10 Innovative Ways to Bring STEM to Schools
As schools look for innovative ways to bring in STEM learning, here’s a possible road map for how to galvanize a school community.
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/01/09/10-innovative-ways-to-bring-stem-to-schools/
Curious George STEM
Active learning begins with curiosity! The Curious George STEM Collection is a great way to help young children understand science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts, such as measuring, building, and simple machines. Lesson plans with Curious George videos offer hands-on investigations and exciting new learning opportunities that will inspire children to explore the world around them.
https://unctv.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/curiousgeorge/#.WdzHBmhSyUk
The Educator’s Guide to Real Estate Lesson Plans: Math & Science
Real estate is a complex field that requires skills in math, science, English, social studies and home economics. By incorporating real estate-based lessons into your curriculum, you can help students gain valuable skills in practical math application, presentation giving, forming a persuasive argument, earth science and so much more!
https://www.redfin.com/blog/2015/08/the-educators-guide-to-real-estate-lesson-plans.html
Computer Programming Basics Lesson Plan: Tynker Games
In this computer programming basics lesson plan, which is adaptable for grades 3-12, students use BrainPOP resources (including online coding games) to learn about programming.
Science Technology Advanced Resource, Inc. (STAR)
STAR, Inc. is a national [501c3], not for profit, education program that integrates elementary, middle, high school and early college students with expert resources provided through interactive webcasts and events that are specifically integrated into the classrooms per teacher and administration requests and needs. STAR is adaptable to the IT infrastructure of the school systems with no program purchase cost or fee. It is a teaching tool that allows teachers, with minimum effort, to adapt STAR to their curriculum and lesson plans. This non-competitive program embraces students of all grade point averages allowing each student the same opportunity to interact with STAR experts.
http://star-classroom.org/
EnvironmentalScience.org
EnvironmentalScience.org is the ultimate guide to everything you need to know about starting your career as an Environmental Scientist. EnvironmentalScience.org’s mission is to be the most reliable and expansive advocate for environmental science education and careers. Environmental Scientists have rewarding, challenging, and well-paying careers that offer excellent opportunities for growth and advancement.
Arkansas Center for Plant-Powered Production
The P3 Center is a dynamic and sustainable statewide research consortium that supports strong cross-disciplinary research into the biology underlying plant-based bioproduction and drives innovative applications in areas of metabolic engineering, biomedical agriculture, biobased products and agricultural sustainability.
http://www.plantpoweredproduction.com/education-outreach/
Cyber Security Degrees and Resources
The field of cyber security has never been hotter. To help you find your dream job, they’ve pulled together a comprehensive directory of colleges and universities offering cyber security degrees, as well as a wealth of information on career paths within the cyber security field, security clearances, the range of professional security certifications available, free online courses in security topics and more.
http://www.cyberdegrees.org/
Masters in Data Science
Check out the great resources in the above link! Browse this free guide to STEM for kids (K-12) organized by age and interest, as well as a section specifically focused on encouraging girls in STEM activities.
National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) – Freebies!
Visit the below link to see a list of freebies compiled by NSTA for science (and more) in grades K-16.
http://www.nsta.org/publications/freebies.aspx
Expanded Galileo® Pre-K Online Curriculum with Activities for Toddlers
Galileo Pre-K Online, from ATI, provides preschool educators and other stakeholders a complete assessment, curriculum, and reporting system that links planning, individualization, outcome documentation, and program enhancement. One of the first to offer educators online assessment and curriculum tools, Galileo is built on the principles of science, supported by a commitment to research, and guided by a vision that everyone should benefit from the opportunities and transformations of technology.
The new Galileo activities, designed for toddlers ages 18 to 36 months, expands on the existing curriculum activities for children 3 to 5 years of age. The full range of classroom activities, combined with Galileo reports, offer teachers time-saving tools for incorporating developmentally appropriate learning opportunities into their weekly lesson plan. The documents offer research-based sequencing of the Galileo scale goals over the course of a program year. The scale goals provide the basis for the activities, ensuring that the developmental needs of a typical toddler are met. The various activities offered can be presented individually or in a variety of group settings and interest centers.
