As Term 1 kicks off, we have highlighted a collection of our Top STEM education articles, activities, videos and resources for you to look through.
This might help with your planning, or perhaps spark your interest and you’ll learn something new. Either way, these fun STEM resources are here to help.
You can use these resources anywhere, anytime. They are perfect for remote learning, and easy for families to use with kids at home.
Simply click the image thumbnails below to access each resource!
How do fingers snap?
It’s friction – and surprisingly fast motion that allows us to snap our fingers.
Use this explainer resource to investigate how we can snap our fingers in this resource for Year 4, 7 and 8 students studying forces and energy transformations.
Why does cold air go down and hot air go up?
Does cold air go down because the earth’s core is made out of magma and does hot air go up because it’s cold out in space – and does the circle repeat? – Neo, age 10.
Learn about heat energy, the layers of the Earth and why hot air goes up and cold air goes down in this resource for Year 5, 8, 10 and Senior Secondary science students.
…Why not take a look at our resources developed in partnership with the Australian Antarctic Division to learn about Antarctic science.
Antarctica: Animal Adaptations
What adaptations do animals have to help them survive the harsh Antarctic conditions?
This extended resource is designed for Year 5 and 6 Biology students who are learning about animal adaptations and ecosystems. It covers the physical, behavioural and physiological adaptations that Antarctic animals have to survive and thrive in extreme conditions. You will find starter and plenary activities, design tasks, suggested solutions and students worksheets, all mapped to the curriculum and themed around Antarctica.
Nuyina has arrived in Tasmania!
Australians are excited as their newest icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, arrives home in Hobart.
Download the accompanying fun student activities to explore Nuyina.
Get more Antarctic science resources here.
Lets not forget our resources from some of our favourite articles from Cosmos magazine…
Toothpaste Truths: the chemistry of toothpaste
What goes into the pea-sized splotch of brush-additive paste with which (most of us) start and end each day? Ellen Phiddian gets up close and personal with the ingredients on the label.
Apply knowledge of elements, compounds and chemical reactions, and learn about non-Newtonian fluids in this resource about the chemistry of toothpaste with Year 5, 8, 9 and 10 students. Download the student activity to make your own non-Newtonian fluid – slime!
Supernova Observations of Aboriginal Australians
Aboriginal observations of new stars appearing in the sky are leading to new approaches in astrophysics research, write Pete Swanton and Duane Hamacher.
Learn how astrophysicists work with Aboriginal elders to describe thousands of years of celestial events in this resource for Year 10 Earth and Space students.
Find more Cosmos magazine resources here.
…or delve into the importance of understanding Indigenous science.
Making a Connection to Culture
Maths is universal and was, is and always will be important to understand in every society, even when it may not always be obvious.
This resource is well suited to STEM educators as advice for teaching maths to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The resource will also work with Australian students to demonstrate how important maths is for all and the things that can be leant if knowledge is combined..
The twin values of an indigenous seed bank
Providing food security and preserving culture using indigenous knowledge can be done using an Indigenous seed bank.
This interesting resource is suited to students in years 6, 7, 9 and 10 studying Biological science. The questions are designed to promote thinking about the importance of stable ecosystems as well as using Indigenous science to protect and preserve biodiversity. This resource could also be used with senior secondary students to discuss genetics and food security.
Why not captivate your classroom with film resources from SCINEMA…
Phenomena – Episode 9: Evolution
Life is the most complex form of matter. The forces of nature combine, and simple lifeforms evolve into all the diversity of living things.
This film was submitted to the SCINEMA 2021 International Science Film Festival and was selected to feature in our Australian, Experimental and School categories. It also achieved the Special Jury Award at the festival. The filmmaker has kindly allowed us to continue to show the film beyond the festival. Watch it below and download the accompanying educational resource for fun activities to use with your students.
Seven Worlds, One Planet – South America
From the bone-dry deserts of the Atacama, where penguins weave their way through a minefield of snapping sea lions, to the lush cloud forests of the Andes, where Andean bears scale 30-metre trees in search of elusive fruits, South America is full of the unusual and ingenious. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
This film was submitted to the SCINEMA 2021 International Science Film Festival and was selected to feature in our Animals, Nature and School categories. It also achieved the Best Film award at the festival.
Find more SCINEMA films here.
…find answers to some big STEM questions with the help of some familiar faces using our In Class With… resources.
In Class With… Professor Fiona Wood
Inventor of spray-on-skin and world-leading burns specialist, Professor Fiona Wood took on questions from school students around Australia in this exclusive In Class With… event.
With questions about her career pathway, the design process and advice for students, Professor Fiona Wood inspires students to do what they love and make the most of opportunities.
In Class With… Dr Alan Finkel
Renewable energy powerhouse Dr Alan Finkel took on questions from school students around Australia in this exclusive In Class With… event.
With questions submitted by video and in writing, Alan discusses everything from what a Chief Scientist is to whether or not nuclear energy is renewable. He even has some advice for students hoping to be successful.
Find all of our In Class With… series here.
…and don’t forget to take a look at our Best Of series for linking lessons.
Best of: Vaccination
Our best of series, published each week, collates our favourite and most popular resources for a particular topic.
This week: Vaccinations for year 8 and 9 students studying Biological Sciences.
Best of: The Moon
Our best of series, published regularly, collates our favourite and most popular resources for a particular topic.
This week: The Moon for year 1, 3, and 7 students studying Earth and Space Sciences.
We know 2022 is going to be another big year bursting with more exciting STEM resources and events. With over 900 free STEM resources (already available) which are reliable and mapped to the curriculum, hopefully we can help take the stress out of content planning and creation.
We wish you all the best as you embark on Term 1, particularly those beginning the academic session in a virtual setting!
