STEM in the garden and the kitchen: Five activities for curious kids

With National Science Week just around the corner in August, there's no better time to dive into some hands-on discovery. 

The kitchen and garden are full of opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering and maths in fun, practical ways. Here are five activities to get young minds experimenting. 

Identify compost minibeasts 

Ever stopped to think about what really happens to our waste once it hits the compost pile? Enter the compost critters; tiny but mighty creatures specially adapted to thrive in this rich, rotting world. 

These little recyclers munch through organic scraps, break down dead matter, help keep the soil healthy, and even serve as a food source for other animals. Nature’s clean-up crew at its best! 

Use our worksheet to identify minibeasts like ground beetles, fungi, flatworms and slugs, and spark curiosity about the life teeming beneath the surface. 
 

Embrace the alchemy of activators 

Breadmaking and composting might seem worlds apart, but both involve fascinating chemical reactions, and both offer rich opportunities for STEM learning. 

In our new on-demand webinar, a teacher links everyday kitchen and garden tasks to science learning outcomes, using the idea of ‘activators’ as a springboard for exploration. 

Extend the learning by baking different types of bread and experimenting with yeast. After all, who doesn’t love a science project that ends in pizza? 

Try a planting investigation for little hands 

STEM learning doesn’t require a big garden. Even in limited spaces, simple planting investigations can spark big ideas. 

At Little Cubs Family Daycare, children created a bean sprout lab to explore how seeds grow.

“This simple experiment taught them about seed germination, responsibility, and the magic of watching life grow, one tiny sprout at a time!” they shared. 

Explore & Grow Family Day Care also ran an inquiry-based activity titled “Can you help the seeds grow?”

“Each child had the opportunity to sow seeds in two different ways, one with soil and one without soil, using damp cotton instead. As they planted, the children discussed what plants need to thrive, sharing ideas about sunlight, water, air and ‘food’ from the earth,” they explained. 

The children observed root and shoot development, recorded changes, and compared growth in the two environments.  

Explore our planting collection to find more inspiration.  

Build an insect hotel 

Insect hotels offer a cosy home for beneficial bugs and can be built using recycled, upcycled or natural materials you already have on hand. These shelters support insect life year-round, giving them a safe spot to nest during warmer months and a place to hibernate through winter.  

They're especially helpful for attracting native Australian solitary bees to your garden. 

Keep learning with our collection of resources about bees. 

Make your own solar oven 

Harness the power of the sun with a DIY solar oven, like the students at Bialik College. 

“Designing and making a solar cooker introduces students to key scientific principles, including solar energy, materials science and changes in states of matter. Students can explore how solar energy can be harnessed for practical use in vulnerable communities,” they say. 

The students here have made s’mores, but what else could you heat up in your solar oven? 

These activities are fun ways for kids to explore the world around them while picking up some STEM skills along the way. You can find more STEM resources, and share your experiments on the Shared Table. 

Not a member yet? Join a community of schools and early childhood services right around Australia teaching young people how to grow, harvest, prepare and share! Email us at membership@kitchengardenfoundation.org.au to get started.