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STEAM Games, Apps, and Sites
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Interdisciplinary Lessons & Activities
NOVA
Compelling science videos have high-quality classroom applications
Bottom line: Unparalleled science documentaries offer a window into real-world scientific topics in a high-interest way.
Defined Learning
Stellar collection of STEM resources supports project-based learning
Bottom line: Excellent, well-thought-out resources for developing problem-solving skills in the classroom.
OK Go Sandbox
Creative music video-inspired STEAM design challenges
Bottom line: After watching OK Go music videos, kids will be excited to make new creations by integrating art, science, and math.
KidsThinkDesign
Projects inspire creativity; a place for kids' sharing would boost fun
Bottom line: A go-to site for teachers looking for well-presented project ideas; kids will need opportunities to share work locally.
Tuva Labs
Dynamic data-exploration tool offers large collection of data sets
Bottom line: Partner with another teacher (preferably a data whiz) and work together to develop cross-curricular activities.
Choreo Graph
Animate with fun geometry STEAM app; learning requires teacher support
Bottom line: Teachers and classroom communities are needed for app activities to meet their learning potential; start with the coordinating lessons.
STEM on Station
Lots of info about the space station, but tricky site organization
Bottom line: This is a great NASA resource for kids to learn about the International Space Station, as long as they're patient with the cluttered site layout.
Couragion
Individualized STEM career exploration targets students' values
Bottom line: Students identify career values and use them to evaluate STEM options.
Engineering, Design, & Making
3DBear AR
3D design and augmented reality merge in creative, interactive app
Bottom line: A great fit for classroom or makerspace settings as long as students have clear direction and compatible devices.
Hello Ruby
Crafty, mostly screen-free approach to computer science
Bottom line: These creative, beautifully made craft- and interest-based projects have the potential to bring students -- particularly girls -- into the world of coding and computers.
Gizmos & Gadgets
Top-notch tool empowers kids to invent, build, and control wirelessly
Bottom line: Easy-to-use, versatile electronic invention set that works wirelessly with your hand-held device.
3D Slash
Minecraft-like 3D modeling (and printing) made super easy for all ages
Bottom line: This may be the fastest, cheapest route from idea to 3D printing out there, if you don't mind low-res, pixelated designs.
SAM Labs
Kids use block code and wireless blocks to program, design, and create
Bottom line: With some perseverance, it's a great fit for PBL and STEAM, helping students learn programming skills and engineering concepts through invention.
Design Squad Global
Fun engineering problems encourage classroom competition, innovation
Bottom line: Design Squad Global makes learning STEAM concepts fun through hands-on activities and easy-to-understand scientific explanations.
DIY
Design, build, and share new things offline and online
Bottom line: DIY motivates kids to tackle a wide range of problems with independent and scientific thinking.
Kano
Apps, instruction, and hardware encourage creativity and STEAM skills
Bottom line: This thoughtful, kid-centered computing platform gets kids coding and creating.
Tinkercad
Amazingly simple yet powerful online CAD tool turns kids into makers
Bottom line: Full-featured site and app make iterative 3D design accessible, social, and relevant.
Autodesk Design Academy
Outstanding project-based tutorials for popular engineering software
Bottom line: The projects found here are a great way to teach and learn digital design; all are truly fantastic (and free!), with everything you need ready to go.
Instructables
Endless collection of DIY projects; good for sharing and inspiration
Bottom line: User-generated projects inspire sharing and learning, though more refined navigation would make it easier to sift through all the great ideas.
SketchUp
Make learning meaningful through 3D design
Bottom line: SketchUp is a fantastic, subject-agnostic tool that does take time to learn but helps students gain truly useful, transferable skills.
WhiteBox Learning
Design, analyze, and then build STEM applications
Bottom line: Complete learning modules include simple CAD design simulation tools, a digital competition, and options for hands-on building.
Make:
Fuel creative makers with project ideas, reviews, and community
Bottom line: Excellent DIY resource that empowers kids to learn by making and experimenting.
