Free STEM Lesson Plans!

AFTERNOON UPDATE:  I did find, after all, that as an educator, you are able to set up a free Microsoft Educators account with your school email. This would have been good to know a year and a half ago so I could've saved some money each month! Lesson learned ... research more than you think you are.

Microsoft Office for Educators

This morning, as I was exploring options to update my Microsoft Office subscription, I came across their education page. I've visited it a couple times in the past, but since our district did have the option of downloading Office to personal computers, I didn't really frequent it too much.

Now, I know that I'm probably telling some people things they already know, but I was excited to come across Microsoft's STEM library! They have activities with varying time frames that can be used in the classroom to promote STEM activities. These lessons can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 weeks! There are some costs involved, so if you or your district is unable to get things going for an entire classroom, maybe it would be possible to have smaller groups work together. Cost wise, their activities range from $2.00 - $5.00 per student for each activity. I've had a classroom of 14 and a classroom of 42, so I know that collaborative groups can vary. Having 3-7 groups puts material pricing anywhere from $6.00 - $35.00 for a lesson, which is much more feasible than $28.00 - $70.00 or more for individual projects.

Microsoft maps our everything that you need on their website and in One Drive. They have downloadable PDFs with instructions, the customized excel workbooks (also downloadable) for coding purposes, spreadsheets with materials needed as well as links to order materials if you are unable to get them close by and free downloads for Excel add-ins so students are able to complete STEM assignments.

With more and more schools pushing for STEM integration and getting students involved in STEM career paths, I think this would be a great way to incorporate it into classrooms, after school programs or GT and enrichment programs. Click the pictures below to explore Microsoft's STEM lesson plans more in depth.

Happy lesson planning!