STEAM Programs for Schools and Students
Benefits of teaching STEAM Programs to Students
STEAM programs assist in teaching the “6 Cs” of Education—Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Citizenship, and Character—by shifting classroom learning from passive lecture to student-centered, interdisciplinary inquiry. Instead of learning technical formulas or artistic skills in isolation, students naturally develop these holistic, 21st-century competencies by tackling real-world problems.
In almost every worker’s career the need to know how to communicate, collaborate, be creative, have character and citizenship are critical. Along with these skills, critical thinking is essential to strategize and problem-solve throughout a persons career.
To seamlessly integrate the 6 C’s into your STEAM curriculum, you need to shift the focus from what students are building (the content) to how they are working (the process). Rather than creating separate lessons for the 6 C’s, you embed specific instructional checkpoints and assessment metrics directly into your existing science, tech, engineering, art, and math units.
Articles for Reference:
- Education Plus – A Whitepaper
- Authored by Micahel Fullan, July 2014
- 6 Benefits of STEAM Learning on Early Childhood Development
- Sonoma County Children’s Museum, September 26, 2022
- Why the 6Cs are Essential in Elementary Education
- Studies Weekly, published October 30, 2019
Sphero Company Education Programs
Sphero Company offers a completed PK-12 STEM ecosystem designed to help schools bring computer science, engineering, and robotics into the classroom.
Programmable Robots and Hardware Kits
- Sphero indi – Grades PK-3
- Sphero Snap – Grades 3-5
- Sphero littleBits – Grades 2-7
- Sphero BOLT+ and Mini – Grades 2-8+
- Blueprint Engineering
Lesson Content & Curriculum Support
- Standards-Aligned Lessons
- Classroom Bundles
- Professional Development
Software Apps and AI Integration
- Sphero Edu
- Sphero Edu Jr Apps
- Generative AI Coding Assistant
Competitions
Sphero has a global robotics program. In a partnership with TEAMAlliance.org
indi Missions Grades K-2
BOLT+ Robot Missions Grades 3-5
RVR Missions Grades 6-8
Blueprint Robotics Grades 9-12
What Grades? 3rd to 10th
What’s Included:
- Sphero BOLT robot ball
- Inductive charging base with USB charging cable
- 360-degree protractor with heading, directions, and clock
- Sphero sticker sheet
- Quick start guide
- See a video on Sphero BOLT+
Educator Resources – Guides, activities, and more!
What Grades? Pre-K to 3rd
What’s Included:
- 1 indi Robot
- 20 latex-free, rubber color tiles
- 1 student carry case
- 15 Beginner Challenge Cards
- 1 quick start guide
- 2 decorative sticker sheets
- 1 charging cable
- Educator Resources – Downloaded guides, lesson
What Grades? 3rd and up
What’s Included:
- 1 mini Robot
- Micro USB charging cable
- 3 mini Traffic Cones/6 mini bowling pins
- Connect Sphero Play app and Sphero Ed to play STEM Games
- Compatible w/Sphero Ed app for iOS, Android, Amazon Fire OS, macOS, Wins & Chrome OS
- Compatible with Sphero Play app for iOS, Android, Amazon Fire OS
What Grades? 6th to 12th
What’s Included:
- 1 RVR+ programmable robot
- 1 removable and rechargeable battery
- 1 key to unlock battery compartment
- 1 mounting plate
- 1 Blueprint plate
- 1 set of 5 color cards
What Grades? 3rd to 5th
What’s Included:
- 8 Blueprint Snap Kits – 288 pieces
- 8 Storage Bins for easy storage
- 8 sets of 15 Challenge Cards
- 1 Educator Guide
- Units & Lessons (digital)
What Grades? 3rd and up
What’s Included:
- Input accessories – button, slide dimmer, remote trigger, sensors
- Output accessories – buzzer, cross axle, number
- Wire accessories – wire, latch, split wire, microbit adapter
- Power accessories – USB power, p3 (x1), Power, p7 (x1)
- Accessories – 9v Battery, USB Cables, Mounting board and much more
Lego Education Programs
LEGO Education is widely considered an excellent investment for schools. The system transforms complex STEM, computer science, and AI concepts into hands-on, highly engaging lessons. By providing standardized, ready-out-of-the-box curriculums that align directly with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), it significantly reduces teacher prep time while fostering strong collaboration and fine motor skills among students.
