electronic items should never go in your daily recycling container. But, your students’ old phones, tablets, and MP3 players can help someone else. Encourage students to donate unwanted electronics for worthy causes. Shelter Alliance and Cell Phones for Soldiers are just a couple organizations that accept cell phones donations. Learn more about how and where to recycle and donate electronics here.
Host a Clothing Swap
According to the EPA, almost five percent of municipal solid waste comes from clothing, footwear, and textiles. Consider organizing a neighborhood or church clothing swap where children (and adults!) can bring clean, gently worn items and swap for “new” items that fit. Anything left over can be donated to local organizations like The Salvation Army or Dress for Success. Also, see about coordinating swap boxes with local sports leagues for common sports items that children outgrow, like cleats. Athletes can leave outgrown pairs of cleats and in turn, take a pair from the box that fits.
Inform Others
Over 60% of America’s garbage isn’t being recycled. Some people still don’t understand the importance of recycling. Others don’t realize how much of their trash is actually recyclable. Encourage your students to inform people about the importance of recycling. Write letters to the editor of the local newspaper, give speeches at city council meetings, or create pamphlets to give out to their neighbors. Encourage people to check with their local recycling provider to make sure they are following correct recycling guidelines.
Finally, and most importantly, ask your students to brainstorm ideas on how to best promote recycling in their school and community. Their excitement for the projects they develop, plan, and complete will be the most successful and rewarding activities!
Looking for more science activities for your students? Read 10 Engaging Earth Day Activities for Kids or try our free Earth Science worksheets and lessons.
If you enjoyed this read, you might also like what KidsKonnect has to say. Check out their articles today.
100 Fitness Activities for the Whole Family
- 11 October //
- Posted in For Parents, Fun Facts //
- Tags : activities, family, fitness, physical education
- Comments Off on 100 Fitness Activities for the Whole Family
Physical fitness is essential to our health and has a big influence on our mental wellness too. Yet, with full work schedules, equally busy children, and lockdown restrictions, making the time for exercise too often falls to the bottom of the list. While May is officially National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, any time of the year is good for becoming more active. And being physically active is way more fun and much less of a chore when done together, we’ve put together a list of 100 fitness activities for the whole family. Whether you have toddlers, tweens, or teens, we’ve got you covered not just with fitness activities, but with improved family time too!
Host Backyard Games
Whether you’re in your yard or at a park, there’s nothing like open space to inspire movement. While they may not always show it, your children will get a kick out of seeing you acting like a kid again. Consider inviting friends and neighbors to join you in these outdoor games. You can even combine these activities into a full-fledged backyard Olympics!
1. Make and run an obstacle course
2. Take on the high seas with a game of pirate ship
3. Design, build, and play your own mini-golf course
4. Seek treasure or discover nature with a scavenger hunt
5. Play a game of soccer, volleyball, flag football or another team sport
6. Run relay races
7. Strategize as a team in a game of capture the flag
8. Get messy – play in the mud, have a frozen t-shirt race, engage in a shaving cream battle, or even slip on a water slide covered in chocolate syrup
Lend A Hand

Volunteering can keep you moving while you help out others and your community. Depending on the volunteer opportunity your family may be packing, cleaning, stacking, running, or building! So lend a hand, teach your children the importance of social responsibility, and work in some physical fitness while your family spends meaningful time together. Sites like VolunteerMatch can help connect you with the right cause for your family.
9. Help out at a bottle and can drive
10. Clean up litter along roads or trails
11. Participate in a run or walk for charity
12. Join a community building project like Habitat for Humanity
13. Collect, organize, and distribute food through your local food bank
14. Volunteer at a meal center
15. Explore new places while giving back – plan a family volunteer vacation
16. Lend a helping hand around the yard or home of a grandparent or neighbor in need.
Roll with Rainy Days
Rainy weather can be challenging for families with rambunctious children. Kids need to move, but a string of poor weather can dampen their spirits. Don’t let the weather impede your fitness goals. Instead, roll with the rain and keep the family moving!
