Educator Resources

Educators

Whether it be for STEM instructional management or inspiration, the Coalition strives to point educators in the most effective direction to navigate students for educational success. Down below are categorized resources for educators.

If you might want to share more helpful STEM education resources with us, please contact [email protected], and the resource will be reviewed and may be posted on this page.

Teacher Helping Boy To Use Digital Tablet In Computer Class

Lesson Plans & Activities

STRIVE Lesson Plans

COMING SOON: STRIVE Lesson Plans!

The goal of the STRIVE program is to prepare and empower the future STEM workforce of Arkansas by increasing middle and high school students’ awareness of the diversity of jobs requiring STEM skills and helping our students become more prepared to work in those jobs. While many programs work with the students themselves, STRIVE focuses on working with Arkansas STEM teachers, providing opportunities for teachers to become immersed in an organization for a short period during the summer to see first-hand how diverse and far-reaching the skills they teach in their classroom related to the real world. The summer placement is dovetailed with training and support in how to incorporate these experiences into their classroom, promoting approaches such as science inquiry and problem-based learning.

Meanwhile, click here to learn more about STRIVE

Coding/Programming

Code.org

Code.org is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by young women and students from other underrepresented groups. The vision is that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn computer science as part of their core K-12 education.

Pencil Code

Learn professional programming languages using the Pencil Code editor that lets you work in either blocks or text. Create art, music, games, and stories. Or invent a program that will change the world.

Micro:Bit

The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization that seeks to support exceptional educational programs across the globe. There are several computer science and practical programming projects available.

Codesters

Codesters combines a fun online coding platform for students, a powerful learning management system for teachers, and built-out coding lessons so you can start teaching kids to code in your school today.

CodeHS

CodeHS is a comprehensive teaching platform for helping schools teach computer science. There is web-based curriculum, teacher tools and resources, and professional development opportunities for computer science.

Blockly Games

Blockly Games is a series of educational games that teach programming. It is designed for children who have not had prior experience with computer programming. By the end of these games, players can be better prepared to use conventional text-based languages.

JavaLab

From mechanics to astronomy, JavaLab has several block coding interactives for students to learn basic programming concepts.

Carnegie Mellon Computer Science Academy

CMU CS Academy is an online, graphics-based computer science curriculum taught in Python provided by Carnegie Mellon University. Novel, world-class Computer Science education for your classroom awaits —and it’s entirely free.

Google CS First

Google’s CS First program provides teachers with the tools and resources to teach computer science at no cost — so every student has access to the skills that will shape the future. Students code with Scratch, a free, block-based programming tool developed by MIT. It’s ideal for beginners to learn coding. Students “snap” together blocks of commands that the computer can carry out.

Scratch

With Scratch, students can program interactive stories, games, and animations — and share creations with others in the online community. Scratch is designed, developed, and moderated by the Scratch Foundation, a nonprofit organization. It is provided free of charge.

MIT App Inventor

MIT App Inventor is an intuitive, visual programming environment that allows everyone – even children – to build fully functional apps for smartphones and tablets. Those new to MIT App Inventor can have a simple first app up and running in less than 30 minutes. And what’s more, the blocks-based tool facilitates the creation of complex, high-impact apps in significantly less time than traditional programming environments.

OpenProcessing

Engage in creative coding opportunities on OpenProcessing, a community of creative coders, educators, and designers who explore, experiment, and play.

CodeCombat

CodeCombat is a community coding project, with hundreds of players volunteering to create levels, contribute to code to add features, fix bugs, playtest, and even translate the game into 50 languages so far.

Replit

Replit is a free, collaborative, in-browser IDE to code in 50+ languages, with opportunities in education, learning resources, and team planning.

Pygame

Pygame is a set of Python modules designed for writing video games. Pygame adds functionality on top of the excellent SDL library. This allows users to create fully featured games and multimedia programs in the python language.

Code Club

Code Club is a global community of volunteers, educators, and partners to run free coding clubs where 9-to-13-year-olds build and share their ideas. With concepts in learning through creating, coding projects offer young people plenty of opportunities to be creative and to share their creations with each other.