Programmable Legos
- Science Kit K-2
- Science Kit 3-5
- Science Kit 6-8
- Computer Sci & AI Kit K-2
- Computer Sci & AI Kit 3-5
- Computer Sci & AI Kit 6-8
Lesson Content & Curriculum Support
- Lessons and Curriculum:
- Lessons and Curriculum:
Software Apps & AI
- Watch video on Meaningful Computer Science & AI Learning
LEGO Ed Code Environment, get pin from a lesson - Dizzy Descent are the coding lesson environment students will create code.
Competitions
LEGO Ed meets CSTA Standards
LEGO Education – All of our lessons are CSTA Standards-aligned. Check here, middle of page for your state.
What Grades? Kindergarten – 2nd
What’s Included:
- 278 LEGO Bricks
- 3 building instructions
- 1 double motor
- 1 USB charging cable
- 1 Sturdy Stackable box
- Product SKU 45620
- Take a look at “Beach House Builder” Lesson
What Grades? 3rd – 5th
What’s Included:
- 336 LEGO Bricks
- 3 Building instructions
- 1 Double motor
- 1 Controller
- 2 Connection Cards
- 1 USB charging cable
- 1 Sturdy Stackable box
- Product SKU 45621
- Take a look at “Ra-Ra-Rattlesnake!” Lesson
What Grades? 6th – 8th
What’s Included:
- 424 LEGO Bricks
- 3 Building instructions
- 1 Double motor
- 1 Controller
- 1 Singel motor
- 1 Color Sensor
- 3 Connection Cards
- 1 USB charging cable
- 1 Sturdy Stackable box
- Product SKU 45622
- Take a look at “Push Power” Lesson
What Grades? Kindergarten – 2nd
What’s Included:
- 276 LEGO Bricks
- Building instructions
- Interactive Hardware
- 1 single motor
- 1 color sensor
- 1 Connection Card
- 1 USB charging cable
- Sturdy Stackable box
- Product SKU 45520
- Take a look at “Sleepy Steps” Lesson
- Ready to go classroom presentations
- Check out all lessons here
What Grades? 3rd – 5th
What’s Included:
- 321 LEGO Bricks
- Building instructions
- Interactive Hardware
- 1 double motor
- 1 color sensor
- 1 Connection Card
- 1 USB charging cable
- 1 Sturdy Stackable box
- Product SKU 45621
- Take a look at “Monster Maze” Lesson
- Check out all lessons here
What Grades? 6th – 8th
What’s Included:
- 424 LEGO Bricks
- 3 Building instructions
- 1 Double motor
- 1 Controller
- 1 Singel motor
- 1 Color Sensor
- 3 Connection Cards
- 1 USB charging cable
- 1 Sturdy Stackable box
- Product SKU 45622
- Take a look at “Restaurant Rookie” Lesson
- Check out all lessons here
What Grades? 3rd – 8th
What’s Included:
- 3827 LEGO Bricks builds 18 game models
- 2 game mats
- 16 unique session to guide you through the program
- Digital Building instructions
- Product SKU 45834
- Take a look at “Operator” (Game Role) Lesson
- Check out all lessons here
- Competitive FIRST LEGO, not required to compete
- Get Started with FIRST LEGO League
VEX Robotics Programs
VEX Robotics is one of the world’s leading educational robotics ecosystems, highly praised for its seamless Pre-K through college learning continuum, structured global competition framework, and emphasis on career-ready STEM skills. It bridges the gap between basic classroom activities and real-world engineering concepts.