For more information contact ATI at 877.442.5453, or GalileoInfo@ati-online.com
http://www.ati-online.com/galileoPreschool/indexPreschool.html
International Space Station Research/Science: Get up to Speed and in the Know!
As educators, you bring the excitement of science and exploration to your students each day in the classroom. But how can you find the latest information about what is taking place aboard the International Space Station, or ISS, especially with regard to all of the science and research being operated continuously by the crews or self-sufficiently?
Here are six effective ways you can keep current and feel more confident in talking to students, and others, about the space station and what is happening in the orbiting laboratory.
1) Subscribe to the ISS Program Science Listserv. Receive twice-weekly emails with compelling stories about important space station research conducted each day.
2) Read the information-rich ISS Research and Technology Web page and the engagingISS research blog, A Lab Aloft.
3) Know the ISS research benefits for humanity, available in video and print formats.
4) Follow timely ISS research updates on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
5) Learn how to get research aboard the ISS (or refer those interested).
6) Tap Into the ISS Toolkit, a wealth of ISS research multimedia resources at your fingertips and perfect for communication and outreach opportunities.
http://www.nasa.gov/news/index.html#.Uw0KGc6We2U
Audubon Arkansas
Audubon Arkansas is working with the Nature Conservancy to educate about one of Arkansas’s most treasured and threatened ecosystems—the tallgrass prairie. We have field trip opportunities available to a large tract of tallgrass prairie just outside of Arkadelphia calledPrairie Ridge Preserve at Terre Noire.
These environmental education programs are free of charge. They can take place in the classroom or on-site at the prairie and cover prairie history, prairie plants and animals, prairie soils, habitat management, nature journaling, and geocaching. Any of these topics can be tailored to be age-level appropriate. Contact Uta Meyer (see below) to get a program scheduled for the spring! Audubon and the Nature Conservancy are also planning a Prairie Awareness Week for mid-May to involve public presentations, workshops, and a prairie art competition.
Audubon Arkansas is also thrilled to be working with Central Arkansas Water on water education and outreach in the central Arkansas region. As a part of this collaboration, Audubon is now offering program about Lake Maumelle and its watershed to K-12 students in Little Rock and Pulaski County! Programs are free of charge and cover water conservation, water treatment, watershed protection, the ecological connection between water and wildlife, and outdoor recreation opportunities at Lake Maumelle like birding, geocaching, and nature journaling. Depending on the chosen intinerary, programs can be held in the classroom or on a field trip to Lake Maumelle.
If you’re interested in these opportunities, please contact Uta Meyer atumeyer@audubon.org, 501-244-2229.
http://ar.audubon.org/
STEM Lesson Plans from Discovery Education and the Navy (9-12th Grade)
Discovery Education and the Navy present a series of interactive lesson plans specifically designed for 9-12 graders to explore new ideas and new worlds related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Our lesson plan resources will help students understand unique concepts, practice new skills and engage in exciting, authentic learning experiences. Subject matters range from the physics of flight to the engineering of future ships. Plus, have fun with your students playing the Navy Proving Grounds widget! Designed to work in conjunction with The Science of Diving, Jets in Flight and Future Fleet lesson plans, our widget will test your students understanding of the concepts taught in those lessons as they go through each challenge.
http://www.navystemfortheclassroom.com/lesson-plans
PBS Learning Media
Did you know that PBS Learning Media puts hundreds of FREE lesson plans at your fingertips? Just search by grade, subject, or keyword to uncover creative activities, discussion questions, and new approaches to learning!
The home page is customized for Arkansas teachers. These resources can be very helpful as you incorporate CCSS for ELA at K-5 or CCSS for Literacy in Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects at grades 6-12 into your science lessons. There is also a section on Engineering Design http://aetn.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/ngss-eng/
http://aetn.pbslearningmedia.org/
NASA Webinars
Find upcoming science webinars for your students here.