Robotics & Coding
Blue-Bot
Simple robot ideal for introducing programming to young learners
Bottom line: Students will develop logical and sequential thinking with Blue-Bot, creating a foundation for future coding activities.
Blockly for Dash & Dot Robots
Adorable robots teach hands-on coding skills
Bottom line: You can program robots with code blocks, with plenty of creative options and lots of fun.
The Robot Factory by Tinybop
Improve designs, collect favorites in robot creation sandbox
Bottom line: A well-made and enjoyable STEM app that leverages what's great about play -- experimentation -- to spark engineering interest.
Scratch
Creative sandbox opens the door to coding in any subject area
Bottom line: Scratch draws students of all types into coding and lays a foundation for future learning.
Evo by Ozobot
Versatile mini robot tailor-made for teaching coding
Bottom line: Evo encourages students to be creative, emphasizing that coding is a tool in your pocket, not the end game.
Sphero Edu
Cool robots and creative play make programming irresistible
Bottom line: Hub for Sphero robots draws crafty kids who love making into coding, and it empowers them to be collaborators.
Kai's Clan
Innovative STEAM package takes robot coding to the next level
Bottom line: A nearly perfect spin on STEAM coding that combines a bunch of technologies into one, and effectively fuses the real and virtual worlds.
Microsoft MakeCode
Bring code to life with circuits, robots, Minecraft, and more
Bottom line: Once you purchase the hardware, MakeCode opens doors to an incredible diversity of coding applications.
Google CS First
Middle school CS curriculum has stellar resources, room for creativity
Bottom line: A high-quality introductory CS curriculum where students can be creative, collaborate with others, and express themselves, in the classroom or at home.
Machine Learning for Kids
Authentic AI-powered projects make kids' creations feel like magic
Bottom line: It takes a topic that would be difficult to teach in any practical way and makes it accessible for the classroom.
Game-Based Learning
Toca Builders
Students not quite ready for Minecraft get a creative, fun alternative
Bottom line: Fun, engaging, open-ended play can work in a variety of content areas.
Minecraft: Education Edition
Stellar collaboration tools, controls make Minecraft classroom-ready
Bottom line: An excellent tool to engage students in learning, collaboration, and critical thinking is now more accessible than ever to teachers.
Minecraft
Spiraling sandbox of adventure and creation gets kids to dig deep
Bottom line: An irresistible and seemingly limitless incubator for 21st-century skills that, with a little guidance, can chart new courses for learning.
Gamestar Mechanic
Engaging manga-themed quest to become a game designer
Bottom line: Game design quests have everything students want but perhaps not everything teachers need.
LearnToMod
Modify Minecraft with this fun, applied use of coding
Bottom line: For students who already know and love Minecraft, this is a valuable way to hook students into coding.
Mars Horizon
Authentic space agency sim focuses on logistics, planning
Bottom line: This sim is backed by major space agencies, so it's a neat and trustworthy way to learn about the challenges of past and future space exploration.
micro:bit
Code games or fun displays with mini piece of hardware
Bottom line: This versatile tool for learning how to program with blocks or text is a nice fit for STEM classes and clubs.
Portal 2 Puzzle Maker
Mind-bending level editor for beloved physics game
Bottom line: For STEAM educators with the right tech and know-how, it'd be puzzling not to use this tool.
Garry's Mod
Complex physics sandbox is daunting but rich
Bottom line: This physics sandbox ramps up the complexity but not the usability, leaving it up to the right teachers and students to unlock its benefits.
Roblox
Popular game development platform has classroom potential, pitfalls
Bottom line: Creating games for an authentic audience encourages coding and design skills, but real risks require extra caution.
Kerbal Space Program
Design and launch a rocket into space in realistic astrophysics sim
Bottom line: This accurate rocket sim encourages trial-and-error learning and makes for great (and often explosive) physics and engineering experiments.
