TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Feb 12, 2023
Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to return to the Featured Sites Archive
Engineer for the Week - Meta
Grades
5 to 12
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Engineer for the Week offers three projects introducing engineering and STEM learning to students aged 11 through 18. Students work alongside adult facilitators to build technology...more
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Engineer for the Week offers three projects introducing engineering and STEM learning to students aged 11 through 18. Students work alongside adult facilitators to build technology prototypes that teach various engineering skills. As students participate in Chatbot for Change, they produce a chatbot that uses artificial intelligence to converse with users. Another project, Play for Impact, offers the chance to create a game with block-based coding. The final project, Products with Purpose, challenges students to develop a product prototype using everyday materials. All projects require mentoring provided by a facilitator that meets several easy requirements; no coding or programming skills are needed! Learn more by signing up for an upcoming introductory webinar. Webinars are offered a few times each month, some in English and a few in Spanish; find upcoming dates by choosing the "Facilitate" link in the upper left corner and scrolling down to the bottom of the page.
tag(s): coding (75), computational thinking (37), critical thinking (102), design (82), problem solving (214), Project Based Learning (14), STEM (227)
In the Classroom
Engineer for the Week is an excellent opportunity to provide real-world STEM learning to students. Most projects suggest a participation time of 15-20 hours and a time commitment of 15 hours by the facilitator. Share the Facilitator Checklist with parents and community members to find volunteers to support the program as an in-school activity or after-school program. Directions for the programs include different phases labeled as "prep," "sprint," and "finish." As students begin the program, use an organizational tool such as Netboard, reviewed here, to share images, resources, notes, and other information to prepare for the project. During the sprint phase, students collaborate to test and practice different ideas. Enhance student learning by asking students to share their reflections and ideas using Typito, reviewed here. As students celebrate and share their accomplishments, further enhance learning by using Sway, reviewed here, to share and document student learning using text, images, videos, and links to research information.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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MIT Full STEAM Ahead - MIT
Grades
3 to 12
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Find free, high-quality STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) resources for all grade levels at this fantastic site! Each week educators from MIT provide thematic...more
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Find free, high-quality STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) resources for all grade levels at this fantastic site! Each week educators from MIT provide thematic grade-level learning "packages" that include video, activities, and challenges in various topics. Content includes inventions, outer space, and music and sounds, among other topics. Many subjects also include activities that don't require Internet access. Additional links provide a curated list of learning games that promote 21st Century skills. All content is created for teaching in online or in-person situations.
tag(s): design (82), diseases (66), earth (178), engineering (112), game based learning (167), inventors and inventions (70), makerspace (42), sounds (45), space (205), STEM (227)
In the Classroom
As students participate in the activities and lessons shared on this site, utilize the many features of Google Documents or Microsoft Word to gather information, and collaborate with peers. Use spreadsheet tools to record findings and create graphs to evaluate the results of experiments. Engage students in the learning process by adding questions and comments to the videos in the learning packages using edpuzzle, reviewed here. Ask students to use Sway, reviewed here, to share the products of their learning activities. Add text, images, videos, and more to create multimedia presentations. Use the learning packages to find activities and resources to incorporate into your current learning units. Be sure to check out the interactives (games) that focus on problem-solving and collaboration skills.
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PictureStem Project - Tamara Moore, Kristina Tank, and Elizabeth Gajdzik
Grades
K to 3
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The PictureStem Project offers STEM teaching units for grades K-2 incorporating the engineering process and correlated to science standards. These three units - one each for grades...more
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The PictureStem Project offers STEM teaching units for grades K-2 incorporating the engineering process and correlated to science standards. These three units - one each for grades K, 1, and 2 include modular features that contain content within different lessons throughout the school day. Each lesson within a unit provides science concepts based upon literary connections using picture books. Select any unit to view and download the entire unit including printables.
tag(s): animal homes (57), animals (268), design (82), engineering (112), geometric shapes (131), main idea (8), measurement (124), numbers (118), patterns (62), phonics (48), preK (246), reading comprehension (128), STEM (227)
In the Classroom
Enjoy these free, high-quality STEM units to use in your elementary classroom. As you teach lessons found on this site, enhance learning using a portfolio-creation tool like Seesaw, reviewed here, to share student work and reflections. Upload images of student projects then use Seesaw to add video reflections, students' written responses, and more. Share Seesaw portfolios with parents during parent/teacher conferences to demonstrate student learning. If you are unable to use the complete units in your classroom, be sure to look through the many lessons to "mine" for shorter activities that work in your teaching situation.