Texas Instruments Presents: Teachers Teaching with Technology (T³™) Webinar Series
All T³™ webinars are complimentary and presented by experienced math and science educators. These webinars are designed to help you feel confident using TI technology effectively in the classroom. Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance. View upcoming webinars here.
Inside Mathematics
New common core resources for math education are now available at the link above. Classroom lessons, example tasks, and more are also available.
https://www.arkansasstemcoalition.com//for-educators/teacher-resources/insidemathematics.org
Science Summation Page
The 2005 Arkansas Science Framework states, “Students should be engaged in hands-on laboratory experiences at least 20% of the instructional time.” In order to meet this goal, teachers and students require access to adequate equipment and supplies to facilitate learning through inquirybasedexperiences utilizing current technology. The cost for outfitting science classrooms and/or labs has been calculated for each individual grade level based on meeting the Arkansas Science Framework, but because much of this equipment can be shared within a school, a shared cost has also been calculated with grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 sharing costs. View the possible savings here.
Project Learning Tree®
From PLT’s website: Project Learning Tree® (PLT) is a program of the American Forest Foundation that uses the forest as a window on the world, engaging the next generation of America’s thought-leaders and decision makers. Check out Project Learning Tree’s quarterly newsletter The Branch, and sign up to receive it.
SMART Portal
Provides resources for Arkansas math and science teachers, including quality math and science lessons in the 5E model, a matrix of resources linked to CCSS, and Arkansas Science Standards. stemlessons.org
http://stemlessons.org/
LEGO Bricks in Space
An exciting new LEGO(r) Education space mission is underway! LEGO Education and NASA have teamed up to invite teachers and students from across the United States to participate in an educational program designed to inspire the exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math. Through the LEGO Bricks in Space program, students will work alongside International Space Station (ISS) crew members to conduct activities that test the effects of microgravity on simple machines. During Phase 1, eight LEGO Education activities will be conducted on board the ISS. Astronauts will build LEGO Education models, complete educational activities, and record their results through video and crew commentary. Each activity will include a downloadable teacher’s guide and student worksheet so classrooms can complete the activities on Earth and compare results with the ISS crew.
- LEGO Education Materials
- Space and Airport Set
- Simple and Motorized Mechanisms Set
To download materials and watch crew videos, visit the Legospace Educators page.
For more information, contact LEGOspace@LEGOeducation.us
STEM Education: Definition & Importance
STEM is an abbreviation that stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM is an interdisciplinary approach to learning where academic concepts are coupled with real-world lessons. Students apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in contexts that make connections between the classroom and the world around them.
The importance of STEM education is emphasized by the Next Generation Science Standards, which were designed to improve how students comprehend and apply science. STEM education typically focuses on project-based learning in the classroom. The projects and activities incorporate technology to emphasize the application of science and prepare students for future classes.
More information can be found here.
STEM Resources for Arkansas Females
https://aauw-ar.aauw.net/files/2014/08/STEM-Resources-for-Arkansas-Girls.pdf
A COLLECTION OF ELEMENTARY STEM DESIGN CHALLENGES BASED CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
http://www.uastem.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/2013-UA-STEM-PROBLEM-SOLVING-ACTIVITIES.pdf
Computer Science Initiative Overview Videos
Segment topics covered include:
* Introduction
* The Benefits of an Appropriate Computer Science Education
* General Requirements
* High School Computer Science Teacher Licensure Requirements
* Kindergarten through Eighth-Grade Teacher Requirements
* CS Flex Credits
* Completer Pathways
* Connect to the Arkansas Computer Science Initiative
* Diversity in Computer Science
* Connect to Support and Training
They can be found at this link.
The Ultimate STEM Guide for Kids
Amazon Future Engineer
Amazon Future Engineer is a comprehensive childhood-to-career program to inspire, educate, and train children and young adults from underserved and low-income communities to pursue careers in computer science. More information can be found here.
