50+ STEM Activities For Any Classroom - Primary

Primary
50+ STEM
activities for
any primary
classroom
This collection is for teachers, teaching assistants, STEM Club leaders and families. It consists of easy to run,
short and practical STEM activities which are ideal for any setting; classroom, outside and home.
Activities can be adapted to suit the setting or time available and require few resources and materials.
Each has a suggested list of substitute materials, making them easy to clean up. With minor adjustments they will
meet school health and safety requirements.
Activities do not require extensive STEM subject knowledge, enabling anyone to use them irrespective of experience level.
Choose age range:
4 -5 5 -11 7 -9 7 -11 9 -11 9 -14

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50+ STEM activities for any primary classroom 2

STEM activities for ages 4-5 2 Activities
Published by British Science Association Published by British Science Association

Resource Booklet Early Years Resource Pack - Science Week 2019 Resource Booklet Early Years Resource Pack - Science Week 2019
Make a time capsule Brain hats
Design and make a time capsule to be opened in 12 months’ Design and make a brain hat and explore how stories can help
time, to see how different things are compared to today. us to remember.
Suggested Materials Suggested Materials
Large jars; paper; pens; anything they want to include Left brain template; right brain template; colouring pencils or
crayons; safety scissors; glue/sticky tape; 10 everyday objects
of your choice: e.g. stationary, toys or ornaments; large sheets
www.stem.org.uk/rxfrgu
of paper; timer
www.stem.org.uk/rxfrgu
Ages 44-5
-5 Ages 5 -11 Ages 7 -9 Ages 7 -11 Ages 9 -11 Ages 9 -14


Resource Booklet Primary Activity Pack - Science Week 2019 Resource Booklet Primary Activity Pack - Science Week 2019
Headline figures Tracks and tunnels game
Create a visual and engaging infographic to communicate Design, make and play a board game. Discover and share some
information about the Eurotunnel. of the challenges faced and achievements made during the
Suggested Materials building and running of the Channel Tunnel.
Paper; pens; post it notes; rulers; internet/laptop/tablet as Suggested Materials
required. Paper large and small; pens; post it notes; rulers; small objects
to use as playing pieces; internet/laptop/tablet as required.
www.stem.org.uk/rxfr9r
Ages 4 -5 Ages 55-11

-11 Ages 7 -9 Ages 7 -11 Ages 9 -11 Ages 9 -14


Resilient rovers Make it fly
Create a design for a space rover that would be able to zoom A paper aeroplane, glider or helicopter falls to the ground much
around the Moon! This activity will put knowledge to the test more slowly and gracefully than a scrunched-up piece of paper.
and improve team working skills. This is because of the forces generated by air pressing on and
Suggested Materials moving over the surface of the paper. Test the theory by designing,
making and testing the flight of a paper aeroplane and helicopter.
Paper; pens; post it notes; rulers; internet/laptop/tablet as
required. Suggested Materials
Stopwatch; paper; drinking straw; sticky tape; scissors; paper clip.



Sneeze zone Matilda’s floating feat
How far can a sneeze travel and how can we prevent others Learn about static electricity.
from getting ill? Learn about the spread of microbes and their Suggested Materials
potential to infect people and simulate the distance and impact
Tissue paper; pen; scissors; balloon; feathers; optional polystyrene
of a sneeze by using water in a spray bottle.
balls; school cardigan/jumper.
Suggested Materials
Tape measure; spray bottle with water; 10 sheets of flip chart
paper or similar; sticky tape; gloves; sugar paper; scissors;
coloured pens; tissues.


Published by British Science Association Published by European Space Agency (ESA)

Resource Booklet Primary Activity Pack - Science Week 2019 Resource Booklet ESERO-UK: Mission to the Moon
Nature walk diary Highlands and lowlands
Explore, observe and document the natural world using all of the Take on the role of astronomers and use light sources to represent
senses, and use the findings to write poems. Go for a walk in a the Sun and plasticine to build mountains on a lunar surface.
park, wood or open field and document observations, by noting Explore how light from the Sun is blocked by mountains on the
the sights, smells and sounds encountered on the journey. lunar surface producing shadows.
Nature walk evidence sheet; clipboard or notebook; pens, bags Torch or lamp; rulers; paper; plasticine or blu-tack.
for leaves and other findings.
www.stem.org.uk/rxfrpc


Published by European Space Agency (ESA)

Resource Booklet ESERO-UK: Mission to the Moon
Finding a landing site
Play a Moon landing sites battleship game.

