The process of setting up a classroom is one of my favorite things to do during back to school season! Sure, sometimes I want to throw my stapler at the wall (who doesn’t!), but the finished product that makes my classroom welcoming and inviting is something I’ll never get over.
Each and every new school year, it makes my science teacher heart *so happy*. And let’s face it, decorating your classroom is something you can do year-round. Here are some of my favorite science classroom decorating ideas, and good news – none of these require nail holes in your walls!
SCIENCE CLASSROOM DECOR IDEAS: THE ABCs OF SCIENCE
One of my very favorite bulletin board ideas for the classroom is the ABCs of Science Posters. These posters are a great way to infuse science into a classically ELA-focused decor item. I love having an alphabet on my classroom wall, and this set has a science theme to it. Students can easily reference the alphabet, and the corresponding vocabulary, as they go through their day.
There are multiple words for each letter, so at times I will replace the posters with new vocabulary when we start a new unit. The bright colors bring in some flair to my walls, and the posters are both cute and functional! I also use these ABC posters as headers for my science word walls.
SCIENCE CLASSROOM DECOR IDEAS: KEEP IT STUDENT FOCUSED
One of the things that made my life so much easier was when one of my mentors told me that not every bulletin board and wall has to be covered from day 1. Truthfully, some of our wall space should be blank until we have student-created work that we can hang up. Student work is one of those things that not only spruces up your walls, but it also helps your students feel seen and valued.
Elementary school and middle school students love to see their work become a part of the classroom! You can even set up a “Pride Wall” where students have their own space, and they get to choose a piece of work they’re proud of. Student work samples can be some of the most important science classroom decorations you have all year.
SCIENCE CLASSROOM DECOR IDEAS: SCIENCE CAREERS
When I was a new teacher and walked into my own classroom, I was so thankful that I had educators who taught me what kind of careers existed. As we think about where our world is going and what our kids need to be ready for, science and technology is exploding, and it’ll continue to do so. Our students can benefit from knowing which careers are available in science and STEM fields.
I like to say that a great science lab can hook them on how exciting a career in STEM can be. Having a visual display of some careers is one of the best ways to expose your students to the possibilities they have in front of them! In my classroom, I hang the posters in an easily accessible place, and I use my corresponding reading passages to make the bulletin board meaningful and become a focal point of my classroom.
SCIENCE CLASSROOM DECOR IDEAS: WOMEN IN STEM
I think it’s so important to keep things fresh in my classroom, and I love a good reason to celebrate the amazing women who have blazed trails in STEM. One of my most popular classroom decor ideas is the Women in STEM poster collection, which gets a full month (sometimes more!) in March. My students get to meet 28 amazing women who had inspiring contributions to science fields, including space science, physical science, and life science.
For example, one of my most favorite women ever, Mae Jemison, gets her own spotlight in this resource. We start off by watching this video about her life and career, and I make sure to highlight her poster on our new classroom display. It is one of the most amazing science bulletin boards I’ve ever made!
SCIENCE CLASSROOM DECOR IDEAS: MOTIVATIONAL POSTERS
Having a growth mindset is so important in science, and students need lots of visual reminders for what is expected of them in class. I like to make this part of my classroom pop with a decorative border and bright color palettes to draw my students’ eyes to the messages I want them to read. Motivational posters are a simple way – and an effective way – to remind students of their potential and gifts.
SCIENCE CLASSROOM DECOR IDEAS: FAMOUS INVENTORS
Another easy way to spruce up your classroom – at the beginning of the year or anytime! – is to add my inventor posters to your classroom walls. Students are introduced to ten outstanding inventors and their inventions. The posters include people like The Wright Brothers and Marie Curie. each famous scientist has a brief summary of their accomplishments for students to read and learn about.
OTHER IDEAS FOR DECORATING YOUR SCIENCE CLASSROOM
- Scientific Method Posters
- Science Vocabulary Displays
- Anchor Charts
- Routines and Procedures for a Science Experiment
- Periodic Table of Elements
- Classroom Door Decorations
Whether you teach 3rd grade science, 4th grade science, 5th grade science, or any other grade level, I am sure these ideas will work for you and your students. Happy decorating!
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