It’s hard for students to feel intimidated by math when their using it to make cookie dough.

Middle school math intervention teacher Melody Jacklin, from Michigan, shares how she’s helped her students build math confidence through hands-on STEM projects, like mixing cookie dough and creating 3D printed bubble wands. Tune in to hear strategies on creating relevant and meaningful math lessons, incorporating STEM challenges in math instruction, and getting students comfortable with productive struggle.

Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the country. Hear firsthand from the people who are shaping young lives in the classroom every day. If you or someone you know would be a good candidate for Teachers in America, please email us at shaped@hmhco.com.

As Halloween approaches, teachers search for creative ways to engage their elementary students while embracing the spooky spirit.

Look no further than the makerspace in your classroom! This innovative space promotes hands-on learning and allows students to explore their imaginations and tap into their inner mad scientists during Halloween. So why not blend the fun of Halloween with the educational power of STEM and a Makerspace Extension or Two? We've conjured up five imaginative ideas that will make your students howl excitedly as they bring their eerie creations to life. So play a spooky Halloween tune or two and prepare for a hair-raising adventure in the makerspace world this Halloween!

After all, who knows? The next significant scientific breakthrough could come from an inspired mind that started experimenting during this enchanting season.

More Resources on Teaching During the Halloween Season:

OTT 228: Small Steps, Big Leaps: Halloween STEM Projects for the Elementary Classroom Halloween Story Stations

OTT 227: STEM for Halloween: 3 Ideas for Integrating Seasonal STEM Activities into the Classroom

OTT 147: 3 Secret Tactics for Breathing New Life into Science in October

OTT 148: How to Use More Spooky Fun Halloween Books in Your Makerspace
Primary Classroom

OTT 149: 3 Interesting Ideas for Halloween in Your Primary Classroom

OTT 50: 7 Sensational Halloween Books Kids Will Love

OTT 51: How Teachers Survive Halloween!

More ideas

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix, and if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast, and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

Halloween, the spookiest time of year, is upon us once again. 

And while little goblins and witches roam the streets searching for candy, why not bring some educational magic into your elementary classroom for elementary students? Forget about the typical Halloween crafts, pumpkin carving, and a spooky Halloween tune; it's time to take small steps toward giant leaps with thrilling Halloween STEM activities! Transform your classroom into a makerspace activity filled with fun and discovery as students embark on spooky scientific adventures based on some Halloween story favorites. So grab your cauldron and broomstick because we're about to brew up some wickedly witty Halloween Story Stations that will have your students screaming for more Makerspace moments!

Why Halloween STEM Projects Are so Much Fun

Who says Halloween is all about costumes and candy? Sure, dressing up as a spooky witch, a fearsome vampire, or even as creepy crawlies can be fun, but why not take it up a notch with some Halloween STEM projects in the form of Makerspace Story Stations? These devilishly delightful activities combine the excitement of Halloween with the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and math. It's like having a bubbling cauldron filled with maker space moments!

One of the reasons why Halloween STEM projects are so much fun is because they allow kids to think creatively and problem-solve in a totally different way. Whether designing and building their own haunted house from scratch or figuring out how to create a device to give a monster a haircut, these projects engage young minds in hands-on learning experiences beyond textbooks. Who wouldn't want to impress their friends with mind-bogglingly cool creations to hold a load of candy?

But it doesn't stop there! The beauty of Halloween STEM projects lies in their interdisciplinary nature. They encourage kids to explore deeper comprehension while also honing their technical and creative skills by solving the problems inside of favorite Halloween books for kids. From exploring pumpkin inventions to building a solution for a skeleton spook – these projects offer endless opportunities for kids to discover new connections between different ways of thinking.

So forget about just bobbing for apples this year and dive into the world of Halloween STEAM (STEM + Art) activities.

Exploring the Science Behind the Halloween Season

It's that time of year again when pumpkins are carved, costumes are donned, and candy corn seems to multiply overnight magically. Yes, Halloween is just around the corner - a holiday that never fails to ignite excitement and intrigue in people of all ages. But have you ever wondered what makes this spooktacular season so fascinating? Let's delve into the science behind it all and uncover some eerie insights.

