Making sure your kids have a fun summer and continue their education can be a free and engaging activity that can be done at home thanks to numerous free science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) resources developed by the Center for Educational Outreach from Baylor College of Medicine. From alcohol and space lessons to experiments you can do with household items, there’s something for your students at every level.
“There is a need for high-quality science experiences for learners across the K-12 spectrum,” says Dr. Alana Newell, deputy director of the Center for Educational Outreach. “By providing free, high-quality resources, our goal is to increase access for all students to improve general science literacy and prepare them to join the STEM workforce of the future.”
BioEd Online was established in 2004 to ensure that high-quality, up-to-date sources of classroom-accessible science news, materials and training would be available online. After two decades, BioEd Online has grown into a comprehensive collection of educational tools and resources developed by educators and scientists serving 250,000 people.
While many of BioEd’s classes were originally designed for traditional classrooms, users from a variety of contexts, including homeschooling parents and after-school programs, can use the content. The STEM@Home Activities section contains lessons that provide STEM content without the need for specialized training, equipment and materials, and would be perfect for parents and families to use to complement their children’s education. The activities are arranged by grade and subject, so that searching for the perfect home lesson is effortless.
Activities for preschoolers to second graders
As your child learns the basics of STEM in the classroom, you can supplement his knowledge with lessons that teach him how to do it Think like an engineer or how? Put a new spin on art. Challenge your primary school student by asking, “Can you imagine being a spider?” and “What kind of paper makes the best boat?”
Activities for third through fifth graders
Get some more hands-on time with STEM concepts through advanced lessons that teach your child where microbes are (They are everywhere!) and How do your lungs work?
Activities for high school students
As your child enters high school, the STEM curriculum becomes more intense and it may be more challenging to keep them engaged in those classes. Fortunately, there are lessons and activities that your child can create themselves Kinetic art: sculptures in motion or investigate a mysterious disease that kills baby elephants in The Index Elephant can help them not only succeed in their classes, but also shape their future career goals.
Activities for high school students
Strict topics in STEM classes can be made approachable by understanding viruses and learning how insects survive in space. Your high school student can prepare for their career by learning about: The varied path of health professionalswhich offers insight into the many health careers they may not be aware of.
By Aaron Nieto