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Hey, glad to have you here. Be sure to visit the TCEA TechNotes blog at https://www.tcea.org/blog/stem-sparkles-for-student-learners/ to learn about other great STEM activities and sites that Make STEM Sparkle for your students.

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Discover fun and innovative ways to get your children or students hooked on STEM tools. This blogs showcases both free and fee-based ideas.

Looking for STEM tools and toys for young learners? In this blog entry, we explore some highly-rated toys and tools. We also discuss inspiring girls to get into STEM, Do It Yourself STEM projects, and video ideas. Designed to heighten STEM learning experiences for youngsters, each may be worth investigating further.

The Rationale for STEM Tools and Toys

Many future jobs require STEM skills. One approach for accomplishing that involves providing young learners with STEM tools and toys.

Beth Holloway, director of the Women in Engineering Program at Purdue University, says toys that help children figure out how to turn their ideas into reality - toys that let them design and build something, for instance - are a great first step in inspiring them to consider a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) career. "Toys like that will help children realize that they can make an impact on the world through their ideas," she says. (source)

Holloways points out that STEM tools/toys can have an impact on young women, too. "Parents need to provide girls with toys that indulge their feminine side, but also those that allow them to feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from designing and building something," says Holloway. Let's remember, though, that most STEM jobs are focused in the coding area. To engage girls, STEM activities need to 1) Make coding as a creative and collaborative activity; 2) Teach computational thinking; and 3) Add real-world problem solving (source).

Engaging Young Women

Want to inspire girls with real life stories from STEM women? Introduce them to the 1,000 STEM Women project. The goal of the project is to provide an easy-to-access resource for K-12 learners that makes meeting amazing female STEM role models possible. Take a look at Engineer Girl for more inspiring women engineers sharing their stories.

Here are some examples from the 1,000 STEM Women Project:

Ready to explore some STEM tools and toys? Let's get started with some Pinterest Do It Yourself (DIY) projects.

DIY STEM Projects

"Where did you get your idea for that project?" I asked a second grade teacher who was sharing a STEM project at a San Angelo, Tx TCEA area conference. "Pinterest!" she replied with a smile. "I find most of my ideas there." To be honest, it had never occurred to me to look on Pinterest. Yet you can find many DIY STEM projects appropriate for home or classroom there. Here are my top five favorite Pinterest boards:

STEM Videos for the Do It Yourself-er

You can also combine DIY projects with a video, similar to the updated versions of the practical learning Mr. Wizard television show introduced to some of us in our younger years. Who wouldn't want to make their own electromagnet? Now you can catch videos via Instagram, too. Some of my favorite science-focused Instagram images and/or videos include:

Why not create your own Instagram sharing space? Or explore YouTube for STEM DIY projects, such as these from Lanakila Malua, Brittany Hogan, and Red Ted Art. You can find even more project ideas in video form. Check out Curiosity Machine, Exploratorium Video, and PBS Design Squad Videos (requires Flash).

STEM Activity Idea: Create Short Instagram Videos as a Student STEM Challenge by Ben Newsome
With a point of the camera and using some simple content creation apps, your students could be documenting the science experiments, challenges, and questions that are raised in your classroom for other classes to learn from, plus they're a good reflection tool in their own right. By using InstagramTM as the medium, you could set a science communication challenge to your students whereby they have to explain a given concept to their peers. You could run this as a competition across your school in a similar way to Alan Alda's Flame Challenge, whereby people from around the world compete to create a compelling explanation of a science topic that an 11-year-old could find interesting and entertaining (eg. What is energy?).

If you have your own Pinterest board or curated list, why not share it? More on how to share at the end of this blog entry.

STEM Tools and Toys

These toys and tools present various approaches. Often, parents and teachers are looking for "turnkey" solutions or kits. There are many kits that can be used in a home or classroom setting. Here are my top three favorite tools and/or toys, along with links to websites where you can find more ideas. What would you add or include that I haven't?

Sunprint ($11.59): "The SunPrint Solar Paper lets you makes beautiful pictures by placing objects on the paper and exposing it to the sun. The paper undergoes a chemical change. The Sunprint paper can be used for a creative, solar art project," says the Amazon description.

