STEM-Inspired Inventions & Hacks on YouTube for Tweens and Teens
These creators go beyond showing off cool stuff—they show you how to do it, too!
Topics: Recommendations
Besides being a cool acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math, STEM helps us understand our changing world and can inspire creative thinking. Watching creators tackle fun challenges, thinking up creative solutions and hacks, and trying out our own hypotheses are great ways to find answers. But where do you start when there's so much to discover? The creators on these channels offer great jumping-off points, showing tweens and teens that STEM is anything but boring. From building a lava lamp from scratch to sharing coding tutorials and geeking out over bird observation, they're fostering a future generation of confident problem-solvers who see potential in the world around them.
These creator channels, playlists, and videos—available in the separate YouTube Supervised Experience—were reviewed by Common Sense Media's affiliated partner Sensical and chosen for their ability to stir up interest and excitement about STEM inventions in creative ways.
Channels
Using familiar objects in unfamiliar ways, Joseph Herscher designs and builds chain-reaction machines to solve everyday problems and annoyances. He also explores the science behind the machines, exposing viewers to engineering, mechanics, creativity, and lots of comedy. Check him out for a healthy dose of learning, mechanical mayhem, and laughs.
Simone Giertz is expanding the boundaries of science with her creative experiments. Join her as she connects with a diverse lineup of people (and animals) and uses her engineering skills to create quirky machines, like a dog selfie booth and a scissor lamp. Whether you're a STEM enthusiast or new to the topic, Simone can get your mental wheels turning.
Playlists
CODE Along | Black Girls Code (age 11+)
With a mission to teach girls, especially girls of color, that they can be tech leaders, Code Along aims to engage, educate, and inspire the next generation of coders. This series features coding tutorials with interesting projects, as well as interviews from professional coders.
3D Printed Repairs for Strangers | Morley Kert (age 13+)
Join Morley Kert as he uses his engineering knowledge and positive attitude to repair all sorts of neighborhood items. The playlist's lighthearted tone, achieved through detailed walkthroughs and Morley's prosocial behavior, will encourage teens to create, invent, and then engage with the world around them.
Cat Projects | Evan and Katelyn (age 13+)
In BUY vs. DIY with Evan and Katelyn, viewers join the innovative, goofy duo as they make and compare their own DIY versions to products they can buy. From a viral cat ball to a trendy cloud lamp, these two are on a mission to answer the age-old question: BUY or DIY?
Videos
Glow in the Dark Lava Lamp Experiment | Emily Calandrelli (age 11+)
Emily Calandrelli inspires tweens to have "aha" moments through her science experiments. In this video, she illuminates viewers about the science behind lava lamps and teaches them how they can make their very own lamp using everyday materials.
How Birds Inspire Builders | thebrainscoop (age 11+)
Ready to jump on the eggs-press train? Learn along with Emily Graslie as she explains how birds have inspired solutions to various human problems, including high-speed rail trains. Viewers will walk away with a new appreciation for birds and their impact on our lives.
Jump 10 Feet with These Shoes! | JLaservideo (age 11+)
In this JLaservideo, follow a determined engineer as he constructs a machine to help him jump to record-breaking heights. Dynamic editing, cheerful humor, and memorable insights make this video a must-watch for any thrill-seeking, STEM-interested tween.
Octopus vs. Underwater Maze | Mark Rober (age 13+)
Backyard engineer Mark Rober is back, this time turning observations into scientific processes with an elaborate underwater obstacle course for his pet octopus. Through studying his pet's habits, desires, and abilities, Mark tests the animal's skills, leading to a viewing experience that's equally educational and entertaining.
The Hollow Flashlight | The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation (age 13+)
Get inspired by teen inventor Ann Makosinski, inventor of the hollow flashlight. Ann's story is proof that you're never too young to begin your scientific journey. Her desire to help others, problem-solve, and apply educational concepts to real-life issues will ignite viewers' curiosity and confidence to do the same.
Make sure to check out our "Best of" YouTube for Tweens/Teens lists, and don't miss our "Best of" YouTube Kids lists!
Where to watch:
These titles were reviewed by Common Sense Media's affiliated partner Sensical, a free service from the for-profit Common Sense Networks.
