Spring STEM Activities for Outdoor Learning: Elementary Science, Tech, Engineering & Math

Cover image spring STEM activities- two boys examining a butterfly with a magnifying glass

Spring STEM Activities are the perfect way to take learning outside while keeping students engaged and challenged. As the weather warms up, it’s a great time to try some fun, low-prep STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities that spark curiosity and build real-world problem-solving skills. These hands-on experiences naturally encourage critical thinking, support cross-curricular learning, and work well across multiple grade levels.

By moving your STEM lessons outdoors, you give students the opportunity to explore and connect with nature while engaging in meaningful learning. Ready to shake things up this season? Try one of these exciting Spring STEM Activities designed specifically for outdoor learning!

Spring STEM Activities for Outdoor Learning

🌱 Science: Exploring Plant Growth with a Seed Race

Spring is all about new growth, making it the ideal time to study plants. A seed race is a simple, interactive way to observe how different seeds sprout and grow. It encourages students to make predictions, observe carefully, and collect data—all essential STEM skills.

How to Run a Seed Race:

  • Have students plant a variety of seeds (grass, beans, flowers).
  • Ask them to predict which seed will sprout first.
  • Students will observe, record growth, and reflect on environmental factors that affect plant development.

STEM Tie-ins:
✔️ Biology – Plant life cycles and growth
✔️ Math – Measurement and data collection
✔️ Critical thinking and inquiry skills

📱 Technology: Nature Exploration with Apps

Spring STEM activities don’t have to mean leaving tech behind. Use digital tools to enhance outdoor learning and deepen students’ understanding of the world around them.

How to Explore Nature with Tech:

  • Introduce free apps like iNaturalist, Merlin Bird ID, or SkyView.
  • Give students time to explore the app before heading outside.
  • With permission, let students use personal devices or shared class tablets to identify plants, animals, or constellations.

STEM Tie-ins:
✔️ Tech – Using digital tools for scientific discovery
✔️ Science – Species identification, data collection

3 kids outside using cell phones

🛶 Engineering: Mini Raft Challenge

Spring puddles and streams are perfect for this hands-on design challenge. Students will explore buoyancy and basic physics while designing rafts that float.

How to Do It:

  • Provide natural materials like sticks, bark, leaves, etc.
  • Students design and build small rafts.
  • Test rafts in water and reflect: What makes a strong and buoyant design? What didn’t work?

STEM Tie-ins:
✔️ Engineering – Design process and testing
✔️ Physics – Buoyancy and forces
✔️ Problem-solving and iteration

📏 Math: Measuring Spring Shadows

Spring sunlight leads to shifting shadows—exploring shadows provides an easy and meaningful way to explore measurement and earth science.

How to Explore Shadows:

  • Measure shadows at different times of day (students or objects like trees).
  • Record and compare results to explore how the sun’s position changes.
  • Discuss how shadows change with time and season.

STEM Tie-ins:
✔️ Geometry – Measurement and angles
✔️ Earth Science – Sun movement and seasonal change

🐝 Science: Pollinator Investigation

As flowers bloom, pollinators like bees and butterflies emerge. This activity gets students observing their environment while learning about ecosystems and data collection.

How to Investigate Pollinators:

  • Observe pollinators in your outdoor learning space.
  • Track which flowers attract the most activity.
  • Graph findings by pollinator type, flower color, or plant species.
  • Discuss how to create a pollinator-friendly habitat.

STEM Tie-ins:
✔️ Life Science – Ecosystems and pollination
✔️ Math – Graphing and analysis
✔️ Environmental awareness

two kids looking at a butterfly with magnifying glasses

🪺 Engineering: Build a Bird Nest Challenge

Birds are busy building nests in spring—why not challenge your students to do the same?

How to Try It:

  • Ask students to build a nest using only natural materials.
  • Test the strength by placing small weights like pebbles inside.
  • Show real (abandoned) nests if available, and discuss bird adaptations and materials.

STEM Tie-ins:
✔️ Engineering – Natural structure design
✔️ Life Science – Animal adaptations
✔️ Inquiry – Observation and comparison

🍃 Math & Art: Nature Patterns and Symmetry Hunt

Nature is full of math! Use this activity to connect geometry, patterns, and creativity.

How to Do It:

  • Teach symmetry and patterns using natural examples.
  • Have students find symmetrical shapes in leaves, flowers, or insects.
  • Sketch or create pattern-based art using found objects.

STEM Tie-ins:
✔️ Geometry – Symmetry and shapes
✔️ Pattern recognition
✔️ Art integration for cross-curricular learning

💧 Science: Water Filtration Experiment

Rainy spring days? Perfect for this engaging water filtration activity that combines engineering and environmental science.

How to Try It:

  • Students design simple water filters using sand, gravel, leaves, etc.
  • Use plastic bottles or jars as a base to build filters.
  • Test with muddy water and observe the results.
  • Discuss real-world uses for water filtration.

STEM Tie-ins:
✔️ Environmental Science – Clean water
✔️ Engineering – Design and test process
✔️ Real-world applications

Get Outside and Try One of These Spring STEM Activities

These Spring STEM activities bring your curriculum to life while taking full advantage of the season’s energy and inspiration. Whether you’re investigating pollinators or measuring shadows, the outdoors becomes a rich learning lab full of opportunity. So grab your supplies, head outside, and let your students explore the wonders of STEM—spring-style!

Keep Reading…

Check Out Some of These Spring Outdoor Learning Resources…