Code Monkey

CodeMonkey is a fun and educational game-based environment where kids learn to code without any prior experience. After completing CodeMonkey’s award-winning coding courses, kids will be able to navigate through the programming world with a sense of confidence and accomplishment.

Codelicious

Codelicious provides full-year computer science curriculum for K-12. Codelicious courses are delivered with everything teachers need to teach computer science, including lesson plans, assessments, and standards mapping. By bringing Codelicious into the classroom, teachers provide their students with opportunities to learn skills in collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving.

p5.js

p5.js is a JavaScript library for creative coding, with a focus on making coding accessible and inclusive for artists, designers, educators, beginners, and others! p5.js is free and open-source.

BlocksCAD

BlocksCAD is an education technology company dedicated to creating tools that help students of all ages pursue their love of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). Our signature product, BlocksCAD, is a cloud-based 3D modeling tool that encourages users to learn math, computational thinking and coding concepts through visualization and designing models to be 3D printed.

Can-Can Robot

Robots are more than just fun toys! Before you get started, consider this: A robot is a machine designed to do things humans can do. The first robot was created in the 1950s by George C. Devol. It was called Unimate and designed to do industrial tasks—like build a car! Now, robots can vacuum, help us navigate space…almost anything!

There are lots of different ways to engineer your robots, so look at Can-Can Robot | 4-H for more insight.

Elementary

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

Crypto for Kids with Special Needs

Many people who enter cryptocurrency come at it as developers, supported by knowledge in computer science and mathematics. Others come at it from finance or economics angles, both of which benefit from a strong foundation in quantitative studies. Still others have even more diverse backgrounds but have had enough exposure to STEM concepts that they can easily grasp crypto projects.

Secondary

K-12 STEM Resources: A Complete Guide

As you may already know, the fields in STEM are rapidly growing and can provide students with the opportunity to enter a challenging and rewarding career. The purpose of this guide is to introduce students and parents to the field and to the different career paths that are available. Among the topics this guide covers:

What is the field of STEM (and what types of different jobs are available)?
Skills needed to pursue a career in STEM
Resources for learning more about a career in STEM
How parents can help

The guide is available for free on the website at K-12 STEM Resources: A Complete Guide

Construction, Building, and Woodworking DIY Projects for Students

Learning about building, construction, and woodworking not only fosters critical thinking skills and creativity simultaneously but can help to set you up for a very successful career in the future. But the best part is that doing building and engineering projects can be a lot of fun, too. With just a few supplies and some basic tools, you can solve problems, create practical things for around the house, and make cool gifts for your friends and family.

Learn more…

The Educator’s Guide to Real-Estate Lesson Plans: Math & Science

https://www.redfin.com/blog/2015/08/the-educators-guide-to-real-estate-lesson-plans.html

Crypto for Kids with Special Needs

Post-Secondary

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.

http://www.environmentalscience.org/

Cybersecurity 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/

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/

Industry and Career Resources for Promoting Diversity in Engineering

In the US STEM employment has grown by 79% in the last three decades. However, diversity in the field hasn’t even remotely kept pace. While women do currently make up about half the overall workforce in STEM they’re centralized in occupations related to healthcare and underrepresented in other fields like engineering.

Administrative Resources

Arkansas Department of Education Resources

ASPCN Financial & Student Software

The Arkansas Department of Education emphasizes the mission to provide all Arkansas public school districts, charter schools, and education service cooperatives with electronic access to financial and student administrative computing software that provide a method for standard reporting to the Department of Education.

For more information about financial & student applications, please visit the Arkansas Public School Computer Network here.

Cyber Threat Response Team

Arkansas’ P-12 Cyber Threat Response Team represents a collaborative effort among Arkansas Cooperative Technology Coordinators, Arkansas Team Digital, and the Arkansas Division of Information Systems (DIS). The Cyber Threat Response Team is a small group of IT professionals who are willing and ready to provide onsite support, at no cost to the district, whenever an Arkansas school district is faced with a cyber threat. Information collected through the P-12 Cyber Threat Response Team will only be used to inform and protect Arkansas school districts.

