With all of the press surrounding the Mars Rover Curiosity’s most recent findings, it’s a perfect time for children to learn more about space exploration and the solar system. Educational space toys are a fantastic way to encourage children to learn about space and the planets and help them develop an appreciation for a much…
Hearing about STEM programs being incorporated into schools is nothing new, though I still frequently encounter districts that don’t have any STEM initiative in place. That doesn’t alarm me at first glance. See, I have also worked with schools who have a set-aside STEM time one day each week, and with schools who have a…
Our Eureka Crate Review- Soap Dispenser – KiwiCo’s Teen Science Kit This post may contain referral/affiliate links. If you buy something, Fractus Learning may earn a commission at no cost to you. Teenagers are difficult to please. As the father of three of them- trust me – I know what I’m talking about. Don’t get…
I think it is outstanding that children are getting interested in outer space again. For too long, the idea of exploring our universe seemed like it had stalled, and with it so did our interest in the stars. But now we are on the cusp of a new generation of astronauts heading off into the…
A summer reading list containing exciting STEM books with great stories and authentic problems to solve may inspire kids to want to read more this summer. STEM principles incorporate four subjects: science, technology, engineering, and math. For some, these are fun subjects, but for other students, it may be difficult and daunting topics. Here is…
Using a telescope and exploring the skies can be a hugely rewarding, enjoyable and fascinating experience for kids of all ages. With a huge selection of telescopes for beginners out there, it’s sometimes hard to choose the right one that will bring the moon, stars, and planets up close and personal. Don’t worry! You’ll find…
Ants are amazing creatures. They scurry around all day long, searching for food, building the nest, caring for their young, and protecting the queen. In many ways, an ant colony is like an industrious human city: everyone has a job to do, and they get on with it. Older ant farms were very simple. They…
When I was little I dreamed of traveling to space and touching the stars. My father would wake us up in the middle of the night to hike through the woods or walk along the dirt road to see the meteor showers put on a late night show for us. We would come back home…
When I was little I dreamed of becoming a writer. At the age of nine I declared that I would be famous for writing a series of short stories entitled, “The Eraser that Ate my Pen” which followed the crazy antics of my pink eraser and his insatiable appetite for red pens. I was inspired…
What does it take to be a pioneer? To leave the tried and true path in search of something more. To know that it is not if failure will strike, but when, and how you will face adversity when it happens. When I was in the fourth grade my school got a small computer lab…
Raise your hand if you’ve seen the Mentos In Cola trick? I’m guessing your hand is up (if so, you can put it down now). Did you know the name of the first person to show it on YouTube? His name is Steve Spangler and he’s the creator of the Steve Spangler Science Club. Here’s the…
Every year for the past twenty the Saint Thomas Academy Experimental Vehicle Team (STA EVT) has built a new vehicle from the ground up to give our students the best engineering experience a high-schooler can get. The internationally recognized program started in 1997. My fellow moderator Mark Westlake and I believe in the importance of…
![A Mom, Two Kids, and a Water-Testing Kit [Review]](https://www.fractuslearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Webp.net-resizeimage-2-e1496844723626-360x216.jpg)
This week, my kids and I were very excited to try out our new water-testing kit. The older two (ages seven and five) love science, AND they drink a great deal of water, so this was the perfect experiment for us to work on together. The Product Test Assured’s 4-pack Kit for Schools and Science…
Within all of us, there lies a desire to explore. It can be as simple as trying a new cuisine or as complicated as diving into the depths of an ocean to see the vibrant colors of coral reefs. It drives us to push past our comfort zones and reach for the stars. Learning how…
I have been running a Coding and Robotics Club at my school, St Aidan’s AGS Junior School, Brisbane, for a couple of years now. One of the best ways to inspire children I have found is through ‘books’. I use both fiction and non-fiction to inspire our girls in library lessons. These ideas and skills can…
We are pleased to announce the launch of the World STEM Challenge! Website: worldstem.co Twitter: @WorldSTEMedu The concept is to ‘crowdsource’ a video bank of quality STEM lessons and ideas for teachers around the world. The idea is simple: Ask teachers who are making great STEM lessons to share their ideas in a short video,…
The first time that I was asked to teach a workshop it was on the subject of science. The conference organizer said, “let’s get young minds wired for science by introducing the need for a science center in the preschool classroom.” The venue was an annual conference that provided training hours for preschool teachers. While I…
This is the story of how I took my passion for building energy efficient cars and used it as a vehicle to bring STEM into my French classroom. I have always loved the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); seeing and learning how things work and fit together was a big part of…
The night skies have always been a source of peace and tranquility for many people. Bringing home the effects of a twinkling sky is absolutely possible if you look at purchasing a star projector for your home. Not only for children, a star projector will give a calming ambiance to any room whether a kids…
Chemistry can be a daunting subject, but chemistry sets for kids make learning about basic chemistry concepts fun and inviting. Many children learn best when presented with hands-on experiences, and science kits lend themselves easily to this type of teaching and learning. While some kits, often designed for older kids, include all of the components…
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