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9th Day of STEMas
On the 9th Day of STEMas, STEM Spark raffled off... 1 Snap Circuits Jr. kit! As an electric engineer (turned systems engineer), I love any toy that introduces kids to circuits, and Snap Circuits do just that! Use the Rafflecopter below or the link here . US Residents only please, and let us know in the comments let us know in the comments if you've ever used Snap Circuits before or have other circuit toys to recommend. Happy STEM-ing!

Suzie Olsen
Dec 20, 20211 min read
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7th Day of STEMas
On the 7th Day of STEMas, STEM Spark giveaway, one copy of the picture book Frankenslime ! Any slime lovers will love this book, and it pairs well with this Jingle Bell Slime . Use the Rafflecopter below or the link here . US residents only please. Let us know what kind of slime is your favorite, Fluff, Glow-in-Dark, Edible, Tradional, etc., in comments below. Happy STEM-ing!

Suzie Olsen
Dec 18, 20211 min read
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6th Day of STEMas
On the 6th Day of STEMas, STEM Spark giveaway 1 Crayola Artic Color Chemistry Set! Jack loved the other Crayola lab set we had, so this set should be just as fun. Enter using the Rafflecopter below or link here . US residents only please. Leave a comment on your favorite chemistry set and as always happy STEM-ing!

Suzie Olsen
Dec 17, 20211 min read
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STEAM Activity: Disappearing Ghosts
Alright STEM Sparkers, you knew I couldn't pass up one last chance to squeeze in some STEAM fun before Halloween! Disappearing Ghosts is an easy science experiment to do with all ages of kids-- it took us only 2 minutes to set up and 2 minutes to clean up. If you're having a Halloween gathering with kids, and you have biodegradable packing peanuts on hand, Disappearing Ghosts is a must for your gathering! You'll Need Bowl of Water Sharpie Biodegradable Packing Peanuts (must

Suzie Olsen
Oct 24, 20212 min read
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Edible Science: Fizzy Pots
Happy St. Patrick's Day STEM Sparkers! I really wanted to do lots of cool Women's History Month posts and even a Pi Day post (happy...

Suzie Olsen
Mar 14, 20212 min read
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STEM Product Review: Lava Lip Gloss Lab Plus #Giveaway!
Happy Engineers Week 2021 STEM Sparkers! I am busy at my day job (which is engineering!), so I didn't do the best planning for my blog Engineers Week. I wanted to review an engineering related toy or kit, but instead we're reviewing a lab kit that I bought in the Fall of 2020. Oh well, there's still a giveaway where one lucky STEM Spark reader will get the same Science Academy: Lava Lip Gloss Lab! So that's good, right? Alright let's get reviewing! Will your kids like

Suzie Olsen
Feb 22, 20213 min read
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Trace the Number Worksheet for Winter
Hi STEM Sparkers! I'm excited to share that I've added a new trace and count the number, lucky number 7, with a winter them to the...

Suzie Olsen
Jan 15, 20211 min read
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STEM Product Review: Kiwi Crate's Bubbling Cauldron Plus #Giveaway
The bewitching hour is upon us STEM Sparkers! Halloween is 22 days away (or is it 21, depending on if you count today or not?)! We love...

Suzie Olsen
Oct 9, 20202 min read
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A STEM Inspired Birthday Party
Hooray for Jack! He turned six recently. My baby is six years old. I loved my birthdays growing up; my mom had way to make my day or...

Suzie Olsen
Sep 11, 20203 min read
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STEM Product Review: Crayola Color Chemistry Lab Set Plus Giveaway
Happy Friday STEM Sparkers! Happy Juneteenth! Happy Father's Day! I think it's time to celebrate with a STEM Product Review and...

Suzie Olsen
Jun 19, 20203 min read
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Edible Science: Fireworks in a Jar
Happy Memorial Day to STEM Spark readers who live in the USA! Jack, Bobby, and I are celebrating the 3 day weekend by remembering those...

Suzie Olsen
May 20, 20202 min read
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STEM Product Review: Bubble Science Lab Plus #Giveaway
Well it's April STEM Sparkers. At least I think it is April. To quote a friend, it's like day 67089 of quarantine, so we hope all our...

