States of Matter STEM Ideas

The moment the Oobleck oozed through their gooey little fingers, the room was filled with gasps, giggles, and squeals. It was the perfect way to introduce our states of matter unit after a challenging six weeks away from school.

Is your science curriculum boring? Are you tired of doing the same old thing for teaching states of matter?

I’m so excited to share these states of matter STEM ideas with you because they are meaningful and fun! According to research from Dr. Cassie Holmes, meaningful and fun activities equal happiness!

School is a happy place! Shouldn’t we teach lessons that bring joy into our classrooms?

Hurricane Florence kept my students and me out of school for six weeks. When we finally returned, I was dying to do some fun lessons. To be honest, my students and I went through a traumatic event. I knew we needed to do something extraordinary to get some happiness in our lives.

I promised myself that we would do something fun that first week. We all needed it! We made a messy, fascinating, and fun substance called Oobleck!

Exploring the states of matter with hands-on States of Matter STEM activities like Oobleck not only makes science fun but also cements crucial concepts.

It has both properties of solids and liquids. It feels solid when you first touch it, but it melts and drips like a liquid as you hold it.

Oobleck is so much fun! It can have several different forms. You’ll see that students can have fun experimenting and mixing different substances to create different types.

The students made it with small cups of cornstarch, flour, salt, glue, and water. 

Once they had the materials, they could mix whichever ingredient they chose inside a larger cup.  This helped us avoid major messes.

This lesson goes great with states of matter books like Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss and Matter: Physical Science for Kids by Andi Diehn.

We discussed the different properties using the books. I gave examples around the room, and we completed this states of matter sorts.

This STEM challenge is messy, but I promise it is one of the most memorable challenges your kids will complete. This STEM challenge is a hit every year!

Here are a few tips for making Oobleck with your students ⤵️:

• Clear the Desks: Have your students clear their desks because it does get messy!
• Cleanup Supplies: Use baby wipes and paper towels for cleanup. Consider having the students place their cups on a small tray to keep the powders off their desks.
• Mind the Stains: Food coloring will stain, so ask the students’ families if you decide to use it.

Once they started mixing and talking, the smiles lasted all day! I had difficulty getting my kids to stop because they were so engrossed in the activities.

Lessons like this make my kids fall in love with science. It felt good going home on a Friday, knowing I made a difference. 

If you want to teach this States of Matter lesson, I included it and several others in my States of Matter STEM Challenges. 

There are three 5E lesson plans for teachers to save time on planning and pacing each lesson. These include a materials list and tips I learned from my experiences.

Each lesson takes about one week. In addition to the lesson, I’ve included experiments and STEM activities.  This resource provides everything you need to know to teach states of matter with confidence.

Here’s a little more about what is included in this States of Matter STEM Challenge resource.

Science Inquiry Lessons Include:

1. Measuring Volume Lab
2. Measuring Weight Lab
3. Liquids Lab
4. Solids Lab
5. Changing Matter Lab
6. Melting Matter Lab
7. Freezing Matter Lab
8. Cooling Liquids Lab
9. Sorting Matter Lab
10. Solids and Liquids Observations
11. Chocolate Milk Experiment

The target skills and topics include:

• Change of State: Students can give examples of matter that change from a solid to a liquid and from a liquid to a solid by heating and cooling.
• Describing Properties: They can describe the properties of solids and liquids and give examples of both solids and liquids.
• Measuring Volume: Students can measure and compare the volume of a liquid poured into different containers.
• Conservation of Matter: They will know if the water is turned into ice, and then it is allowed to melt. The amount of water is the same as it was before freezing.

In each lesson, students will:

• Write
• Inquire
• Collaborate
• Organize
• Read

For more STEM ideas, check out my post here.

Need a quick States of Matter Lesson? Try this free resource!

As we wrap up, remember, that diving into the states of matter doesn’t have to be a snooze-fest. 🙅🏼‍♀️

From the squishy sensation of Oobleck between your fingers to the delightful surprise of chocolate transforming from solid to liquid, these STEM ideas are not just educational – they’re a blast!

They bring the curriculum to life, turning abstract concepts into memorable, hands-on experiences that stick with students long after the lesson ends.

By integrating these states of matter STEM challenges into your classroom, you’re not just teaching; you’re sparking a love for science that can last a lifetime.

So, get ready to roll up your sleeves, make a little mess, and watch as your students discover the wonders of solids and liquids in the most joyful way possible!

I’d love to hear about your adventures in teaching states of matter. What’s been your biggest win or funniest mishap with this unit?