Cubetto ($222.95): TCEA's Ashley Weiler introduced me to Cubetto. Montessori-approved, this is a "coding toy for girls and boys ages 3 and up. It takes coding out of the screen and into the real world with a programming language you can touch. Children help Cubetto, a friendly wooden robot, navigate a magical world by writing their first programs using hands-on coding blocks."

Tynker app + Parrot Mambo Minidrone ($): Learning to code with algorithms (sets of instructions that are repeated to automate and simplify coding) is fun with the Tynker app (Android/iOS) and the Mambo drone. Learners can "experience the thrill of flight and accomplishment as they learn to program Parrot drones using Tynker's intuitive visual programming language. Children can pilot drones through extreme maneuvers, grasping objects and flying aerial combat missions, all with the power of code."

Helping young children build a strong foundation in coding can build key future ready skills. What's more, you can encourage participation in the annual STEM Video Game Challenge for middle and high school students.

Want to explore some more?

Check out these various sites recommending STEM tools and toys. Don't forget, TCEA is curating a STEM-focused padlet with many more resources. Share your favorite STEM ideas, tools, toys and websites in this Padlet.

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STEM Tools, DIY Projects, and Toys - TechNotes Blog - TCEA

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Discover fun and innovative ways to get your children or students hooked on STEM tools. This blogs showcases both free and fee-based ideas. Looking for STEM tools and toys for young learners? In this blog entry, we explore some highly-rated toys and tools.

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https://www.doane.edu/1000-stem-women-project

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Have you tried a Concept Builder lately? You should. This growing collection of cognitively-rich exercises will focus student attention on discrete learning goals. Filled with interactive elements, this section is the perfect tool for getting students thinking about the meaning of concepts. Perfect for students and 1:1 classrooms using iPads, Chromebooks, and the like. And for Chemistry types, we've added a large collection of Chemistry Concept Builders.

Minds On Physics - Version 5 is the HTML5 version of Minds On Physics that replaces our App and Legacy versions. Relying on a large bank of carefully crafted questions, Minds On Physics seeks to improve students' conceptions of physics. "MOPs" combines interactive questioning modules with a thorough, question-specific Help system to engage students in an exercise in thinking, reflecting and learning. Version 5 is our best-yet version of Minds On Physics. There is a fully functional free version and a paid version that integrates seamlessly with our Task Tracker system and offers some rather enticing features.

Version 2 of the Calculator Pad is now available. Our newest version includes >2500 Physics and Chemistry problems organized into >250 ready-to-use problem sets. Numerical information is randomly-generated. An answer box allows students to solve and check their answers. Most problems are accompanied by an audio-guided solution that explains how to solve a similar problem while hilighting the habits that can be adopted for solving any problem. Teachers with Task Tracker accounts can modify problems and problem sets and even create their own problems. Task Tracker also allows teachers to assign problems to their students and track their progress.

Concept Checkers were built to coordinate with the Physics Interactives section of our website. Relying upon our Task Tracker tool to deliver questions, check answers, and track student progress, a Concept Checker is designed to coordinate with an interactive simulation. Use it as a follow-up check to understanding after exploring the simulation. Most sims are accompanied by a Concept Checker. Some sims have Task Tracker code built into the simulation. But not all sims will have a Concept Checker. Concept Checkers can be used with or without a Task Tracker account.

The Science Reasoning Center is our most recent upgrade. This section (once complete) will include more than 50 activities that are perfect for encouraging scientific reasoning skills. Students use science and engineering practices, combined with cross cutting science concepts and core ideas from the disciplines of physics (and chemistry) to analyze phenomenon, experiments, and data presentations. NOTE: We broke ground in April of 2023; we should have a large portion of content available by August of 2023. We will continue work throughout the 2023-24 school year.

A collection of pages with questions and answers/explanations which serve as reviews or practice. Each review complements a chapter from The Physics Classroom Tutorial.

A variety of question-and-answer pages which target specific concepts and skills. Topics range from the graphical analysis of motion and drawing free body diagrams to a discussion of vectors and vector addition.

Calling all high school juniors: You've trusted The Physics Classroom to help prepare you for that unit exam in physics. Why not trust us to help prepare you for the biggest test of the year - the ACT test? That's right. Let the TPC help you with the ACT.

