Resources to support STEM in the Classroom

STEMwork is a blended professional development program that supports North Carolina K-12 educators in establishing and sustaining education-industry partnerships with local STEM employers while providing a framework for taking those partnerships into the classroom through project-based learning (PBL). STEMwork follows a collaborative funding model between school districts and industry partners to support a team of STEMwork Scholars in a school, district or region. 

The Science House is a program that provides STEM opportunities in the form of equipment borrowing and professional development for educators, as well as various camps and programs for students. It is a great resource for borrowing tons of equipment, including Makey Makey's, robotics, various lab kits, lesson plans, and books. Typically after completing a professional development or other training with the Science House, teachers have access to any equipment they offer, including delivery to and pick up from your school.

Science Olympiad is a great opportunity to involve students in the 4'Cs and have fun. Science Olympiad is a stellar way of supporting students in engagement and interest in STEM fields. While schools and groups can start clubs for competitions, teachers can also use single event resources in the classroom to contextualize and elevate instructions. Students must think critically, be creative in the execution of design and process development for investigations and experiments, communicate with partners, and use technology for everything from research to coding and development.

Bublup is a great resource for sharing files and supporting a professional learning community. In addition, it can be a great resource for kids to collaborate and communicate on projects and resources. These can be lessons, notes, digital tool resources, and links to private purchase resources.  The beauty of Bublup is it can be private or shared with a small group or public and shared with individuals by topic, resource, profession, or personal interest.  This Bublup is a resource of Middle Grades Science Teachers that can be organized by subject in folders and shared nationally amongst a small group of technology-focused middle grades educators.  For this purpose we have it set as a closed group. I have embedded a link in the science rocks picture to the right. You will need to scroll down through the resources to have access to the folders and see how we have set this up. 

Bublup Insta Organize this link will take you to the website to create an account. 

March Mammal Madness is a great way to incorporate many subjects into active learning. Natural selection and adaptation, genetics, and non-fiction and poetry writing meet basketball-style bracket competitions. Resources teach research and incorporate the ELA and Social Studies classrooms into active and transdisciplinary learning. Scientists from all over the world have created resources for this activity in both English and Spanish, including a scientist who works with Citizen Science projects through the North Carolina Museum of Natural History. The use of social media is also incorporated through Twitter feeds and YouTube videos. STUDENTS LOVE IT!! At the right top is the bracket I created for my classroom and students’ initial “trading cards” for the species competing last year, as well as one example of how students incorporated population ecology content (left bottom).

This is a great tool for promoting STEM, equity, engagement, and action in the science field. Students have the opportunity to engage with an active scientist and ask questions, sparking creativity and critical thinking about research. They focus on combating misunderstandings about science, inclusivity, racism, and inequity in education and the research field. This resource also builds communication skills for scientists and experts from the professional to the public fields, highlighting the ongoing development of the 4C’s as students, professionals, and even experts.