A Year in the Ice
More than 500 scientists from over 19 nations are spending a year in the Arctic ice to collect important data on the Arctic climate system. From September 2019 through October 2020, the icebreaker RV Polarstern will drift across the Arctic near the North Pole frozen in sea ice during one of the most extensive Arctic research expeditions ever conducted. Connect your students with the MOSAiC (Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate) expedition and bring real science into your classroom each week with MOSAiC Monday. Your students can track the expedition in real time on a map, graph Arctic oceanographic data from the ship, watch video interviews with scientists and crew members, and engage in short Arctic-related engagements that support your NGSS curriculum.
Sign up for MOSAiC Monday today!
Astronomy for Educators
A free textbook created for STEM education students, practicing teachers, and others interested in a hands-on approach to teaching astronomy on the K-12 level by Dr. Daniel Barth.
https://uark.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=44760071
U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools (SIS) program
SIS offers a wide variety classroom of activities for pre-K through 12th grade educators to use in all subjects. This program was created by teachers, for teachers.
- Activities for grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
- Activities for math, history and social studies, geography, English, and sociology
- Resources and information on why the 2020 Census matters for schools
Cybersecurity Resources
- Cybersecurity Scholarship Guide – https://
cybersecurityguide.org/ resources/scholarship-guide/ - Cybersecurity Career Options – https://
cybersecurityguide.org/ careers/ - Cybersecurity Certification Guide – https://cybersecurityguide.
org/programs/cybersecurity- certifications/
The State of Cybersecurity Education in K-12 Schools
Parent Links for COVID-19 Support
The Educator’s Guide to Applying Real-World Math: 15 Resources with over 100 Lesson Plans
We know how tough it can be to engage student interest in math so we’ve compiled a list of resources for lesson plans for grades K-12 so parents and educators can skip all the tedious research and get right to the fun parts of teaching and learning! In this article, we provide lesson plans for both classroom-based and project-based learning, broken down by age group.
https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/mathematics-application-in-everyday-life/
Architecture Activities to Help You Address NGSS Engineering Standards
To expand upon concepts in physics, calculus, geometry, engineering, and algebra, teachers can use architecture activities for greater student understanding. Architecture is no longer an area of study that simply covers building homes and commercial structures. The concentration also includes things like environmental design, landscape architecture, and urban planning. Here are some activities that can bridge the divide between traditional science and engineering concepts in your classroom.
http://edu.stemjobs.com/architecture-activities-to-help-you-address-ngss-engineering-standards/
Making Science Labs Accessible to Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities face access challenges to typical science labs in precollege and postsecondary settings. Access barriers may prevent a student from:
- gaining knowledge,
- demonstrating knowledge, and
- fully participating in lab activities.
There are two approaches to making academic activities accessible to students with disabilities—accommodations and universal design (UD). Accommodations are alternate formats, assistive technology, and other adjustments for specific students once they are enrolled in a class. For examples of accommodations in science classes, consult the publications Working Together: Science Teachers and Students with Disabilities and The Winning Equation: Access + Attitude = Success in Math and Science.
http://www.washington.edu/doit/making-science-labs-accessible-students-disabilities
Free Evolution and Geological Time Poster
This classroom poster is available for free to science teachers.
http://www.the-brights.net/action/activities/poster.html
Arkansas Science Teachers’ Association (ASTA) April 2012 Newsletter
ASTA’s first electronic newsletter shares information on professional development, conferences, mini-grants, next generation science standards, and more. This one is available to all, rather than just ASTA members. For information on becoming an ASTA member, visit arkscience.org. Chemical Disposal Information for Teachers View and print the “Review of Chemical Disposal Procedures” for your classroom here.
http://arkscience.org/newsletter/April_Newsletter_2012.pdf
Chemistry & Biology Resources
This website has short teacher videos with good ideas on chemistry and biology: www.flinnsci.com. Click on Teacher Resource Videos and scroll to Minute Videos. These videos give you ideas about teaching concepts, safety ideas, etc.
