STEM learning takes place in so many ways outside of the classroom. Whether you’re out of school on break or just looking for fun experiments to learn a little more about science, here are some great resources to explore. These short video experiments are designed for K-12 students to do at home, using household materials. Many experiments can be completed using everyday objects you already have at home! Also great assignment ideas for teachers for students’ independent instruction days. View the full video gallery
Reminder, always get permission from an adult before doing any experiments at home.
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Here are some resources that you can also explore to keep your mind active and to encourage curiosity with STEM. We are updating this page often, so if you have a great resource please email Andrew Courtney and we will add it to this page for other parents and teachers!
Celery Science | Plants need water to survive and they draw water up from their roots through their capillaries. The capillaries are hollow and act a lot like a straw. Adding color to the water helps us visualize this usually invisible process.
Colors of Nature | Think science has nothing to do with art? Think again! Explore the creativity of science through a series of education kits that highlight how art and science work together to help us understand the world.
Discovery Education Viruses and Outbreaks Lesson Starter | Explore resources and instructional materials about viruses and outbreaks. With the recent spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), it is important for students to learn about the science behind viruses and understand individual measures that can be taken to limit exposure and spread. This collection of resources provides timely updates regarding the coronavirus, describes what a virus is and how it spreads, offers an overview of the history of viruses and outbreaks around the world, and reveals essential guidelines for staying healthy.
DIY Robotic Arm | Robotic arm experiment is an easy science experiments for kids that helps us to understand about physics. This project can be great option for 5th grade science fair ideas or it also can be done at home are classroom. You can make this science projects and learn about machines. Materials needed to make this 5th grade science project are a cardboard, string, straw pipe and elastic.
Filament Games | Free computer, tablet, and phone games on topics ranging from fractions to civics.
GeoGabra | GeoGebra is mathematics software for all levels of education that brings together geometry, algebra, spreadsheets, graphing, statistics and calculus in one easy-to-use package
Garbage Science: Crushing a Soda Can & Shrinking Chip Bag | Garbage can be fun to experiment with before it gets thrown away.
Instant Ice | Sharply knock a bottle of supercooled liquid water on the table and it instantly turns to slushy ice before your eyes.
JOVE Science Education Video Library | Extensive video library helps educators reach their student learning outcome goals; covering core concepts to advanced methods and theories. High-impact animations and visualized real-life experimentations enable quick, in-depth comprehension and support blended learning and flipped classroom initiatives. Content can be embedded in courses through most learning management systems or assigned as standalone supplements. Free to educators and students (must request access) through June 2020.
Lava Lamp | Oil and water separate teaching kids about density of liquids in this quick at-home experiment.
Nonstop Fountain | Make a non stop water fountain out of 3 plastic bottles and straws. This really cool self pouring liquid science trick is a great experiment to try at home.
NOVA’s Topic Earth | Parents and children can explore a range of videos from “Ancient Arctic Animals” to “What it is Like to Live in Antarctica.”
Periodic Table Battleship | Kids will be learning chemistry in such a fun way without even realizing it! You’ll love hearing them call out the names of different elements and getting familiar with the structure of the periodic table.
Science Zone App | The NSF’s Science Zone app allows you to navigate hundreds of exciting videos and high-resolution photos from a wide array of science topics.
Scratch | With Scratch, kids can program their own interactive stories, games and animations and share their creations with an online community. In the process, they develop software graphically as a way of learning the fundamentals of coding language.
Skittles Rainbow in a Glass | Skittles are mostly made of sugar. When you add hot water to them, the sugar dissolves and the coloring on the shell of the Skittles turns the water different colors. The cup with only two red Skittles doesn’t have as much sugar as the cup with ten purple Skittles, but they both have the same amount of water. The amount of matter packed into a certain amount of space is called the density of the material. The red water is less dense than the purple water, so it will float on top of the purple water.
Snow Fluff | Tiny pieces of corn starch get mixed into the shaving cream and suspended in the mixture, creating a snow-like texture kids can use to make snowmen and snowballs.
Spark 101 | free 10 MINUTE classroom videos engage students in authentic STEM problem solving.
X-STEM video library | TED-style talks from luminaries of science, designed for middle and high school students.