Programmable Robots
- VEX 123 Grades Pre-K+
- VEX Go Grades 3-5
- VEX IQ Grades 5-8
- VEX EXP Grades 8-12
- VEX V5 Grades 9-Uni
- VEX AIR Grades 9-Uni
Lesson Content & Curriculum Support
- STEM Labs
- Tools to guide seamless STEM
- Ready-to-use plans for lesson success
- Strategies to inspire confident teaching
Software Apps and AI Integration
- VEXcode – coding for VEX robots
- Built-in tools for every platform
- VEX Library – 1,500+ articles
- VEX PD+ Professional Development
- Certification Courses for each platform
- VEX AI Courses and Curriculum
Competitions
- VEX IQ Robotics Competition
- Grades 4-8
- 2026-2027 Level Up Game
- VEX V5 Robotics Competition
- Grades 6-12
- 2026-2027 Override Game
What Grades? Pre-K and up
What’s Included:
- One 123 Robot in one of three colors
- One VEX Coder
- One USB Cable
- One 50-pack of Coder Cards in English
- Learn about VEX 123
What Grades? Grades 3rd – 5th
What’s Included:
- One 123 Robot in one of three colors
- One VEX Coder
- One USB Cable
- One 50-pack of Coder Cards in English
- Learn about VEX GO
- VEX Go Competition Field Kit
VEX IQ
VEX IQ Robotics Competition: Level Up
2026-2027 Game Level Up
RECF.org Engage Robotics Competition
2026-2027 Game Tier Takeover
What Grades? 4-12th
What’s Included:
- One Robot Brain
- One Controller
- Four Smart Motors
- Touch LED
- Various wheels, Connectors, Shaft Accessories, Gears, Sprockets & Chain, Plates, Beams, Angled, Structural Beams, Speciality Parts, Cables
- Learn about VEX IQ
- Using VEXcode Home, build using block coding
Regarding Competitions
As of 2026 independent competitions are held by VEX Robotics and RECF.org.
What Grades? 8th – 12th
What’s Included:
- One EXP Robot Brain
- One Controller
- Five Smart Motors
- Electronics, Motion(wheels), Structure, Tools and Hardware.
- Learn about VEX EXP Educators Start Here
- VEX EXP STEM Lab Units
- Checkout the user interface for VEXcodeexp. build using block coding
VEX V5
VEX V5 Competition
2026-2027 Game Override
RECF.org PINNACLE Robotics Competition
2026-2027 Game PINNACLE
What Grades? 9th – University
What’s Included:
- One V5 Robot Brain
- One V5 Controller
- Four V5 Smart Motors
- V5 Electronics, V5 Smart Cables, Motion(wheels), Connectors, Structure, Tools and Hardware.
- Learn about VEX EXP Educators Start Here
- VEX EXP STEM Lab Units
- Block Coding through VEXcode V5
Regarding Competitions
As of 2026 independent competitions are held by VEX Robotics and RECF.org.
What Grades? 9th – University
What’s Included:
- One Drone Physical
- One Controller
- Motors: Brushless DC, Weight: 249g
- Size: 190mm (length) x 220mm (width)
- Drone Electronics and curriculum
- VEX Air Classroom
- VEX AIR STEM Lab Units
- Virtual Flight For Coding
Regarding Competitions
As of 2026 independent competitions are held by VEX Robotics featuring VEX AIR Hornet
Robolink Programs
Robolink drones, like the CoDrone EDU, are specifically built for STEM Education, combining safe, durable classroom hardware with block-based Blockly and Python coding.