First, let's talk about everyone's favorite Halloween treat - candy corn. Love it or hate

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix, and if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast, and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to fall, it's time to embrace the spooky spirit of Halloween in your classroom. 

But why settle for boring old candy and costumes when you can infuse STEM magic and so much fun into this Halloween season? Get ready to turn your classroom into a makerspace filled with spine-tingling experiments, hair-raising challenges, and ghoulishly fun activities that will have your students shrieking with delight while learning valuable STEM skills through fun STEM challenges, a Makerspace extension and spooky chemical reaction or two. In this blog/podcast, we'll explore three wickedly awesome ideas for integrating seasonal STEM activities into your curriculum, ensuring that this Halloween is anything but ordinary.

Why STEM Activities are Important for Halloween

Halloween may be known for costumes, creepy crawlies, and candy, but it's also the perfect time to incorporate STEM activities into elementary students' celebrations. Makerspace moments can take a spooky twist as kids use their creativity and problem-solving skills to design and build haunted houses or create creepy crawlers using various materials. By engaging in these hands-on activities, students develop their critical thinking abilities and foster a sense of collaboration as they work with their peers to bring their terrifying visions to life.

Additionally, Halloween-themed STEM activities offer a unique opportunity for focused close reading. While children may eagerly devour Halloween stories from cover to cover, incorporating science or math-related texts related to the holiday can provide a valuable interdisciplinary approach. For instance, exploring the oozy goo and thick eyeballs is an excellent way for kids to explore matter during this holiday and enhance their reading comprehension skills on the topic of solids, liquids, and gases. Educators can captivate young minds by seamlessly integrating these subjects into the Halloween spirit while encouraging them to connect STEM concepts with real-world applications.

So this Halloween season, let's unleash our little scientists' inner monsters! Combining makerspace moments with focused close reading opportunities on spooky subjects like bats or cauldron chemistry can spark a love for STEM that lasts far beyond October 31st. Who knows? One day, these very same students will become inventors of ingenious gadgets that make trick-or-treating even more thrilling or discover innovative ways of tackling ghoulish problems like ghost repellents or zombie-proof shelters!

Idea 1: Halloween States of Matter Experiment for This Time of Year

With Halloween just approaching, it's time to start thinking about spooky activities to get into the festive spirit. Look no further than a Halloween matter unit explicitly created for 2nd graders - the perfect way to combine science and scares fo

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix, and if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast, and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

OTT 166: 2 Fantastic Ideas for Adjusting Your STEM Lesson

Mary Jo is here to discuss adjusting your STEM lesson for your classroom that isn't too hard or too easy; they are just right!

Mary Jo gives us a taste of her excellent STEM con presentation on making adjustments when it comes to all things STEM.

We talk about adding or taking away constraints, finding inspiration, making it the appropriate grade level, and adding related content. 

If you are interested in the plethora of information on STEM adjustment, it's not too late to join and get all the incredible information STEM Con has to offer!

Links Mentioned in the Show:

Stem With Ms. M. On Instagram

STEM Con 2022 Details and Sign Up

Subscribe and Review: 

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes. 

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!  

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix, and if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast, and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

160 How to Successfully Fit STEM in Small Time Frames

OH, the agony of not having enough time! If you are a classroom teacher trying to teach STEM or you are a special area teacher with a limited schedule then you know what I am talking about!! It is brutal. How can we get to the best part of the revision and learning from failure if we have to constantly stop due to time constraints?!

Today, my brilliant guest Kerry Tracy from Feel Good Teaching and STEM Con is here to talk to us all about how to successfully fit STEM into small time frames. I hope you stick around! Then join us at STEM Con in April. It is going to be INCREDIBLE!

Links Mentioned in the Show:

Kerry Tracy at Feel Good Teaching

STEM Con 2022 Details and Sign Up

Subscribe and Review: 

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes. 

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!   

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix, and if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast, and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!