8 Must Do STEM Activities for May

May is the perfect time to lean into creativity, collaboration, and hands-on fun in the STEM Lab. Whether you’re wrapping up the school year or looking to keep your students engaged during the final stretch, these STEM activities for May are a must-do! From space-themed builds to spring-inspired designs, each challenge brings a fresh opportunity for your students to apply their skills in new and exciting ways. Today, I’m sharing how to plan this month to blend engineering, problem-solving, and imagination. These ideas are just what you need to make your STEM time unforgettable.

Common Supplies You’ll Need for STEM Activities for May

Before diving into the STEM activities for May, it’s super helpful to have a collection of go-to materials ready. You’ll notice that many of these challenges rely on classic, reusable supplies. This makes them easy to prep and flexible across grade levels. Think popsicle sticks, rubber bands, cardboard, tape, straws, pipe cleaners, and string. You’ll also want to have things like index cards, construction paper, cups, marbles, and recycled items handy. I always keep bins organized by type of supplies so I can quickly grab what we need without extra prep time.

Dry erase pockets or laminated response sheets are also a game-changer for quick clean-up and reuse. This is especially true if you’re running multiple centers. A simple bin of scissors, glue, and measuring tools will round out your materials, then you’re set for anything May throws your way!

What Makes These STEM Activities for May Work So Well?

Each of the STEM activities for May follows a predictable, student-friendly structure that still leaves tons of room for creativity. They’re all rooted in the engineering design process: ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve. That structure helps your students stay focused while building problem-solving and collaboration skills. Let’s be honest. It also makes managing groups way easier when everyone knows what step comes next.

Every challenge gives your students a scenario or problem to solve, which means they’re not just building something – they’re building with purpose. That narrative element is a big part of the engagement. Whether it’s helping rebels escape a base or designing a robot to save the day, the storytelling hooks your students from the start. Many challenges also come with optional certificates and fun stickers, giving you an easy way to celebrate creativity and effort.

Space Themed STEM Activities for May

We kick off May with some of the most exciting and creative STEM activities for May. These six challenges have my students completely immersed in the world of heroes, hideouts, and high-stakes missions. Built upon the “May the Fourth Be With You” theme, these Star Wars-inspired challenges are packed with hands-on engineering, collaborative problem-solving, and just the right amount of imagination to keep the energy high.

They are perfect to use on or around May 4th or any time you want to connect STEM to space.

Challenge 1: Build a Bridge to Help Rey and Finn Escape

In this first challenge, our students have one clear mission. They need to build a bridge strong enough to help Rey and Finn make a daring escape! Our students then work together to span a gap between two desks or chairs using any materials we have on hand. Think popsicle sticks, index cards, tape, straws, string, you name it! The real test? Could their bridge hold the weight of 20 pennies without collapsing?

This challenge pushes our students to think like engineers. They have to plan, test, and improve their structures while working as a team. Along the way, they practice math skills like measuring length and weight. They even explore basic physics as they balance load distribution. During my class, it was all hands on deck, and the creative designs were out of this world! I know your students would knock this one out of the park, too!

Challenge 2: Design a New Rebel Base

After escaping, Rey and Finn need a safe place to hide. So next up is designing a brand new base for the Rebels, complete with two exits and a secret hiding space. This activity was all about creativity and problem-solving as well. Our students use classroom supplies, recycled materials, or building bricks to create structures that are both clever and functional.

We focus on how design can support safety and strategy. This is perfect for tying in discussions about real-world architecture and planning. I then had my students explain their designs, map out hiding spots, and even think about how Rebels would get in and out quickly. And, of course, this challenge gave plenty of space for storytelling, role-play, and teamwork.

Challenge 3: Build a Droid That Can Move

The rebels need backup, so our students are just the engineers for the job. In this challenge, their task is to design a brand-new droid to help in the mission. The twist is that it has to move, and fast! I have my students use all kinds of materials, from marbles and cardboard to pipe cleaners and rubber bands, to build a robot that can roll, glide, or scoot across the floor.

To make it more engaging, I have my student explain the problem their robot would solve. Then, they go on to write creative stories about their droid’s purpose. Some droids deliver supplies, others scan for danger, and a few even have built-in secret tools. We set up a simple ramp to test which droid rolls the farthest. I personally love how the cheers get pretty loud with each test! This challenge gave our students a chance to practice math (measuring distances), engineering, teamwork, and literacy all in one go.

Challenge 4: Create a Spaceship for Han to Escape

Once the droid is ready, it is time to rescue Han! Our students’ new mission is to create a brand-new ship to help him escape and return safely to base. I challenge my students to design a paper-style airplane that could stay in the air for at least 5 seconds. We test their ships using timers and measure flight distance using tape lines on the floor.

This challenge is a favorite because my students could tweak their designs over and over again. Some add longer wings, some fold stabilizers, and others experiment with how weight affects flight time. The engineering process was in full swing, and the creativity was endless. My students not only draw and label their blueprints, but many also write reflections and share improvement strategies after each test flight.

