Finding STEM in Nature
STEM is one branch of Summer Wonder programming. There are many opportunities for kids to discover: Mini Makers, robotics, STEAMLabs and more.
With all of the shiny robotics and new coding games available it can be a challenge to entice kids to go outside and get them in touch with their wild roots. Given the keen interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, how can you transfer this enthusiasm to the great outdoors?
Let’s be honest: STEM gets messy. That’s one of the reasons it works so well in nature.
The natural world is loaded with sensory experiences, which lend themselves to scientific observation. Tip: invest in an inexpensive magnifying glass so that kids can'try a new perspective. You don’t need much to get started.
Growing up, my brother and I played with ant farms. We filled interconnecting tubes with soil, buried ants inside and planted sugar at the top. Then we watched the industrious little creatures make their tunnels to the top. Even without the STEM label, we were junior scientists. Flash forward to the present. One of us pursued a career in STEM and is now a biomechanical engineer. Although my brother doesn’t credit ant farms for his chosen career path, we spent lots of time exploring the natural world.
Fact: there are an estimated number of 1 to 10 quadrillion ants in the world. That’s over 1 million ants per human. (…Oh, and one of us became a librarian!)
STEM Activities in Nature
See below for activities and TPL’s top titles on STEM in nature.
Dirt
A dirt battery experiment is sure to get kids digging up some weeds. I would have loved this experiment as a kid.
Sun
Harness the power of the sun and make sun prints. Little Bins for Little Hands includes a scientific explanation beneath each activity.
Stars
Stay up past your bedtime and bask in the wonders of the night sky. Download an app to help map the constellations you see.
Recommended Books
Maker Lab Outdoors by Jack Challoner
Bug Science by Karen Romano Young
This is Rocket Science by Emma Vanstone
Outdoor Science Lab for Kids by Liz Lee Heinecke
The Hot Air Balloon Book by Clive Catterall
30-Minute Outdoor Science Projects by Anna Leigh
Wind Energy Projects by Jessie Alkire
4 thoughts on “Finding STEM in Nature”
I love this idea of incorporating nature and STEM, great titles being suggested too!
I was obsessed with insects when I was a kid! Now as an adult I am a huge proponent of exploring and discovering things in nature. This year I hosted a few caterpillars as they created their chrysalises and then set them free when they became butterflies – it was so cool and felt good to do my part to help the butterfly population 🙂 I think it would also be awesome to have your own beehive (maybe one day when I have outdoor space).
Something my uncle used to do when we were kids was catch a fly or ant and throw it into a spider web in the backyard so we could watch the spider catch and wrap its prey. Looking back, I feel badly for the bugs we sacrificed but it is fascinating to watch nature do it’s amazing thing (and the spiders need to eat too!).
I’m glad that you enjoy. There are so many seductive STEM toys, but they don’t need to compete with the great outdoors. I’m dreaming of the hot air balloon activities.
How marvelous. I have some caterpillars that are finding my dill quite hospitable at the moment. It’s fun to observe. And even though I’m super allergic to spiders, I continue to be fascinated by their webs.