Suggested Materials
Printed lunar maps from the resource.
www.stem.org.uk/rxfrpc


Published by STEM Learning Published by STEM Learning

Resource Booklet STEM Clubs: Animal Adaptions Resource Booklet STEM Clubs: Animal Adaptions
Body language Talking without words
Explore how animals use scent chemicals and movement to Using computing skills; design and create a simple code for a
communicate and create their own non-verbal communication communication system.
system. Suggested Materials
Suggested Materials Computer or tablet; access to Scratch or similar.
Honey or sweets; 4-5 essential oils or scents; paper or card.
www.stem.org.uk/rxg7nj
Ages 4 -5 Ages 5 -11 Ages 77-9

-9 Ages 7 -11 Ages 9 -11 Ages 9 -14


Resource Booklet STEM Clubs: Animal Adaptions Resource Booklet STEM Clubs: Animal Adaptions
Moving together Long-distance journeys
Discover how large groups of animals move together without Learn about migration and compare bird size and weight to
bumping into each other. Create a system to coordinate the distance travelled. Make a small glider with varying wings to
members in the group without any of them the touching or test the variables of distance versus wing shape and length.
getting too close. Suggested Materials
Suggested Materials Cardboard / paper; scissors; rubber bands; glider template
People (3 or more family members or larger group but socially (contained in the activity booklet).
distanced); optional remote controlled device e.g. car, insect.

-9 Ages 7 -11 Ages 9 -11 Ages 9 -14


Resource Booklet STEM Clubs: Animal Adaptions Resource Booklet STEM Clubs: Fact Finders
Broken food chain Microwave myth busting
Learn about food chains. Linked, using wool and labels they will Test the internet myth that microwaved water is bad for
plot the food chain based on a real scenario in Guam. This can plants and explore the effect that different types of water
be supported by the pre-prepared Scratch programme. have on plant growth.
Drawing pins; pin board or similar; wool; scissors; card; computer/ 2 ready grown plants; measuring jug; water heated in a
tablet with Scratch. microwave then cooled; sticky labels; digital camera for
recording; observation sheet.
www.stem.org.uk/rxeymr

-9 Ages 7 -11 Ages 9 -11 Ages 9 -14


Resource Booklet STEM Clubs: Fact Finders Resource Booklet STEM Clubs: Extreme Elements
Friction fables It’s raining giant hailstones!
Find out how strong friction can really be using the pages of a Pupils will create different sized hailstones, learn about their
book. formation and their impact, looking at super sized hailstones
Suggested Materials and the damage they can cause.
Sticky note pads; spiral bound notepads; bull dog clips; books Suggested Materials
similar to exercise books. Plasticene; ruler; tissue paper; measuring scales; Optional:
umbrella, sticky back plastic.
www.stem.org.uk/rxeymr
www.stem.org.uk/rxfn3j

-9 Ages 7 -11 Ages 9 -11 Ages 9 -14

Published by STEM Learning

Resource Booklet STEM Clubs: Extreme Elements
It’s electrifying
Pupils will think about what causes lightning storms, and explore
how static electricity is created.
Suggested Materials
Beanbags or similar; cardboard box; balloon; woolly jumper/
hats, hair; metal spoon; rubber glove; computer/tablet with
Scratch.

