#STEMforkids

[adafruit]

🖥️ 🧸 a new (old) approach for 21st-century kids using computers… chronological order

as our kiddo gets older we are going on a journey with her, focusing on the evolution of computing from where it started, and using each one, in order.

our adventure begins with retrofitting a 1998 littletikes/ibm playset to house the early computers, providing her with a tangible way to interact with these machines. might need to do emulators for some of these, but trying to see if we can get many of these, build/re-build, or borrow -

some of the plans will be to explore the hardware - on how it all worked before computing moved to sealed black rectangles that's mostly used to buy things or pay subscriptions services.

here's the "playlist" so far - have any suggestions?

altair 8800 (1975) apple i (1976) commodore pet (1977) apple ii (1977) atari 400/800 (1979)

commodore vic-20 (1980) ibm pc (1981) commodore 64 (1982) apple macintosh (1984) amiga 500 (1987)

next computer (1990) sun sparcstation 10 (1992) compaq presario 425 (1993) sony vaio pcv (1996) apple imac g3 (1998) dell dimension xps t500 (1999)

this approach also seems like it could be a kid's book - a book for parents to follow along with their kids on the history of computers with how-tos on building, or emulating them. maybe even a "build-a-bear" - style workshops / classes for kids and parents, but for making their first computers together…

more later!

🕹️ this was inspired by andy baio's approach of guiding his son through the chronological history of video games (2014)

[minyboy]

Tally ho!

[megan-the-artoonist]

I got my first copy of my new book, The Tree Lab Trio: Forces and Motion! Written by Dr. Debbi Bloomquist and Jamie Pafford, illustrated by me, and out now on Amazon!

[fardeenshaikh]

Our 10-day challenge product launch begins now! Stay tuned for the big reveal!🙌🏻✨ . . . [10 days challenge, new product launch, Shark Tank India, RC toy] Website Link - https://blix.in/collections/stem-toys?utm_source=tumblr&utm_medium=tumblr-sale_MAY&utm_campaign=summer-sale

[1alphabetz]

Learning Beyond Books!

At Alphabetz Montessori, we use scientifically designed materials to make learning engaging and interactive. These tools help children grasp abstract concepts through hands-on experiences, fostering a deep understanding of subjects.

 Enhances critical thinking

 Encourages self-directed learning

 Builds problem-solving skills

 Let your child explore and grow! Schedule a visit today.

Visit us: https://alphabetzmontessori.com https://alphabetzmontessori.com/contact-us.html

[teachingenglishtokids]

Crust and Mantle: Easy Classroom Activities That Bring Earth’s Layers to Life

Turn a five-minute video into a full-morning science adventure!

1. Start With the Spark: Watch “Lava Lou Explains Volcanoes”

Begin by showing the “Volcanoes for Kids | Lava Lou Explains Magma, Lava & Earth’s Layers in 5 Minutes” video. The bright animation and simple dialogue give children (ages 4–8) a clear picture of the crust, mantle, magma, pressure, and lava—perfect hooks for the hands-on fun that follows.

Quick tip: Pause when Lou talks about Earth’s layers and ask, “Which layer do we live on?” A fast Q & A boosts engagement.

2. Play-Dough Plate Tectonics

Materials

Two colors of play-dough (to model crust plates)

Cardboard square (mantle “conveyor belt”)

Plastic table knife

Steps

Roll two flat sheets of play-dough and set them edge-to-edge on the cardboard.

Push from opposite ends—watch one “plate” dive under the other (subduction).

Slide the knife upward beneath a plate to form a ridge—mid-ocean rise!

Ask: “What might happen to Lava Lou if a crack opens here?”

Children feel the movement and see cracks form, matching the volcano scene in the video.

3. Crayon-Melt Magma Demo (Teacher-Led)

Safety first: Use a hot plate behind a desk shield.

Peel red and orange crayons; place the shavings in a metal muffin cup.

Heat until melted—this is your magma.

Gently tilt the cup so the melted wax flows like lava.

Let it cool, then have students touch the solid wax to discover that “lava becomes rock.”

Pair the demo with a printable “Magma vs. Lava” worksheet for a quick check-for-understanding.

4. Word-Sound Call-and-Response

Form a circle and chant:

Teacher calls “Crust!” — students stomp once.

Teacher calls “Mantle!” — students wiggle and hum “wooo.”

Teacher calls “Tectonic Plate” — students crouch and drum their chests.

Repeat faster each round. Multisensory repetition locks the vocabulary into memory.

5. Reflect & Extend

Discussion Prompts

“How did pressure help Lava Lou reach the surface?”

“What might happen if tectonic plates stop moving?”

“Which layer do you think is the hottest? Why?”

Take-Home Connection

Send home a QR code or link to the Lava Lou video plus this one-page coloring sheet. Encourage families to watch together and color the diagram.

6. Assessment in a Snap

Exit tickets: On sticky notes, students draw or write one fact about the crust and one about the mantle.

Word wall: Post “crust,” “mantle,” “core,” “magma,” “lava,” and “pressure” with picture cues.

Why These Activities Work

These activities succeed because they reach every major learning style at once.

Visual learners benefit from the bright Lava Lou animation, the color-coded play-dough plates, and clear diagrams.

Kinesthetic learners stay engaged by pushing, sliding, and chanting—physically acting out how tectonic plates move.

Tactile experiences, such as feeling crayon “magma” cool into solid “lava,” make abstract ideas concrete.

