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STEM Home Run

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Lesson Plan

STEM Home Run Lesson Plan

Students will explore STEM concepts by measuring distances, counting scores, and observing motion through baseball simulations, then record their findings for deeper understanding.

Connecting STEM to a familiar sport boosts engagement and helps 1st graders grasp measurement, counting, and motion concepts in a fun, hands-on way.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Hands-on baseball stations blending math and science.

Materials

Prep

Setup and Review

5 minutes

  • Gather all equipment: bats, balls, measuring tapes, cones/bases, stopwatch, pencils
  • Print enough copies of the Scorekeeping & Measurement Worksheet for each student
  • Arrange cones or bases in open play area to mark batting stations and landing zones
  • Quickly review the worksheet to familiarize yourself with recording measurements and scores

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle and show them the baseball bat and ball
  • Ask: How do objects move when we hit them? How can we measure how far they travel?
  • Introduce key vocabulary: motion, distance, score
  • Distribute the Scorekeeping & Measurement Worksheet and explain its columns: Distance and Runs Scored

Step 2

Main Activity Stations

15 minutes

  • Divide class into small groups and assign each to a batting station
  • At each station, one student bats, another measures distance from home base to where the ball lands using the measuring tape, another records on the worksheet
  • Rotate roles so each student bats, measures, and records
  • Use cones/bases to mark landing spots and refer to the stopwatch for timing swings if desired

Step 3

Guided Practice

5 minutes

  • Regroup students and choose two volunteers to demonstrate a full batting cycle: bat, measure, record score
  • Encourage classmates to ask questions: Why did we measure that way? How does counting help?
  • Provide feedback and clarify any confusion about recording data

Step 4

Cool-Down Reflection

5 minutes

  • Have students share one interesting measurement or score they recorded
  • Discuss: What did we learn about motion and measuring distance? How did counting help us keep track of the game?
  • Collect worksheets and praise students for using STEM skills in a fun activity
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Slide Deck

STEM Home Run

In today’s lesson, we’ll use baseball to:
• Measure how far the ball travels
• Count runs scored
• Observe how objects move
Let’s hit a STEM home run together!

Welcome students warmly. Introduce the slide: Today we’ll combine baseball and STEM to have fun while learning about motion, measuring distance, and counting scores.

Warm-Up Discussion

• Show a bat and ball
• Ask: How does a ball move when you hit it?
• Introduce vocabulary: motion, distance, score
• Distribute the Scorekeeping & Measurement Worksheet and explain its columns

Ask the class: “How do objects move when we hit them? How can we measure how far they go?” Define “motion,” “distance,” and “score.” Hand out the Scorekeeping & Measurement Worksheet and show them the columns.

Main Activity Stations

  1. Split into groups of 3
  2. Roles: batter, measurer, recorder
  3. Batter hits the ball
  4. Measurer uses tape to find distance
  5. Recorder logs distance and runs on the worksheet
  6. Rotate roles until everyone has a turn

Divide students into groups of three. Remind them to take turns batting, measuring, and recording. Circulate to guide measuring technique and correct recording.

Guided Practice

• Regroup and select 2 volunteers
• Demonstrate a full batting cycle
• Class asks: Why measure that way?
• Discuss: How does counting help us keep score?

Bring everyone back together. Choose two volunteers to model batting, measuring, and recording. Prompt the class to ask questions (“Why do we measure from home base?” “How does counting help?”). Clarify any confusion.

Cool-Down Reflection

• Share one interesting measurement or score
• Discuss: What did we learn about motion and measuring distance?
• How did counting help us keep track of the game?
• Collect worksheets

Invite students to share a favorite measurement or score. Highlight the connection between measuring, counting, and playing games. Collect worksheets and praise effort.

Great Job, STEM Sluggers!

Thank you for hitting a STEM home run today!
Next time: We’ll explore measurement in new games and experiments.

Thank students for their participation. Preview next lesson: applying measurement skills in other games or the classroom. Give a STEM High-Five to each group.

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Worksheet

Scorekeeping & Measurement Worksheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: _______________

1. Recording Your Data

Try #Distance (feet)Runs Scored
1
2
3
4
5

(Add extra rows if you take more swings.)




2. Reflection Questions

  1. Which hit went the farthest? How far?
    _________________________________________________________________________________





  2. How many total runs did your team score after 5 tries?
    _________________________________________________________________________________





  3. Why is it important to measure the ball’s distance accurately?
    _________________________________________________________________________________





3. Draw the Ball’s Path

Draw a picture showing the path of the ball from home base to where it landed:















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