I have some Star Wars STEM Activities for May 4th. Also, look at National STEM Day – Popsicle Sticks for Creative DIY STEM Projects for more stem ideas.
May The 4th Be With You is a day we look forward to in our Star Wars-loving household all year long.
It’s a day to dig in (to the couch) and binge on all our favorite Star Wars episodes.
Spend the day eating Star Wars-themed food, enjoy a little Star Wars trivia, and soak up all the good fun of one of the greatest movie franchises.
This year I wanted to include a little STEM to give it an educational slant.
I have gathered up a great list of Star Wars STEM activities.
And I am going to show you how to recreate one of the most iconic objects from the series while investigating flashlights and how they work.
If you don’t already know what STEM is, it’s an abbreviation for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…
Star Wars Stem Flashlight Science
First, look at this Stars Wars STEM flashlight science activity.
Some kids just naturally love to take things apart and explore the what, why, and how while others need a little push.
Either way, they are going to enjoy exploring what makes a flashlight work and learning what each of those components is called.
Grab an inexpensive flashlight for each child, once taken apart it may not work again, you can often find them at Dollar Tree.
What parts do you need for a flashlight?
Help your child identify each of the parts that make a flashlight work.
Explain that the batteries have different ends, positive and negative, and must be inserted in a certain way.
More Star Wars Activities
- Make Cool Star Wars Soap and 15 Star Wars DIY Projects
Investigate the different parts and name them, what does each do?
- Switch- Turning on the switch allows the power source to make a full circuit to the light source, giving the flashlight power.
- Case- Protects the inner parts of the device.
- Battery- Stores chemical energy and converts it to electrical energy to power the bulb.
- Contacts- A strip of copper metal that allows electricity to flow from positive to negative terminals of the battery.
- Spring-This is part of the circuit that transfers energy from the battery to the copper wire.
- Transparent lens- Protects the glass bulb from breaking.
- Light Bulb- Creates a light source.
- Reflector- This reflects the bulb’s light into a steady focused beam.
I found this cool explanation of flashlight parts and how they are made for further study- How Are Flashlights Made?
Books about Star Wars
Second, add some of these Star Wars books and resources.
While origami is primarily considered an art it does incorporate aspects of math, engineering, and even computer science.
Grab one of these books for some fun Star Wars themed paper folding ideas.
Cooking is an excellent way to naturally work math and science into your child’s learning.
Turn it into intergalactic fun as well with a Star Wars Cookbook.
And if you are a fan of not only the movies but the man behind them, check out Who Is George Lucas from the Who Was series.
Now let’s use a second flashlight to create a fun DIY lightsaber for galactic war should we need it.
Star Wars Stem Activities DIY Lightsaber
You will need:
- Bubble wand tube
- Flashlight
- Silver Duct or electrical tape
- Colored tape or stickers
Take apart your bubble wands, and rinse well until all soap is removed from the plastic.
You can throw away the actual wand part; you just need to use the “sheath” that holds it. Allow it to dry completely.
Place the opening over the flashlight and secure it with silver duct tape and go as far up or down the handle of the flashlight as you like.
Cut small “buttons” out of colored tape or stickers.
We found these pricing stickers at Dollar Tree and cut some into squares. and apply them to the hilt of your lightsaber.
Click on the flashlight and it is ready for an epic space battle.
Additionally, I have more STEM related activities below.
More STEM Related Activities
- National STEM Day – Popsicle Sticks for Creative DIY STEM Projects
- Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult STEM Challenge for Medieval Unit Study
- Hands-on Ancient Mesopotamia: Easy STEM Irrigation Activity
- 100 Brilliant STEM Activities Using Everyday Items
- STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship
- STEM: Build a Da Vinci Parachute Activity
Finally, look at these fun Star Wars themed STEM activities.
Star Wars STEM Hands-On Activities
I have some out-of-this-world activities and resources for you to enjoy with the whole family as you celebrate and learn at the same time for May the 4th and beyond.
15 Star War STEM Activities
It's fun to learn about STEM when you can add a Stars War theme to your day. Grab ideas here on this list.
Baking Soda science is fun no matter what the theme, but this erupting Death Star idea is pretty cool!
Star Wars minifigures make this LEGO math game so much fun. Practice addition and subtraction using your favorite LEGO characters,
What I love about Star Wars is that it’s so easy to turn it into a lesson on any subject.
We started by sketching different models and then experimenting with sticks arranged in different shapes to find the most effective design
The original blaster sounds heard in the Star Wars were made by the foley artist Ben Burtt who repetitively hit the high tension wires of a radio mast with a wrench!
You’ll rule the galaxy with this easy DIY Star Wars Slime.
Build your own mini LED lightsaber with a straw in this quick Star Wars-themed STEM activity.
What better way to practice math skills for Star Wars fans than to learn with these FREE multiplication mazes with Star Wars theme?
A LEGO Star Wars science activity and icy rescue with Star Wars LEGO minifigures.
So with the topic of paper airplanes on the mind, we decided to test a few Star Wars themed paper airplanes!
11. How to Make a Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter out of Office Supplies
Make an X-Wing Starfighter out of office supplies!
Our Lego Star Wars Printable Game Cards provide exciting challenges for builders of all ages
Sensory bins are a great way to supplement any themed unit study or simply just for fun.
Show your love for all things Star Wars with these awesome May the Fourth Be With You Light Up Cards
FREE printable Star Wars STEAM Challenge Cards.
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