Sesame Street STEM: How to Incorporate STEM Learning with Your Child’s Favourite Show

April 17th, 2025 / By Olivia Maitre

Introduction: How Sesame Street Supports STEM Learning

Sesame Street has been a beloved educational show for decades, but did you know it also encourages STEM learning? Through fun characters like Elmo, Grover, and Cookie Monster, Sesame Street introduces science, technology, engineering, and math concepts in ways kids love. Whether it’s solving problems with simple machines or exploring the properties of matter, the show inspires curiosity and critical thinking. In fact, a 2015 study by two economists found that the earliest cohort of Sesame Street viewers who watched the show when it first aired in 1969 were better prepared for school than their peers who did not, and they consistently stayed on grade level. In this article, we will explore how Sesame Street introduces STEM concepts and provides parents with practical ways to reinforce learning through hands-on activities. Their engaging lessons make it one of the best educational TV shows for kids, especially when it comes to laying the foundation for early STEM education.

Why Sesame Street is Great for STEM Learning

In a nutshell, STEM learning is all about problem-solving, curiosity, and exploration. Teaching STEM and scientific inquiry to children early is crucial — a 2016 study published in Educational Researcher found that general knowledge gaps in kindergarten and first grade can predict science achievement gaps in third grade, which persist through eighth grade.

In Sesame Street, episodes often feature these elements through familiar and engaging characters like Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Grover. An excellent example of a Sesame Street episode that incorporates STEM elements is the one featuring Super Grover 2.0 helping a cow get down a flight of stairs. In this episode, Super Grover observes that the stairs are bumpy and concludes that the cow needs something smooth to walk on. After accidentally creating a ramp by dropping a board, the concept of a ramp as a simple machine is introduced. The episode teaches children about problem-solving, observation, and the use of simple machines like ramps to make tasks easier. This aligns with STEM principles by encouraging experimentation, critical thinking, and learning through trial and error.

Speaking of Grover, as Kate Stringer mentions in this article, the team’s science advisers pointed out that “what made Grover seem like the worst candidate for teaching STEM actually made him the logical choice. Because of his propensity for mistakes and his relentless determination, Grover was the perfect relatable, engaging, hilarious, fluffy science teacher for early learners. Young children needed a good science teacher who learned the way they did: through trial and error.”

The article, titled "Why Grover is the STEM Monster", discusses the reinvention of Grover as Super Grover 2.0 to teach STEM concepts like observation and problem-solving. It highlights his catchphrase, “Now I will unleash the power of observation!” as part of his STEM-focused adventures.

STEM concepts are woven throughout Sesame Street, making learning fun and relatable for young viewers. The show introduces science through nature exploration, simple experiments, and basic physics, helping kids understand how things work—from computers to simple machines. Engineering is brought to life with building activities, bridge-making, and problem-solving challenges, while math is seamlessly integrated through counting, recognizing shapes, identifying patterns, and developing spatial awareness. Everyday situations like cooking, fixing objects, or exploring the natural world further reinforce STEM concepts, showing children how science, technology, engineering, and math are part of their daily lives.

How Parents Can Reinforce STEM Learning at Home

Interestingly, while kids are learning STEM principles without even realising it and while having fun, it seems that Sesame Street hopes to educate parents as well. “The more adults hear scientific vocabulary and concepts, the more they can practice them with their children. Educating and entertaining both age groups is what Ferraro called the “secret sauce” of Sesame Street” Kate mentions.

As parents, consider Sesame Street STEM-focused episodes as learning prompts. It can be very useful to ask questions such as “What did Elmo learn about ramps?”, “How did Grover solve the problem with his invention?” These questions not only reinforce the concepts introduced in the show but also help children connect them to real-life situations. For example, when Elmo learns about ramps, parents can point out how ramps are used in everyday life, like in playground slides, wheelchair access, or loading docks. Similarly, Grover’s problem-solving adventures can spark conversations about how tools and machines—like levers or pulleys—help us accomplish tasks more efficiently.

Tinkerer’s Hands-On STEM Activities Inspired by Sesame Street

At Tinkerer, we have a few DIY projects that were inspired by Sesame Street’s hands-on learning. For example, our Ramp Running Chicken Origami involves creating a ramp and observing how the chicken origami moves down it, introducing children to concepts of physics and engineering. It aligns with Sesame Street's approach to teaching STEM through simple machines and hands-on problem-solving activities, such as using ramps to demonstrate motion and gravity.

In addition, our Cube Bubble activity explores geometry and engineering by constructing a cube-shaped bubble frame and observing how bubbles behave within it. This mirrors Sesame Street's focus on teaching math concepts like shapes and spatial awareness while encouraging curiosity about scientific phenomena.

Setting Up a Sesame Street-Inspired STEM Learning Routine

Creating a fun and engaging STEM routine at home is easy with inspiration from Sesame Street educational activities. Start by setting up a dedicated STEM corner with building blocks, simple science tools like magnifying glasses or measuring cups, and art supplies to encourage creativity. Incorporate STEM activities for preschoolers into daily life by involving children in cooking (measuring ingredients), solving simple problems, or exploring nature while asking “why” and “how” questions. Encourage hands-on learning with Sesame Street by letting kids experiment freely, even if it gets messy! Asking open-ended questions like “What do you think will happen?” helps promote critical thinking and curiosity, just like the Muppets do on the show.

How STEAM Subscription Kits Can Enhance Learning

Research consistently shows that children learn STEM concepts most effectively through hands-on activities and play. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), play is essential for developing critical 21st-century skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity. A 2018 AAP report even recommended that doctors prescribe play for children, emphasising its role in brain development and learning. Play-based STEM activities allow children to experiment, take risks, and explore real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, and maths, through creativity and time away from the screens.

Our STEAM subscription kits offer exciting, hands-on projects that complement the curiosity sparked by Sesame Street, helping kids explore science, engineering, and math in a fun and interactive way. Take our Solar Oven for example, as part of our Odyssey Box - it teaches children about solar energy, heat transfer, and sustainability in an engaging and hands-on manner. Each of our boxes resonate with Sesame Street’s educational activities, and make great STEM or STEAM activities for preschoolers.

Conclusion: Making STEM Fun with Sesame Street

In conclusion, STEM learning doesn’t have to be complicated. Starting with Sesame Street educational activities is a fantastic way to introduce foundational STEM concepts to young learners. By integrating STEM into everyday experiences and hands-on activities, children can develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills that will serve them for life. Research even shows that early exposure to STEM between the ages of 5 and 8 significantly increases the likelihood of pursuing STEM-related careers later in life, with 53% of individuals in STEM-heavy jobs reporting early exposure during this critical period. With tools like Sesame Street, our monthly subscription boxes, and playful learning opportunities, we can inspire a lifelong love for discovery and exploration.