Science Buddies

Engineers Week puts engineering in the spotlight, but once the week ends, engineering exploration continues in the classroom!  The engineering design process gives K–12 students a practical framework for invention, designing solutions, and improving the world: define the problem, identify constraints, brainstorm, prototype, test, and iterate. It channels curiosity into structured problem-solving. To support educators integrating engineering in the classroom, we have the following free resources: (https://lnkd.in/gPdXWxYz) • Classroom-tested lessons that guide students through the full engineering design process • A short "Eggstronaut" video that models designing a safe landing system • A self-paced video lesson built around a hands-on paper airplane activity • A self-paced project guide with an interactive engineering design process chart • A comparison video that shows how the engineering design process complements the scientific method We've also curated grade-banded project collections to help educators quickly find projects for their students: – 12+ engineering projects for elementary school (https://lnkd.in/eptKr7fN) – 16+ engineering projects for middle school (https://lnkd.in/guE4qKVk) – 11+ engineering projects for high school (https://lnkd.in/e2Y4ZeRd) Each collection is designed to align with core science concepts while building creativity and real-world problem-solving skills.   #EWeek #STEMeducation #STEM #scienceteacher

The 2026 Ball Run Engineering Challenge is Open Access to engineering education shouldn't depend on expensive equipment, especially during #EWeek. The Science Buddies Engineering Challenge invites students everywhere to try engineering using simple, low-cost materials: paper, tape, a ping pong ball, and the engineering design process. By intentionally limiting materials, the Ball Run Challenge keeps the focus on problem solving, iteration, and core physics concepts like energy, forces, and motion. The result is an accessible, scalable engineering experience that works in classrooms, after-school programs, community settings, and at home. To support educators, we provide grade-level lesson plans, student worksheets, a 10-step implementation guide, a rules slideshow, and a video overview, resources that make it easy to bring authentic engineering into any learning environment. All students are invited to enter. All valid submissions are featured in the Engineering Challenge Showcase, a public gallery where students can see solutions from around the world, and the public can vote on favorites. Teams in eligible regions are automatically entered into random prize drawings. • Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gptaPfAE • 10-Step Guide: https://lnkd.in/g52-Xnvj • Engineering Challenge Showcase: https://lnkd.in/gY7aEDUF Join us by sharing the Ball Run Challenge with educators and peers to encourage students in your community to try engineering. Interested in expanding access to hands-on engineering experiences like this? Contact Tiffany Quinn, to explore partnership opportunities. #STEMeducation #EngineeringEducation #K12 #STEMaccess #engineering

How noisy is too noisy? A new sound level meter project is the latest addition to our series of micro:bit projects to help middle and high school students take first steps in physical computing. In this project, students build a sound level detector to compare sound levels in familiar environments and connect decibel levels to healthy and unhealthy noise exposure. As an entry-level microcontroller with a range of built-in inputs and outputs, such as sensors and LEDs, micro:bit helps students explore how code, sensors, and real-world data work together. With our new "How to Use micro:bit" video series, students build foundational skills and confidence. 📢Explore the Sound Level Detector project: https://lnkd.in/gymJEre5 ➡️Other micro:bit projects: https://lnkd.in/gx6Vc4SV ����How to Use micro:bit: https://lnkd.in/ge85h7Cs Science Buddies is grateful to WD for supporting K–12 resources in electronics and engineering and for sponsoring the development of this project. #microbit #STEMeducation #STEM #engineering

Lead staff scientist Ben Finio joined Cody Crooke and David Brown in this episode of Authentic Educators to talk about the 2026 Ball Run Engineering Challenge and the pivotal spark hands-on STEM learning opportunities can provide students. Learn more about the Engineering Challenge: https://lnkd.in/gptaPfAE #STEM #STEMeducation #engineering #teachengineering

Mechatronics combines electronics, robotics, computing, and mechanical systems to power technologies ranging from automation to assistive devices. This STEM field is creating systems and technologies we use every day, but not all students have access to meaningful opportunities to explore it. A new 12-part video tutorial series introduces students to mechatronics through hands-on physical computing with the pocket-sized micro:bit microcontroller. The series guides students through introductory concepts and shows how code interacts with sensors, motion, and data to produce real-world behavior. The free tutorial series supplements a collection of micro:bit projects, including a mini solar tracker, a medical alert fall detector, a model planetary lander, and communication aids. Together, the videos and projects give students multiple entry points to connect coding and engineering to real-world challenges. View the series: https://lnkd.in/ge85h7Cs Thank you to the ON Semiconductor Foundation, a Giving Now program at onsemi, for supporting resources to enable student exploration of cutting-edge technologies like mechatronics. #Mechatronics #STEMeducation #K12STEM