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The Physics Classroom serves students, teachers and classrooms by providing classroom-ready resources that utilize an easy-to-understand language that makes learning interactive and multi-dimensional. Written by teachers for teachers and students, The Physics Classroom provides a wealth of resources that meets the varied needs of both students and teachers.

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Water Bottle Fountain: Engineering Challenge Project ~ Great STEM Activity

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Water Bottle Fountain: Engineering Challenge Project ~ Great STEM Activity!  $

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You will be thrilled to know that there are tons of you CAN do with recycled materials! Whether you call it eco-friendly, frugal, inexpensive, or cheap, it is possible that all kids can have an awesome STEM experience with very little out of pocket costs. Gather your resources, I mean your recycling bins, and let's get started!

RECYCLING ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS FOR KIDS!

RECYCLING SCIENCE PROJECTS

What kinds of recyclables are perfect for these recycling activities below? Almost anything! Plastic bottles, tin cans, cardboard tubes and boxes, newspapers, old technology like computers and old CDs, and any odds or ends that look cool.

There are also many items like styrofoam and packaging materials that can be saved from the trash bin and upcycled into cool recycling projects.

MORE STEM RESOURCES

I like to keep a bin of supplies on-hand such as tape, glue, paper clips, string, scissors, markers, paper, rubber bands, and anything else you think your kids can use to build or engineer their recycling projects.
Looking for easy to print activities, and inexpensive problem-based challenges? We have you covered... Click below to get your quick and easy STEM challenges.
RECYCLING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

Check out the 20 recycling activities below by clicking on the links. I would also like to add that you can use your trash and recycling items to build boats to float, cars to go, and planes to fly. You can also look around and see what you already have to build structures for a quick STEM idea.

Check out these 7 STEM activities you can do with a few simple household items. Fill a paper bag or two with recyclables for these fun STEM challenges.

Turn all your leftover cardboard tubes into something fun and useful with this marble run STEM activity.

This is a great Earth Day STEM activity to make use of your collection of recyclables. Make a simple machine for kids with this hand crank winch project.

Design and create a DIY kaleidoscope for kids using recyclable materials for a simple recycling activity.

A few recyclable materials and some imagination is all it takes to build a fun droid or robot with this cool recycling project.

Make your own super fun rocket ship box from a large cardboard box.

Do you have kids who love to take things apart, broken or not broken? Why not let them take apart a computer, with a bit of assistance. My son thought this was the coolest recycling activity ever!

MORE AWESOME RECYCLING IDEAS FOR KIDS

RECYCLED PLASTIC FLOWERS CRAFT Left Brian Craft Brain

SHRINKING PLASTIC CUP EXPERIMENT Left Brian Craft Brain

BUILDING WITH NEWSPAPERS Modern Parents Messy Kids

DIY RUBBERBAND RACE CAR Your Modern Dad

MAKE A BUBBLE SNAKE WITH A PLASTIC BOTTLE The Mum In The Mad House

RECYCLED SPINNING TOPS Artsy Momma

RECYCLED BALLOON POWERED CAR Hello Wonderful

BUILD A BRIDGE Inspiration Laboratories

I hope these recycling activities and projects are just what you need to fuel your kids' passions for all things STEM or STEAM. I bet you will stumble onto more great ideas along the way!

I even bet you will create some awesome challenges of your own. All of these recycled STEM activities are a great springboard for your own creativity!

FUN RECYCLING ACTIVITIES FOR EVERYONE!

Click on the link or on the image below for more easy engaging STEM activities for kids.
Looking for easy to print activities, and inexpensive problem-based challenges? We have you covered... Click below to get your quick and easy STEM challenges.

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Recycling Science Projects For Kids | Little Bins for Little Hands

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You will be thrilled to know that there are tons of STEM activities you CAN do with recycled materials! Whether you call it eco-friendly, frugal, inexpensive, or cheap, it is possible that all kids can have an awesome STEM experience with very little out of pocket costs.

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by DS Examiner

I could go on and on about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers. How job openings are predicted to soar to over one million by 2020. How the U.S. government is freaking out that students aren't prepared.

But I won't. Because, frankly, this guide to STEM opportunities is for you:

You're going to take the first step on Mars.

You're going to plant farms on skyscrapers.

You're going to discover a cure for cancer.

Nuclear fusion. Virtual reality. Clean water for all. With the world facing 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering, your interest in math and science is set to pay off-big time.

