10+ Creative STEM Classroom Decorations
These STEM classroom decorations are easy to put together, are purposeful and add a sense style. Scroll down to see the different options to add to your classroom decor.
#1 STEM Classroom Decorations: Technology Word Wall | Printable Alphabet Posters
What is it?
Take a different path away from traditional alphabet posters and add a technology twist. Each letter of the alphabet is highlighted with an important STEM word, picture and definition.
Throughout the year, add various content specific vocabulary words under each heading. Students will be able to access the words during various tasks.
Make the word more interactive by adhering a long piece of ribbon on the back of the header letter. When creating vocabulary word cards, attach a clothespin on the back. After a word is finished being introduced to the class, clip the word onto the ribbon.
If students need to spell a specific word during an activity, they are able to unclip the word, use it as a reference, and clip the word back when finished.
Where can I get it?
$5.00, Technology Word Wall | Printable Alphabet Posters
#2 STEM Classroom Decorations: Engineering Design Process Poster PDF | Vocabulary & Clipart
What is it?
While the Scientific Method is still important to teach, the Engineering Design Process is equally important as well. This is a process that engineers use in their daily careers to plan, invent and think through solving problems.
The typical steps are: Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Experiment & Improve, Share
Not all projects are suitable for the Engineering Design Process. However, many projects can be updated and solved through these steps. Even if not all steps are addressed throughout a challenge, students get accustomed to a flow that will help them be more successful.
Where can I get it?
$3.00, Engineering Design Process Poster PDF | Vocabulary & Clipart
#3 STEM Classroom Decorations: Paper & Cardboard Construction Ideas
What is it?
Once students get the freedom to build and create, their ideas fly through the roof. Teaching students structural techniques can be valuable to help make their creations stranger.
This isn’t saying to tell students HOW to build their invention. Rather, teach students strategies they can implement into their construction design.
For example, during a 1st grade animal project, I wanted students to implement an L-brace in their design. I gave them cardboard and taught them how to create this technique. What helped immensely is I filmed my hands creating an L-brace, then played it on a loop.
While students were building, they were able to re-watch the video as often as needed. Also when a student was absent, I had this mini lesson available and the student could be independent in their work.
Have books of building ideas in a designated location in the classroom; a library format or special display. Students love flipping through these to gather ideas.
A 3D poster with paper & cardboard construction examples is also helpful. Students can see how these techniques should look and try to replicate them in their inventions.
Where can I get it?
Google search ‘cardboard attachment posters’ and ‘3d paper sculpture techniques’ and you’ll find a lot of examples to choose from
#4 STEM Classroom Decorations: Giant STEM Characters
What is it?
It’s important to hang up meaningful information on limited wall space in the classroom. Of course, this can be done creatively and cute!
Two popular tools in my STEM class are Dash Robots and LEGO. You can find a list of my top favorite STEM classroom supplies by clicking here.
These large characters are created out of poster boards and lots of imagination. While I do have step-by-step directions to make Dash, the giant LEGO minifig was all free-hand and trial and error.
Having large characters like this in the STEM classroom can be a great reference for specific activities. It also can be a meeting place marker; “When you’re done cleaning, go stand by the giant Dash!”
Where can I get it?
Grab some poster board and follow my step-by-step directions to make Dash
#5 STEM Classroom Decorations: Classroom Rules for Technology | Rules for Technology in the Classroom
What is it?
It’s easy to assume that all students know how to use technology appropriately since they have been using it from an early age. However, technology used for academic purposes as opposed to recreational are entirely different entities.
Students need to be taught how to show respect when using the tool and also how to use it when working with others. Classroom rules and expectations I teach the first month of STEM, along with these other topics you can read about here.
During back to school or even when a new technology tool is introduced, students need to have clear routines and expectations set in place.
3 tips when creating classroom rules for technology:
- Write them in positive language
- Add images to help connect the rules to words
- Write no more than 10; it’s easier to implement
Where can I get it?
$3.00 Classroom Rules for Technology | Rules for Technology in the Classroom
#6 STEM Classroom Decorations: Label spaces clearly
What is it?
When a guest walks into your classroom, is it clear what your space is all about? As mentioned above, be very intentional about what hangs on your walls.
Text features are constantly taught to students year after year to help them gain information. Play off of this concept and add large, bold words in important areas in your room.
You don’t need to be an expert at drawing bubble letters to create crisp displays. Create giant letters using word art on Google Slides or PowerPoint. Create one letter for each page. Print without a full onto the paper of your choice. Finally, cut out and hang.
Where can I get it?