For biology teachers: www.hhmi.org/biointeractive also has great video clips. They have one ontranslation that is great and gives students a real-time picture of what is happening.
http://www.flinnsci.com/
Microscope Repair
Microscope repair service is available for science educators and others at DELTA Optical Instruments, Inc. North Little Rock, Arkansas Gayle Ross, NAESC Science Specialist 501-758-4442
Partnership for Transition to Teaching Grant
Help spread the word!
The College of Education at UCA seeks individuals with math and science backgrounds interested in becoming licensed math and science teachers. Special funding by the U.S. Department of Education is offering up to $5,000 to help highly qualified mid-career professionals or recent graduates make the transition into the classroom with a Master of Arts in Teaching from the College of Education. Funding will cover the actual costs of the total program. This program is designed for individuals without teaching credentials but wish to become a teacher in an expeditious way. In just five semesters, students can earn a Master of Arts in Teaching and secure a position in one of UCA’s partnership school districts, Little Rock School District or North Little Rock School District. [Learn more]
- The Requirements
- Applicants must have successfully completed a baccalaureate degree
- Graduates of the program must teach for three years in a partnership school district
- Additional exit requirements may apply
- The Application Process:
- Apply to the UCA Graduate School
- Apply to the UCA Graduate School
- Apply to the UCA Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program
- Take and submit scores from the GRE or Praxis 1 exam
- Apply for the Partnership for Transition to Teaching grant funds
- More complete details can be found on the application page.
For more information, please contact Dr. Carolyn Williams, at transition@uca.edu or by phone, 501.450.3627.
The Museum of Discovery’s Educational Programs page
Here are links to outreach programs for the classroom, based on the programs at the Museum of Discovery.
Iowa Math Science Resources
The Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership shares some teaching tools for in-class assignments and fun projects.
http://iowamathscience.org/educators/resources
Science WoRx
A “local mentoring program and online resource network for science teachers”, Science WoRx focuses on education in health science, and offers the chance to host a scientist for your classroom.
http://www.scienceworx.org/about-science-worx.php
STARLAB Portable Planetarium
The STARLAB Portable Planetarium at Arkansas Tech University is currently available for loan to schools and other qualified agencies. Steve Zimmer, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at ATU, is offering the program and wishes to pass along these details: Read more
ASTA Mini-Grants
ASTA will be awarding mini-grants for up to $500 for classroom supplies and equipment to ASTA members!
Learn more at arkscience.org/grants_and_programs.php.
AEEA Mini-Grants
Attention Arkansas Environmental Education Association Members: the spring mini-Grant funding cycle is now open for formal educators.
The Arkansas Environmental Education Association is soliciting proposals of up to $500 for AEEA’s mini-grant program. The mini-grant program is designed to support, enhance and expand the implementation of environmental education throughout the state of Arkansas. The winning proposal will receive the grant check in August in time to be utilized during the start of the new school year. Applicants must be paid members of AEEA. If you are not a current member of AEEA I invite you to join! A membership application form can be downloaded at www.arkansasee.org/membership.htmland sent in with a check or you can pay online using a credit card through the PayPal option.
Download the AEEA Mini-Grant Application here.
AEEA Membership Information
FIRST®Robotics Competition
The FIRST® Regional Robotics Competition will be held at Harding University in Searcy,March 6-8, 2014. For more information, take a look at the Arkansas FIRST® Robotics Competition page. Watch the video from last year, featuring Baxter Bomb Squad from Mountain Home.
Graphing Assistant for Teachers and Students
If your students need assistance with graphing, types of graphs, analyzing graphs and data thenthese sites may be useful for you.
Lessons can be done online or you can print the worksheets for your students at:
http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/graphs/line.html
Another site that seemed more suited for lower grades or graphing abilities was:
http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/
A Kids Guide to Recycling Glass and Plastic
A helpful guide to recycling recommended by a Girl Scout troop!
http://www.bottlestore.com/kids-guide-to-recycling-glass-and-plastic
Early STEM Matters
From the Early Childhood STEM Working Group, a policy report on Providing High-Quality STEM Experiences for All Young Learners, available at http://ecstem.uchicago.edu/
Early Learning and Educational Technology Policy Brief
Created by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, available at https://tech.ed.gov/earlylearning/
Every Student Succeeds Act
A report from OregonAsk on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO). It is available at https://oregonask.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/essa-report_3-31.pdf
Did you know that GLOBE has crafted nine new GLOBE Data Exploration learning activities over the past year!
