Inquire
Every project starts with a question your child genuinely cares about. We turn "why?" into a launchpad, not a distraction.
⚡ Homeschool engineering that stacks up
STEM
Integrated Science · Technology · Engineering · Math
Where science, math, and coding meet hands-on building — iSTEM connects all four disciplines into one project-based curriculum. Use STEMstacks on its own, or combine it with STEMcubes and maker activities to automate, sense, and control the projects you build — right at your kitchen table.
- Standards-Aligned Lessons
- Grades 3–12+
- Standalone or Maker-Paired
- Kitchen-Table Ready
The iSTEM Teach Philosophy
Engineering isn't a subject you memorize —
it's a mindset you practice.
iSTEM is Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering & Math — a different idea from the STEM you remember. Instead of learning science, math, and coding in separate silos, your child uses all of them at once: measuring, coding, and testing their way through hands-on projects like robots, environmental sensors, and working models.
Imagine
Ideas before answers. Kids sketch, brainstorm, and dream up wild solutions with no fear of being wrong.
Integrate
No silos here — science, technology, engineering, and math in one connected challenge, with math, coding, and inquiry used at the same time to make something real.
Innovate
Design, build, test, fail, and redesign. Real engineering lives in the iteration — and failure is fuel.
Inspire
Every win builds confidence and grit. Kids leave each project prouder, braver, and a little more curious.
Our design loop — the heart of every iSTEM lesson
Ask
Imagine
Plan
Create
Test
Improve
- Standards-aligned: lessons range from basic logic gates to complex robotic sequences.
- Minimal prep: grab a cube pack, print a page, go.
- Integrated, not siloed: math, coding, and scientific inquiry in a single hands-on project.
- Portfolio-ready: builds become transcript and showcase pieces.
Our Build System
Curriculum that stacks.
Hands-on that clicks.
STEMstacks stands alone as a complete project-based learning platform — block-based coding with an in-browser simulator. Or combine it with STEMcubes and maker supplies to automate, sense, and control real builds.
STEMstacks
Block-based hardware programming for grades 3–12+ — compose in the browser, deploy to real boards.
- Compose color-coded blocks, simulate instantly, then flash code to a Raspberry Pi Pico
- Ready-to-teach lesson library — Blinking LED, Traffic Light Controller, Reaction Timer & more
- Subject guides for Physical Computing, Science, Math, and Technology & Logic
- Works standalone for project-based learning — or pair it with maker builds to automate, sense, and control real projects
- Standards-aligned, simulator-first, and free to get started
STEMcubes
A snap-together building system with gears, lights, motors, and brains.
- Interlocking cubes that snap, stack, and spin
- One set reusable across 40+ projects
- Add-ons: motion, light & sound, sensors, robotics brain
- Code your STEMcubes builds with STEMstacks to automate, sense, and control them — or use each on its own
The STEMstacks lesson flow
Compose Blocks
Simulate Instantly
Deploy to Hardware
Build & Show Off
Curriculum Resources
Ready-to-teach lessons, from Blinking LED to Reaction Timer.
Every STEMstacks lesson ships with block-based solutions, hardware setups, and lesson guides — browse the full library and curriculum guides on STEMStacks.com.
Lesson Library
Eight ready-to-teach projects — LEDs, sensors, games, and logic puzzles — each with block-based solutions and setup guides.
Browse the library ↗Curriculum Guides
Subject guides for Physical Computing, Science, Math, and Technology & Logic — see exactly where the platform fits your plan.
View curriculum guides ↗Browser Simulator
Prototype every project in the virtual hardware sandbox before a single wire is plugged in.
Try the simulator ↗Hardware Setup
Pico, LEDs, resistors, and breadboards — every lesson lists exactly what you need up front.
View hardware needs ↗Lesson Readiness
Duration, target grades, prep effort, and hardware requirements — scan the classroom fit before you start.
Check lesson readiness ↗Progress & Analytics
Rosters, assignments, and comprehension insights in a centralized educator dashboard.
See classroom tools ↗Maker Resources
Everything a young maker needs to think like an engineer.
Take STEMstacks off the screen and into the real world — tools, tricks, and printable gear for automating, sensing, and controlling the projects you build, plus the grown-up guides that keep it safe and joyful.
Design Challenge Cards
50+ prompts from "build a bridge" to "invent a machine that feeds the dog" — 10-minute to week-long builds.
Maker Materials Guide
What to stock for $25, $50, or $100. Reuse lists, free finds, and what to splurge on.
Tool & Safety Cards
Kid-safe tool introductions with photo instructions and grown-up supervision checklists.
Engineering Notebook
A printable 80-page notebook for sketching, planning, data collection, and celebrating failures.
Family Build Calendar
A 12-month calendar of low-prep family challenges, seasonal builds, and themed maker months.
Community Showcase
Monthly build challenges with a showcase wall — share your kid's project, earn digital badges.
Project Scenarios
Real problems. Real builds. Real pride.
Each scenario is a full iSTEM challenge — one project where math, coding, and science come together with a mission, constraints, and a budget of materials. Learn with STEMstacks alone, or pair it with maker builds to automate, sense, and control the outcome.
Beginner
Bridge the Gap
Span a 30 cm gap with cardboard, string, and STEMcubes. Then make it hold the family dictionary.
Intermediate
Wind Turbine Challenge
Design blades that turn wind into light. Test blade shapes, count rotations, and light an LED.
Beginner
Water Filtration Station
Build a filter from gravel, sand, and cloth. Compare "muddy puddle" to "glass of clear."
Advanced
Mars Rover Obstacle Course
Program a STEMcubes rover to deliver cargo across a crater course. Dead ends are part of the mission.
Intermediate
Earthquake-Proof Tower
Build the tallest tower that survives the "shake table." Then retrofit it and go again.
Beginner
Solar Oven S'mores
Redirect sunlight with foil and cardboard. Measure temperature, make s'mores, record results.
Intermediate
Cardboard Arcade
Invent a working arcade game from cardboard, rubber bands, and STEMcubes. Family night = opening day.
Beginner
Egg Drop Parachute
Get the egg down from the balcony without a crack. Iterate on canopy size, strings, and payload.
Maker Supplies
Stock the makerspace.
Cubes, kits, and consumables for every project. Cart is ready — full checkout powered by Mal's E-commerce is coming soon.
🛒 Every purchase supports more free homeschool resources. Co-op & bulk pricing — see our co-op plans.
Co-ops, Classrooms & Clubs
Build together. Save together.
Bring iSTEM to your co-op, classroom, or club. Group pricing on supplies, print licenses for your whole group, and leader guides that make any grown-up a confident STEM coach.
Small Pod
5% off all supplies
- STEMstacks onboarding — lesson picks for your group
- 3 leader guides + meeting pacing
- Print-for-your-group rights
Classroom
10% off all supplies
- Full STEMstacks curriculum coverage across all subjects
- Shared STEMcubes library plan
- Dedicated coach support
District / Club
Custom pricing
- Everything in Classroom, plus:
- Custom scenario packs
- Hands-on training session (virtual or local)
Every group license includes
- Print rights: make copies for your whole group, forever.
- Leader guides: run 60–90 minute sessions with zero prep.
- Cube library plan: rotate 10 STEMcubes sets between families.
- Showcase wall: group projects and badges for every builder.
Stay in the Build
Get the weekly iSTEM build-it newsletter.
One project idea, one printable, and one "you won't believe what my kid built" moment every Friday. No spam — just build.
Say hello 👋
Questions about stacks, cubes, co-ops, or partnerships? We answer every email — usually the same day.
✉️ istem@stemstacks.com