Our Favorite Projects for Summertime STEAM

Make a Scale Solar System

Use beads and string, sidewalk chalk, or your own creative choice of materials to build a scale model of planet sizes or distances in the solar system.

NASA Space Voyagers: The Game

In this strategy card game, you'll build spacecraft that can explore the Moon, Mars, and other destinations throughout our solar system while withstanding challenges thrown your way.

Look at the Moon! Journaling Project

Draw what you see in a Moon Journal and see if you can predict the moon phase that comes next.

Make a Moon Phases Calendar and Calculator

Like a decoder wheel for the Moon, this calendar will show you where and when to see the Moon and every moon phase throughout the year.

Make and Code a Light-Powered Device

In this challenge, you will build and program a light-powered device that can move to collect as much light as possible while not overheating.

Make a Paper Mars Helicopter

Build a paper helicopter, then see if you can improve the design like NASA engineers did when making the first helicopter for Mars.

Make a Straw Rocket

Create a paper rocket that can be launched from a soda straw – then, modify the design to make the rocket fly farther!

Make a Paper Glider

Turn a piece of paper into a glider inspired by a NASA design.

Space Origami: Make Your Own Starshade

Make your own model of this folding NASA space technology designed to help capture the first images of planets outside our solar system!

Do a Mineral Mystery Experiment

Dissolve salts in water, then observe what happens when the water evaporates. Now updated with findings from Mars!

Make a Moon Crater

Make craters like the ones you can see on the Moon using simple baking ingredients!

Design an Alien

Learners imagine and draw an alien that can survive with traits and environmental conditions that scientists look for in the search for life beyond Earth.

Modeling an Asteroid

Learners imagine and draw an alien that can survive with traits and environmental conditions that scientists look for in the search for life beyond Earth.

Model the Expanding Universe

Students learn about the role of dark energy and dark matter in the expansion of the universe, then make a model using balloons.

Mission to Mars Student Challenge

Get students exploring Mars with NASA scientists, engineers, and the Perseverance rover as they learn all about STEM and design their very own mission to the Red Planet!

Out-of-School Time STEAM

Explore a collection of guided STEAM activities for out-of-school time groups.

Summertime Projects for Students

Build paper rockets and gliders, make a moon journal, write space poetry and more. These projects are the perfect way to launch into summer.