The Best Examples of STEM Lesson Plans for Elementary Students (That Actually Work)

Quick, Classroom-Ready Examples of STEM Lesson Plans for Elementary Students

Let’s start with what you actually came for: real examples of STEM lesson plans for elementary students you can picture in your room.

Imagine this: instead of another worksheet, your students are on the floor building mini shelters out of straws and tape, arguing (politely… mostly) about which roof design will keep the “rain” out longer. That’s STEM. It’s messy, noisy, and wonderfully memorable.

Here are several examples of STEM lesson plans for elementary students that work across grades and settings, from public schools to homeschool co-ops and after-school clubs.

Weather-Proof Shelter Challenge (Grades 2–5)

Big idea: Design and test a shelter that protects a paper “person” from simulated rain and wind.

STEM focus: Engineering design, properties of materials, weather.

Materials:

• Paper cups, index cards, straws, craft sticks, cardboard scraps
• Tape, glue
• Spray bottle with water or a cup of water
• Fan (optional) for “wind”

How it works in class
Students work in pairs or small groups to design a mini shelter that keeps a paper cutout dry. You introduce the challenge, set a time limit, and briefly review what makes a structure strong: wide base, triangles, stable joints.

They build, you spray, everyone gasps when the first roof collapses. Then comes the important part: they improve their designs based on what failed the first time.

Why this is one of the best examples of STEM lesson plans for elementary students:
It hits multiple science concepts (weather, materials, forces) and the engineering design cycle in one go. Students plan, build, test, and iterate, which aligns nicely with NGSS engineering practices. You can find related engineering design guidance in the NGSS resources from NextGenScience.

You can easily scale it:

• Younger students: focus on “What kept it dry?” and “How can we make it stronger?”
• Older students: measure how long the shelter keeps the paper dry and compare designs using data.

Paper Airplane Flight Lab (Grades 3–5)

Big idea: Use the scientific method to test how design changes affect flight distance.

STEM focus: Forces and motion, measurement, data analysis.

Materials:

• Printer paper
• Measuring tape or floor tiles
• Chart paper or digital spreadsheet

Each group chooses a basic paper airplane design. They test it three times, measure the distance, and record the data. Then they change one variable: wing length, nose shape, or added paper clips for weight.

Students predict what will happen, test again, and compare the results. They graph the distances and discuss which design flew farthest and why.

This is a classic example of a STEM lesson plan for elementary students because it connects math skills (measurement, averaging, graphing) directly to a hands-on investigation. It also introduces the idea of controlling variables, which sets students up nicely for more formal science experiments in upper grades.

For teachers who want to connect to real aerospace work, NASA’s education site offers related resources and student-friendly explanations of flight and forces: https://www.nasa.gov/stem.

Build a Better Bridge: Cardboard Engineering (Grades 2–4)

Big idea: Design a bridge that spans a gap and holds as much weight as possible.

STEM focus: Engineering, forces, geometry, problem-solving.

Materials:

• Cardboard strips or index cards
• Tape
• Small weights (coins, washers, or even math manipulatives)
• Two desks or chairs to form a gap

Students work in teams to build a bridge across a set distance (for example, 12 inches between two desks). They can fold, roll, or layer the cardboard, but they must stay within a simple material limit.

They test their bridges by slowly adding weight and recording how much the bridge can hold before collapse. Then they redesign based on what worked: trusses, arches, or layered beams.

This is one of the best examples of STEM lesson plans for elementary students because it naturally leads to math conversations: length, symmetry, and even basic multiplication as students count and group weights. You can also link to real-world engineering by showing pictures of famous bridges and asking students to spot patterns in the designs.

Kindergarten to 2nd Grade: Gentle On-Ramps to STEM

You don’t need complex equipment to introduce STEM in the early grades. Here are real examples of STEM lesson plans for elementary students tailored for K–2.

Sink or Float Science Stations (K–1)

Big idea: Predict and test whether objects will sink or float.

STEM focus: Properties of materials, observation, prediction.

Materials:

• Tub or bin of water
• A mix of objects: plastic toys, metal spoons, corks, blocks, crayons
• Simple recording sheet with pictures or symbols

Students rotate through a station where they hold an object, predict sink or float, then test. They record their results with check marks or simple words.

To deepen the learning, ask questions like:

• “What do the floating objects have in common?”
• “Can you find two floating objects that are different sizes?”

This example of a STEM lesson plan for elementary students is perfect for early readers because it leans on visuals and hands-on exploration instead of heavy text.

Shape Towers with Marshmallows (K–2)

Big idea: Use 2D and 3D shapes to build a stable tower.

STEM focus: Geometry, structure, fine motor skills.

Materials:

• Mini marshmallows or modeling clay
• Toothpicks or craft sticks

Students build towers using toothpicks as edges and marshmallows as connectors. You can challenge them to build the tallest tower that stands on its own for at least 10 seconds.

Talk about shapes:

• “Where do you see triangles?”
• “What shape makes the tower wobble less?”

This is one of the most popular examples of STEM lesson plans for elementary students because it’s accessible, affordable, and instantly engaging. It also introduces the idea that some shapes (like triangles) make stronger structures.

3rd to 5th Grade: STEM Projects With More Data and Depth

As students move into upper elementary, you can keep the fun but crank up the thinking. These examples of STEM lesson plans for elementary students weave in more data, reflection, and real-world connections.

Solar Oven S’mores (Grades 4–5)

Big idea: Use solar energy to heat food.

STEM focus: Renewable energy, temperature, light absorption.