Programmable Drones
Lesson Content &
Curriculum Support
Software Apps and AI Integration
- CoDrone EDU Drone Lab
- Code with Blocky – Block Coding
- Code with Blocky – Using Python
- JROTC Drone uses same Blocky
- CoDrone Mini uses same Blocky
- Zumi uses same Blocky
Competitions
- Aerial Drone Competition – offered by RECF.org
- 2027 Game “Mission 2027“
- Game Elements Mission 2027
Robolink CoDrone EDU
Video on Robolink CoDrone EDU Aerial Drone
RECF.org Aerial Drone Competition: Mission 2027
2026-2027 Game Misson Fast Track
What Grades? 12 years and up
What’s Included:
- One CoDrone EDU
- One Smart Controller
- Two Rechargeable Batteries
- Battery Charger, USB Cable, propeller removal tool, 1 set of extra propellers(2 clockwise, 2 counter-clockwise), skew driver, Quick Start Guide
- Learn about CoDrone EDU
- CoDrone EDU Resources
- CoDrone EDU uses Blocky for Coding
Regarding Competitions
As of 2026 independent competitions are held by RECF.org featuring Robolink CoDrone EDU
Robolink JROTC Aerial Drone
Video on Robolink JROTC Aerial Drone
RECF.org Aerial Drone Competition: Mission 2027
2026-2027 Game Misson Fast Track
What Grades? 12 years and up
What’s Included:
- One JROTC CoDrone
- One Smart Controller
- Two Rechargeable Batteries
- Battery Charger, USB Cable, propeller removal tool, 1 set of extra propellers(2 clockwise, 2 counter-clockwise), skew driver, Quick Start Guide
- Learn about JROTC CoDrone
- JROTC CoDrone Resources
- JROTC CoDrone uses Blocky
Independent Competitions are held by Army JROTC groups. Video of Army JROTC Competition
What Grades? 10 years and up
What’s Included:
- One Zumi Shell
- One chassis
- Two DC Motors
- 1 Raspberry Pi Zero
- OLED Screen, PiCamera, microSD card, 2 wheels, misc other items and tools
- Learn Zumi Educators Start Here
- Other Learning Units
- Zumi uses Blocky for Coding
What Grades? 8 years and up
What’s Included:
- One Arduino-compatible Smart Inventor Board with over 11 embedded sensors
- One remote control
- Two DC Motors
- Screwdriver, nut driver, wheels, two blue peg boards, metal frames with nuts and bolts
- Learn about Rokit Smart
- Robolink Rokit Smart Start here
- Block Coding is optional, use Arduino
- Briefing Video on Smart Board on Rokit
Blue Origin Club for The Future Programs
Club for the Future is a non-profit foundation founded by Blue Origin in 2019. Its core mission is to inspire and mobilize future generations to pursue careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) to help build the future of life in space and benefit Earth.
Programs for Students
Explore Space in the Classroom Lessons
- Meet the Food Crew, Ages 4-10
- From Milpa to Mars, Ages 11-13
- Cosmic Careers, Ages 12-18
- Mission Green Launch –
- ESTES Education, Ages 8-18
- Launching into Physics, Ages 14-18
- Many more lessons available
- Blue Origin Brings Rocket adn Science Experiments to Over 150 Students in Orlando – Article here
- Destination space: EverCurious Spaceand Club for the Future unite to bring space to life for students across the globe – Article here
- Blue Origin’s New Glenn to Send Club for Future Digital Postcards to Space – Article here
- Celebrate Teachers with a Thank You Note from Space – Article here
Features of Students Work
Postcards to Space
Postcards to Space: The club’s flagship initiative makes space uniquely accessible. Anyone can write or draw their vision of the future on a postcard and mail it to the organization. Blue Origin launches these postcards into space aboard the New Shepard rocket or digitally via New Glenn. Once returned to Earth, the cards are stamped “Flown to Space” and mailed back to the creators as a historic keepsake.
What Grades? All Grades
What needed:
- Use any type of paper and art supplies to mail a postcard to space through Club for the Future, which will be returned to you as a space-flown keepsake.
