STEM gifts obsession list has arrived! I like to think of myself as an extreme curator. Without a doubt, one of my favorite things to do is share new ideas with other teachers, as well. These two characteristics go hand in hand so I have curated a list of ALL my STEM product obsessions just for the teacher… That’s right. Not what to buy the kids, but what will make this teacher have the BEST DAY EVER with students! Delivered to you today in 5 categories. These obsessions make ME happy, students learn and explore with curiosity, and they are classroom approved must-haves!
If you missed last year’s list, take a peek here! Do not skip the end of this post! We are going to figure out how to hack some of these products because teachers aren’t millionaires! We need money saving tips! To make sure all your STEM/STEAM fun is used with intention, make sure you grab these STEAM instruction posters including the 4 C’s!
STEM Must-Haves
If you haven’t jumped onto the bandwagon yet and purchased or asked for a personal laminator like the Scotch Personal Laminator, do not wait anymore! This STEM obsession isn’t just an obsession! It simply is a wonderful tool for the classroom! If for nothing else than to not take items to be laminated in the teacher work room and deal with the long sheet of flimsy laminator film, this tool is worth it! The gorgeous corners and sturdy film will keep your resources safe forever! Buy one with a friend and share! I totally do! What else made its way to the must-haves list? Take a look! Everything here will save you money, time, or keep students ready to learn!
The MUST-HAVES
- Scotch Laminator – Gotta get that!
- IKEA Tubs – At $2.99.. did I just say $2.99? This is most spacious tub for storing a STEM center with sections inside!
- Wooden Trays – You can’t have enough of these! So useful.. and I love natural wood.
- Peppermint Jar – Clears the head and engages the senses. My students are allowed to take one when they need it. We love the soft peppermint the best.
- Blisslight Projector – Do not hang lights again! Create a mood in the room for a lesson or just enjoyment!
- Splash Mats – LIFE CHANGER!! I use outside with kinetic sand on the mat or inside to catch things and tiny parts!
- Induction Cooktop – AMAZING! Cooking is one of the best activities for incorporating STEM! We love becoming a play dough making factory!
STEM Outdoor Classroom Must-Haves
Coming very soon, I will be telling the story of the MOST perfect Outdoor Classroom ever, but until then I want to share with you the secret to making it work! Outdoor Classrooms have always been an obsession for me and now I am obsessed with…. Outdoor storage! Believe it or not, you have so many resources students will benefit from using outside, and there are probably a few you would like for them to have, but must be done outside. Everything on the Outdoor Classroom list is and will continue to be used by myself.
Currently, I can’t stop thinking about this STEM obsession. I add to and make things better in the Outdoor Classroom everyday. I will share that this probably isn’t just a one classroom purchase list, but for multiple classrooms. Figuring out where your space is and how it will be managed is a must. I was able to acquire it all through a funded grant (which was so fun shopping with). Some of these items you can purchase just for one classroom and take outside when you are ready, but for the school ready for a solid Outdoor Classroom… storage is a must.
It’s in my Outdoor Classroom!
- Cedar Storage – This storage is amazing and costs around $150. It is chest high so students can work on the platform that is magnetic! Open the doors for storage inside!
- Storage Benches – Simply the best for storing large outdoor building supplies like the Lakeshore Set coming up!
- Kinetic Sand – I love this and so do students. We have a mud kitchen and use kinetic sand in place of mud. Students love designing with sand on the splash mats, too!
- Kinetic Sand Tubs – The best way to store kinetic sand. I keep these in the cedar storage chests.
- Bug Catching Kits – You will be surprised how many students will be interested in this!
- Binoculars – Bird watching coming up! This is a great comfortable set of binoculars that really work from Geo Safari.
Kid’s Favorite STEM Products
What STEM obsessions have made it to the most used learning items in my classroom? Every product on the STEM Kid Favorites list brings uber joy, gets requested over and over, and helps me see avenues for teaching I didn’t know were there. I learn more about my students when they interact with these items. Quite frankly, I am so surprised about the interactions some of them have, like the Lakeshore Grocery Baskets and Cash Register.
