STEM at Home

Understand the adaptations plants possess for their seeds to spread, thrive, and grow. Program Manager Andrea Reynold takes you through some common adaptations, as well as a way to make your own seed helicopter right at home!

Magnets are all around us, but how do they work? We’ll challenge each other to find magnetic and non-magnetic materials, talk about magnet strength, and find ways we can study magnetism right at home.

Have you ever wondered how lava lamps work? Want to make one of your very own? Learn how to make your own lava lamp using simple materials at home, all while exploring the science behind the chemical reactions that make the lava inside the lamp move!

What is a life cycle? Do all living things have one? Join us as we go through how living things look different throughout their life cycle and why. We'll also learn more about three main components to a life cycle: The stages, the traits, and why it's all about survival!

Join us as we explore different natural areas in Michigan to ID some common, native wildflowers! Enjoy this year's Mother's Day with this virtual experience, and we hope those that are watching get the chance to take their own outdoor wildflower hike!

Adapted from NISEnet’s activity “Imagining Life”, Life on Earth comes in many different forms. Kids will be encouraged to take a walk and observe local wildlife and think about the questions: What would life look like on another planet? What adaptations would be needed to survive?

A nebula is a large cloud of gas and dust in space. It can be created by a dying star (such as a supernova) and is also where new stars are born. Learn how to make your own nebula using a salad spinner! View PDF here.

Learn about camouflage as you create your own snake with home made play dough. View our DIY Play Dough recipe here. View PDF here. 

Learn how to create your own leaf and bark rubbings and learn about the way scientists classify leaves. View PDF here and click "More Information" for examples.

Get outdoors with this fun scavenger hunt! View PDF here.

Every year, waves of butterflies make the perilous journey south for the winter. With this game, you can try your hand at surviving some of the challenges these butterflies face! Grab a dice, a sticker, and a space outdoors to play the Monarch migration game! View PDF here.

We get a lot of resources from rainforests all over the world. Can you find items in your house that might have come from a rainforest? View PDF here.

Which ones will sink and which ones will float? Will they sink quickly or float down gently? Will the floaters stay floating the whole time? Why do you think that? View PDF here.

Find as many items as you can as you explore your local ecosystem. View PDF here.

Label key characteristics about the toad pictured. Describe and draw what its habitat would look like. View PDF here.

Extension Activities for 1st Grade Sound & Light Energy. View PDF here.

Extension Activities for 5th Grade Forces of Flight workshop. View PDF here.

Extension Activities for 2nd Grade States of Matter. View PDF here.

Extension Activity for Kindergarten Five Senses. View PDF here.

Draw an Animal or Plant native to Michigan in its habitat. View PDF here.