Auditory learners lock in new words through the lively call-and-response and booming rumble sound effects.

Finally, collaborative discussion and reflection give social learners a chance to share insights and cement their understanding together.

By weaving visual, kinesthetic, tactile, auditory, and social elements into one seamless lesson, you turn Earth-science vocabulary into an unforgettable, multi-sensory adventure.

By combining story, experiment, and play, you turn abstract geology into an unforgettable, multi-sensory adventure—no complicated materials required!

Ready, Set, Erupt!

With the Lava Lou video as your launchpad and these low-prep activities, you’ll transform your classroom into a lively science lab where curiosity bubbles over—just like a friendly volcano on the move. 🌋

[tinkerbellepkl]

🎉 New Session • New Concepts • New Smiles 🎉

The journey of joyful learning begins again at the Best Playway School in Panchkula – Tinkerbelle School!

From kindergarten science to STEM for kids, we make learning fun with hands-on activities and the playway method. 🎨✨

Let the smiles and discoveries begin! 😊

[mygigisplace21]

Searching for the perfect toy for your little one? Look no further than My Gigi’s Place, the ultimate kids toys online store in the USA. We specialize in educational toys, fun activity sets, and exciting remote control stunt cars. Make birthdays and holidays extra special with our unique and high-quality collection. Order today and bring joy to your child!

[sensoryplayforkids]

Build, Create, Learn with Geoboard | interactive geoboard -Lattooland

The perfect educational toy for your little one to explore geometry, shapes, and patterns. Fun, interactive, and ideal for learning through play

[diyaventures]

Making Learning Fun & Engaging for Young Minds!

[megan-the-artoonist]

My latest illustrated book, The Tree Lab Trio: Forces and Motion, is coming very very soon!

From the official page:

🎅🏼✨ Big news! Our book is dropping on Christmas Eve—just in time for Santa to make his deliveries!

Join Sam, Stacie, and Kai as they explore the world of science in a way that’s fun for the whole family.

Looking for the perfect gift? This one’s got curiosity and creativity all wrapped up! 🎁

Tag a parent, teacher, or science lover who would love to bring a little STEM magic into their kids’ lives this holiday season! 🌟

[fardeenshaikh]

What is STEM education and why is it important in today's world?

STEM education is one of the most talked-about topics when it comes to education nowadays. It stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics, but there is a lot more to uncover in STEAM education than just knowing its full form. It integrates all the parts of STEAM learning into a single cross-disciplinary educational program. This makes learning more fun for kids as they gain life skills and have control over their surroundings. If your kid is taking an algebra class in school, it means that they are actually a part of the STEAM education learning curriculum.

At Blix, we believe STEM learning should be fun and accessible for every child. Our innovative STEM toys and robotics kits are designed to spark curiosity and empower young minds to become the innovators and problem-solvers of tomorrow. By engaging with STEM early, children build a strong foundation to thrive in future careers and make a positive impact on the world.

[minyboy]

Fred is the Nature Cat. When the owners are away, that animals shall play. So like Toy Story, but... more real?

[teachingenglishtokids]

A Fun Science Activity for Kids to Discover Why Things Glow in the Dark!

Do your toys, stickers, or slime glow when the lights go out? Have you ever wondered why some things glow in the dark and others don’t?

In this glowing adventure, kids become real-life scientists—just like Sofia the Scientist in the video! They’ll test different items using the Glow Tracker Sheet and discover the science of “phosphorescence” in a hands-on, magical way. ✨

🔬 What Is This Activity All About?

This activity is a fun way to explore glow-in-the-dark materials. Kids will test different items they find around the house—like glow sticks, toys, or even slime—and record what happens when the lights go off!

It’s an exciting science experiment that will help kids:

Learn why some things glow in the dark

Understand the idea of charging with light

Practice observing, recording, and rating using a scientific approach

Build curiosity and love for science

📝 How to Use the Glow Tracker Sheet

Gather Items Collect glow-in-the-dark things like toys, stickers, paint, or slime. You can even try testing things that don’t glow, just to compare!

Charge the Items with Light Place the items under a lamp, flashlight, or sunlight for a few minutes. This helps store energy in the material.

Turn Off the Lights Move to a dark room or switch off the lights and observe the items carefully.

Fill in the Glow Tracker Sheet For each item:

Write its name in the first column.

Check if you charged it with light.

Say whether it glowed or not.

Rate how brightly it glowed (1–5 stars ⭐).

Add any extra notes (Was it super bright? Did it fade quickly?).

🎥 Watch & Learn with Sofia the Scientist!

Encourage kids to watch the "Why Do Things Glow in the Dark?" video featuring Sofia the Scientist. In the video, Sofia explains the magical word phosphorescence and shows a cool glow-in-the-dark experiment step by step.

👉 Why Do Some Things Glow in the Dark? 🧪 Kids can follow along and fill in their Glow Tracker Sheet while watching!

🌈 Key Takeaways

Glowing in the dark is called phosphorescence—it happens when certain materials absorb light and slowly release it.

Some things glow better than others, and this experiment helps kids understand why.

Using the Glow Tracker makes science interactive, fun, and easy to remember!

Kids feel like real scientists by observing, experimenting, and recording results.

Get ready to explore the glowing side of science! 🔦🌟 Download and print your Glow Tracker Sheet, grab your glowing gear, and have fun discovering what shines brightest in the dark.

Let the science glow on! 💡