Today’s new STEM challenges celebrate all things spring! Here at Science Sparks, we are looking forward to better weather and all the new growth, colour and life that spring brings.
Try these easy spring STEM Challenges to get the new season off to a great start.
What is Spring?
Spring is the season between winter and summer, often associated with flowers blooming, trees starting to grow green leaves, chicks and lambs being born, and the weather finally warming up after a cold winter. The hours of daylight start to lengthen, building up to the longest day on the 21st of June in the Northern Hemisphere.
What is the Spring Equinox?
There are two equinoxes each year ( an equinox is when the sun passes directly over the equator – the tilt of the Earth is 0 degrees ). On both equinoxes, the daylight hours are equal to those of darkness. Equinoxes occur around March 21st (the beginning of spring ) and September 21st (the start of autumn ).
Solstices happen around June 21st and December 21st, marking the start of summer and the start of winter.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice is the first day of summer, and the December solstice is the first day of Winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the other way around.
Now we know a little about the seasons, let’s get into the fun bit!!
Spring STEM Challenges
You can print the spring STEM Challenge cards by clicking on the button below or by following the instructions on the linked pages.
Dissect a Flower
A flower dissection is a simple spring science activity that can easily be adapted for different ages.
Younger children can pull the flower apart and identify the stem, leaves and petals.
Older children can look at the reproductive parts of the plant in more detail, too!
Another idea is to make a 3D flower model.
Opening Flowers
A magic opening flowers challenge is a lovely springtime activity that always gets a wow response from my children.
You cut a flower shape out of different types of paper, fold up the petals, place the flower on top of water in a tray, and watch as it opens.
Build a Rain Shelter or Umbrella
The idea behind this challenge is to build a waterproof shelter or umbrella to keep a toy figure dry. It’s a great opportunity to encourage children to think about how different materials have different properties.
We made umbrellas for Incy Wincy Spider.
Make a Sundial
Did you know you can make a sundial from just a pencil and a bit of plasticine ( and a sunny day )?
The challenge is to plot 12 hours!! It might not give you the shape you imagine…
More Spring STEM Challenges
Grow a bean in a jar
A bean in a jar is an easy activity and a fantastic, visual way to learn about the conditions needed for germination. Another idea is to set up two and grow one in the dark and one in the light to see what happens.
Find out how rainclouds form with a colourful raincloud in a jar activity.
Make your own seed bombs!
Sprout heads are a great springtime activity, too!
Learn about different types of clouds by making egg whites on toast!
Can you think of any more spring STEM challenges for us?
Last Updated on March 31, 2026 by Emma Vanstone
