October is #GirlsLeadSTEM Month! 

Launched in June 2022, #GirlsLeadSTEM is a national public awareness campaign to elevate the diverse voices of young women and girls in STEM, especially those who are marginalized.

Throughout the month of October, we encourage you to join us, by posting relevant content (e.g., events, youth stories, etc.) and use the hashtag #GirlsLeadSTEM.

ACTIVITIES

• Build a Pizza Box Solar Oven - Use easily found materials to create an oven where students can cook s’mores. The activity answers the question “What has engineering got to do with me?” in a way that is fun. 

• Hands-On Math: Fraction Math Trees - This fun hands-on, kinesthetic and visual approach to learning about fractions produces “math art”.



• Welcome to Space Math @ NASA - A collection of math videos, books, and activities that are sorted by grade level, science topic, NASA missions, and engineering topics. All activities are based on NASA Mission and projects.

• STEM Lessons From Space: Mathematics - A collection of math and engineering activities, videos, and resources with a focus on the International Space Station. 

• The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - A collection of fun and easy activities for ages 4-18 that cover a broad spectrum of activities—everything from designing devices to address climate change to coding. 



• STEM Activities for Families - Family engagement is a key factor in developing a positive STEM identity and success in STEM. These easy to implement, fun hands-on activities can be shared with families. The activities focus on engineering, technology, and math skills and content.

10 Most Amazing Facts About Space

1. Space is completely silent - In space, no one can hear you scream—or anything else, for that matter. That’s because space is a vacuum with no air or medium to carry sound waves. So, the next time you watch a sci-fi movie with loud explosions in space, remember, in reality, it’s a silent movie out there!
2. The footprints on the moon will be there for millions of years - When the astronauts of the Apollo missions walked on the moon, they left behind footprints in the lunar dust. Since there’s no wind or water on the moon to erode them, these footprints will be there for millions of years. Talk about leaving a lasting impression, right?
3. There’s A Floating Water Reservoir In Space - Yes, you read that right! Astronomers have discovered a massive water vapor cloud in space, which holds 140 trillion times the mass of water in Earth’s oceans. It’s like a cosmic oasis in the vast desert of space. Isn’t that mind-boggling?
4. The Hottest Planet Is Not The Closest To The Sun - You’d think Mercury, being the closest planet to the Sun, would be the hottest. But it’s actually Venus, the second planet from the Sun, that holds this title. Its thick atmosphere traps heat, making it the hottest planet in our solar system. Talk about a hot surprise!
5. A Day On Venus Is Longer Than A Year - Speaking of Venus, a day on Venus (the time it takes to complete one rotation) is longer than its year (the time it takes to orbit the Sun). So, if you lived on Venus, you could celebrate your birthday every day. Isn’t that a fun twist of time?
6. There Are Mountains On Mars Taller Than Everest - Mount Everest might be the tallest mountain on Earth, but it’s got nothing on Olympus Mons—a volcano on Mars that stands nearly three times the height of Everest. Now that’s a mountain climber’s ultimate dream, don’t you think?
7. Space Travel Alters Astronauts’ Bodies - Astronauts grow taller in space due to the lack of gravity compressing their vertebrae. However, they return to their normal height once they’re back on Earth. So, while space might not be a practical solution for those wishing to be taller, it’s an interesting side effect, isn’t it?
8. There’s A Planet Made Of Diamonds - Forget diamond rings, how about a whole planet of diamonds? Scientists believe that a planet named 55 Cancri e, which is twice the size of Earth, might be made largely of diamond. Or, tons of diamonds on the surface. Now that’s some serious cosmic bling!
9. Black Holes Aren’t Actually Black - Despite their name, black holes aren’t black. They’re invisible because their gravitational pull is so strong that not even light can escape. However, they can be detected by the effect they have on other nearby objects. Isn’t that a darkly fascinating fact?
10. There Are Thousands Of Planets Outside Our Solar System - In the vast expanse of space, our solar system and everything in it is just a tiny speck. Astronomers have discovered thousands of exoplanets (planets outside our solar system), and that number continues to climb. It’s a reminder of how much more there is to explore. Doesn’t that make you feel like a cosmic explorer?

So, there you have it, ten amazing facts about space that showcase the wonder, mystery, and sheer vastness of the universe. It’s a reminder that we are but tiny specks in the grand scheme of things, yet capable of exploring and understanding the cosmos. Isn’t that a stellar thought?

This article was originally published on STEM Education Guide.