These lessons link the understanding of concepts in chemistry to skills learned in algebra II. Using systems of equations in solving problems, students are utilizing matrices to balance chemical reactions and direct and inverse variations. This fresh approach reinforces students’ understanding of the relationship between two disciplines that have traditionally been taught separately.

The International Journal of STEM Education is a multidisciplinary journal in subject-content education that focuses on the study of teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It is being established as a brand new, forward looking journal in the field of education. As a peer-reviewed journal, it is positioned to promote research and educational development in the rapidly evolving field of STEM education around the world. The International Journal of STEM Education provides a unique platform for sharing research regarding, among other topics, the design and implementation of technology-rich learning environments, innovative pedagogies, and curricula in STEM education that promote successful learning in Pre K-16 levels including teacher education. We are also interested in studies that address specific challenges in improving students’ achievement, approaches used to motivate and engage students, and lessons learned from changes in curriculum and instruction in STEM education. The journal encourages translational STEM education research that bridges research and educational policy and practice for STEM education improvement.

This series of lessons focuses on exposing high school math students to relevant applications in the aviation industry. This is the first in the series for the Integrated Math 2 level. This can be taught in conjunction with Unit 1 Lesson 2 – Reading Airline Maintenance Graphs but can also be a stand-alone lesson. In this lesson, students will explore the use of a Flight Computer (E-6B) to solve Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) problems.

Introduction to the Modeling and Analysis of Complex Systems introduces students to mathematical/computational modeling and analysis developed in the emerging interdisciplinary field of Complex Systems Science. Complex systems are systems made of a large number of microscopic components interacting with each other in nontrivial ways. Many real-world systems can be understood as complex systems, where critically important information resides in the relationships between the parts and not necessarily within the parts themselves. This textbook offers an accessible yet technically-oriented introduction to the modeling and analysis of complex systems. The topics covered include: fundamentals of modeling, basics of dynamical systems, discrete-time models, continuous-time models, bifurcations, chaos, cellular automata, continuous field models, static networks, dynamic networks, and agent-based models. Most of these topics are discussed in two chapters, one focusing on computational modeling and the other on mathematical analysis. This unique approach provides a comprehensive view of related concepts and techniques, and allows readers and instructors to flexibly choose relevant materials based on their objectives and needs. Python sample codes are provided for each modeling example.

The “Investigating Alternative Fuels for Vehicles” curriculum focus will allow students to learn about alternative fuels used to power vehicles. Students will expand their knowledge through discussion, inquiry-based activities, and research on the innovative technology related to alternative fuel vehicles. This project will expose students to the role that alternative energy have in reducing global warming and conservation of natural resources.

This is a STEM design challenge using micro:bits technology to assist students with developing their understanding of force, motion, and conservation of energy. Energy is important for life. Without the principle of energy and its conservation we would not be having this conversation. The students need to understand that energy is not lost but changed into other forms that may or may not be able to be reused with our current technologies. Energy use and reuse is a big part of the UN initiative and many of the goals for a sustainable long-term future of the Anthropocene Epoch. Whenever we work on a science topic, we need ELA. The students need to be able to read, write and speak to pass their claims, evidence, and reasoning on to their peers and others. Technology has become an everyday necessity.

This lesson is an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the feral cat issue in Hawaii. It incorporates problem-based learning to estimate cat reproduction, research the environmental impact of feral cats, and compose research-based arguments for solutions

In this lesson, students will learn about how volcanoes are created. Includes video links, discussion, and activity instructions.

NGSS: 2-ESS1-1

Time: 50 minutes

Materials: bucket of clay and toothpicks

In this lesson students will learn about rock formations and fossils within rock layers. Includes video links, discussion, and activity instructions.

NGSS: 4-ESS1-1

Time: 1 hour

Materials: bucket of clay and plastic animals

In this lesson, students will learn about how volcanoes and mountains affect weather. Includes video links, discussion, demonstration, and an additional activity.

NGSS: K-ESS3-2

Time: 50 minutes

Materials: umbrella and sponge.

In this unit, students will learn about the 4Cs (communication, collaboration, creation, and critical thinking) through literature-based engineering challenges. Each lesson focuses on one "C" and one read-aloud. This unit is geared for grades 2-3 but could be adapted to any elementary grade level.