Water Xylophone | Play your own music using bottles or glasses filled with differing amounts of liquid.
Zooniverse | Researchers, with the help of Zooniverse volunteers, can analyze information more quickly and accurately than when working alone. Zooniverse volunteers, including high school and undergraduate students, even helped researchers discover a new type of galaxy — the Pea Galaxy — named after its small size and greenish color.
Beyond the Bench: STEMulating Career Conversations | Whether you are a student preparing to enter the workforce or a seasoned executive, this podcast is a resource for those with a STEM background seeking to understand career options. Though there are numerous opportunities outside of the laboratory, people either do not know what they are, or how to prepare for the transition. This show is built around non-scripted STEMulating Conversations with those who started out doing laboratory research, then ventured Beyond the Bench to use their skills and experiences in other ways. There will also be discussions spanning a range of technical, interpersonal, and social topics. This podcast can be likened to the ultimate informational interview because it provides answers to the questions you’ve not been able to ask, and addresses areas critical to your professional development which ultimately influences your ability to attain a satisfying and rewarding career.
Beyond the Microscope | Podcast focuses on sharing the voices of women in science, technology, engineering and math fields.
The EdSurge Podcast | A weekly podcast about the future of education, featuring insightful conversations with educators, tech innovators and scholars, hosted by EdSurge’s Jeff Young and other EdSurge reporters.
Fun with the Maryland STEM Festival | Short interviews with the people and organizations that make the Maryland STEM Festival such a success.
Potions Class | Potions Class is a weekly podcast delivering to you a deep dive on easily absorbable topics related to science fields such as health, medicine, research, and development hosted by NIH Post-bacc, Elliot Lowe. Expect thorough research from the “Potions Class” team, as they dig into studies from scientists and experts who have gone before them.
STEM on FIRE – Podcast | About Podcast The STEM on FIRE Podcast targets students thinking about or already pursuing a STEM education by interviewing practicing professionals in the STEM field.
STEM Southwest Podcast | Designed to create STEM connections, cohesion, and elevation within the Southwest region of the United States. You have discovered a place where STEM enthusiasts gather to learn about the amazing STEM rockstars of the region as well as STEM activities that are impacting the world! Whether you are looking to learn more about STEM innovations in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and California you are in the right place! If you have longed to be united with other STEM nerds, then you have found your people here at STEM Southwest! Check out our family-friendly show and events calendar designed to build problem solvers, thinkers, and innovators for the future. New episodes are released every other week.
STEMxm: The STEM Career Podcast | The STEMxm podcast is a show about STEM careers. It is hosted by @MelTheEngineer. Most show episodes will feature a guest interview from a field of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics and will cover topics such as how to get into that career field, what that path’s education requirements are like, and the interviewees recommendations for being successful in that field or sector. Learn more at www.STEMxm.com.
STEMCAST with Dr. Regan Flower | The STEMcast Podcast is hosted by Dr. Reagan Flowers and is designed to inspire and advance STEM perspectives. Dr. Flowers interviews STEM + Art + Communications professionals from all walks of life and discusses the significance of C-STEM in their professional and personal life.
STEM Everyday | The STEM Everyday podcast focuses on how teachers can infuse STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) into their everyday lessons. We will explore and share great ideas that inspire the students to want to learn while challenging them in the process. It doesn’t matter what subject or grade level is being taught, STEM can be incorporated into all classrooms. This podcast aims to assist teachers in giving students needed opportunities to learn and take charge of their learning, rather than having them acquiring sequestered bits and pieces of content.
Unprofessional Engineering | Interested in science, technology, machinery, engineering and the history behind everyday things? Want a fast and fun way to get your kids interested in STEM? Look no further! We break down a weekly engineering topic in a way that everyone can understand and enjoy.
You’re Hired | In 2018 we conducted a future workforce survey of 1,000 students and only 41% felt prepared for their careers. Many said that more internships, career preparation, networking, career preparation tools, and more access to college career centers would have helped them feel more prepared.To help bridge this gap, we’re proud to sponsor and share our student-centric, on-demand podcast series called “You’re Hired!”. Drawing on experts from around the academic and business community. The series offers practical, real-world preparation and advice on how to succeed in college and ways in which students can get a jump start on their career.