The sky is the limit when it comes to STEM projects. Whether it’s creating a flashlight, fashioning a solar-powered light, or learning about factors and prime numbers, if a student or educator can dream it up, it’s possible with the power of STEAM!

Which is all very uplifting, but with so many possibilities, a new problem arises: Where to begin? 😵

Well, we at SAM Labs are here to help. That’s why we created a book of DIY STEM projects with 17 super cool ideas to inspire your inventions. It’s called the Book of DIY STEM Projects, with project ideas such as a traffic light, an alarm, and a smart watch, all ready for your students to create.

Below are 5 projects from the book. To download the full book with all 17 projects, click this link. Just enter your email and we’ll send it straight to you.

Note: These projects are designed using household materials and SAM Blocks, though many can be recreated using other STEM tools. All the SAM Blocks required for the below projects are included in our STEAM bundle unless otherwise noted. Blocks are programmed with SAM Studio. Download the full book for more!

---

Construct a Drawbridge

To give your students a taste of civil engineering—with plenty of arts-and-crafts included!—ask them to design and construct a drawbridge. You’ll need:

• Cardboard or wood
• Colored paper
• Glue
• String
• 1 DC Motor (SAM Block)
• 1 Button (SAM Block)

     

Make a simple DC motor and string connection to raise and lower the bridge. Encourage your students to get creative with their creations!

     

---

Assemble a Flipbook

When you add the Arts to STEM, you get something even better: STEAM. And what better way to add the Arts than to have your students draw and animate a flipbook? For this project, you’ll need:

• Cardboard
• Paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Colored pens or pencils
• 1 DC Motor (SAM Block)
• 1 Button (SAM Block)

   

Create a short story or a mesmerizing design. Construct the box out of cardboard, then add the DC Motor to automate the flipping. Press the button and let the story unfold!

 

---

Build a Kaleidoscope

Bored of gazing out the window? Try the DIY kaleidoscope! This is a simple project suitable for students just dipping their toes into STEAM. Materials include:

• Paper towel roll
• Tin foil
• Paper
• Scissors
• Colored pens or pencils
• Pencil or a straight stick
• 1 DC Motor (SAM Block)

   

Cut out a circle, and draw a hypnotic design. Use tin foil and a DC Motor to complete the project.

   

---

Make a Pinball Machine

For an exciting challenge with plenty of room for creativity, challenge your students to create their very own pinball machine! Add a pack of SAM Block Sliders to your STEAM classroom bundle to tackle this project, or challenge your class to improvise. Materials list includes:

• Cardboard
• Tape
• Pen or pencil
• Scissors
• 2 DC Motors (SAM Block)
• 1 Button (SAM Block)
• 1 Slider (SAM Block)
• 1 RGB LED (SAM Block)

Tip: Make sure the holes are a little smaller than the ball.

 

---

Create a Gameshow Button

Whether you’re running an in-class quiz tournament, or your students are designing their own board games, this gameshow button can turn anything into an exciting game! You can even try coding this interaction right now on SAM Studio Lite. Materials include:

• Cardboard
• Colored paper
• Scissors
• 1 RGB LED (SAM Block)
• 1 Button (SAM Block)

To take it up another level, add a SAM Block Buzzer to make a game buzzer noise when the button is pressed!

   

---

Plus 12 More Crazy Cool Ideas!

That’s just the start. There are 12 more crazy cool ideas in the Book of DIY STEM Projects (LINK), including a door prank, a pattern-creating robot, an automatic drawing machine, and more!

To download the Book of DIY STEM Projects, click on the image below. Happy DIYing!