Lots of parents have suddenly found themselves playing the role of teacher to their children right now.  While parents juggle work, fluctuating schedules, and a lot of unknowns, it can be hard to know how to keep young people active and engaged in learning at home.

Cecelia Watkins, Spark-Y Curriculum Director, says the number one thing she hears from parents right now is: "What can I do. How can I keep my child/children learning?"

Cece compiled the following list of websites to help parents and caregivers provide ongoing STEM education from home. Each resource is categorized by grade level and whether content is designed for student or caregiver, as well as a description of activities you can find. Much of these resources are focused on sites young people can access and learn all on their own to relieve busy caregivers short on time.

STEM Resources for Learning at Home:

  • Project Learning Tree | Elementary, Middle | For caregivers
    - Backyard environmental education activities, with most available in Spanish.

  • Scholastic's Computer Lab |  Elementary, Middle | For students & caregivers - Diversity between activity options; some more child-facing.

  • Virtual Outdoor Experiences | Elementary, Middle | For caregivers
    - Set of activities to earn 'buttons' (like scout badges) related to outdoor stewardship.

  • Captain Planet Foundation: Learning at Home | Elementary, Middle, High | For students
    - Hands-on projects using (semi) common materials: build a bug hotel, urban bird watch, BioBlitz, etc. 

  • Animal Live Cams | Elementary, Middle, High | For students
    - Live video feed of eagles, elephants, ocean life, etc- could be useful as part of an observation activity or bigger projects.

  • Science Bob Experiments | Elementary | For students
    - Hands on labs, very kid-facing/friendly, includes videos and science behind it. Many include less common materials.

  • Scholastic Learn at Home | Elementary, Middle | For students
    - Very kid-facing STEM articles with lots of visuals and videos integrated; reflection/integration questions at the end.

  • Khan Academy | Elementary, Middle, High | For students
    - Extremely built out, tons of options, mostly video content.

  • Waters to the Sea: Mississippi River Adventure | Elementary, Middle, High | For students
    - Media-rich and science focused stories of the Mississippi.

  • WYES Electronic Field Trips | Elementary, Middle | For students
    - A 56 minute video field trip along the Mississippi (incorporating science and history).

  • Nuhop Outdoor Education At Home | Middle, High | For students
    - High quality content with multiple videos per activity, focus on environmental education, with math and science linked.