By Tyler King
As the holiday season wraps us in its coziness, it is the perfect time to dive into the world of STEM. This article will explore three captivating high school projects that infuse the winter season’s spirit with the wonders of STEM. Get ready to discover how these ingenious projects spark festive curiosity, inviting students to embrace the joy of learning while celebrating the magic of winter and Christmas.
1. Holiday Card Circuits
In this activity, students make a holiday card with an LED light-up feature on the cover. A flat battery connects to aluminum foil on the inside of the card to power a small LED sticking out of the front cover. To make this activity festive, students can place the outer light in a holiday drawing, such as Rudolph’s nose or a light-up star atop a Christmas tree. This project teaches students about electric currents and how a power source can be connected to a load with something as simple as aluminum foil.
Activity link: Holiday Card Circuits
Materials needed: cardstock, 3v coin cell batteries, aluminum foil, LEDs, tape, glue, and markers.
2. Crystal Candy Cane Ornaments
In this activity, students make crystal candy cane ornaments to hang up on Christmas trees. First, twist pipe cleaners into a candy cane formation. Then, put it into a solution to grow crystals on their outsides. Tie on a ribbon, and it is an ornament! This project is a simple chemistry activity that teaches students about chemical reactions and how they can be turned into fun holiday activities.
Activity link: Crystal Candy Canes You Can Make
Materials needed: borax, water, mason jars, pans, spoons, measuring cups, tablespoons, pipe cleaners, and ribbon.
3. Fluffy Candy Cane Christmas Slime
This activity allows students to make a scientific fluffy slime experiment while simultaneously engaging the holiday spirit! In this project, students create red and white slime, which they can twist into candy canes or any Christmas formation. This satisfying experiment teaches students the importance of mixtures in chemistry and how they can create special substances like slime.
Activity link: Fluffy Candy Cane Christmas Slime
Materials needed: white school glue, foam shaving cream, baking soda, food coloring, saline solution.
These three winter high school projects captivate students with their innovation and showcase the potential for creativity within STEM. Curiosity knows no bounds, and the magic of discovery thrives in the winter and Christmas! These activities will inspire students to explore, learn, and create their advancements in the world of STEM, especially in the spirit of the holiday season!
Do you want more resources on the topic of winter high school projects? NSTEM’s vast resources database provides thousands of searchable STEM resources by category, school level, and state. This comprehensive library includes info on enrichment activities, curricula, internships, scholarships, and more. Check out a free sampling here. Or get an NSTEM membership today to unlock the complete list.
Project-based learning enrichment provides high school students with college and career readiness. It gives them real-world relevance, transforming students into collaborators and imaginative problem solvers. They will gain the upper hand in a global landscape, stemming from enhanced confidence and grit. NSTEM provides these young STEM enthusiasts with a close community of like-minded fellow students and educators. To start your 9-12 Chapter of the National STEM Honor Society, click here.