-9 Ages 7 -11 Ages 9 -11 Ages 9 -14

Published by European Space Agency (ESA) Published by European Space Agency (ESA)
Resource Booklet ESERO-UK Resources Resource Booklet ESERO-UK Resources
From the ground to the sky Moon constitution
Learn about remote observation and discover how the Earth Using research and debate explore some of the issues
looks from space. Compare photographs of different landscapes that a future settlement on the Moon may face. Create a
(mountains, lakes, rivers, cities, islands, and deserts) taken from “Moon Constitution” report from the findings and plan the
the ground with photos of the same places taken by astronauts settlement.
onboard the International Space Station. Suggested Materials
Suggested Materials Printed debate cards; scissors.
Projector or printed photographs from resource.
www.stem.org.uk/rxg3nd
www.stem.org.uk/rxg8a3
Ages 4 -5 Ages 5 -11 Ages 7 -9 Ages 77-11

-11 Ages 9 -11 Ages 9 -14

Published by European Space Agency (ESA) Published by ESERO-UK

Resource Booklet ESERO-UK: Earth under the lid Resource Booklet ESERO-UK: James Webb Space Telescope
Activity 2: how do human activities affect Mirror origami challenge

greenhouse effect?
Follow a step by step guide to create an origami hexagon. The
Watch a Paxi video and put 6 images in the correct order. James Webb Space Telescope’s primary mirror is composed
of 18 tessellating hexagons. Work individually to create
Suggested Materials hexagons, as a group attach them together to create a
Printed images; scissors; glue; projector. representation of the telescopes mirror.
Suggested Materials
www.stem.org.uk/rxg3nh Sheets of A4 paper.
www.stem.org.uk/rxfp9g

-11 Ages 9 -11 Ages 9 -14

Published by Science Museum Published by Science Museum

Resource Booklet Are we alone: the search for planets beyond our Solar System Resource Booklet Are we alone: the search for planets beyond our Solar System
Lesson 9 - travel bureau Rocket mice
Learn all about exoplanets, use research and imagination to Five... four... three... two... one... blast-off! Launch a favourite
design a new exoplanet. Consider the key features and the rodent into space to boldly go where no mouse has gone before.
adaptations that living things would have to make to survive *no animals will be harmed during this activity!
the planet’s environment. Suggested Materials
Suggested Materials Plastic bottle; card; scissors; tape, pens; paper.
Paper; coloured pens and pencils; internet/laptop/tablet.
www.stem.org.uk/rxetug
www.stem.org.uk/rxera2

-11 Ages 9 -11 Ages 9 -14

Published by UK Space Agency (UKSA) Published by European Space Agency (ESA)

Resource Booklet ESERO-UK: ExoMars Collection Resource Booklet ESERO-UK Resources
360 degree periscope Deciding destinations
Carefully placed mirrors change the path light takes, making Working in small groups investigate the best place to land a
it possible to look over walls, around corners and even behind Mars rover. Consider six potential landing sites on the planet
someone – all without being seen. Design and make a periscope and weigh up the pros and cons of each to decide the perfect
and explore how light can be redirected. landing spot.
Periscope templates; paper; pens; ruler; small craft mirrors; Printed landing sheet sites.
scissors.
www.stem.org.uk/rxfuwf
www.stem.org.uk/rxetuc

-11 Ages 9 -11 Ages 9 -14


Resource Booklet STEM Clubs: Future World Resource Booklet STEM Clubs: Extreme Elements
Does my outfit look rubbish? Sounds delicious
Discover what materials clothes are made from and how they Carry out an investigation to see whether certain frequencies
could be recycled. Explore different materials for clothes and of sound (measured in hertz) can affect our taste buds.
their properties. Suggested Materials
Suggested Materials Sound generator/app; paper cups; water; pens; digital scales;
Selection of clothes made from different materials; selection of sugar; salt; plastic spoon; cotton bud; paper towels; measuring
waste materials: bubble wrap, black bin bags, carrier bags, etc.; cylinder; pipette; flavoured crisps.
sticky tape; paper clips; laptop/tablet for research.
www.stem.org.uk/rxg7nm
Ages 4 -5 Ages 5 -11 Ages 7 -9 Ages 7 -11 Ages 99-11

-11 Ages 9 -14


Resource Booklet STEM Clubs: Future World Resource Booklet STEM Clubs: Movies and Magic
Grasshopper burger anyone? May the force…
Carry out a survey to explore our opinions on different futuristic Explore static electricity and how it can make objects move,
foods and investigate some of the things we might be eating in carry out an experiment to make an aluminium drink can move.
the future. Suggested Materials
Suggested Materials Inflated balloons; empty drinks can; foil; salt and pepper; tissue
Laptop/tablet; word processor / spreadsheet to create a survey paper.
or uses pens and paper and template provided; examples of
insect products.
www.stem.org.uk/rxeyqj
‘How to’ activity videos: www.stem.org.uk/rxfpxk
www.stem.org.uk/rxg7nm

