I’ve scoured the internet, including all of my favourite social media sites, to bring you a fantastic collection of online inquiry and inventive thinking resources that I know will inspire and motivate both you and your students. The collection includes Lego, science, practical activity ideas, engineering, videos, animation, technology and a tonne of fun facts – so there is sure to be something for everyone!
YOUTUBE & VIDEO
- Sean Kenney Lego Certified Master Builder’s YouTube Channel: Best-selling author and artist, Sean Kenney, uses LEGO toys to build anything and everything you can imagine. Here’s an example of one of Sean’s Lego building prompt videos that would be perfect for use with primary/elementary or early secondary aged students as a springboard for their own creations.
- ABC Splash: A brand new world-class education website for Australia packed with hundreds of videos, audio clips, teaching resources and up-to-date education news.
- RubeGoldberg.com Video Gallery: As I have previously shared, Rube Goldberg challenges provide a wonderful base for the integration of knowledge of simple machines with the application of a range of architectural and engineering based skills. The videos in this gallery are sure to inspire students to want to have a go for themselves.
- STEMbite YouTube Channel: STEMbite was created by Andrew Vanden Heuvel, a science and maths teacher, mostly because he needed something to dowith his Google Glass. Andrew loves trying to do interesting and cool things related to science, technology, and learning.
- The Ellen Show Kid Inventors: Ellen DeGeneres features a series of child inventors, inviting them to share their latest invention with the world.
- The Royal Institution: Explore the latest research and investigate key issues in science, technology, engineering and maths as presented by the Royal Institution of Great Britain.
- 9 TED Talks By Impressive Youths: TED talks spread ideas through short, powerful presentations that make you think. These nine youth TED talks are no different.
- MythBusters: This is a link to the first series of the fantastic MythBusters TV show on YouTube (links to episodes in the subsequent series are also available). For those unfamiliar with the series, the MythBusters team takes a rather explosive scientific approach to proving (or disproving) commonly held fact and myths.
WEBSITES
- CSIRO Crest: CREativity in Science and Technology (CREST) is an Australian non-competitive awards program supporting students to design and carry out their own open-ended science investigation or technology project. This education program provides a range of support material for both teachers and students.
- Make zine: Projects, how-tos and inspiration from geeks, makers and hackers.
- PBS Kids Design Squad: Activities, animations, video profiles and Design Squad Nation episodes for use in classrooms.
- Lego Ideas: Students can submit their very own proposal for a new Lego set and their design just might be selected to be made into an actual Lego set to go on sale around the world.
- Google Science Fair: The Google Science Fair is a global online science and technology competition open to individuals and teams from ages 13 to 18.
- Engineering is Elementary: Free curriculum resources from the Museum of Science, Boston. Includes The EiE Curriculum (Grades 1-5), Engineering Adventures (Grades 3-5) and Engineering Everywhere (Grades 6-8).
- Project Based Engineering for Kids: A collection of project-based engineering lessons focusing on basic principles of physics, structural, and mechanical engineering.
- Get Caught Engineering: Lessons, ideas, and references for hands-on engineering experiences that excite and challenge primary/elementary school aged children.
- Steve Spangler Science: Steve Spangler is a teacher, science toy designer, speaker, author and an Emmy award-winning television personality and his site aims to educate, entertain, and inspire the imagination.
- Origin Energy’s Energy for Schools: A free curriculum aligned energy education resource for primary and lower secondary students and teachers. Includes a range of activities, games and educational resources.
- Science Buddies: Build literacy in science and technology with hundreds of free project ideas and help in all areas of science and engineering.
- Science Sparks: Fun science experiments for preschool and primary aged children.
Pinterest is a veritable smorgasbord of great ideas across all grades and subject areas. Here are eight fabulous Pinterest boards dedicated to science, technology, math and engineering ideas for kids to start your search off right.
- STEM Kids
- STEM
- STEM Education
- 21st Century Learning
- DIY & the Maker Movement
- Stem! Stem! Stem!
- For Future Engineers
- STEM/STEAM Lessons, Activities & Ideas
- Making and Tinkering
- STEM for Homeschoolers
Next time you’re hanging out on Facebook check out these great science and engineering inspired pages. You might just find some fun facts or interesting project ideas to share with your kids.
- Science Alert: Interesting science facts and findings.
- Inventables: A hardware store for designers sharing interesting invention ideas.
- NASA: Explore the universe and planet Earth with the official NASA page on Facebook.
- Mythbusters: Page of the popular TV show MYTHBUSTERS, where you’ll find an eclectic mix of scientific method, curiosity and plain old-fashioned ingenuity.
- Wired Science: Reporting on new, interesting and relevant scientific research.
- ScienceDump: Bringing back the fun, art and passion into Science.
What are your favourite online resources for inspiring kids to think?
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