Tag: back to school

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.

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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!

How to Teach STEM During Back to School

Are you in a new STEM position and overwhelmed by the thought of what you are going to do the first month of school in your STEM class? Keep it simple with these practical back to school ideas for how to teach STEM.

Tips & Tricks for how to teach STEM

When I was preparing for my first year teaching STEM, I had no idea what to teach either. I teach my specials rotation Wednesday-Friday for students K-5. I have 4 rotations with over 600 kids. So I basically see each class 3 times/month. You can see more in detail what my week is like by reading about it here.

Having the background in the general education classroom before teaching STEM helped me realize that a lot of the back to school stuff applied to my new space, just in a different way.

Here is what I did and it really helped me have a successful rest of the school year and I think that it will help you too!

How to Teach STEM: Classroom Rules & Expectations

Every classroom needs to have a clear management system so students can feel safe and be successful in your space. Even if you don't have the students all day, this definitely still applies in your classroom, if not more, since you have limited time!

If you're coming from a general ed classroom like me, ask yourself those same questions that students need to know:

How do you want students to come into your classroom? Where do you want students to sit when they first come into your classroom?
When students leave the room & for the restroom, what are the policies?
How should students respond and behave during a lesson?
What are your expectations during whole group, group work and partner work?
How much time are you going to allow for a mini-lesson, student work time, clean up & reflection? (I need to work on my reflection piece for sure!)
Where do students line up at the end of class?
Is there some type of class reward for good behavior? What about individual students?

Along with that, these have been my go-to classroom rules in my STEM classroom and they also work well in regular classrooms when students are handling technology.

Click on the image to grab these posters for your classroom!

Teaching specials again and just reviewing rules with the kids? Think of how to make it a game like this one; which team can put together the puzzle pieces of the classroom rules the quickest?

For specific projects, new rules & expectations often need to be introduced during the year. For example, during the first month of STEM, robots aren't typically introduced. However when they are brought out later in the year, additional rules need to be established to ensure the robots are cared for properly.

Classroom Materials

This one took me a few months to get the materials in places that made the most sense. Like I said, I teach K-5 and it will definitely take some trial and error to have a system that works for all grades.

For example, I thought having a bucket of crayons and scissors would work well with 1st grade. For some reason, this wasn't the best fit and there were a bunch of sharing issues.

As a solution, I came up with STEM Supply buckets which have the basic tools and student might need during a project. If they need the supplies, they can grab their own box. This really helped build independence with my students of all ages.

In turn if germs are an issue, think of having students bringing their supplies boxes with them. That can help limit the amount of hands touching all of the supplies during the day.

Individual essential supplies to complete STEM projects. (click on image to grab labels.)

When specific supplies aren't used all year, like robots, have a clear location to store and charge them. Also consider adding additional rules & expectations when using this tool.

Think about ways materials can be organized so students can get the tools that they need successfully without having to relying on the teacher constantly. I know baby ducks are super cute when they follow their mommies, but it's not super cute when students follow their teachers all around the classroom.

Teach students how they can get their supplies, and put them away, for each class time and also which ones might not be needed for certain times.

If there are a lot of pieces required for a specific task, consider taking pictures of what it should look like cleaned up. Pictures go a long way and it's a lot easier to explain rather than verbally.

Take pictures of how certain stations and materials should look when cleaned up. This will help students be successful.

Create a few spaces that are “teacher only”. My 2 places that are off limits to students is my table with my computer and my 2 storage cabinets. Otherwise, everything is available for kid-use!

Handling Technology & Passwords

I got really lucky and was fortunate enough to have a brand-new, renovated classroom to start my first year teaching STEM. The room before used to be a computer lab with desktop computers lining the walls. Those devices eventually got reassigned to other areas of the school building. There are a few laptops and iPads left in the classroom for various projects.

My classrooms 2nd-5th mainly use laptops for their projects. There are many times that I want students to bring their student device with them. I will schedule groups of emails to go out to my classroom teachers the week I have their class to let them know to have their students carry their student device to my room (with 2 hands of course) and/or roll down their class cart.

I actually don't keep passwords on hand. Quickly, students learned that if they didn't have theirs memorized yet, they kept a sticky note on their computer as a reminder of their credentials. For my younger students (K&1), I rarely need student passwords during STEM class. During co-teaching, that might be a different story which you can read about here.

This is an alternative option to charging classroom devices if your school is on a budget.

This is a system that has worked well in my building and has visually helped the students see that a lot of the work that we do in class isn't just “stuck” in the STEM classroom and can be completed in other locations in the building.

Digital Citizenship

Digital Citizenship should be taught all year long in any classroom setting. However, especially if it's your first year in your STEM position, digital citizenship is the perfect place to start the first month. This will help you gauge what your students know and don't know about the topic. I go more into detail on how I teach digital citizenship, which you can read here.

Two favorite digital citizenship resources are Google Interland and Common Sense Media.

Team Building STEM Challenges

At the beginning of the school year, teachers are working hard to build up their classroom community and how all the students in the room can get along and be successful. You will be a huge help by doing different team challenges in your classroom as well the first month you have kids.

Not only will this help students get to know one another in new ways, it will help you get to know them as well! There are millions of ideas on Pinterest. Start a new board with STEM Challenges or you can just follow mine here.

Fail Forward

We all know that the first month of school is crucial to help build the rest of the school year. Keep in mind though, it definitely won't be perfect.

Here are some fails my first month of teaching STEM.

I didn't know that school's wifi password and people kept asking me for it. Which makes sense since I'm the STEM teacher…
Half of my classroom walls weren't finished. They were temporary with an awkward door so I ended up making it a graffiti wall for students to sign when they were done with digital citizenship.
I had a first grader eat crayons the second day of class and spit them back in the group crayon bucket. I guess he already ate all his other crayons back in class…
A kindergartener wound up in the 5th grade hallway even though my classroom is directly across from hers.
I had these awesome fancy mats for students to sit on that sounded like pool noodles being slapped on wet concrete when they were put on the floor. Multiply this sound by 150…

How to Teach STEM- Resources for Getting Started

To help you even more, here are all of my go-to materials to aid you in your STEM position; my STEM Starter Kit Bundle. Over 25 different resources to get your classroom started on the right foot!

Activities for back to school included in this bundle:

Other blog posts you might enjoy:

Valuable Classroom Setup Tips for Your Elementary Lab by Science and STEAM Team

In conclusion, what do you typically teach the first month of STEM? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ and I would love to chat with you!