If you teach kids who have never seen snow but still light up when learning feels like play, this one’s for you!
Every winter, I lean into Winter Sports STEM because it hits that sweet spot. Especially this year, since it’s the Winter Olympics! These are hands-on, low-prep, standards-based, and genuinely fun. No fancy supplies. No chaos. Just kids thinking, testing, laughing, and learning.
We focus on force and motion, using winter sports as the hook. Even better? You don’t need the Olympics to be on for this to work. These challenges fit perfectly into January-February and flex around breaks.
Here’s what your students will explore:
Inside These Winter Sports STEM Challenges
Click to jump to a sport:
- Speed Skating → center of gravity
- Bobsledding → drag & air resistance
- Alpine Skiing → balanced & unbalanced forces
- Curling → friction
- Hockey → angles & deflection
This works even on busy weeks!
Each challenge includes:
- a short, kid-friendly reading passage
- a simple science experiment
- a hands-on STEM activity
- response pages for critical thinking
- teacher tips + materials list
They feel like games… but they’re doing real science.
Why teachers keep coming back to this set
I’ll be honest — this works because it respects your reality.
- You don’t need snow
- You don’t need special tools
- You don’t need a full block
- You do get high engagement
- You do get meaningful science conversations
- You do get kids who want to try again
And yes — they remember these lessons long after winter ends.
Scroll to see each challenge in action and how I run them in my own classroom.
1. Speed Skating: Center of Gravity
Students discover how staying low helps skaters stay balanced and why standing tall makes you wobble fast.
What students are learning:
Students explore center of gravity and why staying low helps speed skaters stay balanced during sharp turns.
What this looks like in your classroom:
Students start with a quick, hilarious wall experiment that immediately hooks them (yes, the one where they can’t lift their leg). From there, they read a short science passage and build a model speed skater using pipe cleaners and a lifesaver to test balance firsthand. This turns into great partner talk without prompting.
The STEM challenge:
Students design a speed skater that can stand upright on two legs for 30 seconds. Then revise it based on what they learn.
Why teachers love this one:
- Super high engagement
- Minimal materials
- Clear cause-and-effect learning
- Easy to run in under an hour
- Perfect intro to force & motion
No special prep or fancy materials required.
2.Bobsledding → drag & air resistance
Students test how body position affects speed… and yes, the gummy bears usually steal the show.
What students are learning:
Students investigate drag and how body position affects speed.
What this looks like in your classroom:
Students run a simple experiment comparing how objects move when there’s more or less resistance. Then they build a bobsled course and test gummy-bear “athletes” in different positions. You’ll hear a lot of ‘wait, try mine!’ during this one.
The STEM challenge:
Teams design a bobsled track and test how body position changes speed and stability.
Why teachers love this one:
- Built-in excitement (the gummy bears sell it)
- Easy group work structure
- Strong connection to real-world physics
- Includes timing + comparison skills
- Works beautifully for collaboration days
Everything is laid out step-by-step.
3. Alpine Skiing → balanced & unbalanced forces
Students design a ski course to see how forces work together (and against each other) to control motion.
What students are learning:
Students explore how unbalanced forces help skiers change direction and control movement.
What this looks like in your classroom:
Students experiment with marbles and ramps to see how force changes direction. Then they design a ski course with turns and test how well their “skier” navigates it. Students love testing each other’s ideas.
The STEM challenge:
Create a ski course with a start, six turns, and a finish — then test and improve it.
Why teachers love this one:
- Great for visual and kinesthetic learners
- Builds persistence + problem-solving
- Clear tie to NGSS forces standards
- Easy to differentiate by course length
- Encourages redesign and iteration
4. Curling → friction
Students explore how surface texture changes motion — and why sweeping actually matters.
What students are learning:
Students explore friction and how surface texture affects motion.
What this looks like in your classroom:
Students test how marbles move across different surfaces, then apply that thinking to a curling-style game using either an ice version or a dry classroom-friendly version. It’s one of those activities they ask to do again.
The STEM challenge:
Design a curling broom that helps your “stone” travel farther and more accurately.
Why teachers love this one:
- Flexible: ice OR dry option
- Super hands-on and collaborative
- Natural tie to scientific vocabulary
- Easy to reset and replay
- Works beautifully for observation + reflection
5. Hockey → angles & deflection
Students predict, test, and adjust angles to see how pucks really move across the ice.
What students are learning:
Students explore angles of deflection and how objects change direction after contact.
What this looks like in your classroom:
Students test how marbles bounce off surfaces, predict paths, and record angles. Then they connect that learning to how a hockey puck moves during gameplay.
The STEM challenge:
Design a setup that lets students test and predict how angles affect motion.
Why teachers love this one:
- Strong math + science crossover
- Great visuals for abstract concepts
- Builds prediction and reasoning skills
- Easy setup with everyday materials
- Perfect for upper elementary
I’m telling you, this resource is one that your students will remember you for.
I created an Instagram Highlight titled “Winter STEM” for these challenges so you can see them in action in our classroom. We had a blast doing these!
I designed these 5 Winter STEM Games STEM Challenges with your classroom in mind. Each Winter STEM challenge includes:
- 5E lesson plan
- Experiments
- Reading
- STEM challenge
- Response sheets
What’s included in the Winter Sports STEM pack
Each sport includes:
- 5E lesson plan
- student-friendly reading passage
- comprehension questions + answer keys
- hands-on STEM challenge
- recording & reflection pages
- teacher tips + material lists
- low-prep setup
- standards-aligned (NGSS + ELA + math)
Everything is ready to print and teach.
If you’re looking for a way to teach force and motion that actually sticks without adding more prep to your plate, this Winter Sports STEM pack was built for real classrooms like yours!
Hello! I am just wondering if this is still an active website – I am very interested in your Winter STEM activities and tried to ‘subscribe’ but received nothing in my email. You have some great ideas – I would love to know more!
Thank you!
Hey, Kristen! Yes, I’m still very active on my website. I see that you subscribed, but you haven’t yet confirmed your subscription. To do this, check your spam folder for the following email titled, “Important: confirm your subscription” and tap the button within the email. The freebie will download immediately after. This just confirms you are a human and not a robot. Thanks so much for your interest and support!
Sorry to be such a bother, but I keep clicking the Confirm Follow button, but nothing is downloading. I cannot figure out what I am doing wrong.
Hi, I subscribed and have not received a confirmation email (and have also checked my spam).
Hi Amy,
Sorry for the delay. I checked my email and don’t see your subscription. Here’s the link for the free resource: https://simply-steam-llc.kit.com/02aed8afb4 Once you subscribe, you’ll get an email titled “Important: confirm your subscription.” Apologies for the trouble, and thanks for your patience.
Best, Sarah