STEM by Grade

Why STEM in Middle School Matters

Middle school is a critical period for student development, where curiosity meets the opportunity for deeper learning.

STEM education—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—equips students with essential problem-solving, analytical, and creative skills.

Research from the International Journal of STEM Education indicates that exposure of students to STEM careers can enhance their interest in pursuing careers involving science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

By incorporating hands-on projects and interdisciplinary learning, educators can help students apply STEM concepts in real-world scenarios, making lessons more meaningful and impactful.

In this page, you can find:

→ Three Reasons

→ Success Stories

→ Grant Opportunities

→ Meet the Account Manager

Why Implement STEM?

Three Reasons to Implement STEM Education in Middle Schools

There are many reasons to implement STEM Education in Middle Schools but we've highlighted three primary reasons below including real-world applications that enhance learning, preparing students for future careers, as well as building critical thinking and collaboration to build the future innovators of the world.

Reasons to Implement STEM in Middle School

Real-World Applications Enhance Learning

What we know:

  • Middle school students benefit from practical applications of STEM concepts, bridging classroom knowledge with real-world problem-solving.
  • Hands-on learning with Strawbees allows students to design, build, and test solutions, reinforcing engineering and scientific principles in an engaging way.
  • Studies show that students who engage in project-based STEM learning demonstrate higher retention rates and problem-solving abilities.

Prepares Students for Future Careers

What we know:

  • By middle school, students begin considering future educational and career paths. A strong STEM foundation opens doors to high-demand fields such as engineering, robotics, and computer science.
  • Research highlights that students exposed to STEM experiences in middle school are more likely to pursue STEM degrees in college and has a positive impact on academic performance.
  • Strawbees encourages exploration of STEM fields through creative, hands-on challenges that align with real-world industries.

Builds Critical Thinking and Collaboration

What we know:

  • STEM education emphasizes experimentation, iteration, and teamwork -- skills essential for success in high school, college, and the workforce.
  • Through Strawbees, students collaborate on design challenges, test hypotheses, and refine solutions, mirroring the problem-solving processes used in STEM careers.
  • Research suggests that STEM activities improve students' ability to think critically and work effectively in teams.
Success Stories

STEM in Middle School with Strawbees

Educators and districts across elementary schools are integrating Strawbees into STEM education, to increase student engagement and developing coding skills. Through hands-on activities, students are able to explore engineering principles in a meaningful way, leading to a greater interest in STEM subjects.

Pasco County Schools

After seeing Strawbees at an EdTech conference and being drawn to the hands-on approach and potential of Strawbees, Bobbi Starling, Senior Supervisor of Computer Science in Pasco County, she rolled out Strawbees across the district to both middle and elementary schools. Strawbees is now embedded in the curriculum of 52 schools across the county.

Read the Case study
Bobbi Starling Case Study

What Middle School Teachers Say

Here’s what educators and administrators are saying about their experiences:

“Strawbees gives teachers the ability to really focus on their lessons and not worry about whether their lesson is going to hit the standards that they’re trying to teach. That’s a game changer."
Bobbi Starling
Bobbi Starling

Senior Supervisor of Computer Science at Pasco County Schools

"A lot of the other products available are huge and it's difficult to work with. But Strawbees is so simple. All you have to do is use the micro:bit. It's easy. They can make a silly alarm clock or machine or a safe.
Hala Rivera Rentas
Hala Rivera Rentas

Computer Science Teacher at Pasco County Schools

"One of the things I think is forgotten with coding, and why I like Strawbees so much, is the physical computing side and the designing side of the computing."
Brian Jones
Brian Jones

Science Teacher, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified

Tropical Rainforest Biome

Strawbees Classroom includes a variety of lessons for middle school levels including the Tropical Rainforest Biome. This lesson allows students to imagine the diverse flora and fauna of the rainforest and build a tree frog to leap among the forest layers of a tropical rainforest.

Learn more
TropicalBiome
Grant opportunities

Middle School STEM Grants

Finding funding for STEM and STEAM education can be challenging, but there are a range of grants and funding sources to support hands-on learning initiatives for middle schools.

National Grant Opportunities

  • NSF STEM Education Grants – The National Science Foundation funds innovative STEM education projects in middle and high schools.

  • Green Ribbon Schools – A recognition program that honours exemplary schools and districts that reduce environmental impact and sustainability education that incorporates STEM, civics and green career pathways.

  • FIRST STEM Equity Grants – FIRST Supports schools in expanding access to hands-on STEM programs, including robotics and engineering.

Private and Local Grant Opportunities

  • State and Local STEM Grants – Many states provide STEM-specific funding for middle school programs—check with your local Department of Education.

  • Corporate STEM Grants – Companies like Intel, Lockheed Martin, and Amazon offer grants to schools implementing STEM initiatives.

How We Can Help with Grant Applications

If you're looking for funding to bring hands-on STEAM learning to your students, we do have a grant writing webinar you can watch to help support you.

Learn more →

Strawbees in Middle Schools

Next Steps

Middle school is a pivotal time to inspire students and prepare them for future STEM opportunities.

With Strawbees, educators can create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that build problem-solving skills, teamwork, and creativity. Whether you’re looking for classroom resources, district-wide implementation strategies, or grant funding support, we’re here to help.

Get in touch today to explore how Strawbees can transform STEM learning in your school!

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Ellen Florberger
School Partnership Manager
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