Free Lifelong Learning Education Resources, Virtual Tours and Tips

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.

https://www.nsta.org/parents/

 

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.

https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/so-now-youre-a-teacher-educational-resources-to-use-during-the-coronavirus-school-closures/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=mobile-app&utm_campaign=ios

 

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

https://education.uw.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/EarlyChildhoodOnlineResources031320.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2CIOy8MlI6IlEAPYM4jPvHAmrpcrEoN0XaMa0f_MHnrFAgy11bHaqtQ8E

 

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.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/family-going-stir-crazy-these-apps-websites-and-games-could-help-11584702001

 

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.

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/at-home-with-kids-because-of-coronavirus-closures-here-are-23-fun-activities-using-stuff-you-already-have/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=mobile-app&utm_campaign=ios

 

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.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/education/story/2020-03-18/how-to-keep-kids-healthy-and-learning-during-coronavirus-school-closures-according-to-experts

 

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.

http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/?utm_source=Kinetic+West+Newsletter&utm_campaign=b1b254b7fe-MAY_2019_Newsletter_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0699c881d3-b1b254b7fe-39918019

 

Audible

Free books for listeners in English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese and Italian. 

https://stories.audible.com/start-listen?mi_cmp=21b6d7d8b2f846dc&mi_ecmp=486622220&mi_sc=t&mi_u=amzn1.account.AEWRL32PG5JSFN4WLXTG6REKM42Q

 

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.

www.careerconnectathome.org/

 

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. 

https://www.skagitwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020-Virtual-and-Outdoor-STEAM-Programs-in-the-Skagit-Watershed-1.pdf

 

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.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/03/18/these-historic-sites-attractions-are-offering-virtual-tours-during-coronavirus-pandemic/

 

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.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-virtually-explore-smithsonian-your-living-room-180974436/

 

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.

https://crafty.diply.com/121060/you-can-virtually-tour-a-whole-bunch-of-national-parks-from-your?fbclid=IwAR13-TQiGqmghKnCnxy7COdkW6ld7UvENDcMnzBuMeU7XtIF26sEiCwyVqM

 

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:

https://coronavirus.wa.gov/

 

 

Skagit School Districts

Anacortes

http://www.asd103.org/

 

Burlington-Edison

https://www.be.wednet.edu/

 

Concrete

https://www.concrete.k12.wa.us/

 

Conway

https://www.conway.k12.wa.us/

 

La Conner

https://www.lcsd.wednet.edu/

 

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

https://www.lclib.lib.wa.us

 

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.

https://wifi.xfinity.com/