You'll be the one using your problem-solving skills to find answers to impossible challenges.

You'll be the scientist leading an exploration of the Mariana Trench or the engineer building a next-generation robot.

You'll be the graduate finding a great job and earning a hefty salary.

It's your life. Know that amazing things are possible.

STEM Fun for Kids Grades K-12

Cool STEM Websites

Ask Dr. Universe: Washington State University's Ask Dr. Universe allows kids to explore various STEM topics and get answers to common questions. Have a question not covered on the site? Submit it on their "Ask" page!

Code.org: No one is too young (or old, I might add) to code. Learn how to build an iPhone game, write your first computer program, draw in JavaScript and much more.

Engineering, Go for It! (eGFI): Discover the nuts and bolts of engineering. This website contains advice on careers, entertaining info on all kinds of fields and links to the eGFI magazine.

EPA Students: Searching for news on the environment, homework resources, info on contests or ideas for an environment-based school project? Check out this website run by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Exploratorium: One of my favorites. The website of the San Francisco-based Exploratorium is jam-packed with interactive activities, videos, apps, links and more.

Extreme Science: Extremely interesting. Here you'll find wild and weird facts about nature, resources for science projects and info on all kinds of world records.

How Stuff Works: I visit this website every day. It has hundreds upon thousands of articles that explain the wonders of science (and almost everything else on the planet).

Museum of Science + Industry Chicago Online Science: Apps and activities and videos, oh my! Play games, watch baby chicks hatching, create virtual chemical reactions or use forensic science to analyze different types of candy.

NASA Education for Students: Career information, image galleries, NASA Television, features and articles ... whatever you'd like to know about aerospace, you're sure to find it here.

NASA Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA): SEMAA was developed to increase the participation of historically underserved K-12 youth in STEM fields. School activities and summer sessions are held throughout the nation.

NOVA: The website for PBS's popular science show is overflowing with videos and articles. Explore the wonders of evolution, nature, physics, math-practically any STEM subject that rings your bell.

Science Buddies: Get stuck on science. This website has over 1,000 ideas for science fair projects, project guides, project kits and detailed profiles of STEM careers.

Science Channel: Question everything. Along with a rundown on the Science Channel's TV programs, this website has plenty of videos, quizzes, games and the latest science news.

STEM-Works: In addition to articles and job information, STEM-Works has stocked their site with interesting activities. Test your skills in the reptile quiz. Rescue an athlete in the Bionic Games. Or, simply follow the path of great whites with the Global Shark Tracker.

TechRocket: A year-round online learning destination for kids and teens. Use the promo code "MIDSFREE" to get a free first month!

Tynker: A computing platform that allows children to develop programming skills through fun, creative courses. Join the millions of kids from around the country learning to code with Tynker!

STEM Challenges and Contests

Siemen's We Can Change the World Challenge: You have the power to save the planet. In Siemen's K-12 environmental sustainability competition, teams from across the country compete to improve their own communities. Lots of prizes.

Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision: ExploraVision is a K-12 science competition with a difference. Teams of two to four students work with a teacher to simulate the challenges of real research and development.

STEM Awards

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes: This annual prize honors 25 outstanding young leaders (age 8 to 18) who have made a significant positive difference to people and/or the environment. The top 10 winners receive a $5,000 cash award to support their education.

The NEED Project's Annual Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement: NEED's annual award was established to recognize K-12 students who achieve excellence in energy education in their schools or communities.

President's Environmental Youth Awards: The PEYA program celebrates K-12 students, school classes, summer camps or youth organizations that are promoting environmental stewardship. Every year, one outstanding project from each region is selected for national recognition.

STEM Career Resources

Bureau of Labor Statistics K-12: The U.S. Department of Labor has been busy. Here you'll find charts, maps and many other resources on careers and the U.S. economy.

WeUseMath.org: Ever wondered (as I frequently did) when you're going to use math in real life? This website on math careers has more than a few answers.

Government STEM Initiatives

Educate to Innovate: Launched in 2009, Educate to Innovate aims to move U.S. students from the middle to the top of the heap in science and math achievement. It's spawned a number of federal efforts and philanthropic initiatives (see below).

STEM AmeriCorps: This multi-year initiative is focused on placing AmeriCorps members in STEM non-profits (such as FIRST) to work in underserved communities.

