June 5, 2025

Discover science at home this summer with four fun STEM activities! Make giant bubbles, explore candy bar geology, test plant growth with salt, and measure space distances using everyday items—hands-on learning for all ages!

Learn how to create massive, shimmering bubbles using a homemade solution and simple tools like string and straws. This activity offers a fun way to explore surface tension and light refraction, making it perfect for outdoor science play. Try this activity here!

This NASA JPL lesson uses candy bars to simulate rock formations, helping students understand geological concepts. By observing and describing the layers and textures of different candies, learners can draw parallels to real rock samples - enhancing their observational and analytical skills. Try this activity here!

Conduct an experiment to observe how varying salt concentrations in soil affect plant growth. By planting seeds in soils with different salinity levels, students can observe the effects of osmosis on water absorption in plants - gaining insights into plant biology and environmental science. Try this activity here!

This math project helps students grasp the vastness of space by stacking coins to represent distances from Earth to various celestial points - such as the edge of space, the International Space Station, and the Moon. It's a tangible way to visualize and understand astronomical distances. Try this activity here!

ScIC15 is a full-day virtual event built for educators stepping into science for the first time—or looking for new ways to make it work.

You’ll learn how to simplify standards, run hands-on activities with everyday materials, and build student curiosity—even if you don’t have a science background.

PocketLab will cover the essentials every science teacher should know, plus fresh techniques from veteran educators to help you feel more confident and prepared.

Expect practical strategies, collaborative sessions, and a supportive, judgment-free space to observe, question, try, and repeat—just like a scientist.

Because science isn’t just a subject—it’s a way of thinking. And with the right tools, every teacher can teach it.

Register now to attend live for PD credit — or to access the replay afterward.

Get ready for more thrilling X-STEM All Access episodes—an exciting new lineup premieres in late July! Mark your calendars and plan to incorporate these free, classroom-ready resources into your fall curriculum.

Discover how Dr. Jamesa Stokes, a Materials Research Engineer at NASA, is advancing technologies that impact not only space exploration but also the way we travel here on Earth! Watch the episode and explore free resources and the lesson plan here. 

Join Dr. Taylor Sparks, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Utah, as he uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to discover innovative materials that are transforming the products we rely on every day. Watch the episode and explore free resources and the lesson plan here. Want more ways to interact with this lesson? Check out the lesson plan in PocketLab for free!

Meet Dr. Alexis Vogt, optical engineer and professor. Discover how optics is all around us - and how this industry harnesses the power of light to drive innovation in STEM and everyday life. Watch the episode and explore free resources and the lesson plan here. Want more ways to interact with this lesson? Check out the lesson plan in PocketLab for free!

Meet Jose Nazario, a mechanical engineer and CNC machining expert who brings engineering designs to life through the perfect fusion of technology, precision, and creativity in machine tooling. Watch the episode and explore free resources and the lesson plan here. Want more ways to interact with this lesson? Check out the lesson plan in PocketLab for free!