Halloween is an exciting time of year full of costumes, candy, and spooky fun. But did you know that Halloween can also be a fantastic opportunity to engage high school students in STEM learning? I love combining science and fun to get students excited about learning! Here are seven thematic programs you can run during the spooky season to get high school students engaged in STEM.
The Science of Scaring: Exploring Fear’s Psychology
Dive into the psychology of fear and explore the science behind what makes things scary. Discuss topics such as the fight-or-flight response, the role of adrenaline, and the psychological impact of fear. Share books, articles, and online resources that delve into this intriguing topic.
STEM Costume Design: Merging Creativity and Technology
Encourage students to combine their creativity and technological skills by designing and creating STEM-themed costumes. Explore concepts like 3D printing, wearable electronics, and fabric technology. Organize a costume design contest or showcase student creations in the library.
Spooky Coding Challenges: Halloween-Inspired Programming
Introduce students to Halloween-themed coding challenges, where they can create games, animations, or interactive stories with a spooky twist. Use platforms like Scratch or Python to engage students in coding exercises related to Halloween themes such as haunted houses, witches, or monsters.
Ghostly Chemistry: Creepy and Cool Chemical Reactions
Explore spooky chemistry experiments that showcase fascinating reactions. From creating bubbling potions to producing eerie colors and effects, provide step-by-step instructions for safe and engaging experiments that students can conduct in the library or at home.
The Mathematical Haunted House: Puzzles and Brain Teasers
Create a mathematical haunted house in the library by designing interactive puzzles and brain teasers. Challenge students with math-related riddles, maze-solving activities, or logic puzzles that tie into the Halloween theme. Offer small prizes or incentives for students who solve the puzzles successfully.
Literary Ghosts: Exploring Ghost Stories and Literature
Delve into the world of ghost stories and spooky literature. Highlight classic tales, authors known for their ghostly works, and the role of supernatural elements in literature. Create a reading list of haunting stories and encourage students to share their favorite ghostly reads.
Halloween STEAM Crafts: Creating Spooky Science and Art
Provide students with hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activities related to Halloween. From constructing haunted houses using cardboard and craft materials to designing optical illusions or creating spooky artwork using technology tools, inspire students to blend creativity with scientific concepts.
High school libraries can capture students’ interest by infusing Halloween spirit into STEM learning and making learning engaging and enjoyable. Embrace the spooky season, explore the intersection of Halloween and STEM, and encourage students to unleash their creativity and curiosity. So, let Spooky STEM take over your high school library this Halloween. Watch as students discover the thrill of learning through Halloween-themed science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
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