STEMpacks

Teenager girl on sofa with notebook

Hands-on Learning

When it comes to the STEM subjects — science, technology, engineering and math – research shows one of the best ways to engage students is with hands-on learning. This type of learning encourages interaction and exploration, which help students build skills and gain knowledge. AAUW has created a series of STEMpacks, lesson guides and materials that educators can use to encourage hands-on learning. It’s a fun and easy way to get middle- and high-school girls fully engaged in the STEM fields

Download complete lesson guides and materials

We partnered with the Arconic Foundation to introduce middle school students to physics and engineering through the history of flight, the physics and construction of aircraft, such as a hot air balloon and rocket, and more.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Aerospace Engineering

Lesson 2: Lighter than Air

Lesson 3: Heavier than Air—Planes

Lesson 4: Heavier than Air—Planes and Newton’s Third Law

Lesson 5: Heavier than Air—Planes and RFPs

Lesson 6: Heavier than Air—Rockets

Lesson 7: You Can Do It

The world’s leading cyber security company, Symantec, partnered with AAUW to develop the STEMpack: Cyber Security curriculum to inspire and introduce participants to cyber security and computer science. The lessons build on one another and cover the origins of the internet, binary code, an introduction to programming languages and coding, deconstructing a computer and other skills.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Computer Science and Cyber Security

Teacher Syllabus
Women Wizards Game

Lesson 2: How the Internet Works, Binary Code, Bits and Bytes

Teacher syllabus
Binary dots
Binary numbers key

Lesson 3: Encryption and Decryption

Teacher syllabus

Lesson 4: Cyber Security and Protecting Yourself

Teacher syllabus

Lesson 5: Cyber Rights and Vocabulary

Teacher syllabus
Computer parts description