Ready, Set, Grow

    I have had this cactus for about a year, and I'm surprised at how tall it has grown. During the summer, I leave it outside in the sun and make sure to bring it inside any time it rains. This is STEM because I have to know that this plant needs a sunny, dry, and warm environment. I used succulent soil so that it would have the right nutrients and be able to drain water more easily. I also have to use math to know how much and how often to water it (1/4-1/2 cup every 7-10 days).

The Fire Is So Delightful

   I love to go camping with my family. We go several times a year at Lake Shawnee, but we have also gone to South Dakota, Kentucky, and Colorado. We have a campfire each night. This is STEM because it involves science and engineering. The fire needs oxygen, heat, and fuel. This is a chemical reaction (combustion) that produces heat energy. We also figure out the best way to build it to keep the fire going.

Game On

    My family and I like to have game nights sometimes. I realized that a lot of the games we play use math. These games include Rummikub, Shut the Box, and various card games such as Pitch and Rummy. All of these games involve some form of addition, patterning, and/or sequencing.

Hit the Airwaves

    I listen to music almost every time I drive somewhere. My car radio is STEM because it involves science and technology. The radio has to receive signals from a tower through the antenna. Radio waves have to travel through the air to reach the antenna. The radio and speakers then turn these waves into the music that I hear.

Under Pressure

    It is important to make sure your tires have enough air in them. I use science and math when checking my tire pressure. When measuring the pressure, I read the tire pressure gauge to make sure the pressure is around 35 psi. I also know that the pressure may go down slightly in cold weather, and up slightly in warmer weather. This is because temperature is directly proportional to volume.

Shelter from the Cold

    One of my cats is an indoor/outdoor cat. Sometimes she wants to go outside even when there are freezing temperatures. This is a shelter we built to help her stay warm. We used a cardboard box, duct tape, blankets and foam insulation for warmth, and saran wrap and a tarp to make it water proof. We also put a heavy brick on top so that it wouldn't be able to blow away. While building this, we used math and the engineering-design process. Our goal was to make it warm and weather-proof, so we brainstormed ideas and materials. Then we measured and made the materials fit where we needed them to.

  Tee-rific

    This is one of the golf tracking screens at the driving range at TopCITYGolf at GreatLIFE North in Topeka. After each drive, the screen gives you data such as total yards, ball speed, height, hang time, landing degree, and curve. This is STEM because it involves math and technology. There are cameras and sensors that detect the golf ball's motion and then send the information to the screen. You can also choose different modes on the screen. Along with all of the different measurements, it also gives your consistency percentage.

Right on Cue

    This is the pool table in my game room. My dad used to play competitive pool, and he taught me some of his techniques. Pool is STEM because it uses geometry and science. Angles are very important in pool. You have to make sure you hit the ball at the right angle, know the angle the ball will move after hit, and know what angle to hit the rail at for a bank shot. You also have to know how much force to use for each shot. The cue ball transfers its kinetic energy to the object ball.

"Watch" Your Steps

    This is my Fitbit which is an activity tracker. It is STEM because it involves science and technology. The Fitbit uses several different types of technology to track steps, heart rate, and oxygen by using infrared sensors. It can also connect to the app on my phone. As for science, your heart rate determines how many calories are burned.