Today we announced the 12th annual Science Buddies Engineering Challenge! The 2026 Ball Run Challenge encourages students to think like engineers and helps build confidence in #STEM skills. The Science Buddies Engineering Challenge is a global K-12 challenge that uses simple materials for an engaging, hands-on building experience. Resources are available to help educators plan and lead the challenge, both in and out of the classroom. Participating teams in eligible locations can be entered into random drawings for funding awards for their school or organization. Let your teachers know about this innovative #STEMeducation opportunity. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gptaPfAE #ScienceBuddiesEngineeringChallenge  

Computer Science Education Week is an opportunity to help more K-12 students see themselves as creators, not just users, of technology. We support classrooms with resources that make coding accessible to all learners, whether they are new to coding or ready for more advanced challenges. Our "25+ Coding Projects for Beginners and Beyond" collection includes paper-based computational thinking activities, ready-to-use Scratch lessons, and projects that scale from simple ciphers to Arduino or micro:bit builds. These materials help teachers choose options that fit their classrooms and guide students in connecting code to real-world issues, including projects tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Students exploring independent projects can also use our "How to Pick a Coding Project" tool to find options aligned with their interests, skill level, and preferred technologies. For students in grades 5-8, coding projects entered in select science fairs may qualify for recognition through the Broadcom Coding with Commitment™ Award, sponsored by the BROADCOM FOUNDATION.  Coding is for Everyone Science Buddies is dedicated to expanding access to high-quality STEM learning, reaching more than 20 million students and educators each year. A recent survey of students who used Science Buddies highlights this impact:  • 72% enjoy the activities they do in science class • 71% feel confident in their ability to solve STEM problems To learn how your support can further student exploration of STEM, contact Tiffany Quinn. Resources • 25+ Coding Projects for Beginners and Beyond: https://lnkd.in/dvYpqDmD #CSEdWeek #ComputerScience #STEMlearning #STEMeducation

Broadcom Coding with Commitment® recognizes students in middle school who combine STEM learning with coding to solve a community problem they care about in their neighborhood, region, or on planet Earth that aligns with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. To find your local Broadcom Foundation sponsored science fair visit: https://lnkd.in/gtxamSBZ Find FREE coding resources from Raspberry Pi Foundation and Science Buddies and start your coding journey today! Raspberry Pi Foundation @science buddies #BroadcomFoundation #BroadcomCodingwithCommitment #Coding #STEM

Empowering Students to Think Like Engineers – National STEM Day and Every Day! National STEM Day (November 8) celebrates the power of hands-on exploration to spark curiosity and deepen learning. When students design, build, and test their own ideas, they think like engineers and gain confidence in their ability to innovate and solve problems using STEM. At Science Buddies, we're committed to making STEM learning accessible to all students. Our annual Engineering Challenge engages classrooms in engineering design with simple, low-cost materials, and our library of free videos, lessons, and projects helps educators teach engineering at all grade levels. 🚀In Louisiana, teacher Raina Hay did the Engineering Challenge with more than 500 elementary students, showing how powerful hands-on STEM can be when resources are both accessible and engaging. Supporting educators with free, high-quality tools helps every student see themselves as a scientist, an engineer, or a STEM innovator. ⭐ Learn more about the Science Buddies Engineering Challenge: https://lnkd.in/gptaPfAE ⭐ Read Raina's story: https://lnkd.in/gJ6g7g_Z ⭐ Browse engineering projects for K-12 students: https://lnkd.in/giV75GrT Thank you to sponsors and partners who share our commitment to hands-on STEM exploration and to leveling the playing field so all students have access to STEM learning.

We are grateful to onsemi for continued support of our work empowering students to explore real-world challenges using engineering and technology. This funding will help us make mechatronics learning accessible to even more students. #NationalSTEMDay #STEM #internationalSTEAMday #onsemi #onsemiGivingNow #STEAM