Suzie Olsen
Apr 2, 20202 min read
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Edible Science: The Diet Coke and Mentos Challenge
Hi STEM Sparkers! Are any of you having a hard time fitting work, homeschooling, and sleep into one day? I am! It's so overwhelming,...

Suzie Olsen
Mar 24, 20201 min read
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STEM Activity: Exploding Snowman
Happy 2020 STEM Sparkers! I think there's some 20-20 vision joke in there somewhere, but it's been a busy week here at STEM Spark, so my mind is a little melted (haha, that's a joke related to snowpeople, get it?). Anyway, this week Jack and I did a fun science experiment where we had a Ziplock bag burst because of carbon dioxide. And to make it more seasonal, we first drew snowmen (or maybe snowpeople?) faces on the Ziplocks. Read below on how to make your own exploding.

Suzie Olsen
Jan 11, 20201 min read
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STEM Activity: Hopping Corn
Welcome back STEM Sparkers! Hope you're ready for the perfect Thanksgiving science experiment: hopping corn! You'll Need a clear glass container popping corn water baking soda white vinegar food coloring (optional) Instructions 1) Fill your glass container with water and add a couple drops of food coloring. 2) Add your baking soda and stir well until it is all dissolved. 3) Add a small handful of popping corn kernels. 4) Add the vinegar and watch the corn start to hop up and

Suzie Olsen
Nov 2, 20191 min read
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Edible Science: Erupting Apples
Let's fall for STEM! We're celebrating fall with this apple related science experiment [insert groan at our earlier pun], so grab that perfect fall accessory, the apple, and let's make it erupt! You'll Need Apple Baking Soda Vinegar Pan/Plate/Bowl Knife and Spoon Food coloring (optional) Instructions 1) Cut a hole on top of the apple using a knife (note: adults this is your queue to cut, and we hold no responsibility for your cutting technique), and then scoop out the rest

Suzie Olsen
Sep 12, 20192 min read
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STEAM Activity: Frozen Shark Dig
Shark Week is coming up soon, and STEM Spark has some very good friends who love Shark Week. So to help our friends celebrate their love of Shark Week, STEM Spark came up with a Frozen Shark Dig STEAM Activity! You'll Need Tiny Plastic Shark Figures Water Bowl Plate/Tray Spoon Salt Instructions 1) Place tiny plastic shark figures in bowl. 2) Pour water in bowl over the sharks. 3) Freeze the water/sharks for 3-4 hours. 4) Remove frozen water/sharks from bowl onto a plate or t

Suzie Olsen
Jul 24, 20191 min read
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Edible Science: Dissolving Rainbow Candies
Jack loves rainbows! I love rainbows! Scientists loves rainbows! I mean there are so many science websites out there explaining the science of rainbows (here's one from How Stuff Works ), which is totally great for explaining rainbow science to children. But what is even better than explaining the science of rainbows is making an edible rainbow out of candies! You'll Need Skittles Water A light colored plate (best for full rainbow color) Instructions 1) Arrange the Skittles

Suzie Olsen
Jun 13, 20191 min read
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STEM Product Review: Magnet Experiment Kit Plus #Giveaway
I'm so excited! I'm on a panel for Phoenix FanFusion called "Take Chances, Make Mistakes, Get Messy! Fun DIY Science Projects." I'm on the panel with a biologist and two astronomers, and I can't wait to represent STEM Spark by sharing different science experiments with the public. And to tie into the "Fun DIY Science Projects," STEM Spark is going to review the Lauri Fun with Magnets kits and one lucky STEM Spark reader will win a kit (see the Rafflecopter below)! Will yo

Suzie Olsen
May 24, 20192 min read
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Edible Science: Rain Cloud in a Jar
Our STEM Spark friend Stephanie B. (hi Stephanie!) suggested that we do the edible science experiment rain cloud in a jar, and although we've done this one a few times before, we couldn't think of a better month to finally share the experiment with the rest of our STEM Spark friends! Because April brings April showers; or in our case, rain clouds in jars! You'll Need Clear jar Water Canned Whipped Cream (like Reddi Whip) Blue Food Coloring Instructions 1. Fill the clear jar

Suzie Olsen
Apr 4, 20191 min read
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