17. Play indoor hide-and-seek
18. Challenge the family to a game of fitness bingo
19. Build a blanket fort and play in it
20. Make cardboard box cars, then race them
21. Crank up the tunes and do a freeze dance (think musical chairs)
22. Have a pillow fight
23. Play follow-the-leader
24. Dress up and walk the runway in a family fashion show
25. Play charades or other movement games
26. Pretend to belt out tunes in a family a lip sync battle
27. Put on a family talent show
28. Read and act out a movement story or video together
29. Kick up your heels and play a dance video game
30. Get outside and go puddle jumping
Do Chores
They’re not glamorous, but chores must be done. On the plus side, chores help burn calories. Divide tasks and make a morning of getting some things done around the home and yard. Turn on some background music and agree as a family on something fun to do together once the chores are finished.
31. Mow the lawn
32. Rake leaves – jump in the pile before picking it up
33. Try on old clothes, pass down or donate ones that no longer fit
34. Paint a room
35. Chop and stack wood
36. Walk the dog
37. Wash and clean out the car
38. Clean the windows
39. Sort through books, donate ones no longer wanted or needed
40. Vacuum the rugs and mop the floors
41. Run errands – walk if you can or park the car at the further spot in the lot
42. Plant a family tree
Get Adventurous
Teens may be more reluctant to spend time as a family than younger children. Engage them with these high adventure activities and embrace your wild side along the way! Due to the need for specialized equipment and professional instruction, adventure activities can be more expensive than other fitness options. However, check coupon sites as they often feature significant discounts to places that offer these activities.
43. Ride into the sunset on horseback
44. Rage the rapids on a rafting tour
45. Scale a wall at a rock gym
46. Get tangled up in a ropes course
47. Go mountain biking
48. Vacation by going on a family camping trip
49. Try indoor skydiving
50. Participate in a mud run or obstacle race as a team
51. Take a SCUBA certification course
52. Play laser tag
53. Train together for a CrossFit competition
Explore Someplace New
Getting kids out of their everyday environment can open their eyes to the larger world and spark excitement and curiosity. Whether you fly across the county to visit a new city or explore a local museum, a day of walking and discovering a new place adds up to a lot of steps! Be sure to check with your public library first, it may offer free or discounted passes to museums.
54. View works of art, explore history, or learn science at a museum
55. Visit a national park – families of 4th graders get free annual passes here
56. Take a walking tour of a city
57. Ride your bikes the length of a rail trail
58. Climb a mountain
59. Brave a cave tour
60. Put on costumes and join a historical reenactment
61. Go letterboxing or geocaching
62. Play on a playground your kids haven’t been to before
Make A Splash
There is nothing like playing in water during the heat of summer. Kids can spend all day splashing in a pool or digging in the sand, so join them! Many communities have public beaches or pools that are free or at a reduced cost for residents.
63. Run through the sprinkler
64. Ride the waves on a boogie or surfboard
65. Try paddleboarding
66. Have a squirt gun battle
67. Team up for a water balloon fight
68. Paddle a river or lake in canoes, kayaks, or paddle boats
69. Jump over waves
70. Hit a home run with water balloon baseball
71. Register emerging swimmers for lessons
Take On Winter Weather
Winter brings a unique set of challenges to staying fit. Don’t let the weather keep your family indoors. Rather, bundle up and take advantage of the fitness opportunities that come with snow and ice! By trying a new winter sport, your family may fall in love with an activity you can do together for years to come. If you don’t own winter sporting equipment borrow from friends or look for places that offer daily rentals.
72. Downhill ski or snowboard
73. Cross-country ski
74. Go ice-skating
75. Build a snow family
76. Have a snowball fight
77. Make snow angles
78. Shovel the driveway
79. Shovel a neighbor’s driveway
80. Explore the woods while snowshoeing
81. Go ice fishing
82. Hop on a sled
83. Try snow tubing
Create Healthy Eating Habits
Eating healthy is an essential part of any fitness plan. With hectic work, school, and extra-curricular schedules, setting aside time to prepare and share healthy meals can be challenging. But, we all must eat, so take the opportunity to teach your children lifelong eating habits while spending some quality time together!
