STEAM Technology

We have all heard of STEM, but many districts are starting to incorporate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) into their classrooms. In my 6th grade classroom this year, I have been given just over 30 minutes per day in which I am to incorporate the use of technology and STEAM. With my students already spending over an hour in math and an hour in ELA, I didn't just want them to continue practicing math and ELA skills on their Chromebook 5 days a week. I needed to find other ways for them to use the Chromebook, while also learning new skills and content.

Therefore, I have spent countless hours looking for websites that incorporate STEAM, problem solving, and help students to develop critical 21st century skills. I would love to share what I have found with all of you. All of these sites are FREE to use and compatible with numerous technology devices. I have tried each of the sites below with my students and these are some of their favorites too!

Amusement Park Physics

Students have the opportunity to build a roller coaster and see what happens. They must use their engineering skills and problem solve to keep the cars on the roller coaster track.

Marble Run

Students use a blank platform to create a vertical track. They drop a marble from the top and watch it travel through their design. There is no right or wrong marble run. Students can let their design creativity run wild and also explore numerous marble runs made by others.

Tinker Ball

Similar to Marble Run, this site gives students pieces to build a track for a ball to follow. They launch the ball, but must build the track to get the ball to a specific destination.

Jigsaw Puzzle Gallery

Numerous jigsaw puzzles are set here in this gallery. Students can choose from a variety of pictures to create using the puzzle pieces. They can even time their work to try and beat the fastest time to put a puzzle together.

Coding is used in numerous real-life jobs. Using code projects online can be the first step in familiarizing students with how code works.

Made with Code

There are several projects created using code on Made with Code. These are created through Google and students can use the coded directions to play games, create pictures, or get characters to move in specific ways. The possibilities are endless to have students practice using code.

Code.org

Coding is becoming a prevalent part of our STEAM instruction. Similar to Made with Code, students can practice programming skills here.

CSI: The Experience

Have you ever watched CSI, NCIS, or another crime investigative show and wondered if you could have figured out who did what? This site is oriented more towards grades 6-8, and allows students to act as an agent to solve a mystery crime.

NASA Space Place

Students can learn about everything space science related here. There are games, reading, activities, questions, and even a fun fact of the day. Students can spend a long time exploring our universe through NASA Space Place.

Legends of Learning

NGSS is the newest push in science. New standards, content, and concepts that we need to teach our students. Legends of Learning includes many science games directly related to the standards. Many of the games require students to problem solve and follow directions closely.

Even with the nine sites I have listed above, there are countless other websites that students can use to incorporate technology and STEAM together. Please feel free to use any of these websites in your classroom, but also feel free to look for other sites that fit well with your students and what you are learning.