Tinker with our STEM Challenge activities from previous years. Have fun and experiment with SFPL's STEM Challenge, a web series packaged for the budding scientist and engineer to practice the scientific method using common household items. SFPL youth librarians share their love for STEM with tips, tricks and other tidbits featuring fun experiments, along with resource lists and easy how-to videos.
Download, print and fill out your STEM C lab sheet while you complete your experiment:
- Spongey Chia Pets (PDF) | Mascotas esponjosas de chía (PDF) |海綿奇亞寶寶 (PDF)
- Pompom Catapults (PDF) | Catapultas de pompones PDF) | 絨球投射器 (PDF)
- Straw Rockets (PDF) | Cohetes de pajilla (PDF) | 飲管火箭 (PDF)
- Balloon Cars (PDF) | Coche de globo (PDF) | 氣球車 (PDF)
- Paper Airplanes (PDF) | Aviones de papel | 紙飛機 (PDF)
- Sunprints (PDF) | Huella solares (PDF) | 日光曬印 (PDF)
A note on the series title:
San Francisco Public Library strives towards being an anti-racist agency. In the spirit of this work, we changed the original name of this series, "STEM Challenge Yo’Self", in recognition of the fact that it was appropriated from Black vernacular—an act we acknowledge contributes to the systemic oppression of Black people and the perpetuation of stereotypes that are rooted in racism. We apologize for the harm the original title may have caused to our Black community members and staff, and we have updated the name of this series to “STEM Challenge.” We are committed to doing better. Learn more about the library’s Racial Equity Work (PDF) and Racial Equity Commitment, and please read the SF Human Rights Commission's anti-Black racism statement (PDF).