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Those Amazing Engineers - Those Amazing Professions Inc
Grades
6 to 12
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Those Amazing Engineers provides an introduction to engineering and careers in engineering through vibrant images, text, and video. Scroll through the home page to explore the many...more
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Those Amazing Engineers provides an introduction to engineering and careers in engineering through vibrant images, text, and video. Scroll through the home page to explore the many different types of engineers and follow links to learn more about each specific field. Additional links share information on workplaces, getting started in the field of engineering, and exploring options to find the type of engineering that appeals to individual interests. If your school blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
tag(s): careers (130), engineering (112), STEM (227)
In the Classroom
Share this site with students as part of career exploration lessons. Instead of creating a list of sites to share with students, replace the list by saving bookmarks with Symbaloo, reviewed here, to make information easy to find and access. After researching the different engineering fields ask students to extend their learning and create a web page sharing a day in the life of their chosen field. Carrd, reviewed here, is a free webpage creation tool that provides many tools for professional-looking pages. Find many other resources to encourage creativity and engineering at TeachersFirst Makerspace Resources, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Babble Dabble Do - Ana Dziengel
Grades
K to 6
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Connect the arts and sciences through hands-on exploration with creative projects shared on Babble Dabble Do. Begin by selecting one of the four categories - art, science, engineering,...more
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Connect the arts and sciences through hands-on exploration with creative projects shared on Babble Dabble Do. Begin by selecting one of the four categories - art, science, engineering, or design for kids. Each topic includes many ideas for projects for preschoolers and up. Project ideas all include step-by-step directions with pictures, many also include videos. The videos are housed on YouTube; if your district blocks YouTube, they may not be viewable.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): crafts (50), design (82), engineering (112), makerspace (42), STEM (227)
In the Classroom
Be sure to add this to your toolbox of ideas for teaching STEAM topics and for ideas to use in classroom makerspaces. In addition to adding this site to your favorite bookmarks, consider creating a board on Pinterest, reviewed here, of sites with ideas for STEAM projects. Share the board with your peers and collaborate on adding STEAM sites as a group. Extend learning throughout and after project activities as you include student work as part of a portfolio on Seesaw, reviewed here. Seesaw offers tools for all ages of students to create digital portfolios including written or audio reflections on work. Instead of just sharing images of student creations on your Facebook page or school web page, help students enhance their learning by creating digital books using WriteReader, reviewed here, to share online for family and friends. WriteReader is a site specially created for use with younger students to share their writing and images.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK Go Sandbox - University of St Thomas and Dr. AnnMarie Thomas
Grades
6 to 12
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Capture the interest of your most reluctant students with these STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) projects presented through music videos and guided inquiry challenges....more
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Capture the interest of your most reluctant students with these STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) projects presented through music videos and guided inquiry challenges. Rock videos provide the basis for the learning concepts followed by a series of question and answers along with student challenges. Examples found on the site include lessons on simple machines demonstrated through a chain reaction and creating sound through everyday objects. Other resources include educator guides and student journal worksheets. If your school blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
tag(s): gravity (41), mass (17), motion (44), sound (69), STEM (227)
In the Classroom
Delight your students with the videos and activities provided on the site to include with your current science lessons. Place students in groups to complete the challenges offered. Have students replace paper and pen and take collaborative, digital notes using Webnote, reviewed here; tell students to be sure to save the URL to share their notes and questions with you and their peers. Ask students to record their work images and video. Redefine learning and challenge students to share their final projects including the digital research notes, images, and videos using a multimedia presentation tool like Sway, reviewed here.
