My favorite thing about STEM Breaks is that teachers have the freedom to do them at any time and it gives them the chance to see how to use cheap, easy to find materials in STEM ways!

As I have mentioned before, I love the Dollar Tree!  I found packs of pipe cleaners there for $1 each. For this STEM Break, each teacher got one pack of pipe cleaners.  Super easy!  We have been on our millionth (that may be a bit of an exaggeration) day of indoor recess and these STEM Breaks are an engaging way to spend that indoor recess time!

All of my STEM Breaks can be extended with additional materials. They are designed to be a starting point!

Click here for the google doc of this STEM Break sheet!

These pipe cleaner towers look great displayed outside the classrooms!  We have a display case in the front hallway of our building and we put them there for everyone to enjoy!

I cannot believe it will soon be spring, and spring makes me think of growing plants!  This activity is a great one to use in the month of March!  The materials are pretty simple and I got everything from my local dollar tree!  You will need paper plates, cellulose sponges, and seed packets.  We used radishes, lettuce, and grass seeds.  Any tiny sized seeds will do!

Click here for the link to the STEM Break google doc.

Getting students to notice changes over time can be tough!  What better way to do it than with plant growth!  Students may also be surprised to see that seeds will grow without soil!  You may want to extend this idea into growing seeds in other ways (we even grew seeds in a clean baby diaper)!  The seeds need water and sunlight.  You may want to use this STEM Break as a lead-in to the needs of plants!

Get all of the STEM Break sheets in one download!  I will be adding to the FREE download of all of my STEM Break sheets as I make them, so stay tuned for more!

Click here for the FREE download link!

Who doesn't love water marbles?  Kids and adults alike are totally fascinated with these little water-loving (hydrophilic) beads!  You can find these beads on-line, at the dollar store (check the floral aisle), or even at a toy store.  I buy them in bulk on ebay!

Click here for the free google doc of this STEM Break!

For this STEM Break, I gave each classroom a pack of dry water marbles.  They added their own container and water, of course!

Get ready for another STEM break!  I frequent the Dollar Tree for the supplies for many of my STEM Break activities that I give to each of the teachers in my building!  You can find some great stuff there!

Our students are always working on their questioning skills.  This STEM Break always causes a lot of questions to be asked!  All you need for this STEM Break is a crystal kit for each classroom.  The kit contains everything you need!  I ordered mine from the Dollar Tree.  Click on the picture for the link to purchase these kits!

Click here for the STEM Break ~ Crystals google doc!

It is so important for students to ask the right questions!  This is an easy way to encourage questioning!

Time for another STEM Break!  This one is to accompany the skill of making comparisons!  When I give the teachers in my building a STEM Break, I also give them the supplies needed to complete it. We have begun including book connections as well!

Click here for the google doc of the STEM Break Sheet!  

Here is the information about the growing alligator toy!  I got them for $1 each!