STEM Activities
S.T.E.M. integrates Science & Technology, through Engineering, & Mathematics to teach youth how to think critically and use technology to solve problems in innovative and imaginative ways. The principles of S.T.E.M. are foundational to the world of aviation and aerospace, where technology and human ingenuity have combined to achieve some of our greatest accomplishments – powered flight, jet propulsion, and even space travel. Get inspired and creative with this collection of S.T.E.M. activities, experiments, and interactive media for all ages from organizations including Science World, Boeing, NASA, SpaceX, the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum and many more!
Fun for Kids (Grades K-4)
4 Forces of Flight Game
Learn how the Four Forces of Flight make airplanes fly with this fun video.
Video
NASA Activity Book
Download this printable colouring & activity book. Work puzzles and learn new words about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Printable PDF
Space Tech Fun Pad
Enjoy space-themed puzzles and activities with this fun, S.T.E.A.M. activity book.
Printable PDF
Space Station Emoji Math
Have fun with math and reasoning skills by solving these emoji puzzles.
Printable Worksheet
Build a Paper Airplane
Choose your airplane style, a design and insignia, and then print, make and fly it!
Build Site
Explore Mars
Command the Mars Rover to explore the surface of Mars and gather scientific research data! (Gr. K-4)
Online Game
Learn & Build (Grades 5-9 & up)
Conair Virtual Hangar
For more than 50 years, Conair has provided aerial firefighting support around the world. Explore their global fleet and learn more about the unique and exciting world of aerial firefighting.
Enter the Hangar
Four Forces of Flight
Ping Pong Ball Funnel Challenge
To help understand the principles of LIFT, try this simple challenge at home with a ping pong ball & a standard funnel.
Instructions
Build a Paper Airplane
Recalling the Four Forces of Flight, test different paper airplane designs to see how they fly differently.
Fold ‘N Fly
Magnificent Flying Machines
Learn how airplanes control their flight by building your own glider with control surfaces.
Instructions & Template
Challenges of Flight
Learn about the challenges of building modern airliners from Boeing engineers, including the physics of flight and real-world limitations.
Interactive Website
100 Years of Air Passenger Travel
Immerse yourself in five infographic illustrated scenes, each depicting an era of passenger flight.
Interactive Website
Engineer a Jetliner
Experience the engineering design process as an aerospace engineer assigned to design and test a modern jet airplane.
Interactive Website
Build a Space Lander
Help your marshmallow astronauts land safely by building a landing spacecraft from household items.
Instructions | Video
Build a Stomp Rocket
Build a paper rocket capable of carrying a ping pong ball and test it with a PVC pipe launcher! (Elementary)
Instructions | Video
Space Smells Like Burnt Steak
Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield de-bunks common myths about space, NASA, and even time travel!
Video
Design Innovation: The Swept Wing
Discover the secret origins of the swept wing design for airplanes and its critical advantages to modern jet flight.
Video
Build a Long Spanning Wing
Build a long wing that can support its own weight over a span of at least two feet.
Instructions | Video
Engineer an Airfoil
Build an airfoil (wing) out of at-home materials that can generate lift from a fan while carrying weight.
Instructions | Video
Stealth: Flying Invisible
Learn the origins and engineering behind “stealth” aircraft such as the F-117 Nighthawk and F-22 Raptor and how they avoid radar detection.
Video
Build a Communication Network
Plan and build a network to send communication signals in multiple directions to multiple people.
Instructions | Video
Cockpit 360
Explore the cockpits of the Erickson Aircraft Collection’s historic warbirds in 360-degree virtual reality.
Website
Engineering the Wright Way
Enter the Wrights’ workshop and try your hand at the tools and tests that led the Wrights from bicycle manufacturing to building an airplane. (Gr. 5-9)
Online Game
SpaceX Docking Simulator
Carefully dock the SpaceX Dragon II with the International Space Station. (Gr. 8-12)
Online Game
GeoFS Flight Simulator
A realistic, free online flight simulator. Choose your aircraft and get flying. Joystick compatible, but not required. (Gr. 8-12)
Flight Simulator
For even more fun & exciting Aviation S.T.E.A.M. resources, check out the following sites:
https://www.scienceworld.ca/resource/flight/
https://www.nasa.gov/education/materials/
https://www.boeing.com/principles/education/explore-by-theme.page
https://www.boeingfutureu.com/
