The “T” in STEM (or STEAM): Technology
These 50 technology projects for kids support “STEM” education. STEM is an abbreviation for “science, technology, engineering, and math.”
These activities must be undertaken with a suitable adult completing their own risk assessment and supervising their children at all times.
STEM education helps prepare students for jobs that are becoming more and more technical.
Sometimes it’s also called “STEAM”, with an “a” included for “art.”
While there has been a lot of emphasis on teaching kids science and math, we have paid less attention to engineering, and the least to technology education.
But that’s now changing.
Technology education standards and programs are being updated across the U.S. Maker education has exploded across the country. You can find makerspaces popping up in schools and libraries everywhere.
What is Technology Education?
While you may think first of computers, technology education covers much more than that.
Technology can be defined as the tools, materials, and processes people use to solve problems.
It used to be known as “industrial arts.” Now “technology education” focuses on different kinds of problem-solving. It includes sub-fields such as design, electronics, transportation, structural engineering, materials science, agriculture, energy, and environmental quality.
This list of technology projects for kids is divided into sub-fields. They make great activities for your elementary or middle school classroom, homeschool, or makerspace.
If you would like to recommend a technology project for kids to include on this list, please leave us a comment! If you tried out any of these projects, we’d love to read your feedback in the comments as well.
The List: 50 Technology Projects for Kids
Design process
Sprinkler Engineering Design Process for Kids – From Engineer to Stay at Home Mom
Introductory Engineering Design Challenges – Momgineer
Electronic circuits
Wire Up an Electric Circuit – Geek Pack Hack
Electromagnet Doorbell – Geek Pack Hack
Make a Circuit Game on a Breadboard – Geek Pack Hack
Learn to Use a Voltmeter – Geek Pack Hack
Amplified Crystal Radio – Geek Pack Hack
How to Make a Speaker – Geek Pack Hack
Paper Circuit Cards – Science Kiddo
Lemon Battery – STEAM Powered Family
Make an Electromagnet – We Know Stuff
Electromagnet Train – Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
Tiny Dancers (Homopolar Motors) – Babble Dabble Do
Squishy Circuits – STEAMsational
Circuit Bugs – STEAM Powered Family
LED Throwies – Buggy and Buddy
Steady Hand Game – 123 Homeschool 4 Me
Salty Circuits – Babble Dabble Do
Simple Electric Motor – Education.com
Transportation and Navigation
Baking Soda Rockets – We Know Stuff
STEM Paper Airplane Challenge – Kids Activities Blog
Build a Wind Car Engineering Challenge – The Homeschool Scientist
Paddle Boat – Rookie Parenting Science
Rubber Band Car – Crafts by Amanda
Lego Balloon Car – Little Bins for Little Hands
Chemical Reaction Car – Cub Scout Ideas
How to Make a Compass – Gift of Curiosity
Make a Hovercraft – Science Sparks
Simple Machines and Structural Engineering
Hydraulic Machine – Instructables
Simple Machines for Kids: Lego Pulleys STEM Building Challenge – Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
How to Build a DaVinci Bridge with Pencils – iGameMom
How to Build the Eiffel Tower – KC Edventures
Critical Thinking with a Catapult – Sylvan Learning
Roller Coaster Challenge – Vivify
Design
11 Photography Projects Kids Can Do – Kids Activities Blog
Easy Stop Motion Animation for Beginners – TinkerLab
Materials Science
Does Water Conduct Electricity? – Rookie Parenting Science
Making Mixtures: How Do Colloids Size Up? – Science Buddies
Is it Conductive or Not? – Teach Beside Me
Agriculture
Hydroponics Made Easy – Science Buddies
Worm Bin in a Bucket – Playdough to Plato
Sustainable Energy and the Environment
Solar Powered Lego Car – Teach Beside Me
Renewable Energy Project for Kids: Power from Water – Education.com
Energy From Garbage: How to Make Biogas – Education.com
Hands-On Oil Spill Clean-Up Experiment for Kids – Kitchen Counter Chronicles
Bots and Coding
Bristlebots – Evil Mad Scientist
Drawing “Wigglebot” – Research Parent
Boogie Bot – Babble Dabble Do
Clap On Lamp – SparkFun Electronics
Arduino for Beginners – Geek Pack Hack