PSA: I got all the Lakeshore Grocery items through Donor’s Choose!
A few of these items may seem like toys or junk that would take up space in your classroom, but again, storage is key! One tub for a set of something, like the grocery items, and the STEM obsession grows! For every single one of these items, I have created and added standard correlated resources so that it’s more than just a little play. If you ask me though, a kid’s brain is designed to learn through play. Try it some time!
And the Kids choose…
- OSMO – They never get tired of this. The critical thinking involved with each app for OSMO is abundant!
- Young Wild and Friedman – Gahh… I love these kits! They cost $39 each, but the details and elements added are so worth it! In the pizza making kit, the dough smells like pizza dough!
- Bugs in Resin – I was shocked when I put these out how intrigued students were! I had to buy more!
- Lakeshore Towers – Ok.. so this is a pricey purchase!! Almost $500. Let me share with you.. put this one on the admin for next year! It is geared towards smaller children, but older students and my fellow teachers struggle in a good way and stay engaged! Worth it!
- Lakeshore Grocery and Cash Register – These groceries are so WOW! Real-world? This is is! I love the cash register because it works like a real calculator. We have price sheets for groceries and students work with prices that will require grade level math.
- Trash Bins for Recycling – The best STEM material I have… trash. Students love to sort, save, and reuse. Get a recycle bin set that is stackable and easy for students to dig through for the classroom
Bougie STEM Obsessions
On the Bougie STEM Obsessions list, I’m not going to share single items.. Well maybe a few, but I really want you to explore these sites and see how loose-part play, learning through discovery, and nature-based play could find a home in your classroom. Your students will need experiences to connect what they learn in your classroom to. Products from shops like these take us into a new realm of thinking. Remember, these are small businesses. They need our support. They are also makers, creators, explorers, and teachers. STEM or STEAM is rooted in creating students that are: makers, creators, explorers, and teachers. Enjoy making a bougie STEM wish list, but keep on reading. We are going to turn some of our bougie dreams into reality!
Who made the list?
- AborInspirations – This is my favorite shop for independent discovery STEM sets.
- Tanglewood Hollow – Can I just I want it all!
- Nature Based Toys – I can’t get enough of the eco dough on this site. Actually, I save this for myself! Too nice for students!
STEM Simplicity
You will find yourself asking, “How can some of these items cost this much?” Well, if you are looking at loose part sets, like those on Etsy, to get a quality loose part to put in one box the creator may have to buy in bulk or spend extra money for a unique item. For instance the Young, Wild, and Friedman boxes, I have no idea where they find all of the items that make students’ eyes light up with magic, but I know where they get the tub and how to make dough! Every now and then, we need to support small businesses and save ourselves time by purchasing an item ready to go. However, the STEM teacher in me screams, “We can make this!” That is important, too.
DIY STEM
Find some kits you like from the bougie STEM obsession list and turn them into a student project with places like Dollar Tree! At Dollar Tree, I love these plastic student trays for collecting nature items on, their wooden craft aisle is wonderful, and they often have tiny things in the toy section. Another hack: Check home for items. Look at what others are throwing out!
The Ikea Tub… I just can’t say enough.. Last I checked it was on sale for $2.99! You can make so many themed learning tubs using the Ikea Tub!
To show you that I do actually make my own and purchase, in the picture below I used a wooden box purchased with a kit from Etsy and sellers like Aborinspirations to make an Ecosystem Creation Box. In this box students will hunt for ecosystem items that match a chosen ecosystem card. I colored the rice using alcohol, food coloring, and zip-loc bags. I have that one really great wooden tray, and I am repurposing as needed. Want some of these amazing cards? Find them here!
Finally, the last hack I have for you is to find a friend who enjoys some of these STEM obsession items, too. When you can order things in bulk like loose parts, you will save money. You just need a friend to share with! Keep STEM dreaming and teaching!
**Links included to Amazon are part of my Amazon store list. You can view the entire store here!