Explore these activities, and the GLOBE Teacher’s Guide, by clicking here!
Or explore the learning adventures one by one:
- Rainfall in the GLOBE Africa Region: A GLOBE Data Exploration
- An Alaskan Spring Mystery: A GLOBE Data Exploration
- Data at Altitude: A GLOBE Data Exploration
- Climate and Latitude: A GLOBE Data Exploration
- Making a Climograph: A GLOBE Data Exploration
- Comparing Croatia Climates: A GLOBE Data Exploration
- Monsoons and Health: A GLOBE Data Exploration
- Iowa’s Highs and Lows: A GLOBE Data Exploration
- Weather Tourists: A GLOBE Data Exploration
Miscellaneous Tips and Helpful Hints
Developing a STEM-focused, Elementary Optics Program
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/developing-stem-focused-elementary-optics-program-sue-sorrentino
Trauma-Informed Practices in School
The National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) reports that nearly 50 percent of the children in the United States have experienced “at least one or more types of serious childhood trauma.” Many of the challenging behavior seen inside classrooms stem from stress or trauma in students’ lives outside the classroom. Trauma, both physical and emotional, can alter a young person’s brain functions, which in turn, impacts learning and behavior.
More information can be found here.
Classroom Resources Ready for New Arkansas Science Standards
https://www.knowatom.com/blog/classroom-resources-ready-for-new-arkansas-science-standards
Ag in the Classroom Materials
https://www.arfb.com/pages/education/teacher-resources/
STEM Education Opportunities: Teachers
https://www.energy.gov/diversity/stem-education-opportunities-teachers
Ozark Natural Science Center Field Trips
Dear Teachers,
Do you struggle to reach some of your students in the classroom with all of today’s distractions? Have you ever wished you could open the walls of your classroom and step outside for a true experience of natural science, to see the skies, hear the creek and walk your students into the amazing world of the Ozarks? This is the world we are inviting you to share as our staff of teacher naturalists guide your classroom through 400 acres of outdoor educational experiences. Choose from our many course selections to tailor the program to your curriculum. We look forward to sharing our unique and amazing science center with you all.
More information can be found here.
The STEAM Roller: Paving the Future for Arkansas Schools & Communities
Not every school can afford the expense or time needed to visit the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub and experience their unique STEAM learning opportunities. So in 2018, they partnered with community leaders to create the STEAM Roller, a mobile makerspace that takes the technology currently available at the Hub—like laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC Routers, and more—to underserved and rural communities and schools across the state. More information can be found here.
The Importance of SIS in 2020
Using new Statistics in Schools (SIS) resources in your classroom during the 2019-2020 school year will support efforts to make sure EVERY child is counted in the 2020 Census. This count impacts the federal funds that communities receive for special education, classroom technology, teacher training, after-school programs, school lunch assistance, and more. More information can be found here.
How to Identify Effective STEM Activities for Children
This article helps parents and teachers know what to look for in a STEM lesson and offers 9 examples of quality online resources. Read the full article here.
This information was provided by Baylor’s EdD online in Learning and Organizational Change.
Women in STEM: A Guide to Bridging the Gender Gap
Maryville University Online wants to help educate people on the benefits of a career in STEM fields as well as provide the resources necessary for women, minorities, and people with disabilities to follow their passion and desired career path. This guide provides some information about the current gender and diversity gaps in STEM university studies and careers, reasons for those gaps, and strategies to help promote inclusivity in STEM-related industries. You can read it here: https://online.maryville.edu/
Getting Started w/ Educational Equity
Good resource related to equity and access attached or downloadable here: https://nam03.safelinks.protec
Resources to Teach and Learn Data Science in High School