White House Science Fair: At this science fair, the President serves as the host! Students are honored for innovative projects, designs and experiments while the White House streams the event live.

Women in STEM: In collaboration with the White House Council on Women and Girls, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has instigated a number of efforts to increase the participation of girls in STEM subjects.

Philanthropic STEM Initiatives

Change the Equation: Led by CEOs, this nonprofit seeks to mobilize the business community to improve the quality of STEM education across the U.S.

Connect a Million Minds (CAMM): Sponsored by Time Warner Cable, CAMM is a five-year, $100 million philanthropic initiative that aims to inspire students to develop STEM skills.

US2020.org: The ultimate aim of this nonprofit is to mobilize one million STEM mentors annually by 2020.

Youth Inspired Challenge (YIC): Created by the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), YIC is designed to expand the impact of STEM learning outside the classroom.

STEM Fun for Elementary School Kids

Cool STEM Websites

PBS Kids

Cyberchase: Help Jackie, Matt and Inez use math to protect the digital universe from evil. Don't worry: Cyberchase has lots of math games, videos and activities to aid you in your quest.

Design Squad Nation: Design anything (!) your mind might imagine. Through Design Squad challenges, videos and tutorials, you'll discover all there is to know about engineering principles.

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!: Pre-K STEM games, activities and videos galore. The adventurous Cat in the Hat is even ready to lead you on an exotic math safari adventure

The Greens: Wondering what you can do to protect the planet? The Greens have some great ideas, including games, activity guides and their very own carbon calculator.

Lifeboat to Mars: Explore the world of biology with this free online game. In one simulation (Microland) you control hungry microbes. In another (Ecoland), you have to balance out the space station's ecosystem.

Zoom: Hot science and cool ideas. You'll find all kinds of activities and experiments on Zoom's website, including things like lemon juice rockets, crazy straw bridges and bubble cities.

Science Games and Apps

Math Games and Apps

STEM Contests

Junior FIRST® LEGO® League: Are you a LEGO® fiend? Then this is the contest for you. You'll use LEGO® bricks to design and build a moving model; then, you'll assemble a Show Me poster to showcase your solution. For kids age 6 to 9.

NSBE KidZone Elementary Science Olympiad: Collect a team and test your science skills in 18 different events at the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) National Convention. Open to grades three to five. Those in kindergarten through second grade compete in a non-competitive league.

Perennial Math Tournaments: A virtual math tournament (via videoconferencing) for both teams and individuals. Open to grades three to eight.

STEM Camps

Audubon Nature Camps: Audobon offers a ton of Nature Camps throughout the country. Beginning in April, they start taking applications for Wild Birds Pathways to Nature.

Camp Invention: Daydreams become discoveries at this summer day camp. Created by the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Camp Invention presents essential STEM concepts through creative hands-on activities.

Camp KAOS: To infinity and beyond! These cool flight and space adventure-themed camps take place at the Smithsonian-affiliated Kansas Cosmophere and Space Center (KAOS) in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Destination Science Camp: Spend a week this summer creating robots, building a digital music system, training an electric-powered chameleon or even preparing for a mission to the moon! Held at 130 locations in six states.

Digital Media Academy Adventures Camp: Digital Media's award-winning camps cover everything from cartoon creation to computer programming to advanced robotics with LEGO® EV3. For kids age 8 to 12.

Engineering for Kids: Engineering for Kids is an education company for kids age 4 to 14. It offers a variety of STEM programs, including in-school field trips, birthday parties, workshops and camps.

Engineering Summer Camps: Interested in building the world's future? The Engineering Education Service Center has put together a state-by-state list of engineering summer camps.

iD Tech Camps: The sky's the limit at iD Tech's day and overnight camps. Make your own video game, program your own app or even code in Java.

KinderCare® Summer Camps: From the wacky wet science of water to the basics of surviving in the wilderness, KinderCare offers a variety of programs for pre-K through school-age kids.

Science Explorers: Sharks and submarines, potions and slime, castles and catapults .. whatever you love, these science summer camps have just the activity for you. Offered in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Snapology: Snapology partners with schools around the country to offer STEAM programs, contests, and camps. The programs are interactive, which allows kids to learn through hands-on instruction and play. Programs are offered in a number of different formats, including after school, on weekends, and over the summer.