-11 Ages 9 -14

Published by STEM Learning

Resource Booklet STEM Clubs: Movies and Magic
The camera never lies
Explore simple movie effects that make one actor appear far
bigger or smaller than another. Discover the techniques used
in forced perspective and create images using lolly stick and
card puppets.
Suggested Materials
Laptop/tablet; small puppets: lolly sticks, card, plasticine, marker
pen; glue or sticky tape; ruler.
www.stem.org.uk/rxeyqj
‘How to’ activity videos: www.stem.org.uk/rxfpxk

-11 Ages 9 -14

Published by European Space Agency (ESA)

Published by Design Club
Resource Booklet ESERO-UK Resources
ESA spacecraft - cut out and make models Design club: design a helpful mobile app
Templates for cut-out and stick paper models of various ESA Run a Design Club project, using worksheets, delivery guide
spacecraft. and three themed project handouts. At the end of the project,
Suggested Materials pupils will have designed and prototyped a helpful mobile app
aimed at solving one of three environmental problems.
Paper, sticky tape; scissors; glue; pre-printed templates.
Suggested Materials
www.stem.org.uk/rxetru
required.
www.stem.org.uk/rxgh72
Ages 4 -5 Ages 5 -11 Ages 7 -9 Ages 7 -11 Ages 9 -11 Ages 99-14
-14

Published by Nuffield Foundation Published by Nuffield Foundation

Resource Booklet Applying Mathematical Processes - Practical Explorations Resource Booklet Applying Mathematical Processes - Practical Explorations
Money bags Reaction times
Design a wallet, purse, or credit card holder for a target Design an experiment to measure reaction times and use it to
consumer, and explain the rationale underlying their design. test people’s reaction times.
Paper; pens; ruler; card; scissors; sticky tape and glue; dimensions Paper; pens; post it notes; rulers; timing devices.
of bank cards/paper money etc.
www.stem.org.uk/rxuho
www.stem.org.uk/rxuhp
-14


School holidays Fashion entrepreneur
Consider what factors might affect the choice of dates for Using a fashion workshop as the business idea, plan a schedule
school holidays and use these to determine the holiday dates for six employees time, to complete all of the daily tasks.
for an alternative school year. Consider whether the schedule is a viable solution to producing
Suggested Materials the garments on time.
Paper; pens; post it notes; rulers; calendar; list of term dates; Suggested Materials
internet access. Paper; pens; post it notes.
www.stem.org.uk/rxu43 www.stem.org.uk/rxu3z
-14


Design a table Beach guesthouse
Design a table for a group of 5 people for daily use. The table This practical exploration is a simulation of a booking system for
must be extendable to accommodate 8 to 10 people for some a small guesthouse. Manage the bookings and, as far as possible,
occasions. arrange to give people the accommodation they request.
Paper; pens; post it notes; rulers; card; internet access. Paper; pens; post it notes.
www.stem.org.uk/rxu3x www.stem.org.uk/rxu3v
-14


Three dice Symmetry
This investigation starts with a game. In order to maximize In this investigation make different symmetrical shapes, using
the chance of winning, decide which numbers are most likely one or more of three given shapes.
to occur when three dice are thrown and the scores are added Suggested Materials
together.
Squared paper; Templates of the shapes; Mirror; Tracing paper;
Suggested Materials Scissors; glue; Computer software.
Paper; pens; post it notes; card; dice.
www.stem.org.uk/rxu3t
www.stem.org.uk/rxu3u
-14


Sending texts Paper sizes
Determine the number of text messages sent if four people Study paper sizes in the A and B international series, exploring
send texts to each other, and then extending this for different relationships within each series and between the series.
numbers of people. Suggested Materials
Suggested Materials Paper in various A and B sizes; pens; post it notes; rulers;
Paper; pens; post it notes; rulers; calculators. scissors, sticky tape.
www.stem.org.uk/rxu3r www.stem.org.uk/rxu3q
-14


