STEAM & Technology
Dive into our thoughtfully-chosen collection of top-quality STEAM resources for homeschooling! We’ve handpicked our favourites for their accuracy, expert authorship, and innovative, research-based teaching methods. This curated selection is designed to give you a fantastic starting point to find the best materials for making STEAM subjects—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math—both engaging and effective for your family.
STEAM and Technology Resources
For LEGO Enthusiasts!
The LeoCAD website provides a free online tool for individuals interested in digital LEGO building and design. As a user-friendly and open-source CAD program, LeoCAD enables users to create intricate LEGO models virtually. The website offers easy access to download the software, access to a supportive community, and a comprehensive library of LEGO bricks and elements for designing projects. LeoCAD allows students to bring their imaginative constructions to life digitally, experiment with various designs, and share their creations with a global community.
Mark Rober With a background as a former NASA engineer, Rober's YouTube content blends entertainment with education, delivering engaging and informative videos on a variety of tech-related topics. His videos are funny, and topics range from building ingenious contraptions to conducting large-scale experiments while exploring complex concepts in a relatable and entertaining manner. In addition, Rober also offers Crunch Lab, a subscription-based engineering box that comes to your home with all materials and instructions.
DaVinci Resolve by Blackmagic Design is a powerful video editing software that offers both free and paid options. The free version includes a comprehensive set of professional editing, color correction, visual effects, and audio post-production tools, making it an excellent choice for beginners and students. Its intuitive interface and robust feature set allow kids to learn and experiment with high-quality video production without any cost. This makes DaVinci Resolve an ideal platform for fostering creativity and technical skills in young aspiring filmmakers.
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a free, open-source software for video recording and live streaming, widely used by content creators and educators. Its user-friendly interface and powerful features make it an excellent tool for students learning video production and broadcasting. OBS supports various platforms, allowing students to create and stream content seamlessly. This accessibility and versatility make it an ideal choice for enhancing digital media skills in an educational setting.
Ozaria and Code Combat
The Ozaria and CodeCombat websites offer dynamic and engaging platforms for learning coding and programming skills using Python, JavaScript and C++. Ozaria combines storytelling with coding challenges, immersing learners in a fictional world where they use code to solve puzzles and advance through the narrative. CodeCombat, on the other hand, provides a game-based approach where players write real code to control characters in a virtual world, learning programming languages while having fun. Both websites effectively merge entertainment with education, making them excellent resources for students looking to build coding skills through interactive and enjoyable experiences.
Minecraft Education Edition is an educational version of the popular game Minecraft, designed to facilitate learning across various subjects through an interactive and immersive environment. It offers educators and students a unique platform to explore STEM concepts, history, language arts, and more by creating and collaborating within the game's virtual world. With built-in lesson plans and customizable tools, Minecraft Education Edition encourages creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork in a fun and engaging way. This version of Minecraft provides teachers (homeschool parents) with lesson plans and building activities for students of all ages. To subscribe, register as a teacher and pay the nominal yearly fee.
Codio is an educational platform designed to enhance computer science teaching and learning through interactive coding environments and curriculum resources. The platform offers a range of tools for educators to create, manage, and deliver engaging coding courses with real-time feedback and assessment capabilities. Students benefit from hands-on learning experiences with immediate feedback, fostering deeper understanding and skill development in programming and computer science concepts. Codio's comprehensive features make it an excellent resource for both educators and students aiming to improve their coding proficiency.
Hopscotch is an innovative app that teaches kids to code through interactive and engaging game creation. Designed for children, it provides a user-friendly platform where they can learn programming concepts while having fun in a collaborative learning environment.
Paul Davis Social Networking and Online Safety
Paul Davis Tips on YouTube offers practical and insightful advice on internet safety and technology use for families. His videos are particularly valuable for parents looking to guide their children in safely navigating the digital world. Parents may want to watch these videos with their children to ensure they understand and implement the important safety tips provided.