CONTENT
PARTNERS
STEM
As we prepare our students to be leaders of tomorrow, we recognize the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and how our students’ understanding of these subjects is key to our success as a nation. Thinkfinity strongly supports the STEM initiative and offers lesson plans, activities and interactives to help you build a cross-curricular classroom. Looking for STEM-related resources for use in your classroom or at home? Here are a few examples to get you started.
- Ever wonder what it is like to work as a paleontologist? In Fossils Rock! Takes from the Field, students join a virtual dig and hear from real paleontologists.
- Need a great way to help your students develop an understanding of DNA? In Extracting DNA, students learn about the process of DNA extraction through modeling. An animation of a cell becoming part of larger structures (like chromosomes and DNA strands), is part of the lesson.
- In Green Roof Design, students make decisions about designs that affect the transfer of energy between a building and the outside environment.
- Solving the Math Curse: Reading and Writing Math Word Problems uses reading, writing, listening and speaking on a math word problem to bridge the gap between reading and math.
From the Community
We asked members of the Thinkfinity Community "What are your favorite STEM resources?" and this is what they said.
Power Up!
Compare and contrast different energy sources and the trade-offs of using them. Includes interactive tool, student e-sheet, lesson plan and printable worksheets.
Invention at Play
Think like an inventor as you test different ways to get the ball into the hole with this interactive game.
Weekly Science Updates
Quirky, entertaining and informative, these 60-second features cover the latest discoveries in science, technology and medicine.
Join the discussion in the Community, and tell us some of your favorites.
- Robotic Resources - Discussion
- Learning Math - Group
LESSON PLANS
Powerful Patterns: Playing with Patterns
Illuminations | Lesson | PreK-2
Create repeating patterns using the interactive Shape Tool, and then recreate them with your voice, your movements, or other objects.
Erupting Volcanoes
Science NetLinks | Lesson | K-2
Students learn about volcanoes through the making of a volcano model.
How Does My Garden Grow? Writing in Science Field Journals
ReadWriteThink | Lesson | K-2
Students work together to plant a garden and then record their observations in
Animal Adaptations
Science NetLinks | Lesson | 3-5
Students visit a website to learn about how animals adapt and hold classroom discussions about whether or not the animals have adapted well to their natural habitats.
Fossils Rock! Tales from the Field
Xpeditions | Lesson | 3-5
Students learn what it is like to be a real paleontologist and go on a virtual dig.
Long Distance Airplanes
Illuminations | Lesson | 3-5
Paper airplanes take flight as students explore attributes related to increased flight distance and interpret median distances in a stem-and-leaf plot.
Geometric Solids and Their Properties
Illuminations | Lesson | 3-5
Try the five interactive geometry lessons that explore the properties of three-dimensional shapes.
Weather Detectives: Questioning the Fact and Folklore of Weather Sayings
ReadWriteThink | Lesson| 3-5
Students investigate the validity of statements made about whether to determine if they are fact or folklore.
How Sedimentary Rocks Are Formed
Science NetLinks | Lesson | 6-8
This lesson explores and answers the question: How are the stripes of sedimentary rocks formed?
What Do Scientist Do?
Science NetLinks | Lesson | 6-8
Students develop an understanding of the diversity and nature of various science disciplines.
Plasmolysis in Elodea Plant Cells
Science NetLinks | Lesson | 9-12
Students microscopically observe various subcellular components and determine the effects of different salt solutions on Elodea plant cells.
Simulating Climate Change Research in Grasslands
Science NetLinks | Lesson | 9-12
Students explore the topic of climate change in depth.
Don’t Freeze the Engine
Illuminations | Lesson | 9-12
Do you know enough about percents to find the right mixture of antifreeze to prevent freezing?
