Discover STEM in 30

STEM in 30 is an Emmy-nominated program for middle school students produced by the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. These 30 minute episodes are great for classroom use. New episodes are released every month, featuring hands-on activities, explanations of aviation and space topics aligned with national standards, and interviews with experts from the Museum and beyond.

STEM in 30 is made possible by Boeing and Hexcel.

Most Recent Episode Animals Aloft: Animals and the Aerospace Industry

Animals and aviation have been linked since 1783 when the Montgolfier brothers sent a duck, sheep, and rooster up in a hot air balloon to ensure that people could survive the ascent. Today, planes and satellites are used to aid wildlife conservation efforts, including tracking elephants and transporting animals from conservation centers to the wild for reintroduction.

 View More STEM in 30 Episodes

This Season

A thumbnail that reads "animals aloft" with images of animals.

Animals Aloft

Did you know before the first person flew in a hot air balloon, a duck, sheep, and rooster did?

For hundreds of years, animals and aviation have been linked, from transporting tigers, to tracking animals in the wild, and much more.

Watch Now

A red comic book cover showing a family gathered round a table, with a robot bringing a metallic cake to the family.

Air and Space Comics

Available in October

From being read under the covers at night to the backbone of multi-billion dollar industries, explore the popularity of comics. 

Yucatan, Mexico Left: Temple of the Warriors or Temple of a Thousand Columns consists of four-step platforms surrounded by round and square columns of Toltec Warrior statues. Right: The Temple of Kukulan (The Feathered Serpent God) or El Castillo (Spanish

Aerial Archaeology

Available in November

Uncover the mysteries of the past by using photos and data taken from the sky. 

Dive Deeper Into Content from the STEM in 30 Team

Graphic with aviation and space related drawings and the STEM in 30 logo in the middle of it.

Full Episodes of STEM in 30

The back-catalogue of STEM in 30 episodes

Graphic that reads "My Path"

My Path

Video interviews with prominent individuals in aerospace sharing how they got to where they are

Graphic that reads Smithsonian Science Starters

Smithsonian Science Starters

Classroom-friendly demos with experts 

A photo of Adam Savage with text that reads "Adam Savage"

Adam Savage Videos

The Mythbusters stars career journey and advice for kids

Graphic featuring a stack of books and an apple. It reads "Middle School Minute"

Middle School Minute

Memories of middle school from people working in aviation and space

Graphic that reads "Try This At Home" and features clip-art of a tape measure and an airplane

Try This At Home

Student-friendly hands-on activities

Graphic with clip-art related to aviation and space and text that reads "Teacher Tips"

Teacher Tips

A document for teachers that accompanies each STEM in 30 episode

Graphic with aerospace clip-art and text that says STEM in 30 clips.

STEM in 30 Clips

Short videos on a variety of aerospace topics

Never Miss New Content, Subscribe on YouTube
Watch On Demand
More STEM in 30
Read more

Stay Connected

A white F on a blue background.

Follow on Facebook

A silhouette of a white bird on a cyan background.

Follow on Twitter

A white play button on a red background.

Subscribe on YouTube

A white envelope on a blue background.

Join Our Teacher Newsleter

Privacy Policy | Questions about how the information you submit will be used? Contact us