Our Curriculum Approach
STEM Squad designs hands-on, standards-informed STEM lessons that spark curiosity and build confidence. While we align our curriculum with national frameworks like the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), we also tailor activities to the interests and learning styles of the students we serve. We actively welcome input from community center directors and educators to ensure our lessons support what's happening in school classrooms and address students’ real-world challenges. Whether we’re building marshmallow towers to explore engineering or coding with colors and patterns, our goal is always the same: make STEM meaningful, accessible, and fun for every learner.
Sample Projects
Science
Magic Milk Reactions
Explore colorful chemical reactions in milk using soap and food coloring.
Lemon Battery Lab
Power a light bulb with a lemon and learn about simple circuits.
Slime Science
Test different slime recipes and learn about polymers.
Melt the Ice Caps!
Model the effects of climate change on melting glaciers.
Invisible Ink Lab
Write and reveal secret messages using homemade invisible ink.
Technology/Coding
Code-a-Color Bracelet
Use binary code to create personalized beaded bracelets.
Cup Coding Relay
Program a partner using directional commands in a hands-on coding game.
Engineering
Jelly Bean Structures
Build earthquake-resistant towers with jelly beans and toothpicks.
Water Filter Change
Design and test water filters using everyday materials.
Rocket Balloon Challenge
Engineer balloon-powered cars and race them across the room.
Build a Bridge
Construct and test bridges for strength using popsicle sticks.
Solar Oven S'Mores
Harness the power of the sun to cook s’mores in a homemade oven.
Wind Turbine Wonder
Capture maximum energy constructing wind tubines and testing voltage.
Math
Math Art with Symmetry
Create colorful art using mirror symmetry, line symmetry, or radial symmetry.
Marshmallow Math Towers
Build structures using marshmallows and toothpicks while measuring height, width, and counting total materials used.
Math Scavenger Hunt
Search for and solve math problems hidden around the room (e.g., estimation, shapes, addition challenges).
Graphing with Snacks
Sort and count snack items (like colored goldfish or raisins), then create bar graphs or pie charts.
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