$3.00 Large Bulletin Board Letters | Print & Cut
#7 STEM Classroom Decorating Ideas: Growth Mindset Posters
What is it?
With my time being a K-5 STEM teacher, I developed quotes for growth mindset that worked well in our space. These were growth mindset quotes that I would refer to on a daily basis when working on projects.
A fixed mindset is the belief that you have a certain amount of intelligence and can’t surpass that knowledge.
A growth mindset is thinking that you aren’t given a certain amount of intelligence, it’s something you have to work towards. With more effort and time, you can get better at something.
Likewise, these sayings can be applied to any regular classroom as well! STEM challenges have a place in any classroom setting. Growth mindset does as well!
Where can I get it?
$3.00 Growth Mindset Quotes for STEM & Technology
#8 STEM Classroom Decorating Ideas: Celebrate STEM Style
What is it?
If you’re a specials teacher reading this, you know that it’s different from a general classroom teacher when making connections with students. Most specials see all the kids in the school over the course of the month! Feel free to read what my typical week looks like in a K-5 STEM role.
One way that helped build connections in my classroom is celebrating STEM Style. What is STEM Style? When a shirt explicitly shows a concept that relates to science, technology, engineering or math, that counts as STEM Style.
To keep track of all the daily varieties, I have a spot on the floor marked “Smile for STEM Style!” that student stand on. This helps with having a clear background that shows off the classroom and not random children.
I’ll take a quick picture on my phone, then later upload all the photos into the digital picture frame right next to where the students line up at the end of class.
Where can I get it?
Here is an inexpensive digital picture frame that works great! It does require a flash drive for pictures to be stored. For management, I’ll upload the photos to a Google Drive folder, then download the folder onto the flash drive. This is an Amazon Associate link. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but when you purchase through my link, I receive a kick-back in return.
Often, I’ll even upload the photo to the child’s Seesaw or Google Classroom account. That has helped tremendously with my memory of 500+ kids’ names and gives families a snapshot of their child’s day.
#9 STEM Classroom Decorating Ideas: STEM Identity Lightbulbs
What is it?
Positive affirmations are so important when developing a sense of personal identity. For students to pursue a STEM career, they need to see themselves as having that role. These STEM identity lightbulbs are perfect for hanging on the classroom door, bulletin board or around a mirror. There are even matching bookmarks that students can take home weekly to build up their personal STEM identity.
Where can I get it?
$3.00 STEM Identity Posters & Bookmarks : Everyone has talents for STEM
#10 STEM Classroom Decorating Ideas: Black Women in STEM Collage
What is it?
For me, transitioning from being a former classroom teacher to a K-5 STEM teacher, this is an area I am growing at in my STEM space. As a white woman, I know that I have a one sided experience.
I took time to read, research and reflect. I found that there were a limited amount of diverse resource out there for students to connect to in STEM. So, I created one, and continuing to create; for my students and for yours.
There are 10 Black Women highlighted in this free resource. Don’t feel like you need to copy & paste this all; I made this all pretty for you to print and share digitally. Here is the entire blog post that is devoted to this topic.
While this isn’t a full comprehensive list, here are 10 Black Women in STEM your students should know. The world of STEM professions is very one-sided and geared towards a certain type of person. We need to provide our students to see heroes in STEM that represent their race, religion, and gender to help change that projection.
Where can I get it?
Free, 10 Black Women in STEM You Need to Know Posters
#11 STEM Classroom Decorating Ideas: Prototype and Patent Images
What is it?
How have some inventions become so popular today? Why are there copy-cats out there, but they aren’t quite the same as the original? Well, there is this fancy thing out there called a ‘patent’ that helps protect the rights of the original design once the patent is applied. Think of all of the amazing inventions presented on Shark Tank.
When applying for a patent, inventors need to include images with every single part labeled and explained. There are so many available to view and print, which makes for great classroom decorations. These also help students see high-quality examples of what invention plans should look like with their explicit details. Also, it’s fun to see where some of their favorite toys got their start.
Where can I get it?
Free- conduct a quick Google Search and see what pops up. Some favorite patents to look for are: LEGO, board games, and NASA
Love these ideas but don’t know where to begin? I have put together my top decorating sets along with my go-to STEM resources in a starter kit bundle!
You can grab the whole set from my Teachers Pay Teachers store by clicking here.
What have you used to decorate your STEM classroom? Feel free to direct message me or tag me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ and I would love to chat with you!
Want more resources to support Technology & STEM all year long? Grab this FREE downloadable guide that I’ve put together for you!
Use this list of books about creativity for kids to inspire young makers. Read as a class or have these as an collection in your classroom library.
