Track your child's STEM journey
A semester-by-semester record of projects, competitions, leadership roles, and skills — the material every selective application asks for. Built around the Explore → Build → Compete → Lead → Research → Showcase framework.
With an account: add entries one at a time, edit anytime, print a clean PDF when you need it. Or skim the planner template below — no signup required.
How to use this planner
STEM credentials don't come from collecting activities. They come from depth, ownership, challenge, reflection, and impact — five signals admissions readers actually look for. This planner gives you a place to record each, semester by semester, so a 12th-grader can write an honest application essay from real material instead of trying to remember what they did in 9th.
The stages below are how strong STEM journeys typically unfold. Pick the one your child is currently in — that's your focus this semester.
Try multiple STEM areas without pressure.
Create real projects and learn tools.
Join structured challenges, learn from feedback.
Take ownership, mentor others, manage a team.
Ask original questions, investigate deeply.
Document work — portfolios, papers, demos, results.
Student information
Project log
A "project" is anything they built, designed, coded, or made — not a homework assignment. Robots, apps, science fair projects, papers, drone builds, mods. The "what failed and what improved" lines are the most valuable for later essays.
Competition log
Every contest entered counts — not just the ones with awards. Effort visible in the prep is what admissions readers see in essays.
Leadership & mentorship
"Member of" doesn't read as leadership. "Designed the X subsystem" or "Mentored 5 freshmen" does. Be specific.
Skills tracker
Tools, languages, frameworks, instruments. Update once per semester. "Familiar" → "Comfortable" → "Strong" → "Teaching others".
| Skill / tool / technique | Level | Year picked up | Evidence (project name or competition) |
|---|---|---|---|
Semester reflection
Fill this in as a family at the end of each semester — 10 minutes, no judgment. Patterns over time tell you whether to pivot or deepen.