SciJinks for Kids: Wild Weather
Posted on June 27th, 2015 by Mary Lord
From tidal curiosities and solar flares to bad weather jokes, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s SciJinks website offers a wealth of resources for learning and teaching about Earth’s climate and geography.
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Tags: clouds, Environmental science, games, hurricanes, Internet Resources, JPL, NASA, NOAA, Resources for Teachers, Satellite, Space, Tornadoes, Weather, Web Resources
On July 1, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will open its new innovation wing, with interactive exhibits and programs focused on the theme of U.S. enterprise, business, and invention. The centerpiece of the 45,000-square-foot space is the studio of Ralph Baer, inventor of the home video game.
Ultra-tiny nanoscale engineered materials and technologies show up in products from cosmetics to medicine. To help teach this rapidly expanding area of STEM, TryNano has assembled a webpage with lessons, games, and other free resources.
Math can be a tough sell. Many students think it’s too hard, or that they’re no good at it. It doesn’t have to be this way, says Stanford Graduate School of Education Professor Jo Boaler, who has designed a free program for teachers to change mindsets and inspire their fifth through ninth graders to think more deeply in mathematics.
Plant a tree. Snap a selfie for NASA. There are countless ways students and teachers can celebrate the 45th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22. This year’s theme: It’s Our Turn to Lead. See how your small steps can lead to big change!
Looking for a fun way to engage students in STEM and help them understand core concepts? Check out the Scientist’s Curiosity Cabinet, a video-laden website showcasing Boston College chemistry professor Ross Kelly’s collection of gadgets that offer “neat examples” of such scientific principles as buoyancy or “things that seem impossible but are staring one in the face.”
What do fashion designers, rock stars, and restaurant owners have in common? They all apply algebra in their work! Get the Math promotes algebraic thinking and problem-solving skills through video challenges that illuminate such real-world math.
Want to get kids excited about STEM? Check out Engineering, Go For It (eGFI), one of eight websites on Information Week’s list of free, fun activities and other resources designed to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.
America’s “green economy” is growing, and that means new jobs in sustainability, construction, engineering and many other areas. To help students discover their interests and career pathways, Green360 offers self-assessment inventories, career coaching, and other free online curricular resources. 
