Resources for Kids, Families & Teachers
One of the best ways to nurture an appreciation for education in children is to get them interested in hands-on learning early. STEAM activities are a great way to do this.
We’ve gathered free STEAM resources and activities that you can easily incorporate into your young one’s day.
What is STEAM?
STEAM is an approach to education that uses science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics to help guide student learning and develop critical thinking. It’s designed to spark a love of learning and develop a lifelong interest in science and the arts in children.
STEAM RESOURCES
Explora Science Center & Children's Museum - Resources
Albuquerque’s science center and children’s museum offers a wealth of activities for all ages that you can do at home. From coding algorithm card games to simple floating and sinking activities for young children, there’s something for everyone in this resource center. Each activity has its own printable worksheet and most can be done with common items found at home.
PBS Kids - The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That Activities
The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That is designed to spark a love of learning and an interest in science and engineering in preschoolers. The site features interactive games, videos and printable activity sheets that can be used alongside the show.
Exploratorium - Science Activities
Located in San Francisco, California, the Exploratorium is a public learning laboratory exploring the world through science, art, and human perception. Their science activities can be done at home with comment items. These activities are more complex and explore science and engineering principals. They are great for middle schoolers and high school students.
Lego Activities
Kids and adults of all ages love bringing their imaginations to life with Legos. The company offers lessons for preschoolers, elementary students and middle schoolers using their bricks.
PBS Kids Cyberchase
Cyberchase has been a popular cartoon on PBS for over a decade. Cyberchase follow a group of math and science wiz kids and they dive into the computer code to travel the digital world and solve problems using their math skills. Online at PBS.com, you can play Cyberchase games where you use your own math skills to help the gang you know and love from the tv screen.
https://pbskids.org/cyberchase/
Ask Dr. Universe
Ask Dr.Universe is an environmental science hub for young students at the elementary and middle school levels. Dr. Universe, a kitty cat scientist, works at the University of Washington where she collects resources for her proteges in the form of coloring pages, field guides, and other activities. On her website you can ask Dr.Universe all of your pressing questions about the world around you and watch her video answers.
Tynker
Tynker hosts tons of story-based lessons to help children of any age learn how to code in real world languages like JavaScript or Python. Technology has become an integral part of our day-to-day lives, giving kids the skills to turn tech into an opportunity is what Tynker is all about. Tynker’s courses meet your child at their level and are all completely free!
Talking Parents
A blog for parents, discussing why providing your child with a strong STEM education is important in today’s modern environment. There’s tips and tricks on how to stimulate your child’s interest, and a space where you can find lists of fun activities for the whole family.
https://talkingparents.com/parenting-resources/child-interest-in-stem
SciShow Kids
SciShow Kids is a YouTube channel where a colorful cast shows kids the wonder in all kinds of scientific fields through fun and colorful video lessons. SciShow Kids focuses on the Next Generation Science Standard Curriculum (NGSS) and is ideal for grades 1-3.
Cool Math Games
CoolMathGames has plenty of web-based games that aren’t related to math or science, but they also host tons of educational games. You can choose what kinds of games you’ll be playing based on your topic of interest.
The All Kids Network
The All Kids Network has resources for teachers and parents surrounding every topic, STEM included. There are worksheets, coloring pages, and crafts on the website. Some of the resources children can complete on their own and some require some guidance, but all are educational.
Space Place
Space Place is an interactive, game based website by NASA to help children learn about space, and particularly our solar system. The web-based games and content are free for all and suit children between the ages 7-12.
Space Buddies
Science Buddies collects STEM based resources for children, teachers and families. On this website you can find video lessons, online activities, a science project idea generator, and tons of hands-on activities that you can complete in your house or classroom with common items.
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/
Code Monkey
There are a lot of online coding academies out there for students, but CodeMonkey is free! Not only that but it also has ready to go courses, educates kids on real coding languages and uses game-based learning models that are sure to keep students engaged and excited about Code.
Scratch
Scratch is a coding language developed by MIT that does not include any syntax or written code. You can build simple functions in a visual format using Scratch, or Scratch Jr. Using this visual code form, students can learn all about the way that coding works before they are old enough to understand the syntax languages they’ll pick up later down the line.
https://www.create-learn.us/coding-for-kids/free-scratch?ref=create-learn.us
Curiosity Machine
Curiosity Machine has developed “design challenges” that all focus directly on AI technology. All of the challenges and educational material by the Curiosity Machine is free for all to use and there is content for every age group. Help your kids learn about AI and help them stay ahead of the game!
