This year’s Education Week theme is Spotlight on STEM and as schools get ready to shine a light on the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the fun doesn’t need to stop in the classroom.
We have complied a list of websites, resources and activities that will keep the kids entertained, and engaging in all areas of STEM. These activities are perfect to do not only in the classroom, but at home with the family too.
Resources:
- Digitial Technologies Hub https://www.digitaltechnologieshub.edu.au/for-families/
- World-Wide Earthquake Locator https://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/~quakes/v6_beta/map.html
- NASA Imagine the Universe https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/index.html
Games:
- Victorian Maths Challenge https://vmc.global2.vic.edu.au/
- Volcano World https://volcano.oregonstate.edu/
- Cool Math Games www.coolmathgames.com
Activities:
There are plenty of activities and experiments that are great ways to introduce students to the different STEM subjects.
You can find a list of fun science experiments at We Are Teachers (https://www.weareteachers.com/easy-science-experiments/).
Elephant toothpaste
Elephant toothpaste is a simple chemical reaction that will cause big results. This experiment is best done outside, and safety glasses should be worn at all times.
You will need:
- Empty plastic bottle
- Dry yeast
- Liquid dish soap
- Liquid food colouring
- Three per cent hydrogen peroxide
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Safety glasses
Instructions:
Pour ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide into the bottle.
Add a squirt of dish soap into the bottle.
Add the food colour of your choice, and gently swirl to mix.
In a measuring cup, mix together 1 tablespoon of yeast and 3 tablespoons of warm water, stirring for about 30 seconds.
Pour the yeast into the bottle and get back and watch the reaction.