Science and Technology education is one area of importance that is often over looked by teachers, especially primary school teachers, because the concepts involved are often complex and require some research by teachers to help them develop better understandings about the topic. Science and STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) subjects are very important to us and we believe that we have an obligation to share and promote this area as much as possible. Our aim is to present you with resources that will engage, support and extend learners in your classrooms and to help do this we will continue to bring you posts like this to expand your knowledge and resources in science.
1. Try Science
Try Science is a fantastic website based in New York which aims to share a "gateway to experience the excitement of contemporary science and technology through on and offline interactivity with science and technology centers worldwide" . The site is developed and maintained by the New York Hall of Science, The Association of Science-Technology Centers and IBM.
This site offers teachers and students a variety of experiences: Adventures (offline thematic experiences), Experiments (offline activities with online components), Field Trips (Interactive science centre features and locators), Curious (short polls and activities based on topics) and Live Cams (various live webcams for science centres). There are information pages for Parents, Teachers and Scientists and Engineers.
The experiments are organised according to learning areas (Mathematics, Space Science etc). The Try Online option allows you to view the experiment in an animations, while the Try Offline option details how to carry out the experiment. These experiments are contributed by various science centres and are very detailed. There is also a section where kids can comment about the experiments.
You can follow the New York Hall of Science on Twitter and Facebook.
This site offers teachers and students a variety of experiences: Adventures (offline thematic experiences), Experiments (offline activities with online components), Field Trips (Interactive science centre features and locators), Curious (short polls and activities based on topics) and Live Cams (various live webcams for science centres). There are information pages for Parents, Teachers and Scientists and Engineers.
The experiments are organised according to learning areas (Mathematics, Space Science etc). The Try Online option allows you to view the experiment in an animations, while the Try Offline option details how to carry out the experiment. These experiments are contributed by various science centres and are very detailed. There is also a section where kids can comment about the experiments.
You can follow the New York Hall of Science on Twitter and Facebook.
2. Science for Kids
Science for Kids is a New Zealand based website catering for all levels of science knowledge and interests. "Science Kids is the home of science & technology on the Internet for children around the world. Learn more about the amazing world of science by enjoying our fun science experiments, cool facts, online games, free activities, ideas, lesson plans, photos, quizzes, videos & science fair projects." The site is organised according to the topics listed in the previous sentence, as well as according to different topics of science, like Biology, Space and Weather. There are a plethora of resources for teachers to browse and select for their classes. The quality of these resources is very good and well worth investigating. The text is also simple enough for most students of 8 years or older to read independently.
Science kids also has 'sister' for Mathematics and English.
Science kids also has 'sister' for Mathematics and English.
3. NASA's Space Place
Where do you start with a site like this? NASA's Space Place is a fantastic website that EVERY teacher should know about. As you would expect there are huge amounts of facts, games, activities and experiments about space, but there are also topics such as tectonic plates, GPS and volcanoes. I also find the section about People & Technology an essential tool for my classroom, with games and resources here to enhance my teaching about how technology has developed I can't go without it.
If you don't already follow NASA or NASA APOD on Twitter or Google+ I suggest you start the magnificent pictures and videos to generate discussion and wonder.
If you don't already follow NASA or NASA APOD on Twitter or Google+ I suggest you start the magnificent pictures and videos to generate discussion and wonder.
4. Questacon
Questacon is the Australian National Science and Technology Centre, which is based in Canberra. If you are able to get there in person it is a fantastic day out for all. If you are in Australia you might be able to catch on of their Science Circus Events which travel around this large country. If you cant do either you should check out their Videos and Activities which give fantastic demonstrations and information about various experiments.
You can followQuestacon on Twitter.
You can followQuestacon on Twitter.
5. Love My Science
Love My Science is another great site to fin experiments, games, videos and facts. This site also has an extensive glossary. The site is also divided into handy categories. Under the types of science, like biology or physics, there are different categories to point learners and teachers in the right direction. The experiments are designed for children to complete by themselves.
6. BBC Science Clips
This is the old BBC BiteSize Science Clips links. Recent updates to the BBC Schools section means that the videos available in the new version are no longer available outside the UK but the old site is still there, even if it is no longer updated. There are various flash games and activities that help teachers to explain science concepts. Use it while you still can!! It is a fun and very useful site. It covers all areas o the science curriculum for children aged 4-11.
7. Lawrence Hall of Science
The Lawrence Hall of Science or 24/7 Science is a website where you can find videos, information and tasks. Lawrence Hall of Science is a part of UC Berkeley's public science centre. This centre provides a range of experiences for the public, including schools. The activities and tools available are free to use and require an internet connection. The range of materials is extensive.
8. CSIRO Do It Yourself
The CSIRO is Australia's Science research organisation. They provide Australia and the world with some ground breaking research but they also offer activities and ideas for teaching science at home and at school. The DIY experiments page provides information on how to carry out the activities, safety information and covers all aspects of science. The CSIRO also runs a program called Mathematicians and Scientists in Schools. The link to the DIY page also has links to SCOPE - a TV series for kids and the Double Helix club and magazine, designed for primary aged students.
9. PhET Simulations
PhET is a very useful resource from the University of Boulder in the USA. This website provides a huge number of simulations for physics, chemistry, earth science and biology. The simulations are useful in explaining all sorts of concepts. These simulations are usually Java or Flash objects, Here is an example for you.
10. Next.cc
Next.cc is a STEAM focused education centre providing a variety of activities designed to develop STEM and STEAM skills and thinking with students. The resources needed are generally minimal and the lesson guides support teachers in the implementation.
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