STEM Connections

MIT Media Lab

The MIT Media Lab is an interdisciplinary research lab that encourages the unconventional mixing and matching of seemingly disparate research areas. Browse through the latest world-changing technologies in development. 

Pumas

PUMAS is a collection of one-page examples of how math and science topics taught in K-12 classes can be used in interesting settings, including everyday life. The examples are written primarily by scientists and engineers, and are available to teachers, students, and other interested parties via the PUMAS Web site. The PUMAS goal is to capture, for the benefit of pre-college education, the flavour of the vast experience that working scientists have with interesting and practical uses of math and science...

Nova Online

Nova Online is a great place for teachers to find lesson plans for any grade level. Most lessons deal with current scientific headlines. Teachers can introduce topics such as oxygen depletion while climbing Mount Everest, or explain the techniques used to "hunt for a serial arsonist" or discuss avalanches. There are also a lot of online activities and a teacher's exchange page where teachers can swap lesson plans with other teachers.

Science News for Kids

Science News is a great place for teachers to find headlines and links to science news from over 1500 sources that can be integrated in lesson plans.

The Why Files

Explore The Why Files to find well researched, educational descriptions of the actual science behind current news stories. This Web site is easy to navigate, browse by subject or theme and you can also find cool science images.

New Scientist Planet Science: The Last Word

Explore The Last Word Web site to find all sorts of fun facts and answers to questions ranging from strange nature to gadgets and inventions.

Globe

A very practical way that teachers can become involved in contributing to understanding about climate change is to become involved as a GLOBE school. GLOBE is an acronym for Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment. It is based in Washington, DC but has schools around the world who are involved in monitoring environmental measures related to climate change. Probably the best way for schools to find out more about GLOBE is through their Web site.

Science Daily Magazine

Do you want your student's to have up-to-date scientific knowledge? Science Daily Magazine is a very helpful website for teachers to find interesting information that can be integrated in lesson plans. Search through thousands of articles and find out how fascinating the world of science really is!

PBS Learning Media

Formerly PBS Scienceline, this is a great Web site for a wide range of interesting information on science and technology that can be used in the classroom.

Quirks and Quarks

CBC radio is home to a cool program called "Quirks and Quarks". Current and past shows can be heard through Real Audio. This website also has links to other websites that are sure to be of interest.

Mathematical Association of America Online

Want to have concrete ways to tell you your students how math is used in the real world? The Mathematical Association of America Online Web site has an article describing studies which show how non-mathematicians use or view mathematics in their jobs/disciplines, and the possible implications for teaching. Topics covered include "mathematics in automobile production", "proportional reasoning by Nurses", "modeling the mathematics of banking", "mathematical models as seen by Biologists", and "how do scientists interpret graphs".

Mathematical Moments

The American Mathematical Society's Mathematical Moments is a series of illustrated "snapshots" designed to promote appreciation and understanding of the role mathematics plays in science, nature, technology, and human culture. Mathematical Moments are in PDF format and may be freely downloaded in a standard or short version.

The Periodic Table

The goal of this website is to provide all educators with lessons that incorporate current events, reading resources, and in the near future, science themed books, for use in science classrooms.  Although, written with an expertise is in Secondary Science Education, these resources could easily be adapted for all STEM classrooms.  We urgently need to promote literacy in all classrooms and science lends itself extremely well to practicing literacy techniques.  The end goal is to provide diverse opportunities for students to appreciate and understand science. 

Shark Attacks Debate

The recent increase in the number of shark attacks has made us all worry about swimming in the ocean. There is much debate over "why" sharks are increasingly attacking people.

Mathematical Moments

The American Mathematical Society's Mathematical Moments is a series of illustrated "snapshots" designed to promote appreciation and understanding of the role mathematics plays in science, nature, technology, and human culture. Mathematical Moments are in PDF format and may be freely downloaded in a standard or short version.