Project-Based Learning 101 for Teachers Who Want t. Great Games and Simulation Tools for teaching STEM Content! (P2) It’s great to be a STEM teacher these days! We have a plethora of technology tools to help us improve teaching and learning in our classroom. One of the greatest tools for teaching science and math that I have used are online simulations.
The following simulation products are my favorites and are similar in many ways. I use all of them in my classroom several times a week, and almost daily to help me bring abstract concepts to life for my students. Great Interactive Simulations: They are vibrant, colorful, fun, and interactive. Teacher Materials and Student Lab Sheets: Each of these programs includes student lab sheets to help guide student investigations. Individualized: Each of these simulations can be assigned to individual students for them to complete as a station or center activity, for homework, or for remediation on a concept that they need extra practice with. Great Ways to Use Simulations in the Classroom The Best STEM Simulation Products Discovery Education Science Phet.
Numberphile - Videos About Curious Number Facts. A Great Collection of Science Videos. PowerUp the Game - have fun while learning about engineering and the environment. PowerUp the Game is a 3D, action strategy, multi-player, free, online game. The premise is that the Planet Helios is being destroyed from the side effects of burning fossil fuels for energy. The environment is damaged with CO2, pollution, extreme weather, and more. Players work together in extreme environments to try to save the planet, learning about environmental issues and designing systems to harness renewable energy.
It's fun, it takes critical-thinking and problem solving skills, along with teamwork and is educational. There is a teacher's guide and lesson plans to help teachers use this in class. It combines science and engineering to address STEM initiatives. It is available for Windows and Mac OS. The only issue I see is that it may be blocked in some districts, like mine, because it is a "game. " The game was developed in cooperation with museums, energy agencies, and educators (including Education Connection in CT - one of our area resource centers.)
Check it out. Earth Exploration Toolbook. Awarded Science Magazine's Science Prize for Online Resources in Education (SPORE), September 30, 2011 AAAS Press Release What is the Earth Exploration Toolbook? Developed by teams of scientists and educators, the Earth Exploration Toolbook (EET) is a collection of online Earth system science activities. Each activity, or chapter, introduces one or more scientific data sets and analysis tools that enables users to explore some aspect of the Earth system.
Within the context of a case study, each chapter guides users through a step-by-step process in which they access data and use analysis tools to explore real issues and questions in Earth system science. In the course of completing a chapter, users produce and analyze maps, graphs, images, or other data products. The ultimate goal of each activity is to build users' skills and confidence so they can use data to conduct their own investigations of the Earth system. Who is it for?
How can I learn more? Come on into the site!