AAAS’ STEM Education is hard at work to bring quality and interactive online K-12 educational resources. All resources below, which families can do together, most take about 30 – 45 mins to complete. Teachers might like to incorporate them too. We have some great resources available now, and more to come, so be sure to check back every Wednesday!
After 17 years underground, we will welcome billions of Brood X cicadas as they emerge in 15 states across the eastern United States this spring and summer! This is an excellent opportunity for us to train as entomologists!
These homemade bird feeders are a great way to give your local wild birds a real treat. You can make them at any time of year, but it’s particularly important to support wild birds in winter.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to do research — to be called a “researcher?” Meet Dr. Ana Maria Porras, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in biomedical engineering.
Barn Owls live in every continent except Antarctica, in both urban and rural environments. Investigate how they have adapted to so many different geographic conditions.
As the fourth planet from the Sun, Mars is “a dusty, cold, desert world with a very thin atmosphere.” Apply your creativity and science and math knowledge to explore the Red Planet.
While the United States and two other countries use the imperial math system, the rest of the world uses the metric math system! Use your mathematical knowledge and skills to identify the difference between metric and imperial systems.
One thing all engineers have in common is the use of the Engineering Design Process. This is a step-by-step method of solving a problem by creating something. Use your engineering thoughts and skills to design a pet toy.
A container cargo ship is like a huge warehouse that holds its cargo in pre-packed units – containers. Just like a naval architect, use your engineer skills to construct your own cargo ship that can carry a heavy load without tipping over or sinking.
The ability of flight sets birds apart from many other creatures. Use your science and engineering skills to build paper airplanes that correspond to bird major wing shapes.
From professionals to amateur photographers, everyone can express themselves through their images. Let’s master the basics of digital photography and tell your story!
Did you know sharks are 50 million years older than trees? Gain an appreciation for these creatures by using your scientific and creative skills to build your own shark from upcycled materials around your house!
What differences do wild cats and domesticated cats have? Let’s be a zoologist by using our scientific research skills to explore the different characteristics of wild and domesticated cats.
Do you want to work at a zoo or an aquarium? Join us in this episode of AAAS STEMTalks, as we interview a Bird Keeper from a world-class zoo!
Have you heard the story of the peppered moth? Their adaptation and evolution against the evolving human world is an amazing story! Use your artistic skills to camouflage your own moth and see if family and friends can spot your critter!
Every 10 years, your family has the opportunity to help your local community and city government by participating in the US census! Our government depends on the census to understand our nation’s population in the states and five territories. Use your observation and drawing skills to investigate your own neighborhood’s population.
Every day more than 100 tons of space debris hits the earth. Join the research team and use your observation and math skills to measure the impacts of different asteroids.
Did you know that your shadow can calculate local noon? Use your mathematical skills to calculate your local solar noontime.
Styrofoam, cell phone, clothes, food wrappers, and medical supplies, what do all of these have in common? Use your investigation skills to identify the types of plastics found in your home.
The combination of heat and moisture, along with the right wind conditions, creates powerful and disruptive vortexes. Use your engineering skills to create your mini hurricane experiments!
The average American throws away 4.51 pounds of waste each day. Perform your own trash audit to discover what waste you could avoid, compost, or recycle.
Safe hideaways, especially in urban areas, can be hard for wildlife to find year-round. Use your engineering skills to construct an invertebrate hotel for your local neighborhood critters!
Whether you are in the city, coasts, or mountains you have species all around you. If you are up for the challenge, let’s measure the biodiversity in your neighborhood!
As a global celebration of all things Star Wars, use the activities below to think creatively and use your imaginations. May the 4th be with you!
One of the most important code systems invented is the internationally recognized Morse code, which matches dots and dashes to letters of the alphabet. Use your Science and Mathematical skills to break and make your own secret codes.
Develop your scientist’s skills through observations, measurements, and sorting of tree leaves. Whether you are creating leaf rubbings, making leaf prints, or just enjoying nature, there are a number of ways to play, learn and craft with leaves!
One important ability in science is being able to carefully observe and record the natural world. Use this activity to practice your science skills.
Explores the use of cell phones modified as inexpensive microscopes. In this activity, you will build a simple and inexpensive cell phone microscope and homemade slide and cover, and then use it to investigate critters found in local water bodies.
Bring science into your daily life with these five resources that offer the opportunity to learn fun science concepts by conducting their very own science experiments.
In this AAAS STEMTalk episode, we interview Dr. Ana Maria Porras, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow from Cornell University. In Part 2 of this video series, we learn about the specific research that Dr. Porras does and why it is important to study!