Let’s set the scene. Imagine a parent walking into your classroom at the end of the day to pick up their child. Instead of jumping up, packing their bag, and rushing out the door, the student looks up, eyes wide with excitement, and says, “Can I please stay a little longer?!”

That moment—when kids are so engaged, so curious, and so deep in learning that they don’t want to leave—that’s the magic of STEM done right. And here’s the thing: you can create this kind of classroom, too. And no, it doesn’t mean adding more to your already full plate.

Some of my absolute favorite days on our campus are our STEM showcase days. Students become the lead learners, highlighting their experiences, their thinking, and their real-world problem-solving. It’s not just a chance to show off what they’ve done—it’s the most highly attended event of the year. Parents, community members, and even educators from around the county come just to see these students in action.

Why? Because STEM isn’t just about science, technology, engineering, and math. It’s about building thinkers, doers, and problem-solvers—kids who will thrive in a world of AI, automation, and constant change. Knowing facts isn’t enough anymore. We need students who can analyze, adapt, and create.

And I know what you might be thinking right now.
“STEM sounds great, but it’s just one more thing on my to-do list.”

I hear you. I really do. That’s why this episode isn’t about adding more. It’s about small shifts that make learning irresistible—where students become so engaged, they forget to check the clock.

Today, we’re going to uncover:
✅ Why students LOVE STEM classrooms.
✅ The secret to keeping them engaged through inquiry-based learning.
✅ Simple, low-prep strategies you can start using right away.

And at the end, I’ve got something special for you—a free STEM Engagement Cheat Sheet packed with ready-to-use activities and ideas to get your students hooked on learning.

Let’s jump in!

The Walkthrough That Changed Everything

It was just another typical day of classroom walkthroughs. You know the drill—clipboards in hand, scanning the room, checking for engagement.

Then, we walked into a 5th-grade classroom in the middle of what looked like a math lesson.

Students were predicting and calculating the percentages of different types of water on Earth. Standard, right? But something was different.

Instead of a quiet classroom filled with students hunched over their desks, the room was buzzing.

Groups of students leaned in, debating and justifying their answers. Their eyes lit up as they explained their reasoning to their peers. The energy was electric.

So, what was happening?

Their teacher had given them a challenge. Not just a worksheet. Not just a set of problems to solve. But an actual challenge.

She told them they’d soon see a demonstration of Earth’s actual water distribution, and the team that predicted the closest percentage would earn table points.

And these kids were ALL IN.

As we walked out, the other principals in my group were in disbelief.
“I’ve never seen students so engaged in a math lesson.”
“That was incredible—I’ve never seen kids this excited over percentages!”

That’s when I turned to them and said, “That wasn’t a math lesson… that was a STEM lesson.”

The students weren’t just calculating—they had already analyzed a map, counted and graphed data, and used evidence to make predictions.

And here’s my favorite part…

These kids were so engaged that my colleagues—who had NEVER asked to re-enter a classroom during a walkthrough—asked if we could go back in and keep watching.

The Secret Sauce: Why STEM Keeps Kids Hooked

So, how do you take a standard lesson and turn it into something that makes students forget to check the clock?

It’s simple: Inquiry-Based, Hands-On STEM.

This isn’t about flashy projects or expensive materials. It’s about teaching students how to think and learn.

Here’s what keeps students engaged:

✅ Collaboration – Kids love working together to solve real-world challenges.
✅ Problem-Solving – When students face a challenge, their brains light up. They want to figure it out.
✅ Critical Thinking – Open-ended exploration gives them space to make sense of problems on their own.
✅ Communication – Real learning happens when students explain their thinking, debate solutions, and present their findings.
✅ Innovation – Give kids a problem, and they’ll find ten ways to solve it—some brilliant, some ridiculous, but all uniquely theirs.
✅ Leadership – When students own their learning, they step up. They don’t just participate—they lead.

From Worksheets to Hands-On Learning: Simple STEM Swaps

You don’t need more time. You don’t need more money. You just need small, intentional shifts.

Instead of a worksheet about habitats…
✅ Challenge students to design an animal shelter that protects against wind and rain.

Instead of a lecture on bridge structures…
✅ Give students straws, tape, and paperclips and ask: Can you build a bridge strong enough to hold 50 pennies?

Instead of memorizing the water cycle…
✅ Challenge students to design a mini water filtration system using everyday materials.

Creating a Classroom Culture That Feels Like a STEM Lab

Want a classroom where students don’t want to leave? It starts with culture.

✔ Encourage Curiosity – Let students ask questions and chase ideas. Not every answer has to come from you!
✔ Celebrate Failure as Part of Learning – STEM is about iteration. The first design won’t always work—and that’s the point.
✔ Make Room for Student Leadership – Give kids ownership. Let them present ideas and teach each other.

When students feel safe to experiment and explore, engagement skyrockets.

The Best Part? You Don’t Have to Change Everything Overnight!

Take a breath—you don’t have to transform your entire teaching practice overnight.

🎯 Start small:
✅ Try one inquiry-based lesson.
✅ Swap one worksheet for a hands-on challenge.
✅ Let students take the lead in one discussion.

And watch what happens.

Before you know it, your classroom won’t just be a place where students come to learn—it’ll be a place where they don’t want to leave.

Because when students own the process, they stop asking, “Is this for a grade?” and start asking…

“Can we do this again tomorrow?”

Your Next Step: The STEM Engagement Cheat Sheet!

I want to make this easy for you, so I’ve created a free STEM Engagement Cheat Sheet packed with:

✅ Low-prep inquiry-based activities
✅ Simple ways to build STEM engagement
✅ Quick swaps to make STEM an adventure

📥 Download my free STEM Engagement Guide!

And if this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow educator who could use some STEM inspiration! Visit learning-project.com for more resources!

📩 Have a question or want to share a STEM success story? DM me on Instagram @TheLearningProjectJenn—I’d LOVE to hear from you!

💡 And don’t forget to hit ‘subscribe’ so you don’t miss next week’s episode!

🚀✨ See you next time!