Teaching Science and STEM On A Cart: Traveling Teacher Classroom Management Tips
What do you do when you have no dedicated classroom for teaching science or STEM? This happens often in elementary schools, since we're viewed as special-area teachers. It brings real challenges, but that doesn't mean you can't run engaging, hands-on activities — you just have to plan wisely. Here are the challenges I faced teaching science and STEM Lab from a cart, and what actually helped. Problem 1: Not every classroom has a sink. Get a cart with a built-in sink and water container — pour out dirty water to avoid trips to the bathroom. (Downside: it gets heavy — more on that below.) Pre-fill plastic wash bottles, one per group. Most labs only need a little water, and the squirt-control makes measuring easy. Find them in science catalogs or the dollar store. Use disposable materials when washing isn't practical. Keep sanitizing wipes, hand wipes, and good paper towels stocked in the cart. Puppy pads are a lifesaver — lay one down per desk, and spills get absorb...
