In this series of lessons, students learn about Traditional Ecological Knowledge, also known as Indigenous science. Lessons examine different ways of learning about science, relationships with the environment, and culminate in simulated mammal survey. Students are introduced to Dr. Seafha Ramos, a wildlife ecologist and Yurok tribe member.
Learning Squared is project that provides direct programming to elementary classrooms. Lesson extensions have been developed to go a long with hands-on lessons. Free lesson extensions can be accessed here.
Click here to find free printable readings on different STEM professionals. Currently we have one set of readings and aim to have ten listed by the end of 2021.
Science Delivered has teamed up with Dr. David Novick to bring you illusions students can explore. The illusions will help them learn that their perception of the world is all “in their head!” Help your students learn about sensory inputs and the brain-body connection with this awe-inspiring activity.
Connect the Plot is a fun way to introduce older elementary and early middle schools to coordinate geometry. There are five different plots available plus a template for students to create their own. Graphs are limited to one quadrant.
4th grade packet (64 pg): Brain & Body Communication NGSS Standard 4-LS1-1 Plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate.
The materials include: 1. Teacher background 2. Ready-to-print lessons and hands-on activities 3. A Brain and Body Communication Poem
A fun art & science lesson where students explore the idea of how different traits can help an animal survive by making their own imaginary animal.
3-LS4-3 Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.
Introduce your students to STEM careers and real “STEMists”! Materials can be used to support lessons in grades K-12.
Can be used as a supplement to NGSS lessons about animals and habitats.
A fun powerpoint where students must find the camouflaged animals. Helps students see the variety of strategies used.
Fits with any animal lessons grades 1st-4th involving camouflage.
IN PROGRESS! Materials on many aspects of bats’ bodies and behavior and how they inspire human inventions. Culminates in students creating their own bat-inspired inventions. See Bat vs. Bat Bot pdf for photo credits
1st grade (can also be useful for 4th): All About Sounds & Vibrations NGSS standard 1-PS4-1 Plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate.
The materials include: 1. Teacher background 2. Ready-to-print lessons and hands-on activities 3. Lyrics for a “sound sound".”
Teacher Background on plant and animal adaptations for 3-LS4-3 Specifically developed for: Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all but is useful for all plant and animal related standard. This document goes into six items that plants and animals needs to survive and provides examples of different animal and plant adaptions.
8.5 x 11’’ printable mini-posters. Feature interesting STEM careers and diverse STEMists in your classroom!
Lead a discussion on STEMists featured on the STEM Trading Cards or elsewhere with these discussion questions!
Have students research a “STEMist” (person working in science, technology, engineering or math) and tthen have them create their own STEM Trading Card with this template!
A fun way to combine science and art while learning about body systems! This activity was originally created for families at home but can easily be adapted for the classroom. All students need is a pencil and paper!
Here you will find Tangram templates that are sized for Learning Resources Tangrams. Templates are available in three levels for kinder through adult!
This fun activity help build spatial and mathematical skills through early coordinate geometry. The designs here were created with grades K-3 in mind but can be enjoyed by all ages.
Outside Resources to access:
Story Bots. We love Story Bots ( and have no affiliation). It’s a show available on Netflix with little cartoon robots who answer STEM-based questions for kids. Even as adult science educators we have learned from this show, so it’s good for all ages. Yes we love hands-on learning but it’s hard to deny the power of this show! [We have only reviewed the videos, not the books].
Free printable life-size body parts from “Adventure in A Box.”
More background on sound. This page “Everything You Should Know About Sound” breaks down the different types of waves and shows how sound waves work with gifs. It’s very clarifying.
NGSS Resource: STEM Teaching Tools - a great resource for teachers ready to dig deeper into NGSS.