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SciGirls Connect! - Twin Cities Public Television
Grades
3 to 12
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SciGirls Connect! provides resources to connect and encourage girls to engage in STEM (Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology) activities including videos, interactives, and hands-on...more
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SciGirls Connect! provides resources to connect and encourage girls to engage in STEM (Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology) activities including videos, interactives, and hands-on activities. Browse the site to find resources divided into topics including technology, role-model profiles, and various science themes. Additional information provides resources for teachers including participation and lesson guides. SciGirls Connect! places a heavy emphasis on providing resources in Spanish, these include Latina role-models and Spanish versions of most content.
tag(s): animal homes (57), animals (268), careers (130), earth (178), engineering (112), environment (225), graphic design (50), heart (25), nutrition (133), space (205), spanish (103), STEM (227)
In the Classroom
Bookmark SciGirls Connect! as a resource for finding interesting classroom activities for both girls and boys. Consider creating an after-school club for girls to explore different STEM careers and activities; if possible, bring in female STEM leaders from your community to help host the club or provide ongoing activities and support. Encourage the use of technology by incorporating and embedding digital tools throughout your STEM lessons. For example, instead of asking students to take notes using pencil and paper, use Google Docs or Microsoft Word. As students continue through their learning activities, use editing tools in these office products to add comments, images, and additional information. Be sure to demonstrate how to view editing changes to your students so that they can look back and reflect on their work throughout the process. Encourage your students to reflect upon their work both during individual activities and throughout the year with the use of a digital portfolio tool like Seesaw, reviewed here. Use Seesaw to create individual accounts for students to take pictures, add video, and add written commentary as part of their reflection and assessment of activities. Really enhance student learning and technology use by letting them become the teacher. Extend learning and technology use by asking students to create podcasts using Anchor, reviewed here, to teach others about concepts in science and technology, or share information about STEM careers. In addition to podcasts, you can also extend technology use and learning by asking students to use a video explainer tool like Binumi, reviewed here, to demonstrate and share the procedures of experiments.
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The Curious Engineer YouTube Channel - Omkar Bhagat
Grades
6 to 12
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The Curious Engineer YouTube Channel provides monthly animated video explanations of the world around us. Browse through to find titles including Why do we add leap seconds? and How...more
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The Curious Engineer YouTube Channel provides monthly animated video explanations of the world around us. Browse through to find titles including Why do we add leap seconds? and How Google Search Works. Most videos run less than 5 minutes in length, providing short, yet interesting explanations of many topics. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): birds (44), computers (96), magnetism (35), maps (208), oceans (133), space (205), STEM (227), time (92)
In the Classroom
Share videos with students either on an interactive whiteboard, with a projector, or as a link on your class website. Many of the videos discuss computer programming concepts, making them particularly useful for Computer Science lessons. For more advanced classes, provide time for students to choose a video to view and research the underlying concept. Enhance learning by having students make a multimedia presentation sharing their findings using Slides, reviewed here, if you are starting the process of integrating technology into your classroom. Slides is an easy tool to manage if you are familiar with PowerPoint or Keynote. If you and your students are more advanced with technology, you may want to use a tool such as Canva, reviewed here, for students to create a custom poster, presentation, or flyer for relaying what they discovered.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Try Engineering - IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
Grades
8 to 12
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Try Engineering offers a wide variety of resources focused on engineering, computers, and associated careers. Explore the site as a student, teacher, parent, or counselor to learn more...more
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Try Engineering offers a wide variety of resources focused on engineering, computers, and associated careers. Explore the site as a student, teacher, parent, or counselor to learn more about planning a career path in engineering. Student information includes career profiles, games, and student opportunities to learn about different engineering options. Choose the teacher link to find complete lesson plans, activities, and featured engineers. Some of the lesson plans use YouTube for videos. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
tag(s): careers (130), computers (96), engineering (112)
In the Classroom
Include the Try Engineering website when exploring career options with students, be sure to point it out to students with an interest in engineering and computers. Use the site to help students understand the various options available in engineering and computer careers and the education necessary for different roles. Whether you are teaching about plastics, robots, electricity or many other science topics, check this website out! Enhance student learning by having students create online posters detailing requirements of their chosen career using a tool such as PicFont, reviewed here, or Web Poster Wizard, reviewed here. Alternatively, have students create an infographic showing the steps needed to advance to a career in computers. Use an infographic tool such as Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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FabFems - National Girls Collaborative
Grades
6 to 12
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FabFem encourages girls to find or become a role model in STEM careers. It is a national database of professionals in science, technology, engineering, and math careers. Browse through...more
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FabFem encourages girls to find or become a role model in STEM careers. It is a national database of professionals in science, technology, engineering, and math careers. Browse through resources including community highlights and upcoming events or "like" their Facebook page to stay current with the latest information. Find a role model using keyword filters, ethnicity, the field of work, age range, and more. Contact role models using the contact form, if desired, to ask questions or learn more about their careers. Create a new account and add yourself as a role model to serve as an inspiration to young women.
