Today’s educators need versatile products that can be used to teach more than one aspect of STEAM. Schools want to engage students with hands-on activities that, for example, blend art and reading with core science and math instruction.
Manufacturers have therefore developed cross-curricular STEAM tools that cover multiple subjects and align with learning frameworks such as the Next Generation Science Standards.
Such new products also suit districts that are expanding coding instruction, as well as the use of robotics and augmented reality. The solutions detailed below can also assist schools in launching or upgrading makerspaces.
Labdisc
Boxlight
The Boxlight Labdisc, a portable, compact device with 14 wireless sensors, collects scientific data, such as air pressure, temperature, pH levels and more, depending on the model. Labdisc is Bluetooth-enabled, has a 150-hour battery, requires no setup time and comes with automatic sensor testing and calibration.
The device can be used for inquiry-based learning in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science and geography.
boxlight.com
HMH Science Dimensions
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Science Dimension is a comprehensive K12 curriculum designed to Next Generation Science Standards. It features interactive online learning tools, such as videos and animations. It focuses on investigative activities and three-dimensional learning, and allows teachers to provide real-time feedback on assignments.
Science Dimension also offers professional learning and pedagogical support for educators, including best practice guides and videos.
hmhco.com
Martha Madison
Second Avenue Learning
This game-based STEM curriculum covers topics such as simple machines, optics, forces and waves. The NGSS-aligned games include an analytics dashboard to help teachers adjust instruction to student ability levels.
secondavenuelearning.com
Science Techbook
Discovery Education
Techbook, a digital textbook supporting K12 STEAM education, engages students by combining text, graphics and video into one format. In Techbook’s most recent edition, teachers can make vocabulary more challenging and students can highlight words as well as add study notes within the text.
Techbook can also read text aloud to students.
discoveryeducation.com
Edustation 3/Pro 3
STEMPilot
The Edustation 3 and Pro 3 portable flight simulators are designed for K12 STEM and aviation education. The Edustation 3 is equipped with three 27-inch, high-definition, panoramic-view displays and is capable of simulating flight for 50 different types of aircraft.
The Pro 3 has upgraded navigation, plus communication radios, autopilot and a switch panel. Both come with curriculum that is aligned with NGSS and other state and local standards.
stempilot.com
Big Ideas Math
Big Ideas Learning
This math program for students in grades 6 through 12 comes with videos for each chapter that relate mathematical concepts to real-life scenarios. Corresponding tasks, such as dragging and dropping answers, support each lesson.
Students learn math concepts that are related to the Parthenon, natural disasters, solar power and revolving doors.
bigideaslearning.com
STEM Academy
Marshall Cavendish
STEM Academy, a teaching and learning program for K8 students, includes lesson plans, workbooks and e-books. It also offers flexible package options. Educators can choose a single activity—such as the 4WD racing car for which students calculate speed—or choose the full, 12-activity set.
mceducation.us
PRIZM fx-CG50
Casio America Inc.
Middle and high school students can use the Fx-CG50 to create 3D geometrical shapes such as planes, cylinders and spheres. Graphs can be plotted over real pictures and viewed from various angles to more effectively analyze their shape.
Students can also enter commands more easily and quickly through the fx-CG50’s advanced catalog function.
casioeducation.com
STEM PREP
Studica Inc.
Students can build models, such as braking systems for a racing bicycle, with STEM PREP, a set of motors, solar panels and other parts. The STEM set includes step-by-step pictorial instructions for projects that emphasize physics, robotics, energy and power concepts.
studica.com
Exploring Structures in Literature
Pitsco
Exploring Structures in Literature is a four-week, K2 STEM lesson in which students work in teams to complete cross-curricular activities that teach concepts in technology, engineering and language arts.
The lesson comes with a teacher guide, assessments and various projects, such as Fold-N-Roll set, from which students can build vehicles and test them on two different ramps.
pitsco.com
Inspire Science
McGraw-Hill Education
Designed for K5, Inspire Science is a collection of print, digital and physical learning kits. Each package includes simulations, game-based learning and hands-on activities, such as Moving Marbles, where students place a marble on a ramp and monitor how the height of the ramp affects the marble’s speed.
As students perform mathematical analyses of data and graphs, they also write narratives and explanations of their inquiries.
mheonline.com/inspire-science
