With all of us experiencing school and community facility closures, the Skagit STEM Network wanted to pass along some suggested free resources to keep life-long learning going in fun, creative and engaging ways.
The resources below are provided as suggestions and do not imply a product or service endorsement. Check this website for updates. And please send us your ideas and resources here.
STEM Learning Resources
The 10 Best STEM Websites For Kids in 2020
Free links to sites, including a review of the pros and cons of each site.
https://www.bestkidstuff.com/tech/best-stem-websites-for-kids/
STEM At Home
STEM learning tips, resources and links to websites.
http://www.stemdupage.com/parents/stem-at-home.html
Science Resources for Parents – National Science Teachers Association
Here are some resources from NSTA to help you support your child's learning in science at home and at school.
STEAM at Home with Burlington Public Library
This video is the first in the STEAM at Home series with Librarian Jennifer. Check back for these videos every Wednesday afternoon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jRHHtL3-_s&feature=youtu.be
STEM Resources for Parents, Students, and Teachers
Great collection of websites for kids, teachers and parents.
https://www.norwinsd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1142173&type=d&pREC_ID=1406206
Ultimate Boredom Buster: 101 Things to Do When Kids Are Bored
A great resource for kids of all ages.
https://www.stemtoyexpert.com/things-to-do-when-kids-are-bored/
STEM Works – Activities
Terrific list of fun STEM activities.
http://stem-works.com/activities
STEM Connector Daily Newsletter
STEM News Aggregator - Who's Doing What in STEM" Brought to you by STEMconnector – sign up for this service on the website.
https://www.stemconnector.com/
Curiosity at Home – Pacific Science Center
Ignite your curiosity at home with streaming live science shows, hands-on STEM activities, tutorials, interviews, and more.
https://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/events-programs/curiosity-at-home/
Learning Resources – Snohomish STEM
Terrific list of resources – particularly showcasing resources by grad level.
https://www.snohomishstem.org/learning-resources/
Other Learning Resources
So now you're a teacher: Educational resources to use during the coronavirus school closures – Seattle Times
Great list of list of resources will help you keep your kids learning during the pandemic. The Times will continue to update.
Early Childhood Resources - University of Washington College of Education faculty
An informal collection of resources to support child and family well-being during periods of school/program closures and telework arrangements
Family Going Stir Crazy? These Apps, Websites and Games Could Help – Wall Street Journal
There are tech solutions for kids’ complaints of boredom, things to keep them moving, playing, meditating and learning.
130+ Amazing Online Learning Resources
Here is a growing list of online learning resources. And to make it better, many companies are choosing to make their products free for schools, teachers, and students during these turbulent times.
https://www.weareteachers.com/free-online-learning-resources/
20 Weather Activities for Kids
https://www.climacell.co/weather/blog/weather-activities-for-kids/
23 fun activities to do with kids using stuff you already have at home, as you wait out coronavirus closures - Seattle Times
Some fun tips.
Experts share how to keep kids healthy, learning during coronavirus school closures - San Diego Union-Tribune
Recommendations about what parents should do when home-schooling and taking care of their kids.
Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions due to School Closings - Kinetic West
Many education companies have made their subscriptions and resources free during the school shutdown. This list has hundreds of options for parents looking to supplement their at-home instruction.
Audible
Free books for listeners in English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese and Italian.
Career Connect
CareerConnect@Home provide students with critical career exploration that they may not otherwise receive given the COVID-19 school closures. Beginning May 4 and continuing each school day in May, businesses, labor organizations, and industry associations will host a live, online discussion about their industry and their work.
Virtual Tours and Field Trips
Virtual and Outdoor STEAM Programs in the Skagit Watershed
The Skagit Watershed Council presents great resources and programming that's been adapted to virtual classrooms as well as outdoor programs that are available to small groups, like homeschooling families.
Road Trips from Home: Virtual Field Trips
These are fun and wonderful websites that will show you different parts of the world, famous landmarks, beautiful works of art, historic marvels, science adventures and so much more!
https://www.titlemax.com/articles/road-trip-from-home-virtual-field-trips/
25 Amazing Virtual Field Trips for Kids—Spring 2020
No permission slips needed.
https://www.weareteachers.com/best-virtual-field-trips/
Free Virtual Field Trips
Here are free resources your family can use to take virtual field trips.
https://freedomhomeschooling.com/virtual-field-trips/
Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take on Your Couch
Experience the best museums from London to Seoul.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
Free tours of 12 historic sites – The Washington Post
Here’s a list of few places travelers can tour — without having to leave the couch.
How to virtually explore the Smithsonian from your living room – Smithsonian Magazine
While their brick-and-mortar buildings may be closed, the Smithsonian remains active in the digital sphere, making it easy for museum lovers, creatives and lifelong learners alike to experience its offerings from the comfort of their couch.
National Parks from Your Couch
See some of America's most glorious landscapes. Powered by Google Earth, a whole bunch of parks offer free virtual tours.
Community Resources
Centralized COVID Resources
News on COVID-19 is changing quickly. Stay up to date with the most recent and accurate information with the links below, including where to find public resources, including unemployment, health care, small business support and more.
Official WA state COVID-19 website:
Skagit School Districts
Anacortes
Burlington-Edison
Concrete
https://www.concrete.k12.wa.us/
Conway
La Conner
Mount Vernon
http://www.mountvernonschools.org/
Sedro-Woolley
https://www.swsd.k12.wa.us/Page/4931
Libraries
Anacortes Library
https://www.anacorteswa.gov/220/Library
Central Skagit Sedro-Woolley Public Library
https://www.centralskagitlibrary.org/index.html
Burlington Public Library
http://www.burlingtonwa.gov/93/Library
La Conner Regional Library
Mount Vernon City Library
http://www.mountvernonwa.gov/175/Library
Kids and Family Activities
Skagit Kid Insider
https://skagit.kidinsider.com/
Wi-Fi Free For Everyone
Xfinity
Public hotspots can be found in small/medium businesses and outdoors in commercial areas. Non-Xfinity subscribers need to accept Terms and Conditions to access the network and repeat when requested to continue to receive free unlimited access.