Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

The importance of our young learners acquiring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) skills cannot be overemphasized. It is essential that we give to our students quality learning experience in the STEM fields to train them on problem-solving skills, and to develop in them a desire for innovative learning through research.

STEM drives our nation's innovation and competitiveness by creating new ideas, new opportunities, and new companies.

Exposing students to STEM knowledge is an engaging and effective approach to promoting the skills they will require in a competitive global workplace.

The knowledge of STEM also has other benefits for the students and the nation.

  • “80% of jobs in the next decade will require technology skills.”
  • “Ninety-three out of 100 STEM occupations had wages above the national average. The national average wage for all STEM occupations was $87,570, nearly double the national average wage for non-STEM occupations ($45,700).”
  • STEM education is vital in helping the United States remain a world leader.

Because of the increase in the need for STEM professions, it is essential for teachers and other instructors to offer opportunities and platforms to students where they can be exposed to diverse professional STEM experiences. One of such platforms is through blogging.

Blogs offer a platform and an opportunity where students explore ideas not offered in the classroom. Blogging can be a pleasant experience to create and publish ideas and can also offer positive ways for students to relate to the topic they are learning.

Creating a blog is easy and there are numerous STEM blogs, apps, and EdTech tools that can serve as important resources for inspiring students and helping them to make informed choices.

Below are a list of 20 free STEM online resources to boost teaching and facilitate active learning.

  • Ask Dr. Universe: Here, kids can explore different STEM topics and get answers to common questions with Ask Dr. Universe of Washington State University. You can ask a question not covered on the site on their “Ask” page.
  • Extreme Science: You’ll discover wild and bizarre facts about nature in this extremely interesting site. The site is also a source for science projects and information on all types of world records.
  • Scratch: With Scratch, young people can acquire essential skills for life in the 21st century. Scratch helps young people gain knowledge of how to be innovative, evaluate scientifically, and work collaboratively. They can program and share their own interactive stories, games, and animations with others in the online community.
  • Science Buddies: This website contains over 1,000 ideas for science project guides, fair projects, project kits and comprehensive profiles of STEM careers.
  • Siemen’s We Can Change the World Challenge: Siemens is concerned about advancing workforce development and education initiatives in STEM. In Siemen’s K-12 environmental sustainability contests, teams from over the United States compete to improve their own communities. There are opportunities to win lots of prizes.
  • STEM-Works: STEM-Works have stockpiled their site with articles and job information, including interesting activities. You can test your skills with the reptile quiz or rescue an athlete in the Bionic Games.
  • Change the Equation: This nonprofit, led by CEOs, seeks to ensure that all students are knowledgeable in STEM by working together with schools, communities, and states to accept and execute outstanding STEM policies and programs.
  • Youth Inspired Challenge (YIC): The YIC is a major new project of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), intended to increase the impact of science centers and museums to help the youth around the world to develop into the creative and innovative thinkers needed for the 21st century labor force.
  • Helping Your Child Learn Mathematics: Useful for parents and teachers who hope to enhance their preschoolers and elementary kids math skills. Curated by the U.S. Department of Education, this resource comprises math activities to be concluded at home, at the store, and on the go.
  • Design Squad Nation: Design anything your mind may imagine. With Design Squad, tutorials, videos and challenges, you’ll learn everything about engineering principles.
  • Career Aisle: Middle School: Thinking what the future might hold? Investigate some of the choices available to you in STEM with lots of videos and other resources.
  • Kids Ahead: This site is full with all sorts of resources, including links to local activities and fun events, videos, scavenger hunts, articles, and information on nice jobs that inspire and excite.
  • DimensionU Games: This site contained lots of games that enhance STEM skills. Make use of math to unveil the mystery of Xeno Island or collaborate in a race to disengage a bio-digital virus.
  • Lecture Fox: Here you will find an astounding collection of free university lectures, all related to mathematics, chemistry, physics or computer science.
  • Free Science and Video Lectures Online: On this blog, you will get instant access to the best free educational science-related materials.
  • MSRI Videos: Contains an extraordinary compilation of math lectures on the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute’s site, several of them delivered by some of the best minds of the 20th century’s.
  • LiveScience: Through LiveScience, you can be updated with the most recent research being carried out in STEM, watch videos, and read articles that will guarantee you constantly determine what’s on the cutting-edge.
  • PLoS: This open-access organization provides amazing 160,000+ peer-reviewed articles on a wide range of topics that anyone can download and read. Free to access, reuse and redistribute anytime, anywhere.
  • Wolfram Math World: Need help with a type of math or math terms? Proceed to this site for all the materials and guidance you’ll need to master any mathematical difficulty.
  • Khan Academy: If you need to brush up on K-12 topics in STEM, head to the Khan Academy for a free and fast refresher.
Author's Bio: 

Osamudiamen Kelvin Omere is a freelance content writer/blogger who loves to write about Personal Finance, Productivity and Parenting. He blogs at www.kelvinomere.com and he is available for hire.