10+ Easy, Low-Prep STEM Ideas for Fall that Will Make Your Students Fall in Love with Learning!
Hello, amazing teachers! 🍂
As the crisp fall air sweeps in, it’s the perfect time to introduce your students to some engaging STEM activities—without breaking a sweat on prep. We all know that balance between creativity and practicality is essential, so here are 10 easy, low-prep STEM ideas that your students will love this season. Bonus: they incorporate nature, art, and lots of hands-on fun!
1. Leaf Chromatography
Who knew leaves were hiding so many colors? With just coffee filters, rubbing alcohol, and some colorful fall leaves, you can show your students the science behind those changing hues. Have them crush leaves, add rubbing alcohol, and watch as the hidden colors appear. It’s a magical introduction to plant science!
*Pro Tip:* This is perfect for teaching about chlorophyll and why leaves change color in fall. The kids will be mesmerized.
2. Pumpkin Math
Pumpkins aren’t just for carving! Grab a few and turn them into a math lesson by having students estimate the number of seeds inside, then count and measure their guesses. You can even weigh the pumpkins and talk about volume and density.
*Feeling adventurous?* Build a simple catapult and host a pumpkin-launching contest—cue the giggles and physics lessons!
3. Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt
Turn your next outdoor adventure into a STEM experience with a nature scavenger hunt. Have students search for specific leaves, rocks, and plants, then sort and classify their finds back in the classroom. This is a great way to sneak in lessons about biodiversity and habitats.
*Teacher Tip:* Pair it with a discussion on the science of seasons and how plants and animals prepare for winter.
4. Falling Leaves Physics
Challenge your students to drop different types of leaves from various heights and observe how quickly they fall. It’s a simple way to introduce concepts like gravity and air resistance. You can even encourage them to make predictions and test their hypotheses—science in action!
*Teacher Hack:* This one gets the kids moving while secretly teaching them about basic physics.
5. Apple Oxidation Experiment
This is a classic—and for a good reason! Have students slice up apples, leave them exposed to air, and observe the oxidation process. Take it up a notch by testing what happens when they cover the apples with different substances like lemon juice or salt. It’s a simple chemistry lesson disguised as snack time!
*Pro Tip:* Pair this with discussions on enzymes, pH, and why some apples brown faster than others.
6. Autumn Leaf Symmetry Art
Get creative with a mix of art and STEM by having students collect leaves and use them to create symmetrical patterns. This doubles as a way to teach about geometry in nature. Leaf rubbings are also a fun, tactile way for younger students to observe leaf textures and structures.
*Bonus Points:* This is a calm, meditative activity that encourages mindfulness and creativity. Plus, it looks great displayed on classroom walls!
7. Pinecone Bird Feeders
Help your students give back to nature by making simple pinecone bird feeders. All you need are pinecones, wow butter, and birdseed. This is a perfect way to discuss ecosystems, food chains, and how animals prepare for colder weather. Then, hang them up outside and observe the local wildlife! Or if you want to link recycling into the learning, get them to bring in plastic bottles from their home to up cycle into bird feeders
*Teacher Hack:* Make it a class challenge to identify the birds that visit your feeders.
8. STEM Pumpkin Towers
Challenge your students to build the tallest pumpkin tower they can—using only mini pumpkins and toothpicks! This engineering activity encourages creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Plus, it’s hilarious to watch them try to balance those mini pumpkins.
*Tip:* You can also challenge them to see how much weight their towers can hold or how tall they can go before the pumpkins topple over.
9. Leaf Boats
Have your students collect leaves and use them to design small “boats.” Then, head to a local pond or use a tub of water to test which designs float the best and why. This activity is a fun, interactive way to talk about buoyancy and design thinking.
*Fun Addition:* Have a race to see which leaf boat is the fastest!
10. Shadow Science
As the days grow shorter, fall is the perfect time to explore shadows! Take students outside to observe how shadows change throughout the day or have them create shadow art using objects they find on your nature walk. It’s a fantastic way to explore the relationship between the sun’s position and shadows.
*Teacher Insight:* This also opens up conversations about the Earth’s rotation and the science of shorter fall days.
Join the Conversation!
Feeling inspired? Want more ideas like these? Join our Resilience Rebels Facebook group for even more tips, teacher hacks, and support from other Ontario educators. It’s a great community to share your wins, brainstorm ideas, and sometimes just vent about the chaos that is classroom life (we’ve all been there!).
Let’s make this fall a season of fun and learning—without the stress. Happy teaching!
