Science Resources

Computer Science

CS First (grades 3-8)
CS First has created instructional videos to assist students in using the SCRATCH coding format. Quickly create a class code and choose an assignment.

Engineering

Cardboard Arcade (grades K-8)
This YouTube video shows that all you need is some cardboard, and an imagination. Students work to build a cardboard arcade game. The sky is the limit!

Rube Goldberg Machine (grades K-8)
Create a Rube Goldberg machine using anything you have at home. Students learn grit and engineering/design practices

Science

California Academy of Sciences (grades K-8)
Live web cams of labs and events, lesson plans, units, distance learning plans, videos, virtual field trips, and teaching resources.

edpuzzle (grades 6-8)
Educational videos that pause and ask questions during the video to test student comprehension. Teachers can introduce students to self-paced learning through interactive video lessons, check if students are watching videos, and see how many times students watch specific sections to determine understanding of content. Teachers can use videos from Kahn Academy, YouTube, Crash Course and other platforms- or upload their own videos. A subscription is required.

Flipgrid (grades K-8)
An instructional format that allows teachers to visually hear from students. Teachers can post an assignment, students record their response, and the teacher can give video/written feedback. Students are also able to record presentations that include their own screen and a video of themselves speaking. Click here for ideas on how to use Flipgrid.

Gizmos (grades 6-8)
Online virtual math and science labs aligned to common core math and NGSS science. A subscription is required.

Kahn Academy (grades K-8)
Teachers can create assignments, set up a class code and students log in to complete assignments that are graded automatically. Teachers can also assign a course mastery, ie. 8th grade math, Algebra 1, etc. There is instructional content, videos and articles, alongside practice, quizzes, and unit tests throughout the self-paced mastery experience.

Know it All (grades K-5)
Online interactives that can be assigned through Google Classroom

Live Nature Cameras (grades K-8)
Enjoy live video feed of all kinds of animals and places. Students could journal daily about what they are seeing, or use as a way to collect animal behavior data.

National Science Teaching Association (grades K-8)
Free, NGSS aligned lessons from the National Science Teacher Association.

Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students (PORTS) (grades K-12)
Access to California State Parks online- provides free, live interactive video conference programs and virtual field trips to help expand learning beyond the classroom.

Public Broadcasting Service: Nova (grades K-8)
Amazing videos from space exploration to evolution. Currently has a live stream for a robot being used to explore Antarctica’s glaciers.

Science Friday (grades 3-8)
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a lollipop? Students learn about controlling variables as they work to control their lollipop lick. Video and data are available online.

Screencastify
Screencastify is a Chrome Browser extension that allows teachers to record their computer screens and make video lessons that they can easily share with their students.

• Click here to view a 10-minute Screencastify video created by one of our Content Specialists.

• Click here to access the 6-8 grade Science packets shown in the Screencastify video .

Smithsonian Learning Lab (grades K-12)
The Smithsonian has provided Teachers, students and parents with access to millions of digital resources from their museums, research centers, libraries and archives.

Tuva Labs (grades K-12)
Tuva Labs is a great resource for data literacy. The free teacher account has 15 datasets that teachers can use for lessons. Students can also upload their own scientific data to analyze. Click here for a video review of Tuva Labs.