84. Pack a healthy picnic and hike to a scenic spot
85. Take a cooking class as a family, check nearby grocery stores as some offer free programs
86. Set up a schedule where each family member is responsible for planning and cooking a meal
87. Involve children in packing their own lunches
88. Go to your local farmer’s market together
89. Go fruit picking at a nearby farm or orchard, then try a new recipe with the fruit
90. Cook one meal a week that features locally grown, seasonal food
91. Gather favorite family recipes and publish them in a cookbook – check out Blurb
92. Plant a home vegetable garden or potted herb garden
93. Join a community garden
94. Volunteer at your child’s school and help raise a school garden
95. Spice up dinnertime by planning a weekly themed meal night – from Meatless Mondays to Fancy Fridays, your kids will look forward to this new family tradition
Make Time for Mindfulness
The end of a harried day is the ideal time to come together as a family and create time for a few mindful moments. There are many wonderful free mindfulness videos and audio recordings available online or through your public library.
96. Practice yoga along with a video geared for kids or families
97. Dim the lights, get comfortable, and listen to a guided meditation recording
98. Try progressive muscle relaxation
99. Do some calming breathing exercises
100. Lay on a blanket in the yard or park and focus on the sounds around you or stargaze
How does your family stay fit and active? Share your ideas in the comments. Visit Help Teaching and browse our collection of free physical education printables!
If you enjoyed this read, you might also like what KidsKonnect has to say. Check out their articles today.
5 Stellar Activities for World Space Week
- 1 October //
- Posted in Fun Facts //
- Tags : activities, astronomy, earth science, STEM
- Comments Off on 5 Stellar Activities for World Space Week
Don’t let nebulous ideas slow you down as you count down to this October’s World Space Week. Rather, shoot for the moon with these astronomical activities for celebrating World Space Week with your class or family.
Rendezvous with the International Space Station
Take this week to celebrate global cooperation in the near reaches of space by learning about the International Space Station (ISS). Check out the view from the space station. Get kids outside on a clear evening to look for the space station passing overhead. Visit NASA’s Spot The Station site to find when to view the ISS from your location. Screen a few of NASA’s Human Research Program videos with your students or read about Sleeping on the Space Station with this worksheet.
Mission Mars
The Red Planet continues to capture headlines and our imaginations. Take advantage of student interest in our planetary neighbor by exploring what we know about Mars. Have students participate in the Planet Four: Terrains citizen science project by examining and mapping images of Mars. Control a virtual rover with Experience Curiosity. Find more Mars-related games and activities at NASA’s Mars Exploration site and try our reading passages, Earth vs. Mars and One-Way Ticket to Mars.
Moon to Mars, Mission Artemis
Artemis missions will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon. The plan is to establish a sustainable base camp with an eventual plan and the giant next milestone: sending astronauts to Mars from the moonbase. While building the resources and technology for this goal, there are also plans of exploring all of the moon’s surface, sending astronauts and space robotic explorers. According to the official Artemis mission page, at the top of this list is the moon’s southern pole. Kick off your unit with this Moon Surface Features lesson and navigate the surface with Google Moon.
Escape with Science Fiction
Read classic or modern science fiction with your students. Go beyond what is scientifically accurate or misrepresented and discuss themes as well as what the story conveys about society, both real and fictional. Use Help Teaching’s Science Fiction Literature worksheets and Elements of Science Fiction lesson as a starting point. Then, ask your students to put on their creative thinking helmets and write a piece of science fiction. Here are some writing prompts worksheets to get you started:
Kindergarten and 1st Grade:
My Space Adventure
If I Were an Alien
2nd Grade
Alien Encounter
Journey Into Space
3rd Grade
Alien Welcome Committee
My Trip Into Space
4th and 5th Grade
The Colony
Pluto Poem
One Way Ticket to Mars
Finally, decelerate by watching a sci-fi movie! Perhaps your high school students will enjoy the interplanetary adventure The Martian.
Visit an Observatory This World Space Week
If you have access to a telescope, World Space Week is a great time to use it! Students may not have ever had the opportunity to actually observe planets, stars, or the Moon up-close through a telescope. If your school has a telescope, plan a viewing party with students and families. If you don’t have access to a telescope, some libraries offer telescope lending or viewing opportunities. Likewise, many observatories offer public viewing options and accommodate student field trips. To find a local observatory, check with nearby universities or try one of these publicly accessible telescopes.
If you’re still in need of fun ways to celebrate World Space Week, sojourn to the World Space Week website and download one of the educator resource guides or locate a nearby event for more out-of-this-world activities!
Looking for additional space science education resources? Visit HelpTeaching.com and try our astronomy printables and lessons.
If you enjoyed this read, you might also like what KidsKonnect has to say. Check out their articles today.