Building, Coding, and Creating: Bringing STEM to Life in Our Classroom

I’m so excited to share a new project I just launched through DonorsChoose—a platform that helps teachers like me bring much-needed resources into the classroom. This time, I’m asking for something truly special: hands-on STEM tools that will spark creativity, build confidence, and give my students the chance to explore science and engineering in action.

What We’re Hoping to Get

The project includes:

• Snap Circuits, to help students understand how electricity flows and circuits connect

• Ozobot robots, to introduce coding and problem-solving in a fun, interactive way

• KEVA planks, to encourage creativity and collaboration through open-ended engineering tasks

• STEM challenge cards, to guide critical thinking, teamwork, and experimentation

• And a hand2mind Makerspace & STEM Lab Cart, so we can store and organize all these amazing tools in one mobile, student-friendly space

Why It Matters

My students are full of questions, imagination, and big ideas. But without the right materials, we’re limited in how deeply we can explore STEM. These resources will bring abstract concepts to life and allow students to learn by doing. More importantly, they’ll help students see themselves as scientists, engineers, coders, and creators.

Many of my students don’t have access to these kinds of materials outside of school. By supporting this project, you’re helping ensure every child—regardless of background—has the opportunity to engage in high-quality, hands-on learning.

How You Can Help

If you’d like to support our classroom, you can visit the link below to learn more or donate. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps us get one step closer to creating a dynamic STEM space for our students.

👉 DonorsChoose

Thank you for cheering on our young scientists and engineers. Together, we can make something amazing happen!

Martin Luther King Jr. Activities

Day 1: Introduction to Martin Luther King Jr. and STEM Activities 

Objective:

• Understand who Martin Luther King Jr. was and his contributions to society.
• Explore STEM activities related to King's mission of equality and peace.

Subjects:

• Social Studies: Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy
• Math: Measurement (length, height)
• Science: The concept of equality and fairness in nature

Activities:

1. Read Aloud: Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport
   • Discuss the important themes: equality, fairness, and the Civil Rights Movement.
2. STEM Activity: "Equality in Nature" – Investigate how animals and plants can exhibit fairness, such as how certain species share resources or how ecosystems balance themselves.
   • Students can build simple models of balance (using equal amounts of materials to make something sturdy).
   • Measure the height/length of various objects, ensuring symmetry and balance in the design.

Worksheet:

• Math: Measurement worksheet (measure and compare lengths of different objects)
• Science: Write about the balance in nature, asking students to identify examples of fairness or equality in the environment.

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Day 2: The Importance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Speech

Objective:

• Understand the significance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches and their impact on the Civil Rights Movement.
• Connect speech and communication to math and science.

Subjects:

• Social Studies: King's speeches and their role in the Civil Rights Movement
• Math: Patterns and sequencing
• Reading: Identifying key ideas in a speech

Activities:

1. Read Aloud: I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr. (a simplified version for children).
2. Math: Create a sequence of events in Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, using patterns (number patterns, shapes, or sequential ordering).
3. Science: Explore sound waves – Explain how MLK’s speeches were powerful because of how sound waves can influence emotions and thoughts.
   • Simple sound wave experiment with tuning forks or a rubber band to show vibrations.

Worksheet:

• Reading: Comprehension questions about the speech I Have a Dream (example: What were MLK’s dreams for the future?).
• Math: Sequence worksheet, where students put key events in Martin Luther King Jr.'s life in order, using patterns (e.g., a pattern of colors or shapes for each event).

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Day 3: Understanding Equality in Society and Nature 

Objective:

• Discuss the concept of equality and fairness in society and nature.
• Introduce simple data collection and graphing.

Subjects:

• Social Studies: The role of Martin Luther King Jr. in advocating for equality.
• Math: Data collection and graphing
• Science: Exploring symmetry and balance in nature

Activities:

1. Read Aloud: The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Johnny Ray Moore
   • Discuss MLK’s role in changing laws to make life more equal for all people.
2. Math: Data collection exercise – Students will survey their classmates to gather data about various equality-related themes (favorite books, colors, etc.).
3. Science: Symmetry in nature – Look for natural examples of symmetry in plants and animals (e.g., leaves, butterflies). Students will sketch what they find and compare it to symmetry in math.

Worksheet:

• Math: Graphing worksheet (students create a bar graph to represent the class survey results).
• Science: Symmetry worksheet where students draw and label symmetric objects in nature.

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Day 4: The Power of Peace and Nonviolence

Objective:

• Discuss how Martin Luther King Jr. used nonviolence to bring about change.
• Introduce basic principles of peaceful conflict resolution.

Subjects:

• Social Studies: Nonviolent protests and their effectiveness.
• Math: Problem-solving (addition and subtraction)
• Science: Exploring peaceful environments and ecosystems that thrive in harmony.

Activities:

1. Read Aloud: Peaceful Protest by Robin Nelson
   • Discuss MLK’s approach to nonviolence and how it affected his followers.
2. Math: Problem-solving activity where students use addition and subtraction to solve word problems based on peaceful outcomes (e.g., “If 10 people were protesting for peace and 5 joined them, how many people are there now?”).
3. Science: Explore peaceful ecosystems and how they maintain balance (e.g., a coral reef or a forest). Discuss the harmony between species.

Worksheet:

• Math: Problem-solving worksheet (addition and subtraction word problems).
• Science: Simple ecosystem worksheet where students draw a peaceful ecosystem and identify the plants and animals in it.

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Day 5: Martin Luther King Jr. and Legacy

Objective:

• Reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and how his work impacts us today.
• Discuss how we can continue his dream.

Subjects:

• Social Studies: MLK’s legacy
• Math: Simple multiplication and division (grouping and equal sharing)
• Reading: Reflection on what students have learned about MLK

Activities:

1. Read Aloud: Martin’s Big Words or another biography of MLK.
   • Discuss MLK’s legacy of peace, equality, and justice.
2. Math: Division – Students divide a set of objects into equal groups to reflect the concept of fairness and equality.
3. Science: Simple project where students research and create a poster or model of a peaceful ecosystem or environment, symbolizing MLK’s dream of peace and equality.

Worksheet:

• Math: Division worksheet (equally divide sets of objects).
• Social Studies: Reflection worksheet where students write about how they can continue Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of equality and peace.

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Assessment and Evaluation:

• Comprehension: Evaluate students’ understanding of MLK’s life and work through comprehension questions during read-aloud sessions and discussion.
• STEM: Assess students’ participation and understanding of STEM activities. Were they able to create balance models? Did they grasp symmetry in nature?
• Math: Check for understanding in math worksheets (measurements, sequencing, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).
• Reflection: At the end of the week, have a class discussion on how students can promote equality and peace in their community, using what they have learned about Martin Luther King Jr.