Vision Tech Camps: Vision Tech offers camps for kids ages 7-17 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Camp topics include robotics, programming, minecraft, and more.

Youth Digital Summer Camps: Design 3-D models for Minecraft, create your own video game or even direct a 3-D animation! These camps focused on digital technology are held in various southern cities. For kids age 8 to 16.

STEM Career Resources

Career Aisle: Elementary: Dreaming about what you want to be when you grow up? These videos about jobs in science, technology, engineering and math can help you decide.

Note: There are plenty of state and regional organizations that didn't make it onto my list. If you're interested in local camps, scholarships and after-school activities, I also recommend checking with your teachers and school.

STEM Fun for Middle School Kids

Cool STEM Websites

The Big Brain Theory - Discovery Channel: Competitors on this TV show have just 30 minutes to come up with a solution to an (seemingly) impossible engineering challenge.

Bill Nye the Science Guy: Bill's entertaining television episodes cover everything from comets to the science of music. Have some fun with his home demos.

Chi Alpha Mu: Otherwise known as the National Junior Mathematics Club, Chi Alpha Mu is the younger sibling of Mu Alpha Theta. Check out its list of contests and summer grants.

Environmental Health Student Portal: Interested in learning more about chemicals, air quality and water pollution? This website has videos, games and experiments to help you along.

Kids Ahead: A STEM bonanza. Kids Ahead is packed with all kinds of resources, including scavenger hunts, videos, articles, links to local activities and fun events and info on cool jobs, that inspire and excite.

MathMovesU: Hone your math skills with online games, virtual thrill rides and national competitions! MathMovesU also offers a variety of scholarships and sponsorships.

MythBusters - Discovery Channel: The folks at MythBusters use experiments to bust rumors, myths and urban legends. (During their Cannonball Chemistry experiment, they accidentally drove a cannonball through the side of a house.)

Sally Ride Science: Founded by America's first female astronaut, Sally Ride Science hosts a number of student programs, including science festivals and overnight camps.

Science Bob: Bob is a science teacher who loves to experiment (often on Jimmy Kimmel). His website has videos, links and plenty of ideas for build-your-own experiments and science fair projects.

SciJinks: It's all about the weather. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) and NASA put together this educational website to teach kids about meteorology and earth science. Check out their games section.

Scratch: Designed for kids age 8 to 16, Scratch is a place where you can program your own interactive stories, games and animations. A project of the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab.

TechRocket: A great learning tool for kids interested in programming, graphic design, and more! Use the promo code "MIDSFREE" to get a free first month!

STEM Games and Apps

STEM Camps

Science and Technology Contests

Math Contests

AMC 8: Test your math skills in this 25-question, 40-minute multiple choice contest (held every November).

MATHCOUNTS Competition Series: MATHCOUNTS holds a series of "bee-style" contests in over 500 local chapters. Top teams advance to the state competition and then to the National Competition in May.

MATHCOUNTS Math Video Challenge: Create your very own math video with your friends and classmates and be in the running to win a college scholarship!

Perennial Math Tournaments: A virtual math tournament (via videoconferencing) for both teams and individuals. Open to grades three to eight.

Rocket City Math League (RCML): Sponsored by Mu Alpha Theta, RCML is a year-long, four-round math competition. Trophies are mailed to top-ranked middle school and high school students at the end of the year.

U.S.A. Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS): Pit your problem-solving skills against some of the toughest conundrums out there. Because of the level of difficulty, USAMTS allows students a full month or more to work out solutions.

STEM Career Resources

Career Aisle: Middle School: Wondering what the future might hold? Explore some of the options available to you in science, technology, engineering and math. Lots of videos.

Kids.gov Jobs: Get the skinny on every job under the sun. Wondering what marine biologists do? Want to watch a video on becoming a veterinarian? You're in the right place.

iON Future: If website browsing isn't your style, you can always play this free STEM career exploration game. It's geared toward middle school and early high school students.

NASA Look to the Future: Careers in Space: You don't have to be an astronaut to work in the space program. NASA has a list of other professions, including robotics engineer, computer scientist and oceanographer, for you to consider.

Note: There are plenty of state and regional organizations that didn't make it onto my list. If you're interested in local camps, scholarships and after-school activities, I also recommend checking with your teachers and school.

