6 Exciting March STEM Activities for Kids

March is here, and with it comes the undeniable energy of our students anticipating the first signs of spring and, of course, spring break! I’ve found that this time of year brings plenty of wiggles to the classroom. This is why it’s the perfect time to lean into hands-on, engaging STEM activities. These kinds of lessons channel that extra energy in productive ways and keep our students focused, curious, and learning. March STEM activities are the perfect solution to keep learning fun and meaningful all month long. Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite resources that bring March STEM to life in my classroom!

Benefits of March STEM Activities

March STEM activities offer so much more than just keeping our students engaged. They help build essential skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom. I’ve noticed that during this transitional month, hands-on STEM lessons are a great way to keep my students grounded in their learning. These activities encourage creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration while allowing our students to explore real-world concepts.

What I love most is how these STEM activities allow for a natural mix of fun and challenge. They provide students with opportunities to test ideas, learn from mistakes, and celebrate successes. All while staying active and curious. Plus, including STEM in the classroom during this time keeps their minds focused, making the spring break countdown feel like a breeze!

Hands-On March STEM Activities

With all the benefits that March STEM activities bring, it’s no wonder I look forward to using them in my classroom every year. Let’s look at some of my favorite STEM resources that are perfect for this time of year. Each one is designed to spark curiosity, encourage problem-solving, and keep our students actively engaged as we head into spring.

1. Building a Leprechaun Trap

One of my favorite March STEM activities is the Leprechaun Trap Challenge. My students absolutely love it! This hands-on challenge combines creativity, problem-solving, and engineering as our students design and build their own leprechaun traps. With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, this activity taps into their excitement while reinforcing key STEM skills.

I introduce this activity by reading How to Trap a Leprechaun as a fun lead-in. Then, we discuss the engineering design process, which is asking questions, imagining possibilities, planning, creating, and improving. I give my students a variety of materials like cardboard, popsicle sticks, tin foil, and string. Then, I let their imaginations run wild. Whether they build elaborate pulley systems or simple drop traps, every student brings something unique to the table.

Once the traps are built, I have my students test their designs and explain how they work. They work with measurements and make adjustments along the way. To celebrate their hard work, I hand out fun completion certificates. We also reflect on what worked and what could be improved.

2. Rainbow Spinner Toy

March STEM is all about bringing creativity to life. My Rainbow Spinner Challenge does just that! This activity blends the magic of rainbows with engineering and design, making it an instant hit with my students. I kick things off with the book A Rainbow of My Own to get everyone inspired. From there, we dive into brainstorming how we might create a spinning rainbow that’s as colorful and vibrant as the real thing.

I have students construct their spinners with materials like paper strips, circles, and dowels. I give them the option to either follow the provided instructions or experiment with their own ideas. The best part is watching their faces light up as their designs come to life! We test each spinner by spinning it at different speeds and observing how the colors blend and change.

3. Gold Catching Tool

Another favorite March STEM activity in my classroom is the Catch the Gold Challenge. This challenge asks our students to create a tool that can lift those “heavy” gold coins. This ties in perfectly with the St. Patrick’s Day theme. To set the scene, I start by reading a festive story or sharing a fun video about gold and leprechauns. Then, I explain the challenge: build a creative and functional tool to pick up as many gold coins as possible!

My students usually dive into the engineering design process eagerly for this challenge. They brainstorm ideas and sketch out their tools before grabbing materials I have on hand, like popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and plastic forks. I love how inventive they get! Some come up with claw-like grabbers, while others design scooping mechanisms. Once their tools are ready, they put them to the test, adjusting and improving as they go.

4. St. Patrick’s Day Gold Boat

If there’s one March STEM activity that gets my students talking, it’s the Pot o’ Gold Boat Challenge! The task is simple but packed with opportunities for creativity and learning. Students are challenged to design a boat that can hold as much “gold” as possible without sinking. I get us started by reading The Story of the Leprechaun. I also play the accompanying video from the resource. This gives them a fun connection to the challenge before we dive in.

We then discuss what makes a boat float and how weight distribution can affect stability. With materials like aluminum foil, popsicle sticks, and rubber bands, my students get busy brainstorming and sketching their ideas. Watching them test their designs with pennies or gold coins is always a highlight. They quickly realize that some boats need a bit more balance. Thankfully, they love experimenting with ways to improve while practicing the growth mindset!

5. Rainbow Maze Challenge

When it comes to March STEM activities, the Rainbow Maze Challenge always adds a splash of color and creativity to my classroom. This challenge is about designing a tricky maze for a leprechaun to navigate on their quest for gold. It’s perfect for engaging our students in critical thinking and spatial planning while tying in some festive fun.

We start by talking about what makes a maze challenging but still solvable. My students usually point out the elements of turns, dead ends, and obstacles. With colorful blocks, printed leprechaun cutouts, and gold coins, I have my students begin building their own mazes. Some choose to keep it simple, while others create intricate paths that test even the most determined leprechaun.

One thing I love about this challenge is how it incorporates storytelling. Each of our students has the chance to explain their maze. They can describe the leprechaun’s journey and the obstacles they’ve included. It’s a great way to combine STEM with literacy and communication skills. As the final touch, we test the mazes using marbles or small figures!

6. Drawing Leprechaun Craft

My St. Patrick’s Day Disguise Challenge brings art and engineering together in a creative way. The goal is for our students to transform ordinary St. Patrick’s Day objects, like a shamrock, a pot of gold, a rainbow, or a leprechaun hat, into something completely unrecognizable! This challenge taps into their creative sides and ties in literacy by encouraging our students to write stories about their disguised creations.

I explain the challenge and give examples of disguises. The creativity that follows is always incredible. With materials like drawing tools, yarn, glitter, and pom-poms, my students diligently redesign their chosen objects. A shamrock might become a clever animal, or a pot of gold might be turned into a spaceship. The possibilities are endless!

To extend the activity, I have my students write stories about their designs. They answer questions like why their object needed a disguise or how it transformed. I love seeing their personalities shine through both their art and their storytelling.

Expand Your STEM Toolbox

If you’re looking to bring even more excitement to your STEM lessons, STEM for a Year is exactly what you need! This program offers a full year of engaging STEM activities ready to spark creativity and critical thinking in your students. With lessons designed to cover a variety of themes and skills, it’s the perfect way to keep your classroom buzzing with energy all year long.

What I love most about STEM for a Year is how it simplifies planning while offering endless possibilities for hands-on learning. Each activity is easy to implement, packed with creativity, and encourages our students to think like scientists and engineers. Whether you’re tackling seasonal challenges, like our March STEM activities, or diving into year-round favorites, this resource ensures your students stay curious, motivated, and ready to learn.

Use March STEM Activities to Keep Your Students Engaged

March is the perfect time to energize your classroom with hands-on, creative STEM activities. From building rainbow mazes to crafting clever disguises, these challenges spark curiosity, encourage problem-solving, and keep our students engaged during a time when focus can waver. I love seeing my students collaborate, experiment, and celebrate their successes as they tackle these exciting projects. If you’re ready to bring some of these ideas to your own classroom, give these March STEM activities a try. You and your students will love the results!

Save these March STEM Activities

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