STEM PROGRAMS @ SCHOOL

1. TEAM BULLETIN BOARDS:
   Printed images of project results, team names, graphs, etc...
2. HIGH SCORES: 
   High Scores Board/Trophies for the teams that do the best on certain projects. 1st/2nd/3rd ribbons are pretty cheap, as are other such rewards. I know it can sometimes be disheartening to students who don't necessarily win, but I've always thought rewarding excellence and offering new opportunities for positive competition are important things - real life skills.
3. THEMATIC UNITS:
   Working on correlating the projects with other subjects when possible - PE, History, Music, etc... Some of the connections might be sort of vague, but at least inventors and whatnot could be pulled into it. I imagine early boat-making and the story of the Kon-Tiki would be great for the boat projects. Similarly, Robert Goddard, the Apollo Missions, and that sort for the rocket missions...
4. TECHNOLOGY:
   Have students to typed write-ups and presentations to report their findings/ideas. Graph data and present ideas before and after the projects. All that use of technology is going to be amazingly important in middle/high school and beyond.
5. GET THE WORD OUT:
   Add reports of the missions to a school newspaper/newsletter. This might encourage parent donations of project materials as well. 
6. PARENT INVOLVEMENT: 
   Have parent/student teams day This would be a fun activity to add to any school activities and events, like Fall or Spring Festivals. It would have to be a fast one, like paper airplane distance or something.
7. SCIENCE FESTIVAL: 
   Instead of just science projects, these STEM projects can be featured at a science festival if your school holds one. If it does not, this is something that can be added to other school events, like Spring, Winter, or Fall Festivals and/or curriculum nights. 
8. MATERIALS COLLECTIONS: 
   Ask for donations of card stock, paper, cardboard, tape, and the common things that you will QUICKLY run out of. I have gone through an inordinate amount of packing tape! You can even make special sponsors stickers for projects that will be displayed.
9. TEACHER VS. STUDENTS: 
   Make your own projects! Compete against the kids. I can usually win, but sometimes I get surprised! The kids get really excited when they beat me!
10. EXPERT OPINIONS: 
    Have local experts come in to offer advice and/or judge the projects! Engineers, Architects, Pipe-Fitters, Construction Workers... There are a lot of people who can offer help in these projects!
11. MYSTERY CRATES:
    Have boxes of random materials, like popsicle sticks, yarn, spools, paper, tape, notecards, and a task card. Students must accomplish the given task with ONLY the materials provided!