STEM Fun for High School Kids

Cool STEM Websites

Arrick Robotics: This the prettiest website in the world, but if you're looking for robotics resources, this is the place to be. Includes lists of competitions and contests, groups and clubs, games and simulation.

Codeacademy: Learn to code interactively (and for free). Codeacademy offers coding classes in major programming languages like Python, PHP, jQuery, JavaScript and Ruby.

DiscoverE: Thinking about engineering? DiscoverE has a selection of resources on careers, preparing for college and research schools. You might also want to check out their list of videos, trips, websites and hands-on activities.

Mu Alpha Theta: Also known as the National High School and Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta has over 100,000 student members. It organizes a national math convention, offers special awards and provides competitions.

Student Science: A central spot for science news, blogs, resources and information about Intel competitions. Sample article titles include "Native 'snot'" and "A library with no books."

TechRocket: Neat tool for exploring programming languages, 2D and 3D game design, and more. Use the promo code "MIDSFREE" to get a free first month!

STEM Games and Apps

STEM Camps

Science and Technology Contests

Math Contests

STEM Grants and Opportunities

InvenTeam: InventTeams are made up of students, teachers and mentors who receive grants of up to $10,000 to devise technological solutions to real-world problems (you can choose your own problem).

iSTEM Scholars Program: Live in California and looking at a STEM-related profession? You might want to consider this after-school and summer program. You'll go on field trips, receive individual tutoring and be prepped for national tests.

Planet Connect Student Grants: Have a passion for protecting wildlife and native habitats? Planet Connect offers high school students grants of $1,000 to implement local projects and participate in wildlife or natural resource internships.

STEM Career Resources

Note: There are plenty of state and regional organizations that didn't make it onto my list. If you're interested in local camps, scholarships and after-school activities, I also recommend checking with your teachers and school.

STEM Fun for Girls

Cool STEM Websites

STEM Awards

NSTA Angela Award: The National Science Teachers Association awards a $1,000 US EE Savings Bond to one female student in fifth through eighth grade who is involved in or has a strong connection to science.

STEM Camps

Note: There are plenty of state and regional organizations that didn't make it onto my list. If you're interested in local camps, scholarships and after-school activities, I also recommend checking with your teachers and school.

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The Ultimate STEM Guide for Kids: 239 Cool Sites

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by DS Examiner I could go on and on about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers. How job openings are predicted to soar to over one million by 2020. How the U.S. government is freaking out that students aren't prepared. But I won't.

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This site requires Adobe Flash. http://content3.jason.org/resource_content/content/digitallab/4859/misc_content/public/coaster.html

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STEM-Works - Science, Technology, Math & Engineering Resources for Kids

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A resource for teachers, mentors, parents, STEM professionals and volunteers eager to help children learn about science, technology, engineering and math.

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Be creative and help people with engineering at DESIGN SQUAD GLOBAL. Watch videos, play games, try activities, and share designs with the community.

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STEM Curriculum Resources by Dr. Wesley Fryer - iPad Coding

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I have a cart of iPads in my classroom for student use, so I’m very interested in STEM-related iPad apps!

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http://stem.wesfryer.com/home/catapults
http://www.knightforhire.com/catapult.htm

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A MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ONLINE GAME (MMOG) with SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING and MATHEMATICS (STEM) TOPICS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

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A MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ONLINE GAME (MMOG) with SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING and MATHEMATICS (STEM) TOPICS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

The Radix Endeavor has retired (March 2020)

Thanks for your interest in The Radix Endeavor! Radix means a lot to us as a learning game and research project. After more than seven years, we no longer have the capacity to maintain the game or keep it alive in a technology outside of Flash. Going forward, this website will serve as an archive of our journey through the Radix Endeavor project. To every player who has enjoyed Radix: thank you for your time with us on this endeavor.

- The Radix Team (and The Shumberts)

MIT's Education Arcade and Scheller Teacher Education Program received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop an immersive virtual learning experience supporting high school math and biology instruction. Working collaboratively with teachers, we have created The Radix Endeavor, a multi-player online game set on the Island of Ysola.

What is it?