Besides being a cool acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math, STEM helps us understand our changing world and can inspire creative thinking. Watching creators tackle fun challenges, thinking up creative solutions and hacks, and trying out our own hypotheses are great ways to find answers. But where do you start when there's so much to discover? The creators on these channels offer great jumping-off points, showing tweens and teens that STEM is anything but boring. From building a lava lamp from scratch to sharing coding tutorials and geeking out over bird observation, they're fostering a future generation of confident problem-solvers who see potential in the world around them.
These creator channels, playlists, and videos—available in the separate YouTube Supervised Experience—were reviewed by Common Sense Media's affiliated partner Sensical and chosen for their ability to stir up interest and excitement about STEM inventions in creative ways.
Channels
Using familiar objects in unfamiliar ways, Joseph Herscher designs and builds chain-reaction machines to solve everyday problems and annoyances. He also explores the science behind the machines, exposing viewers to engineering, mechanics, creativity, and lots of comedy. Check him out for a healthy dose of learning, mechanical mayhem, and laughs.
Simone Giertz is expanding the boundaries of science with her creative experiments. Join her as she connects with a diverse lineup of people (and animals) and uses her engineering skills to create quirky machines, like a dog selfie booth and a scissor lamp. Whether you're a STEM enthusiast or new to the topic, Simone can get your mental wheels turning.
Playlists
CODE Along | Black Girls Code (age 11+)
With a mission to teach girls, especially girls of color, that they can be tech leaders, Code Along aims to engage, educate, and inspire the next generation of coders. This series features coding tutorials with interesting projects, as well as interviews from professional coders.
3D Printed Repairs for Strangers | Morley Kert (age 13+)
Join Morley Kert as he uses his engineering knowledge and positive attitude to repair all sorts of neighborhood items. The playlist's lighthearted tone, achieved through detailed walkthroughs and Morley's prosocial behavior, will encourage teens to create, invent, and then engage with the world around them.
Cat Projects | Evan and Katelyn (age 13+)
In BUY vs. DIY with Evan and Katelyn, viewers join the innovative, goofy duo as they make and compare their own DIY versions to products they can buy. From a viral cat ball to a trendy cloud lamp, these two are on a mission to answer the age-old question: BUY or DIY?
Videos
Glow in the Dark Lava Lamp Experiment | Emily Calandrelli (age 11+)
Emily Calandrelli inspires tweens to have "aha" moments through her science experiments. In this video, she illuminates viewers about the science behind lava lamps and teaches them how they can make their very own lamp using everyday materials.
How Birds Inspire Builders | thebrainscoop (age 11+)
Ready to jump on the eggs-press train? Learn along with Emily Graslie as she explains how birds have inspired solutions to various human problems, including high-speed rail trains. Viewers will walk away with a new appreciation for birds and their impact on our lives.
Jump 10 Feet with These Shoes! | JLaservideo (age 11+)
In this JLaservideo, follow a determined engineer as he constructs a machine to help him jump to record-breaking heights. Dynamic editing, cheerful humor, and memorable insights make this video a must-watch for any thrill-seeking, STEM-interested tween.
Octopus vs. Underwater Maze | Mark Rober (age 13+)
Backyard engineer Mark Rober is back, this time turning observations into scientific processes with an elaborate underwater obstacle course for his pet octopus. Through studying his pet's habits, desires, and abilities, Mark tests the animal's skills, leading to a viewing experience that's equally educational and entertaining.
The Hollow Flashlight | The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation (age 13+)
Get inspired by teen inventor Ann Makosinski, inventor of the hollow flashlight. Ann's story is proof that you're never too young to begin your scientific journey. Her desire to help others, problem-solve, and apply educational concepts to real-life issues will ignite viewers' curiosity and confidence to do the same.
Make sure to check out our "Best of" YouTube for Tweens/Teens lists, and don't miss our "Best of" YouTube Kids lists!
Where to watch:
These titles were reviewed by Common Sense Media's affiliated partner Sensical, a free service from the for-profit Common Sense Networks.
Common Sense Media offers the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Our timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age.
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