School districts should communicate with their DIS Field Technician or Co-op Technology Coordinator any time they are experiencing a cyber attack (regardless if onsite support is needed). It is important that we all communicate to better protect one another.

Contact the P-12 Cyber Threat Response Team

To report cyber incidents and ask questions related to cybersecurity, contact the Team using this form.

Data Privacy Resources

The Arkansas Department of Education is committed to maintaining data privacy and supporting districts across the state by promoting ethical data use and providing training resources and policies for safeguarding student data.

School Districts’ Responsibility for Safeguarding Data

All educational organizations have a legal and ethical responsibility to protect the privacy and security of education data. Below are some resources for districts to help ensure they are in compliance with state and federal laws and guidance for safeguarding data.

Student Privacy Training Module

A self-paced student privacy training module from Technology Initiatives & Resources.

Note: This module will take approximately 60 to 75 minutes. It works best on a computer browser (not mobile) and you may need to disable your pop-up blocker.

Resources for Working with Vendors

How do you know if the apps you are using protect student privacy? Browse our list of resources to help you sort through strategies for increasing efficiency when vetting apps and strengthening written agreements with vendors.

SMACTalk

SMACtalk for Teachers is designed to aid teachers in the practice and promotion of online safety and security. This webpage features our SMACtalk for Teachers Podcast and other useful links. The podcast will feature an interview with a new special guest every month for each SMACtalk theme.

Access free training:

Security Awareness Modules on ArkansasIDEAS

Jump to a monthly topic:

Computer Science Teacher and Curriculum Resources

Computer Science Curriculum Resources

Elementary Curriculum Resources

Middle Level Resources

High School Resources

General Curriculum Resources

Computer Science Teacher Resources

Computer Science Curriculum Standards Documents

Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Curriculum Standards Documents

Computer Science PRAXIS 5652 Study Resources

The Arkansas Department of Education has identified the following resources as potentially beneficial for individuals preparing to take the Computer Science PRAXIS 5652. If you are aware of other study resources that can be used at no charge by Arkansas educators, please email [email protected].

ETS PRAXIS Resources

Arkansas Statewide Computer Science Specialist Resources

High School Concept Questions
We strongly suggest that you attempt the full question packet before downloading the High School Concept Questions with Answers

LinkEdIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) Courses/Videos

ArkansasIDEAS (http://ideas.aetn.org/) is now providing access to LinkEdIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) to all Arkansas public and charter school teachers and administrators through the ArkansasIDEAS portal. Lynda.com adds over 5,161 technology professional development courses to the ArkansasIDEAS learning system. These courses focus on various technological subjects including developer, design, web, photography, business, education, 3D/animation, video and audio/music. Courses specific to computer science cover 116 programming languages and 5,347 video tutorials specific to programming. These programming classes will provide incredible support for computer science teachers. In addition, all teachers now have a wealth of technology courses available at their convenience.

To access the LinkEdIn Learning at no cost, first log into your ArkansasIDEAS (http://ideas.aetn.org/) account and navigate to the LinkEdIn Learning link under the “Additional Training Resources” section. Once validated through ArkansasIDEAS the links below should take the user directly to the courses. If not, once validated, please use the search bar to find the courses by name.

Foundations of Programming: Fundamentals with Simon Allardice
One or more of the Specific Modern Language Essentials Courses – Example courses include:
- C
- C++
- C#
- JAVA
- Objective-C
- PHP
- SWIFT 2
Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician Essential Training – Note: Some of the later chapters may go well beyond what is expected knowledge for the 5652 PRAXIS
Select videos from CompTIA A+ Exam Prep (220-801) with Steve Fullmer – Suggested videos from this course include: “Mathematics” from Chapter 2, All videos in System Components Chapter 3, “CompTIA A+ storage overview” from Chapter 4, “CPU characteristics” and “CPU” from Chapter 5, and All videos in Networking Chapter 6.