The Radix Endeavor is a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) for STEM learning (science, technology, engineering and math) in middle and high school. A MMOG is a a 2- or 3-D graphical, simulated world played online where individuals take on a digital character, or avatar, that they use to represent themselves in this virtual space. They can interact with the designed environment in which activities take place, and also with other individuals' avatars or non-player avatars that are part of the narrative. To learn more about The Radix Endeavor, check out our blog with more information on design ideas and curriculum coverage.

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Thanks for your interest in The Radix Endeavor! Radix means a lot to us as a learning game and research project. After more than seven years, we no longer have the capacity to maintain the game or keep it alive in a technology outside of Flash.

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Read reviews, compare customer ratings, see screenshots, and learn more about Motion Analyzer. Download Motion Analyzer and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

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Read reviews, compare customer ratings, see screenshots, and learn more about Vernier Video Physics. Download Vernier Video Physics and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

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Read reviews, compare customer ratings, see screenshots, and learn more about SimplePhysics. Download SimplePhysics and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

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Need a quick way to introduce students and/or staff to SketchUp Pro, available from TCEA for free? Use this multimedia text set chock-full of activities!

Texas public school districts have free access to an expensive design program known as SketchUp Pro (and the companion browser-based alternative, MySketchUp) through TCEA. As schools start the school year, you may be looking for ways to introduce students and staff to SketchUp Pro. Why not use this multimedia text set (MMTS) to get you started?

You can view the online, click-friendly version or get a copy you can customize.

How to Get Your Own Copy

To get your own copy of the MMTS shared above, follow these simple instructions:

1. Login in to your Google account.

2. Click on this link Sketch Up Pro Multimedia Text Set (MMTS).

3. When prompted, click the button "Make a copy."

4. That's it! You'll have your own copy.

Wait, you want the Adobe PDF version? Find it here, along with the Microsoft Word version.

Get SketchUp

With a Google account, you can do the interior design work using the newly-released My.SketchUp.com. And if you want the full power of SketchUp Pro (a $695 value), fill out a short form through TCEA. Private schools can obtain SketchUp Pro EDU licenses for as low as $15 per seat per year.

Use SketchUp on Chromebooks, Windows, and Macs

Available for Mac and Windows computers, SketchUp Pro now comes as a web version usable on Chromebooks. What's more, SketchUp Mobile Viewer ($13.99) allows SketchUp models to be viewed on the iPad.

As my colleague put it, "SketchUp is 3D modeling software that lets you create anything you can imagine. It's powerful enough to build complex projects, yet is easy to learn and use." Their work appears in SketchUp's 3D Warehouse, which houses millions of models. Simple enough to use that grade 3 through adult learners rely on SketchUp for a variety of tasks. SketchUp can be integrated into a wide variety of classes.

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An Activity to Explore SketchUp Pro - TechNotes Blog - TCEA

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Need a quick way to introduce students and/or staff to SketchUp Pro, available from TCEA for free? Use this multimedia text set chock-full of activities! Texas public school districts have free access to an expensive design program known as SketchUp Pro (and the companion browser-based alternative, MySketchUp) through TCEA.

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Read reviews, compare customer ratings, see screenshots, and learn more about Bridge Constructor. Download Bridge Constructor and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

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Features a rich variety of STEM activities, including Elsa's Ice Palace activity

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STEM Learning For Young Architects With Shape Mags

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Homebound But Hopeful shares a review of the perfect STEM learning toy for young architects- Shape Mags! Includes a printable color game for the blocks.

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You can now perform advanced experiments to achieve core science learning outcomes.

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Labster | Virtual Labs for Universities and High Schools

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Labster empowers educators to reimagine their science courses with immersive online simulations. Request a demo to discover how Labster engages students, trains lab skills, and accelerates learning.

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DIY Nano App - iPhone and iPad versions | NISE Network

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The DIY Nano app (for iPhones) and DIY N

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Algodoo is now FREE!

Algodoo gives you the opportunity to play with physics. Use your own hands and simple drawing tools to design, construct and explore the world of physics.

Sounds like an interesting idea? Algodoo is that program.

If you want to support the development of Algodoo, use the Donate button.

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The Robot Factory by Tinybop on the App Store

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Read reviews, compare customer ratings, see screenshots, and learn more about The Robot Factory by Tinybop. Download The Robot Factory by Tinybop and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

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Read reviews, compare customer ratings, see screenshots, and learn more about Crazy Gears. Download Crazy Gears and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.