tag(s): careers (130), engineering (112), mentoring (6), STEM (227), women (108)
In the Classroom
Use this site when researching science careers and scientists to be sure to give women their turn and to inspire another generation of female scientists. Challenge your students to learn more about famous present-day women in STEM careers and create their own interactive books about them. Have students extend their learning by using Ourboox, reviewed here. Ourboox creates beautiful page-flipping digital books in minutes, and you can embed video, music, animation, games, maps and more. Enhance student learning and have students create a personal timeline using Preceden, reviewed here, to map out career goals.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Engineering Place - North Carolina State University
Grades
K to 12
3 Favorites
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The Engineering Place offers resources for students, parents, and educators to promote and learn about engineering. Explore the student section, sorted by age groups, to find information...more
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The Engineering Place offers resources for students, parents, and educators to promote and learn about engineering. Explore the student section, sorted by age groups, to find information about careers in engineering. Choose the parents section to download a booklet with information about helping your student with mathematics and tips for encouraging students to explore careers in engineering. Find lesson plans and additional resources in the Educators portion of the site.
tag(s): careers (130), engineering (112)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site for use throughout the year, and take advantage of the free lesson plans. Share information from the site during career lessons and activities. Share this site with parents as a resource for learning more about careers in engineering. Have students use Fakebook, reviewed here, to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about an engineer.
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Instructables - Project Based Engineering for Kids - Autodesk, Inc.
Grades
K to 8
4 Favorites
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Discover a collection of problem-based learning engineering lessons for building models in the areas of physics and structural and mechanical engineering. For each topic, a video with...more
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Discover a collection of problem-based learning engineering lessons for building models in the areas of physics and structural and mechanical engineering. For each topic, a video with step by step construction directions accompanies a necessary list of materials. Create your project, and let the explorations begin. Explore ideas given for basic explanations or ideas to test for some of the buildable models. Create a collection, share, or add some ideas for activities. Topic ideas include slingshot rockets, rubber band helicopters, extending grabber, simple pneumatic machine, cork shooter, catapults, slingshot cars, truss bridges, simple sail car, marble roller coaster, gliding car, tower tornado, and crash test cars, among others. Share this awesome find on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Tumblr, or email. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): engineering (112), makerspace (42), Problem Based Learning (11)
In the Classroom
Bring out the "inner engineer" in each of your students! During physical science units, visit this collection to get directions for students to build simple models to supplement content. You might want to visit the accompanying site How to Teach Project Based Engineering to Kids before getting started. Students can work in small groups to create a project. Different groups can demonstrate different laws of physics. Add this to your class website as a do-at-home project to encourage exploration at home. During language arts when focusing on using concise, clear, language, listen to the directions and use as a model. Enhance learning by having students write the scripts for creating other models using Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Using these online documents affords many benefits, including the ability to add comments, highlight information, and add links to online information. Extend learning by having students create a multimedia presentation featuring the directions and construction of the student model using Google Drawings, reviewed here. With Google Drawings, students can annotate, narrate, and add related links to an image. Not familiar with Google Drawings? Watch an archived OK2Ask session to learn how to use: OK2Ask Google Drawings, here. In gifted and talented classes or pull out programs, consider for a beginning of a deeper understanding of the concepts. Move forward with virtual field trips to see the "real" machines at work. Find ideas for after school clubs, camps, and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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