COMMUNICATION - Click Clack Moo

COLLABORATION - Iggy Peck Architect

CRITICAL THINKING - Rosie Revere Engineer

CREATION - Galimoto

In this unit, students will learn about the 4Cs (communication, collaboration, creation, and critical thinking) through literature-based engineering challenges. Each lesson focuses on one "C" and one read-aloud. This unit is geared for grades 2-3 but could be adapted to any elementary grade level.

COMMUNICATION - Click Clack Moo

COLLABORATION - Iggy Peck Architect

CRITICAL THINKING - Rosie Revere Engineer

CREATION - Galimoto

This teaching unit was created to provide any classroom teacher with all the tools necessary to help her students learn and apply engineering and design skills and computer science concepts in the context of a Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) style investigation.

Students learn in the context of a story line that winds throughout each of the five workshops in the unit. Each workshop introduces a new phase of their ongoing “Mission to Mars.” Every workshop begins with a video that provides students an overview of the problem or situation encountered by the Mars Explorers (represented in the online modules by two Lego™ mini-figures and called Max and Mia to match the WeDo software). The curriculum then walks the students through a series of online learning modules that help them learn about a piece of technology or a new concept they’ll need to build a model from Lego WeDo™ kits and how they can solve real life problems using engineering practices.

Chemical kinetics and buffers are two topics that are extremely difficult for students to understand. Combining the two topics will allow for a staggered, repetitive approach to teaching students to understand of how these two topics in chemistry actually work. Students will both qualitatively and quantitatively track the effect and enzyme has on a reaction, calculate the reaction rate and buffer capacity. Students will use a variety of lab techniques including calculations using Beer’s Law and spectrophotometry.

Chemical kinetics and buffers are two topics that are extremely difficult for students to understand. Combining the two topics will allow for a staggered, repetitive approach to teaching students to understand of how these two topics in chemistry actually work. Students will both qualitatively and quantitatively track the effect and enzyme has on a reaction, calculate the reaction rate and buffer capacity. Students will use a variety of lab techniques including calculations using Beer’s Law and spectrophotometry.

Let's Learn about Chirality is a video-based module that introduces the concept of chirality and stereoisomers to students. The module is an Open Educational Resources #OER containing short videos and fun quizzes* that you can take to test your understanding. In this module, you will learn to use different terms for stereoisomers and chiral molecules, recognize characteristics of stereoisomers, construct a model of 2-chlorobutane, identify the chiral carbons in chemical structures and assign absolute configurations to a molecule. The concluding video will briefly explain how chirality affects the chemistry of substances & pharmaceuticals. Click on View Resources and let's learn about Chirality.*For teachers, the Genial.ly quizzes are re-useable for your classes.*

In this lesson, students will learn about the life cycle of an apple tree and sequence the stages of development. Includes activity instructions, extension activities, songs, and student worksheet.

NGSS: K-ESS3-1, 1-LS1-1

Time: 30 minutes

Materials: "Apples Grow on Trees" or other book about apples, apple life cycle student worksheet, glue sticks.

Literacy is an important aspect of science. To be literate in science means students are able to understand, read, and write in terms of science. This lesson is designed to get students to think critically about real world application. The lesson incorporates technology and Bloom’s highest level of thinking, creativity. Students will learn about writing scientific names of organisms and classifying organisms, how organisms interact with each other and their environment, and the impact of natural disasters.

Literature Based STEM - Book List & Corresponding Activities:

Looking for grab-and-go elementary STEM lessons? Looking for a read-aloud to hook an existing STEM lesson? Trying to build a STEM library? Search the spreadsheet by titles, authors, big ideas, themes, and lessons. Whether you are a STEM specialist or a classroom teacher, these lessons will work for you.

Nanotechnology is the next major scientific breakthrough. The development of nanotechnology is extremely promising, but there are unknown risks associated with utilizing nanotechnology. Nanoparticles occur naturally in our environment. Pollen, viruses, and ash are examples of nanoparticles that affect our environment and our health. Scientists have studied the behavior of these nanoparticles in an effort to develop nanotechnology to solve issues associated with our environment and our health. In this project, students will explore innovative science, technology, engineering, math techniques and equipment that demonstrated the multiple uses and importance of nanotechnology.