Spread the love
As the American K-12 system searches for ways to boost student engagementand aptitude in STEM education, technology is playing a pivotal role. Youngchildren who enter classrooms today have an aptitude for tech, and educatorsmust nurture that skill set with resources and tools that implement STEMlearning.
Where do teachers find resources to integrate into their STEM instruction?The easiest place would be online. To save you some time, we compiled a list ofresources that provide teachers with the tools that they need to teach qualitySTEM instruction to their students. Without further ado, here is our list ofelementary school STEM/STEAM apps, tools, and resources that we love.
LEGOEducation– LEGO Education has been working for over 37 yearsto find new and fun ways to encourage education among young children. From tangibleto virtual, they offer resources to make learning interactive and rewarding andallow children to learn how they want. With the LEGO system for playfullearning, preschool to middle school students will get a better approach toscience, technology, engineering, and math fields (STEM).
Brilliant–This app teaches students key concepts in math, science, and computer sciencethat are applicable in problem-solving scenarios. Back and forth, interactivelessons have been proven to be more effective than boring one-way lectures.Develop yourself using the materials assembled by top researchers andprofessionals. Suitable for adults and children over the age of 10.
Ais for Amphibians– Children can have fun playing with frogs withoutgetting dirty on the A is for Amphibians game for children between the ages of5 and 8. This app contains STEM-based vocabulary and 3-D pictures to feedchildren’s curiosity about the world around them. The app comes free with alimited time offer of no in-app purchases.
FlinnSTEMPowered by IMSA Fusion– IMSA Fusion is a complete STEM programthat provides additional enrichment to students interested in science andmathematics. The name IMSA Fusion comes from the blending of inquiry-basedstudent content and in-depth teacher content. Instructors who implement thisprogram receive much more than teacher instructions with student pages and abox of supplies; they also receive hours of video-based, on-demand onlinetraining that truly sets IMSA Fusion apart from any other solutionavailable.
Elemental Path– This is a super smart company making super smart toys for kids. WhenElemental Path debuted on Kickstarter in 2016, it was with the help of IBMWatson, which enabled the company to make toys that kids can communicate with.IBM Watson combines machine learning, computer vision, data mining, naturallanguage processing, and human/computer interaction to mirror the actions ofthe human brain. The toy company, however, has switched to its own proprietarysoftware for its new dino robot, the STEMosaur, that kids can build and talkto.
KIBO –The STEAM Robot Kit for Children 4 – 7– KIBO is created byKinderLab Robotics, a robot kit based on over 15 years of child developmentresearch that allows 4- to 7-year-old kids to program, build, decorate and runtheir personal robot. KIBO has proven to be effective in helping young studentslearn steam concepts and making them proud in the 54 countries where it’s beingused. KIBO can be incorporated into the classroom without hassle to improve anytheme or curriculum, thereby engaging students to learn STEAM concepts.
LittleBits Electronics– LittleBitsElectronics encourages creativity and inquisitiveness in young ones to helpthem in their future. Using technology and electronic techniques, LittleBitshas over 10 kits and 70 operable “Bits” to allow your child to create and playwith endless possibilities. Children will learn lots about robotics and how tobuild things from scratch. They will also learn the basics of electroniccomponents, powering, how things interact with one another to create anend-product, and much more. This app will also enhance their knowledge of STEMfield mechanics.
Minecraft:Education Edition– This version of Minecraft will help youlearn. Whether computer science, wilderness conservation, chemistry, coding,math, STEM topics, and more, you can learn educational topics the fun way. Ifyou love Minecraft, you will surely love this version.
Morphi–Morphi is an app that allows you to create 3-D models that can – be printedinto real tangible objects. Using visualization, innovation, creativity,prototypes, and education, create your best models today. Morphi can also beused as a starting place to learn any STEAM subject, stop motion animation,product or graphic design, or for Maker education. One version of Morphi isfree, and volume purchases are available.
Bridge ConstructorPlayground– Build bridges using this app and your imagination. Youbuild bridges across 30 different levels of difficulties and challenges. Yourbridge will be subjected to a stress test for structural integrity. Compared tothe #1 hit “Bridge Constructor,” this game provides easier access and morecomprehensive tutorials. With no budgets or restrictions on availablematerials, you have the creative freedom to bring your ideas to life.
robots4STEM– In its bid to promote diversification and make educationmore inclusive, RoboKind created robots4STEM, a visual programming platformthat provides students with the foundational knowledge required for computerscience development. It uses a drag-and-drop programming system to teachstudents the logic of programming while they control Jett, a faciallyexpressive, responsive, humanoid robot. It allows students to learn visualprogramming using a customized avatar and Jett, a technologically improved, faciallyexpressive robot. This platform provides countless opportunities and activitiesto develop essential coding and programming abilities, and it is quite easy toinstall and use. It does not require a high level of coding or programmingexperience or proficiency for teachers and parents to use it to help theirwards; its ease of use allows you to schedule classes at convenient timeswithin or outside the instructional day.