Hide the spies Golden mazes
Determine where spies should sit in a park that has a square In this investigation pupils explore the effect of the route,
grid of benches, interspersed by bushes, so that they cannot see through a series of rectangular mazes, on the number of gold
each other, and investigate how many different arrangements coins that can be collected.
are possible. Suggested Materials
Suggested Materials Paper; pens; post it notes; rulers; counters/cubes; calculator.
Paper; pens; post it notes; rulers; counters/cubes etc.
www.stem.org.uk/rxu3o
www.stem.org.uk/rxu3p
-14


Fire hydrants Corner to corner
In this investigation pupils experiment with the placing and In this investigation pupils investigate how different numbers
number of fire hydrants required in a city with square blocks of squares can be joined corner to corner, and the effect their
that form a rectangular grid. arrangement has on the area of the rectangle that encloses the
Suggested Materials squares.
Paper; pens; post it notes; rulers; counters/cubes; straws. Suggested Materials
Squared paper; Mirror; Tracing paper; Scissors; or interactive
drawing software.
www.stem.org.uk/rxu3n
www.stem.org.uk/rxu3m
-14

Published by Royal Academy of Engineering
In control
Set small groups of students the challenge of working

together to design a gadget that can be attached to and
powered by a bicycle.
Suggested Materials
required.
www.stem.org.uk/rxesc9
-14

STEM Learning is supported by a unique partnership of government, charitable trusts and employers.
We are dedicated to raising young people’s engagement and achievement in STEM subjects and careers.
For more information on the programmes and publications available from STEM Learning, visit our website
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Primary

Choose age range:

4 -5 5 -11 7 -9 7 -11 9 -11 9 -14

50+ STEM activities for any primary classroom 2

Published by British Science Association Published by British Science Association

Make a time capsule Brain hats

50+ STEM activities for any primary classroom 3

Published by British Science Association Published by British Science Association

Headline figures Tracks and tunnels game

Ages 4 -5 Ages 55-11

50+ STEM activities for any primary classroom 4

Published by British Science Association Published by British Science Association

Resilient rovers Make it fly

Ages 4 -5 Ages 55-11

50+ STEM activities for any primary classroom 5

Published by British Science Association Published by British Science Association

Sneeze zone Matilda’s floating feat

Ages 4 -5 Ages 55-11

50+ STEM activities for any primary classroom 6

Published by British Science Association Published by European Space Agency (ESA)

Nature walk diary Highlands and lowlands

Ages 4 -5 Ages 55-11

50+ STEM activities for any primary classroom 7

Published by European Space Agency (ESA)

Finding a landing site

Play a Moon landing sites battleship game.

Ages 4 -5 Ages 55-11

50+ STEM activities for any primary classroom 8

Published by STEM Learning Published by STEM Learning

Body language Talking without words

Ages 4 -5 Ages 5 -11 Ages 77-9

50+ STEM activities for any primary classroom 9

Published by STEM Learning Published by STEM Learning

Moving together Long-distance journeys

Ages 4 -5 Ages 5 -11 Ages 77-9

50+ STEM activities for any primary classroom 10

Published by STEM Learning Published by STEM Learning

Broken food chain Microwave myth busting

Ages 4 -5 Ages 5 -11 Ages 77-9

50+ STEM activities for any primary classroom 11

Published by STEM Learning Published by STEM Learning

Friction fables It’s raining giant hailstones!

Ages 4 -5 Ages 5 -11 Ages 77-9

50+ STEM activities for any primary classroom 12

Published by STEM Learning

Ages 4 -5 Ages 5 -11 Ages 77-9

50+ STEM activities for any primary classroom 13

From the ground to the sky Moon constitution

Ages 4 -5 Ages 5 -11 Ages 7 -9 Ages 77-11

50+ STEM activities for any primary classroom 14

Published by European Space Agency (ESA) Published by ESERO-UK

Activity 2: how do human activities affect Mirror origami challenge

Ages 4 -5 Ages 5 -11 Ages 7 -9 Ages 77-11

50+ STEM activities for any primary classroom 15