Miscellaneous Resources

A Lesson in Formal Logic (for Games and Logical Reasoning)

KhanAcademy Computer Science Algorithms Course

University Interscholastic League Computer Science Sample Test

Digital Learning Guidebook and Resources

Arkansas schools continue to meet the diverse learning needs of all students, pivoting as needed to a new normal through virtual, remote, and blended learning. To provide high-quality support to schools, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has mobilized efforts and resources to Build common knowledge and language; Provide high-quality training opportunities; and Provide guidance and resources to support school districts with implementing technology for remote, blended, virtual, and in-class learning.

Digital learning provides a great deal of flexibility for innovation through a student-focused vision. There are numerous models of blended and online learning that have been successfully implemented across the nation and others that are emerging. A true blended learning scenario provides the student some element of control over time, place, path, or pace of learning. Thinking about the K-12 Spectrum of Digital Learning, it is critical to strategically plan for implementation. Arkansas Ready for Learning Teams are encouraged to utilize the Plan, Do, Check Process to: choose the digital model, consider the hardware, software and technological supports, and identify the Content Choices, LMS Integration, and Digital Course Design.

Learn more…

Digital Learning Providers

The Digital Learning Act of 2013, A.C.A. § 6-16-1406, stipulates that each high school student shall be required to take at least one (1) digital learning course for credit to graduate. The Approved Digital Providers List is intended to support districts in meeting this requirement. These providers are approved for use with grades 9-12 courses for credit. This single course for grades 9-12 should not be confused with a district Digital Program option which may be available for K-12.

New Digital Learning Providers in Arkansas

New Digital Learning Providers must complete and submit the Digital Learning Provider Application (download and open in Adobe).

All digital courses offered must meet or exceed the Arkansas Academic Standards. Digital Learning Provider approvals are valid for five years or until the Arkansas Academic Standards on which the offered courses are revised, whichever occurs first.

Learn More…

Guides

A Guide to Teach Coding to Kids

Start the coding lessons with young children by teaching them about the algorithms and creative processes that they perform in their daily lives. A Guide to Teach Coding to Kids (mastersindatascience.org)

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/

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.

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

Getting Girls Interested in STEM Education

It is important to introduce STEM learning as early as preschool to children of all genders. It’s never too early to introduce STEM learning into your child’s life. Throughout this guide, you will find several ways to help prevent your daughter from falling into the STEM gap, including activities, toys, curriculum, and more.

You can learn more at https://winnie.com/resources/engaging-girls-in-stem-education.

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:

Weather Tourists: A GLOBE Data Exploration

Developing a STEM-focused, Elementary Optics Program

STEM Education Thought Leader Sue Sorrentino on LinkedIn outlined ways to develop a STEM-Focused, Elementary Optics Program for educators.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/developing-stem-focused-elementary-optics-program-sue-sorrentino

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.

Getting Started with Educational Equity

This 18-page e-book contains ten steps for educators to initiate and develop educational equity in the classroom.

https://arkansasstemcoalition.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/UAMhwF9rSse4pvAJyOuu_Getting_Started_with_Educational_Equity.pdf

Programs

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/

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 called Prairie 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 at [email protected], 501-244-2229.

http://ar.audubon.org/

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.

LEARNING IS IN OUR NATURE

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.

STEM Education Opportunities: Teachers

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Economic Impact and Diversity has a dependent list of STEM education opportunities for educators.

https://www.energy.gov/diversity/stem-education-opportunities-teachers

The STEAM Roller: Paving the Way 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.

The GLOBE Program

The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program is an international science and education program that provides students and the public worldwide with the opportunity to participate in data collection and the scientific process, and contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the Earth system and global environment.

Arkansas Computer Science Initiative

The Arkansas Computer Science Initiative is a charge to research and recommend computer science and technology courses and standards, study the computer science and technology needs of the state, and recommend strategies to meet the anticipated computer science and technology workforce needs of the state.

Learning Blade

Learning Blade is a grant funded supplemental STEM curriculum through the department of education at no cost to schools. The program offers lessons over a variety of topics such as: Hack Attack, Dolphin Rescue, Energy Sources, and 10 other exciting STEM programs.

