Best STEM Movies for Elementary Students (Grades 1-5) & Engaging STEM Activities
20th Mar 2025
Looking for the best STEM movies for your classroom? Whether you’re introducing science, engineering, or technology concepts, movies can be a powerful way to engage students, spark curiosity, and encourage problem-solving.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best STEM movies for Grades 1-5, with mini synopses, why they’re great for STEM education, and hands-on activities to extend learning beyond the screen!
? Why Show STEM Movies in the Classroom?
Movies provide a visual, engaging way to teach STEM concepts while helping students:
✅ See STEM concepts in action – Science and engineering come to life!
✅ Develop problem-solving skills – Many STEM movies focus on characters who tackle challenges.
✅ Explore STEM careers – Representation matters, and movies introduce kids to STEM professionals.
✅ Get inspired to experiment and build – Movies encourage students to design, create, and innovate!
To maximize learning, pair each movie with hands-on STEM activities, experiments, and discussions. Let’s dive into the best STEM movies for each grade level!
?️ Best STEM Movies for Each Elementary Grade (with Lesson Ideas!)
? STEM Movies for 1st Grade
At this stage, students are naturally curious about how the world works. These movies introduce basic science and problem-solving in an engaging, age-appropriate way.
1️⃣ Sid the Science Kid: The Movie (2013) – Scientific Inquiry & Exploration
? Synopsis: Sid and his friends visit a science museum, where they encounter a mystery that requires scientific thinking to solve.
? Why Watch? Introduces basic scientific inquiry, observation, and teamwork in a fun, engaging way.
? STEM Activity: Have students make predictions and test simple experiments (e.g., "Which objects sink or float?").
2️⃣ Wild Kratts (TV Series) – Biology & Animal Science
? Synopsis: The Wild Kratts team embarks on exciting adventures, discovering the fascinating world of animals, habitats, and conservation.
? Why Watch? A fun introduction to biology, ecosystems, and animal adaptations.
? STEM Challenge: Have students design their own imaginary animal, explaining its habitat and survival adaptations.
3️⃣ Wall-E (2008) – Robotics & Environmental Science
? Synopsis: A small, curious robot named Wall-E roams Earth, now covered in trash, until he discovers the importance of taking care of the planet.
? Why Watch? Teaches lessons about robotics, environmental responsibility, and sustainability.
? STEM Project: Build mini-recycling stations or create robots using recycled materials.
?️ STEM Movies for 2nd Grade
Second graders are developing critical thinking skills and can start to explore engineering, inventions, and environmental science.
1️⃣ The Lorax (2012) – Environmental Science & Sustainability
? Synopsis: A young boy embarks on a journey to restore a once-thriving environment and bring back the trees.
? Why Watch? Highlights the importance of sustainability, conservation, and taking responsibility for the planet.
? STEM Extension: Plant mini-gardens or create recycling projects to reduce waste in the classroom.
2️⃣ Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009) – Engineering & Inventions
? Synopsis: Flint Lockwood, an aspiring inventor, builds a machine that turns water into food, but his creation spirals out of control.
? Why Watch? Encourages creativity, problem-solving, and engineering thinking.
? STEM Challenge: Have students design a food-making invention and explain how it works.
3️⃣ Magic School Bus (TV Series) – Science Exploration
? Synopsis: Ms. Frizzle and her students go on exciting science adventures, exploring topics like the human body, space, and weather.
? Why Watch? Engaging and hands-on approach to science that gets kids thinking like scientists.
? STEM Activity: Create mini-experiments based on the episodes, such as making a simple weather station.
? STEM Movies for 3rd Grade
Third graders are ready for deeper problem-solving and hands-on design challenges.
1️⃣ Meet the Robinsons (2007) – Engineering & Growth Mindset
? Synopsis: A young inventor travels to the future and learns the power of perseverance and innovation.
? Why Watch? Encourages creativity, resilience, and thinking like an inventor.
? STEM Challenge: Have students design an invention for the future and present their ideas.
2️⃣ Big Hero 6 (2014) – Robotics & Coding
? Synopsis: A young robotics prodigy, Hiro, teams up with his AI-powered robot, Baymax, to solve a mystery.
? Why Watch? Introduces AI, robotics, teamwork, and problem-solving.
? STEM Activity: Use Dash or Ozobots to create simple coding challenges.
3️⃣ Caine’s Arcade (Short Film) – Creativity & Engineering
? Synopsis: A true story of a boy who builds an entire arcade out of cardboard, inspiring creativity worldwide.
? Why Watch? Highlights the power of imagination and engineering using simple materials.
? STEM Project: Have students design and build their own arcade games using recycled materials.
? STEM Movies for 4th & 5th Grade
By this stage, students are analyzing, problem-solving, and applying STEM concepts to real-world scenarios.
1️⃣ Dream Big (2017) – Engineering & Innovation
? Synopsis: A documentary showcasing how engineers solve real-world challenges, from building bridges to tackling climate change.
? Why Watch? Inspires students to think like engineers and explore careers in STEM.
? STEM Challenge: Have students create a bridge or structure using craft materials.
2️⃣ The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019) – Renewable Energy & Problem-Solving
? Synopsis: A true story of a boy from Malawi who builds a wind turbine to save his village.
? Why Watch? Demonstrates resilience, innovation, and real-world engineering solutions.
? STEM Challenge: Have students design and test their own wind-powered devices.
3️⃣ Apollo 13 (1995) – Space Science & Engineering
? Synopsis: When a NASA space mission goes wrong, astronauts and engineers work together to find a life-saving solution.
? Why Watch? Highlights real-world engineering challenges, teamwork, and problem-solving.
? Makerspace Challenge: Give students a set of random materials and challenge them to design a solution, just like NASA engineers.
? Final Thoughts: Using STEM Movies to Inspire Future Innovators
STEM movies are a fun and effective way to introduce young learners to science, engineering, and problem-solving. Pairing movies with hands-on STEM challenges ensures students actively engage, create, and innovate!