Challenge 5: Create a Dark Side Mask for a New Villain

We start the week by diving into character creation with the Dark Side Mask Challenge. Our students are challenged to invent a brand-new villain. I also give them the option to redesign a classic one. For either option, they need to create a custom mask to match. The catch is that the mask has to be functional, with openings to see and breathe through. We use cardstock, construction paper, pipe cleaners, straws, and a mix of decorating materials to bring these fierce faces to life.

The design process begins with sketches and planning. Then, it moves into the hands-on building. I have my students go further by writing stories about their villain’s background and powers. This adds a layer of literacy to this STEM task. I love how my classroom is buzzing with backstories, mask testing, and plenty of dramatic villain voices! This challenge encourages teamwork, visual design, and drawing skills in a way that feels more like play than work.

Challenge 6: Build a Catapult

After creating their masked villains, it is time to give them some serious firepower! The next challenge is to build a working catapult that could launch a “rock” (a marshmallow or pompom) at least three feet. Using rubber bands, craft sticks, bottle caps, spoons, and tape, our students construct their launchers and get ready for testing.

I mark off distances on the floor with tape and create a launch zone where my students can test and adjust their designs. Some groups build for distance, while others aim for accuracy by trying to hit a cup or target. Every attempt is met with cheers and plenty of redesigns! This challenge ties directly into math skills like measuring distance and angles. The engineering process comes alive as our students improve their catapults after each test round.

Whether you pick and choose a couple of these space-themed activities, or set up all 6 and let students rotate, these STEM challenges are sure to help you create a fun filled day of learning your students won’t soon forget.

Spring Themed STEM Activities for May

Spring and May go hand in hand. The weather is warmer, nature is budding, and animals seem to be everywhere. I love to weave some spring-themed STEM Activities into my May lesson plans to bring a little of the outdoors in. And. . . we might even take a little STEM outdoors!

May gives our students a chance to connect science and sustainability by designing birdhouses with recycled and natural materials. This Earth-friendly challenge ties in perfectly with a read-aloud like “What to Do With a Box“. This book does a great job of inspiring our students to reimagine everyday items in creative new ways.

Challenge: Build a Birdhouse from Recycled and Natural Materials

In this challenge, our students have the task of creating a safe and sturdy birdhouse using recycled supplies and items found in nature. Before we even touch the materials, we have a conversation about recycling, reducing waste, and how birds are impacted by deforestation. We explore the types of nests birds build and talk about what makes a structure safe and functional for animals.

Using boxes, straws, popsicle sticks, bottle caps, string, grass, twigs, and anything else they can find in our recycled bin or outside, my students build their birdhouses from the ground up. Their structures need a perch and a way to hang up, just like real birdhouses! Our students plan, draw, build, test, and improve their models just like engineers.

This challenge encourages our students to think about how their designs can support bird safety. They love sharing the creative ways they reuse materials. Some of my students even add touches like natural camouflage or “soft nesting spots” using grass clippings. The teamwork and collaboration are incredible to watch as our students work side by side. I love hearing them exchange ideas and combine materials to build their best version.

When possible, I love to have my students take their creations outside to hang. If that isn’t possible, I’ll let them take them home. It is always great to hear reports back when they see their creations being used by wildlife. It is such a fun project, and it helps my students quickly see that they can play a part in conservation and protecting animals.

Challenge: Spring Shapes Design Challenge

For this activity, our students use pattern blocks to create spring-themed designs, from flowers and butterflies to birds and buzzing bees. The question at the heart of the challenge is, “What shapes can you use to make a spring design?” With this challenge, our students are thinking about how shapes fit together, how many to use, and what patterns emerge.

I usually pair the activity with a spring-themed book like When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes. Any story that focuses on shapes or springtime visuals works beautifully here. After a quick review of 2D shapes using Google Slides or printed task cards, I have my students jump right into imagining their spring scenes.

As they build, I have my students record how many of each shape they use on their response sheets. This naturally leads to conversations about counting, comparing totals, and noticing patterns. We love math talk in action! Depending on your students’ levels, they could either use response sheets with shapes already drawn in or draw and write freely about their creations.

This final challenge brings a calm and joyful energy to the room. Our students are able to collaborate, share ideas, and proudly display their designs. Pattern blocks are easy to clean up and reuse, and they are a low-prep, high-impact way to end our STEM activities for May on a bright note.

Wrap Up Your School Year with Engaging STEM Activities for May

These STEM activities for May bring so much creativity, teamwork, and hands-on learning into the classroom. They’re the perfect way to keep your students engaged during that final stretch of the school year. Whether they are building droids, designing new bases, or crafting springtime shapes, each challenge gives your students a chance to explore, problem-solve, and have fun. With just a few simple materials and a spark of imagination, you can turn May into a new STEM adventure. So go ahead and get your materials ready, print those task cards, and bring these challenges to life in your classroom!

STEM For a Year

If you love these STEM activities for May and want to keep the excitement going all year long, you’ve got to check out the STEM For a Year Club! It’s packed with ready-to-go challenges for every season that are hands-on, low prep, and guaranteed to keep your students engaged. You’ll get access to a full year of themed activities that spark creativity, build problem-solving skills, and make your STEM time something your students look forward to every single week.

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