Shop Subscribe

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty

Tips and trending topics for the teacher who's always learning

schoolyard-logo
  • Education Essentials
  • Inspiration & Planning
  • Learning Spaces
  • Podcasts
  • Topics
  • Search
  • < Previous post
    Next post >
    teacher and students removing seeds from pumpkin for science measurement activity

    Celebrations & Themes

    Pumpkin Science: STEM Activities for Halloween and Beyond

    Celebrate the fall season and learn something new with these pumpkin science activities! Pumpkin fall fun is a great way to apply STEM and STEAM concepts to a hands-on activity. Check out these three!

    3 Pumpkin Science Activities to Try this Halloween

    Pumpkin Seed Studies

    Does a bigger pumpkin yield more seeds? Maybe—and there is one way to find out! Prepare to get messy as you slice a variety of pumpkins in half and count the seeds inside. Ask students to record the pumpkin’s weight and size before slicing, then work together to calculate the ratio of seeds per pound and find your answer!

    Pumpkin Weights and Measures

    For students learning how to observe and describe items, a selection of pumpkins can be examined and recorded. Looking at several different pumpkins and taking down data can help kids learn how similar objects can be differentiated. Pass out pumpkins and have kids weigh and measure them, then record the heaviest, lightest, tallest, and shortest. Some categories to check include:

    • Height using a ruler
    • Girth using a tape measure
    • Weight in grams, pounds, and ounces
    • Volume via water displacement
    • Shape via visual examination
    • Texture via touch

    Pumpkin Decomposition

    Many pumpkin activities are designed for young children, but this one is also great for middle and high school. By tracking how a pumpkin behaves during decomposition, kids can learn a variety of skills. Through observation and recording data, they’ll see how organic matter breaks down over time. This also makes an ideal post-Halloween fall project, as many families will be happy to part with their aging Jack-O-Lanterns in the name of science.

    Choose a location for your pumpkin and watch and record the changes each week. The Gift of Curiosity blog has some great photos and examples of this experiment done at home. For younger grades, Pumpkin Jack is an illustrated book that chronicles the same type of experiment, as a young boy watches his carved pumpkin decompose and regrow into a fresh new plant.

    Every season has a STEM or STEAM activity, and students will love the opportunity to apply hands-on concepts. Visit the STEAM/STEM category to find more great activities for students of any age!

    Read More: STEAM/STEM Activities 

    More Interdisciplinary Fall-Themed Activities

    Are you looking to incorporate Halloween and fall activities into more subject areas? We’ve got some ideas to bring the magic of autumn colors and fall themes into your art, math, and language arts lessons. Then, head to our online fall specialty shop for all your fall decorations and craft needs!

    Shop All: Fall Season Specialty Shop

    Tagged With: Fall, Group Activities & Games, Halloween, Holiday Crafts & Activities

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Recommended

    Famous Left-Handed People

    Celebrations & Themes

    Famous Left-Handed People

    Flag Day History and a Craft

    Celebrations & Themes

    Flag Day History and a Craft

    Plan Now for Success Next Year

    Inspiration & Planning

    Plan Now for Success Next Year

    Celebrate Our Nation’s Youngest Learners During Week of the Young Child®

    Early Childhood

    Celebrate Our Nation’s Youngest Learners During Week of the Young Child®

    Explore The Schoolyard

    Education Essentials

    Inspiration & Planning

    Learning Spaces

     

    TopicsShop Subscribe

    Copyright © 2025 School Specialty, LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement · Social Media Statement · Do Not Sell My Personal Information - CA Resident Only

  • CATEGORIES

    • Education Essentials
    • Inspiration & Planning
    • Learning Spaces
  • TOPICS

    • Arts & Crafts
    • Early Childhood
    • Special Needs
    • Physical Education
    • Educational Technology
    • Student Resources
    • Organization & Storage
    • Classroom Management
    • STEAM & STEM
    • 21st Century Learning
    • Reading & Literacy
    • Healthy Students
    • Teacher Life
    • Back to School
    • Celebrations & Seasons
    • Out of School
    • News
    • Math
    • Science
    • Podcasts
    • Topics
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube