Teachers and parents talk a lot about STEM, but that doesn't mean that kids always know what it means. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Most adults think that people will need to know a lot about these subjects to get good jobs in the future. Lots of kids might think that they're not very good at these subjects, but you might know more than you think. STEM stuff is all around us! When you play with Lego bricks, you're using engineering skills, and when you play Minecraft, you can learn a bit about computer programming. There are lots of fun ways to learn about STEM, from playing games online to doing experiments at home.

Science

• Frog Calls: Try this fun activity to mimic the sounds of different types of frogs using items you probably already have around the house.
• Clickety-Clackety Coin Experiment: All you need is a quarter, a soda bottle, and a little water to do this science experiment.
• Crystal Cave: Play this game to learn about the structure of crystals and how they grow.
• Extract DNA: DNA is usually too small to see, but with this experiment, you can extract it from spinach and see it with your own eyes.
• Fun Science Experiment: Crystal Suncatchers: This craft can help you explore the structure of crystals and understand how they are created.
• How to Make Magnetic Slime: Slime is fun to play with, but when you make this slime, you can also learn about magnetism.
• Life of a Can: Explore the life cycle of a soda can, from raw aluminum to a store shelf to your recycle bin and back into raw metal again.
• Make Your Own Volcano: This is a really popular science experiment because it's really fun to watch! You can also play around with different variables, like changing the temperature of the vinegar or the amount of baking soda, to see what results you get.
• Monarch Waystations: Learn how you can help monarch butterflies by planting food for them.
• Nature Scavenger Hunt: Can you spot all of the different things on this list in one trip outside?
• Pages of Inertia: Bill Nye the Science Guy created this experiment that only requires a big book and a table.
• Photosynthesis Mystery: Watch Mosa Mack, Science Detective, solve the mystery of why one fern is growing and the other is dying.
• Solar Eclipse Model: Print out the pieces and put them together to make a model that shows how a solar eclipse works.
• Soil Quest: Understanding why soil is important to every living creature on Earth and what we need to do to keep soil healthy is the basis of this activity.
• Static Electricity: Electricity can be dangerous, but if you follow the instructions in this video, you can play around with static electricity safely and learn about how it works.
• Weather Science: How to Make a Cloud in a Jar: See for yourself how clouds form by making a miniature cloud in a jar.

Technology

• Code With Anna and Elsa: Start learning about coding and help Elsa to create shapes and patterns in the ice.
• Code Combat: Use your coding skills to get through the dungeon!
• Coding a Lego Maze: You don't even need a computer to learn about coding. In this activity, all you need is some printed instructions and some Lego bricks.
• Getting Started With Scratch: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology created this free platform where you can learn how to code and create fun animations and games.
• Robot Islands Plus: Give the robot commands to help it get through each level.
• Mars Perseverance Parachute Coding Activity: The parachute of the Mars rover Perseverance contained a secret code. Can you use the same code to create your own secret messages?

Engineering

• Balloon Car Activity: Make your own balloon-powered car, then challenge your friends to make their own and have a race!
• Paper Airplane Designs: Different paper airplane designs fly in different ways. Try out a few to see which ones fly the farthest, stay in the air the longest, or even do interesting stunts when you throw them.
• Egg Drop Project: Can you build something that will protect a raw egg if you drop it on the ground?
• Seismic Shake-Up: People who live in a places that get a lot of earthquakes have to be sure to build buildings that will stay standing when the ground shakes. Try to do the same and put your engineering skills to the test.
• Try This! Mini-Catapult: Create your own catapult and see if you can hit a target that's 4 feet away.
• Wright Flight: The Smithsonian has lots of online STEM resources, including activities to help you learn how airplanes fly.

Math

• Six Math Games to Play on the Go: Try out these math games next time you're on a road trip with your family.
• 15 Hands-On Math Activities for Preschoolers: Even little kids can learn about math in fun ways, and some of these skills are also helpful to work on for older kids.
• Alien Addition: Practice adding numbers while fighting off alien invaders in this game.
• Decimal Detective: Follow the clues to figure out the right numbers.
• The Multiplication Zombies of the Brittany Graveyard: Defeat the zombies using your multiplication skills to save the day!
• Post-It Number Match: This activity can get you up and moving around while you practice your counting skills. You could also adapt it to work on other types of math problems.