Project Lead The Way

Project Lead The Way’s research-supported approach empowers students to discover and explore interests, imagine and design solutions to real-world challenges, and become independent, confident problem solvers.

Pitsco Education

Pitsco works with business and industry to advocate the need to break down the silos that exist between education and industry.

Zuni Learning Tree

ZUNI links to free and open educational resources designed to support classroom instruction, build a love of learning in the home, and ignite learning movements. You’ll find thousands of high quality free and open educational resources for literacy, math, science, social studies, coding, STEM, and more created by passionate and caring individuals and organizations from all around the world.

Other

Ultimate Leadership Guide for Women In Edtech

Edtech, a portmanteau of “education technology,” is the practice of implementing IT tools to supplement and enhance classroom learning. Edtech is an important part of STEM education, giving students real-time interactions and practice using technology-based tools. Edtech isn’t only important for STEM; it would be difficult to educate today without it, particularly with rises we’ve seen in online and blended classrooms.

Learn More…

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

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 Women

Explore a list of resources for Arkansas women that offer a variety of resources in computer science, engineering, and general STEM information.

https://aauw-ar.aauw.net/files/2014/08/STEM-Resources-for-Arkansas-Girls.pdf

The State of Cybersecurity Education in K-12 Schools

Results of a national survey conducted by the EdWeek Research Center show that less than half of K-12 students in the U.S. are currently receiving some type of cybersecurity education, and access to those resources varies considerably.

Read the report.

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

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.

Graphing Assistant for Teachers and Parents

If your students need assistance with graphing, types of graphs, analyzing graphs and data then these 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/

Miscellaneous Tips and Helpful Hints

Disposal of laboratory specimens can be challenging. Please visit the Arkansas Dept. ofEnvironmental Quality’s page here to get information on proper disposal techniques. Requirements vary by region, but Carolina Biological also has recommendations that can be found here.

Blast Off! - Space And Solar System Resources

If you have little ones, how to help them learn a new language? The answer might just be through some fun games.

When you’re learning a language, you’re going to find a lot of words you don’t know. If your kid is learning about space, they might hear words like “gravity assist” or “meteoroid” and not know what they mean. How to find out?

One way is to look everything up in the “Simple English” Wikipedia. However, not all kids like to read long lines of text – and, to be honest, the “simple English” wiki isn’t all that well-formatted.

A better idea? Play some computer games that will be educational and fun!

Click Here – Blast Off!

Professional Development

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.

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

Women in STEM: A Guide for 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/blog/women-in-stem-a-guide-to-bridging-the-gender-gap/

Standards for Professional Learning | Learning Forward

Standards for Professional Learning outline the characteristics of professional learning that leads to effective teaching practices, supportive leadership, and improved student results. Through the Standards for Professional Learning, Learning Forward leads the field in understanding what links professional learning to improved student achievement. Learn more…

GPS - Science Professional Development

As part of the STEM Unit’s vision to transform Arkansas to lead the nation in student-focused and career-minded science and engineering education, the state science team developed the Grasping Phenomenal Science (GPS) Professional Learning System. GPS is composed of multiple sessions that model hands-on, student-focused science instruction. GPS continues to grow and develop to meet the needs of our students at all grade levels. DESE-funded Science Specialists located across the state provide GPS professional learning opportunities and school-based instructional coaching.

Recommended Science Professional Development Pathway

State Supported Professional Learning Opportunities

Other Science Professional Development Opportunities

ArkansasIDEAS Online Professional Learning Opportunities

Professional Development Opportunities | ADE Div. of Career and Technical Education

The Program Areas in Career and Technical Education will develop and offer various content-related professional development sessions for teachers, administrators, and CTE coordinators. These sessions are held at various locations across the state to enable all to participate. The following page contains a list of upcoming professional development sessions and registration information.

STEM Occupational Areas | ADE Division of Career and Technical Education

The CTE STEM Education division provides leadership to STEM educators across the state and supports programs provided in comprehensive schools and technology centers. STEM programs provide a hands-on problem-based curriculum that allows students to explore opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Learn More…

Technology Student Association
National TSA
Arkansas TSA