When I Grow Up, I Want to Be …
It’s never too early to explore future career possibilities! In ROI’s Job Exploration Video Series, see how four kids in the Indiana Uplands are exploring STEM activities and making connections to jobs in our region.
ROI’s Careers in the Uplands Video Series
Next door to next level, people in the Indiana Uplands are doing amazing work in STEM careers. The Uplands boasts specialization in the advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and national security industries. Check out ROI’s Careers in the Uplands Video Series to learn more about people working in the Uplands, including engineers, scientists, cybersecurity technicians, machinists and more.
NTSA Daily Do
The Daily Do includes activities and lesson plans for hands-on STEM for elementary, middle, and high school students, teachers, and families. The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is the largest organization in the world committed to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. Activities are organized by grade band and are also searchable by topic.
eLearning Lab
The eLearning Lab has everything you need to support your digital instruction and your students online learning! This support includes digital tool tutorials, lesson plans that leverage high-quality digital tools, access to eLearning experts via live chat, weekly eLearning webinars, and an open community forum to collaborate with others across the state of Indiana on eLearning.
Keep Indiana Learning
Keep Indiana Learning provides a space where educators can connect and learn from peers through resources, blogs, and asynchronous professional development. It’s a learning experience by Indiana educators, for Indiana educators.
Science Snacks by Exploratorium
Science Snacks are hands-on, teacher-tested, science activities using cheap, available materials with things around the house. Science Snacks are made possible by the Exploratorium, a San Francisco public learning laboratory exploring the world through science, art, and human perception.
TED-Ed Lessons
TED-Ed lessons feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Each video is less than 6 minutes long. Explore the genius of Marie Curie, learn how tsunamis work, and why sloths are slow. Students can also dig deeper on subjects with quizzes, discussions and additional resource materials.
Scratch Online Coding
Scratch, an online coding program created at MIT, enables students to create their own interactive stories, games and animations online using block-based coding language. Take the learning one step further by joining the online community to share projects and see what others have created. Have younger students at home? ScratchJr is a free app that makes coding more accessible for students ages 5-7.
Hello Ruby
Hello Ruby is a whimsical way to learn about computers, technology and programming. It started with a book, and now Ruby continues her adventures in exercises, activities and videos. Hello Ruby is suited for kids age 5 years and older (but even adults might learn something new). For teachers and parents, check out author Linda Liukas’ 6-minute TED talk on Crawling into a Computer.
PBS Design Squad
Students explore the world of science and engineering with this collection from PBS Kids Design Squad, targeted to middle-school aged students. Kids can share their engineering ideas and sketches with other kids, play games, and take on global challenges, such as inventing a way to use less water. Fun videos feature kid engineers and hosts/role models Deysi Melgar (“future aerospace engineer and professional salsa dancer”) and Nate Ball (“engineer, pole vaulter, and beat boxer”), who draw on their experiences to dispel stereotypes and inspire kids to explore engineering.
PBS LearningMedia
PBS LearningMedia has thousands of free teaching resources, videos, lessons plans, and games aligned to state and national standards. Educators can search by topic, grade or standard. Students have customized views to find videos and activities that support learning at home. You can also create free accounts to save and organize content! Be sure to check out the curated science collections.
Your Local Library
Take advantage of free WiFi hotspots, new e-book & audiobook programs, larger streaming media collections, new magazines and newspaper access, virtual story times, and much more!
Don’t have a library card yet? See if you can get one online. Many libraries grant digital library cards. Locate your local libraries: https://www.in.gov/library/pldirectory.htm