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TOP PICKS | 30 TOOLS
STEM Apps for Higher-Order Thinking
Top Picks
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Engineering and Inventions
Crazy Gears
Highly applicable STEM-themed free play; easy appeal for wide audience
Bottom line: A clear, simple, and fun introduction to science and engineering topics that may otherwise feel unapproachable for some kids.
Grades: K–3
Price: $2.99
Simple Machines by Tinybop
Excellent elementary NGSS engineering practices embedded in fun games
Bottom line: Fun gameplay lets kids explore important physics concepts in a solid standards-aligned context.
Grades: K–5
Price: $2.99
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.
Grades: K–8
Price: $2.99
Inventioneers Full Version
Budding engineers create design solutions with fun physics puzzler
Bottom line: A fun, engaging way to boost critical-thinking and problem-solving skills while learning about important science and engineering practices.
Grades: 2–8
Price: $2.99 Price varies for Android version.
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.
Grades: 2–8
Price: Free, Paid The app is free; the standard Gizmos & Gadgets Kit costs $199.95. Various other classroom kits are available.
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.
Grades: 2–8
Price: Free, Paid The site, including user-submitted lesson plans, activities, and a gallery, is free. SAM Labs accessories and kits, which range in price from $33 for accessories to $1,999 for deluxe classroom kits, include access to a small library of lesson plans and accompanying resources.
Trainyard
Stump students with innovative train-routing puzzler
Bottom line: Superb combination of logic, real-world learning, and train play.
Grades: 3–7
Price: $.99-$2.99
Minecraft
World-building, resource-gathering game almost as good as PC version
Bottom line: An excellent collaborative, creative, and critical-thinking resource for classrooms using mobile devices, but doesn't offer all the learning opportunities of the PC version.
Grades: 3–8
Price: $6.99
JigSpace
Break down concepts in a new way with AR models
Bottom line: These 3D STEM models will certainly engage students when added to lessons, but usefulness is limited by a lack of creation options.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free
World of Goo
Stellar physics builder with wiggly, animated goo balls
Bottom line: A fascinating fantasy world and constant puzzle challenge pull kids into learning about building structures and geometry.
Grades: 4–8
Price: $4.99
Autodesk Digital STEAM Applied Mechanics
Kids explore concepts in fun but sometimes frustrating mini-games
Bottom line: Autodesk Digital STEAM Applied Mechanics can be a fun -- but potentially frustrating -- way to learn about concepts.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free
Coding and Robotics
Codeable Crafts
Animate stories with accessible drawing tools and coding blocks
Bottom line: Kids get a simple peek at computer programming principles by animating stories using code blocks.
Grades: K–3
Price: Free
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.
Grades: K–5
Price: Free, Paid The app is free but requires $149.99 Dash or $49.99 Dot robot from Wonder Workshop.
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.
Grades: 2–8
Price: Free, Paid The app is free; requires Evo robot. Available individually for $89 or as classroom kit.
Cozmo
A little robot with big personality brings code to life
Bottom line: From Cozmo's engaging personality to endless programming possibilities, this little robot will capture your heart and spark imagination.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free, Paid Requires Cozmo robot, sold separately for $179.99.
Tickle
Robots, Arduinos, and drones -- the block coding app to rule them all
Bottom line: Impressive tool for introducing block coding and robotics on a ton of devices.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free, Paid Additional characters and challenges are offered as in-app purchases.
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.
Grades: 3–8
Price: Free, Paid The app is free; Sphero SPRK+ robots can cost $129.99.
Swift Playgrounds
Brilliantly designed iOS coding app great for newbies or pros
Bottom line: If iPad devices are available, this is an inspired choice for learning how to create and tweak code.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free
Cargo-Bot
Challenging game helps kids learn to think like programmers
Bottom line: Cargo-Bot is a simple concept that packs a challenging punch and teaches valuable programming skills.
Grades: 5–12
Price: Free
Science and Math
Bugs and Bubbles
Fascinating graphics engage as kids practice pre-reading, STEM skills
Bottom line: Great bang for the buck with all the content and stages included.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: $2.99
Nico & Nor Coconut Star
Early education force and motion app ramps up student learning
Bottom line: Coconut Star, along with its companion app, are great additions to any pre-K–1 physical science unit.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: Free
Osmo Tangram
Fun hybrid puzzles with excellent classroom supports
Bottom line: Classic puzzler combines toys with digital play to engage and teach all ages.
Grades: K–3
Price: Free Requires Osmo game system, which retails for $79.99.
Shifu Plugo
Augmented reality app has appealing STEM puzzles, room to grow
Bottom line: Shifu Plugo is a good AR product that, with continued development, could be great for collaborative learning.
Grades: K–4
Price: Free, Paid The app is free to use but requires the purchase of the Shifu Plugo STEM Pack ($63.75) or the individual Plugo Link or Plugo Count ($49.99 each).
Playground Physics
Fun video app lets students track motion to explore physics concepts
Bottom line: This is a cheap way to get students out of their chairs to make physics real and tangible, empowering learners and encouraging curiosity.
Grades: K–10
Price: Free Schools can deploy the apps for free through the Volume Purchase Program to support managed deployments.
DIY Nano
Turn kids into budding nanoscientists who explore the tiniest things
Bottom line: Scientist-reviewed videos and activities relate nanoscience to everyday life.
Grades: 2–5
Price: Free
Autodesk Digital STEAM Measurement
Interactive, lab-like exploration of measurements is a good STEAM tool
Bottom line: Autodesk Digital Steam Measurement can be a valuable tool for exploring measurement and data.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free
Volumize
Approximate photos of real-world objects with virtual 3-D shapes
Bottom line: A quick way to make solids more tangible, especially when paired with good lesson plans that get students working directly with formulas.
Grades: 6–11
Price: Free Schools can deploy the apps for free through the Volume Purchase Program to support managed deployments.
Lab4Physics
Bring physics to life using lab sensors built right into your smartphone
Bottom line: Use your smartphone to gather data and study speed, gravity, waves, and other physics concepts.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free, Paid Premium costs $14.99 each year with a 45-day free trial.
The PocketLab
Gather and analyze live data anywhere
Bottom line: A science sensor that pairs with your device to gather and analyze data is perfect for inquiry-based learning.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free, Paid The app is free; sensors cost $98-$148 each. A classroom set of 10 PocketLab sensors can be bought for $980.
Science Journal by Google
Turn your phone into a lab sensor to collect and analyze data
Bottom line: Science Journal does a good job recording real-time motion, sound, and light data using phones.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
