Kid Spark Education Blog

July 25, 2024 Kitty Taylor

3 Engineering Projects for Middle School STEM

Engineering is more than just one of the primary subjects of STEM—it’s the building blocks of the world around us. For middle school students, learning about engineering can help connect the dots between the STEM concepts they learn in the classroom and its real-life applications. 

January 22, 2024 Kitty Taylor

12 Interactive Middle School STEM Activities & Challenges

The middle school years are a crucial time for students to develop their academic skills in all subjects, including the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. For students to fully develop a strong STEM identity, they need to participate in hands-on activities and projects that help them comprehensively understand key concepts.

October 13, 2023 Jordani Sarreal

Understanding NGSS Standards for Elementary and Middle School

A complete guide to NGSS with everything you need to know about the Next Generation Science Standards.

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) have transformed STEM education across the U.S. In this article, we’ll answer the most common questions about NGSS and explore what the Next Generation Science Standards are, their purpose and benefits, and how to find STEM curriculum for elementary and middle school that aligns with NGSS practices. 

Whether you are a teacher, administrator, parent, or community member, this comprehensive guide will help you understand the impact of NGSS and how to introduce these standards to your school or district.

August 24, 2023 Jordani Sarreal

Fun Back-to-School STEM Projects for Middle School Classes

It’s that time of year again when students are readjusting to classroom life after a summer without semesters, report cards, or passing periods. For middle school students, the “summer slide” can distract them from engaging in classroom activities and discussions or losing interest in school subjects they may have thoroughly enjoyed before.

January 31, 2023 Jordani Sarreal

STEM for Middle Schoolers: A Guide for Teaching STEM at Middle School

How to inspire confident STEM learners, engage middle school students in hands-on learning activities, and other resources for middle school STEM teachers. The middle school years mark the transition from elementary school to high school. In these few formative years, students transition from a single teacher to multiple teachers, from general studies to more focused subjects, and from a class of peers to multiple classes with numerous peers.

March 9, 2022 Katy Koop

Why Offering STEM Labs K-8 is Crucial

For students in Kindergarten through the 8th grade, getting STEM education early and consistently throughout their education is deeply important. That’s why, at Kid Spark Education we’re happy to offer STEM Labs for students in PreK-8. We want to help foster a love of problem solving and scientific thinking that can support students throughout their lives. Because STEM is such an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to learning, it engages kids in meaningful and collaborative work that mirrors real life.

January 28, 2022 Katy Koop

Middle School STEM Labs: What Your Students Can Learn

According to a 2020 study sponsored by Code.org, fewer than half of US schools offer a computer science curriculum. With students facing a more technological future, getting STEM training throughout their educational journey is more important than ever.