You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to explore the science, technology, engineering, and math woven into everyday life. Keep young minds active on long summer days with cool hands-on NASA STEM activities and resources related to summertime topics. Grab your sunscreen and let’s dive in!
Summer has arrived, bringing with it the promise of warm, sunny days, travel, visits to the beach or pool, and the occasional tasty treat. But fun in the sun doesn’t have to melt away a love of learning! You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to explore the science, technology, engineering, and math woven into everyday life.
Keep young minds active on long summer days with cool hands-on NASA STEM activities and resources related to summertime topics. Grab your sunscreen and let’s dive in!
Fun in the Sun
June 21 marked the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. That’s the point in Earth’s year-long orbit where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt towards the Sun. Get creative and use the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays to make handprint art or cook up some delicious Sun s’mores. Teens may enjoy taking photos of the Sun, Moon, deep sky objects, and more using NASA’s guide to smartphone photography.
Be sure to check out “Why Does the Sun Burn Us?” to better understand how UV light works, why it can cause harm, and how to stay protected while enjoying the outdoors.
Ocean Activities
More than 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by water, and NASA uses a group of Earth-observing satellites to study the ocean from above, monitoring sea ice levels, water temperatures, and more. Put crayons to paper with this water cycle coloring page and learn how Earth’s water shifts from cloud to land to ocean, and make an edible ocean ecosystem dessert including just a few of the plants and animals found in the sea. Older learners can use currents to navigate their vessel to the treasure in the “Go With the Flow” game and test their knowledge with these Earth and climate quizzes.
On the Road or In the Air
Taking a trip while school’s out for the summer? Learn about the Global Positioning System (GPS) and how it helps people worldwide reach their destinations. Interests a bit more “up in the air?” Try making and coloring a paper airplane, throw a paper airplane 100 feet with some hot tips from NASA experts, or even create a paper helicopter to learn more about how the Ingenuity helicopter flies above the Red Planet. Looking for a way to pass the time during that long flight or road trip? Young travelers can take their imagination on a mission to the Moon through the NASA graphic novel “First Woman,” the story of fictional NASA astronaut Callie Rodriguez, who blazes a trail as the first woman to explore the lunar surface.
Looking for More?
There’s an entire universe of activities, resources, and opportunities for STEM fans entering grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. You can also explore the NASA STEM Search at https://www.nasa.gov/education/materials/.