- There are templates available to download and print, or you can create your own postcard with recycled material. Follow the mailing instructions below.
- Postcard Instructions
- Postcard Templates
- Mailing Instructions
Explore Space In the Classroom
To inspire students to help invent the future of life in space, Club for the Future and our collaborators have created STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) classroom activities and lessons for K-12 educators and parents.
What Grades? All Grades
What’s provided:
- Lesson Plans Include:
- Introduction
- Learning Objectives
- Standards (NGSS)
- Common Core: ELA
- Materials needed
- Lesson Plans
- Introduction
- Mini-Lesson Part 1
- Mini-Lesson Part 2
- Activity
- Wrap-Up
- Language Support
ESTES Education Programs
Our mission is to deliver interdisciplinary STEM resources and tools to educators that give them the skills and confidence necessary to elevate learning.
All our education content includes 21st century skills and complimentary NGSS and/or Common Core standards!
Rocket Products
- Educator Bundles
- Beginners
- Firecrest Classroom Kit
- Orbitron Classroom Kit
- Cosmic Ray Classroom Kit
- Intermediate
- Green Eggs Flight Data Classroom Kit
- Beginners
- Rocket Parts
- Launch Accessories
- Building Supplies
- Engines
Lesson Content &
Curriculum Support
- Live, Online Training and 1:1 Support
- Quick and Easy STEM Activities for Classrooms and Beyond
- Free Mini Mission Downloads
- Forces of Flight
- Parts of a Model Rocket and Flight Sequence
- Introduction to Rocketry and Newton’s Laws
- Stomp Rocket Launcher
Mini Missons
- GIRLFIIESWORLD x Estes Rockets – Grades 3-8
- Firecrest Flight – Grades 3-9
- Mission to Mars – Grades 3-9
- Mission Green Launch Unit Plan – Grades 3-12
- Estes Stomp Rockets
- Many more missions presented under lesson activities
Skill Levels Available in ESTES Rockets
- Beginner (51)
- Intermediate (20)
- Advanced (7)
- Expert (5)
- Master (2)
American Rocketry Challenge
- Each year approximately 5,500 students across the country come together to design, build, and launch custom-made model rockets for a chance to win a share of $100,000 in awards in the school-year long endeavor of the American Rocketry Challenge(ARC)
Skill Level: Beginner
What’s Included:
- Orbitron Model Rocket Kit
- Rocket Engines: Two D12-7 Engines
- Porta-Pad II Launch Pad
- One Launch Controller
- Enough supplies for two(2) launches
- Download Orbitron Instructions
- Orbitron STEM Kit Activity Book
Skill Level: Intermediate
What’s Included:
- 12 individually wrapped model rocket kits
- Rocket Parts per Kit
- Assembly Instructions
- Self-stick decals
- Wizard Build Instructions
- Lesson plans for your rocket
Skill Level: Advanced
What’s Included:
- Body Tubes
- Nose Cone
- Fins
- Centering Rings
- Engine Mount
- Motor Retention
- Recovery System
- Shock Cord
- Launch Lugs
- Decals
- Super Big Bertha Build Instructions
Skill Level: Expert
What’s Included:
- Airframe and Structure Tubes
- Molded Plastic & 3D Printed Parts
- Gemini Spacecraft
- Recovery System
- Motor Mount & Hardward
- Display Stand
- Decals & Instructions
- Engines: two C5-3 Model Rocket Engines
- Gemini Build Instructions
Skill Level: Expert
What’s Included:
- Airframe and Body
- Aero & Structure
- Mounter Mount
- Recovery System
- Launch Flexibility
- Jayhawk Build Instructions
Skill Level: Master
What’s Included:
- Saturn 1B Model Rocket Kit
- Scale Components
- Injection-molded plastic parts
- H-1 engine nozzles
- Launch Escape System(LES) Apollo Command/Service Module stack
- Recovery System
- Saturn 1B Build Instructions