Materials:

• Pizza box or shoebox
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic wrap or clear sheet protectors
• Black construction paper
• Tape, scissors
• S’mores ingredients (or a safe substitute)
• Thermometers (optional)

Students build simple solar ovens using boxes lined with foil and black paper. On a sunny day, they place their ovens outside and track temperature changes over time.

You can connect this to climate and energy discussions, referencing U.S. Department of Energy resources on renewable energy: https://www.energy.gov/energy-education.

This example of a STEM lesson plan for elementary students is a favorite because it combines science with a tangible (and tasty) outcome. It also opens the door to equity discussions: How could solar cookers help communities with limited access to electricity or clean cooking fuel?

Water Filter Design Challenge (Grades 3–5)

Big idea: Design and test a simple water filter.

STEM focus: Environmental engineering, scientific testing, iteration.

Materials:

• Plastic bottles cut in half (top half used as funnel)
• Coffee filters, cotton balls, sand, gravel, activated charcoal (if available)
• Dirty water (tap water with soil and food coloring)
• Clear cups or beakers

Students work in teams to design a filter using a limited set of materials. They pour dirty water through and observe how clear it becomes.

Then they adjust the order or amount of materials and test again, comparing which design produced the clearest water.

This is one of the best examples of STEM lesson plans for elementary students for teaching real-world problem-solving. You can link to global water issues and health, using resources from the CDC’s drinking water pages: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking.

Coding Without Screens: Unplugged STEM (All Elementary Grades)

Not every STEM lesson needs a device. In fact, many schools are balancing screen time carefully in 2024–2025, so unplugged activities are in high demand.

Human Robot Coding Game

Big idea: Learn the basics of algorithms and debugging using movement.

STEM focus: Computational thinking, sequencing, logic.

Materials:

• Masking tape to create a grid on the floor
• Simple “command” cards: step forward, turn left, turn right, pick up, put down
• Small objects as “targets” or “goals”

One student is the “robot,” another is the “programmer.” The programmer lays out a sequence of command cards to move the robot from start to finish on the grid.

When the robot follows the commands and crashes into a chair instead of reaching the goal, the team has to “debug” the code and try again.

This is a powerful example of a STEM lesson plan for elementary students because it builds the mindset behind coding—clear instructions, testing, and revising—without needing laptops or tablets. It also works well in tight classroom spaces.

Tying STEM Lessons to 2024–2025 Trends

STEM education in 2024–2025 is leaning heavily toward a few themes:

• Real-world relevance. Lessons like the water filter challenge and solar ovens connect directly to global issues like clean water and renewable energy.
• Equity and access. Many schools are focusing on low-cost materials so every student can participate. The examples of STEM lesson plans for elementary students above mostly use supplies you can find at a dollar store or recycle bin.
• Interdisciplinary learning. STEM isn’t in a silo anymore. The bridge project can include reading about famous engineers; the weather shelter can include writing a “news report” about a storm.
• Early introduction to computational thinking. Unplugged coding games and pattern-based activities in K–2 set students up for later success in formal coding environments.

For more on current STEM education priorities, the U.S. Department of Education offers policy and program updates here: https://www.ed.gov/stem.

Planning Your Own Examples of STEM Lesson Plans for Elementary Students

You don’t have to copy these lessons word for word. In fact, the best examples often come from adapting a basic idea to your students, your space, and your time.

Here’s a simple way to design your own:

Start with a real-world problem a child can understand: staying dry in the rain, crossing a river, cleaning dirty water, keeping food cold, lighting a dark room. Then ask:

• What science concept lives inside this problem? (Weather, forces, energy, materials.)
• What math can we naturally use? (Measuring distance, counting trials, comparing temperatures.)
• What constraints make it interesting? (Limited materials, time limit, size limit.)

From there, sketch a short cycle: introduce the challenge, let them build or test, collect simple data, then improve the design.

When teachers talk about the best examples of STEM lesson plans for elementary students, they’re usually describing lessons that:

• Are simple to set up but rich in thinking.
• Allow for multiple solutions instead of one “right” answer.
• Encourage students to explain their ideas out loud.

If you keep those three features in mind, your classroom will be full of your own real examples of STEM lesson plans for elementary students in no time.

FAQ: Examples of STEM Lesson Plans for Elementary Students

Q: What is an easy example of a STEM lesson plan for elementary students I can do tomorrow?
An easy example of a STEM lesson plan for elementary students is the paper airplane lab. All you need is paper, a measuring tool, and a way to record data. Students design a basic plane, test it three times, change one feature, and test again. You get science (forces and motion), math (measurement and averages), and engineering (improving designs) in a single class period.

Q: How often should I use STEM lesson plans in my elementary classroom?
You don’t need STEM every day to make an impact. Many teachers start with one STEM lesson every week or every other week. The key is consistency and giving students time to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and how they might change their designs.

Q: Do I need special equipment or a lab for good STEM lessons?
No. Some of the best examples of STEM lesson plans for elementary students come from everyday materials: cardboard, tape, paper, plastic bottles, and basic classroom supplies. If you have access to devices or a makerspace, that’s a bonus, not a requirement.

Q: How can I assess STEM projects fairly?
Instead of grading only the final product, focus on the process: planning, collaboration, testing, and reflection. Rubrics that reward effort, creativity, and use of data work well. You can also have students write or record short reflections explaining their design choices.

Q: Where can I find more high-quality examples of STEM lesson plans for elementary students?
Look for resources from trusted organizations. NASA’s STEM site, the U.S. Department of Education’s STEM page, and university outreach programs (for example, many .edu sites) often share free, standards-aligned STEM activities. These sources provide real examples that have been tested with students and aligned to current standards.