STEM Aligned Resource Types: Investigations

The University of North Carolina’s STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education (STEMIE) Center offers more than 80 age-appropriate, investigation-based resources to encourage science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) explorations for young learners ages 0–6 of all ability levels. The investigations range from simple explorations of everyday objects and observations, such as On a Walk: Plants and Animals; Experimenting With Ice Cubes; Observing Energy Every Day; Tower Challenge; and Car Track, to experiences building foundations for computational thinking, such as Using Blocks as Symbols and Codes; Snail Maze: Sequencing; Snail Maze: Debugging; and Ms. Mix-Up: Playdough Ice Cream. Early childhood educators can visit the STEMIE website resource collection and select parameters to find resources to match their students’ specific needs and interests.

Biomedical Engineering Lessons for Middle Level

Excite middle level students about the field of biomedical engineering with four teacher-developed, classroom-tested lessons from National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)’s Biomedical Engineering Adapted for Middle Schoolers (BEAMS) Challenge. The award-winning lessons present biomedical engineering topics in an age-appropriate way for grades 6–8. For example, in Engineering Design Process and Surgical Robots, students learn about the development of biomedically engineered surgical robots, then work in teams to design and create their own surgical robot prototypes. In Genetic Telephone: A Story-Driven Journey Through the World of DNA and Gene Editing, students play a variant of the classic game of telephone, modifying a story instead of a phrase, and learning about DNA mutations and their significance in genetic variation. In Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery, students learn about nanoparticles and how they are used in controlled drug delivery; a follow-up lab lets students demonstrate their understanding of controlled drug delivery as they design and create “nano-like” gelatin capsules for controlled drug delivery under predetermined conditions. In Biomaterials, students discover the properties of various types of biomaterials through a hands-on sorting activity.

Preservation Science: Seeing Art in a New Light
 
Did you know that the Library of Congress (LOC) employs scientists to help preserve its collections? Show students some of the research methods LOC scientists use to preserve collections with an article and video describing the processes. Most appropriate for middle and high school levels, the article, which appears in the blog Teaching with the Library, shares the experience and work of preservation science specialist Meghan Hill, who works in the LOC’s Preservation Research and Testing Division. Hill is investigating how the unique pencils and pens used in political cartoonist Herbert Block—Herblock’s—sketches fade during light exposure. Her research will provide information that can be used in decision-making about if and how to safely exhibit individual items. An accompanying video offers additional details about the investigation and gives students a real-world glimpse of innovative technologies and applications used in lab work as a preservation science specialist.

Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant Program

Wisconsin nonprofit Wild Ones provides grants of up to $500 to advance its mission of spreading awareness of the benefits of using native plants. The organization provides the funds for acquiring native plants and native seeds for projects that engage youth (preschool to high school) directly in planning, planting, and caring for native plant gardens. All public and private schools, as well as nonprofits such as nature centers, youth organizations, and community youth centers in the United States may apply as long as the project uses native plants or seeds to educate youth. Applications for the 2026 planting season are due by November 15.

Geoheritage Workshop
 
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) will be hosting a free virtual workshop on August 6 at 2–3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on new geoheritage resources created in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Geoheritage is an interdisciplinary field that recognizes the scientific, educational, cultural, economic, and aesthetic values of significant geologic sites. The USGS and AGI have created resources to help teachers introduce their students to geoheritage sites around the United States. 

The workshop is open to teachers of grades 3–8 as well as curriculum developers and instructional leads from all sciences, social studies, art, and other subjects that relate to the geoheritage values. Individuals and teams are welcome to attend. Additionally, teachers who pilot geoheritage resources in fall 2025 and share about their experiences using the resources with students can earn a $200 stipend. 

Register by July 31. The event will feature an introduction to geoheritage and mining heritage from Tom Casadevall, scientist emeritus with the USGS Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center; a live demonstration of the USGS Geoheritage Explorer by Christina DeVera, a physical scientist with the USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals (GEM) Science Center; access to geoheritage education materials produced by the AGI that can relate geoheritage sites to many subject areas; and activities on critical mineral resources from Sarah Hayes, a research chemist with the USGS GEM Science Center.

Wayfinder Society Educator Mini-Grants

Through Wayfinder Society, Algalita Marine Research and Education will award mini-grants throughout the year to educators leading the way on environmental education. The mini-grants range from $100 to $750 and are unrestricted.  Educators, parents, and students can nominate a teacher to get a mini-grant. Educators can also nominate themselves.

The mini-grants are available to any educator who works at a public school, charter school, college, university, or homeschool. Nominees are incorporating environmental education into their lessons in an engaging way and helping students become better environmental stewards in and outside of class. Eligible nominees would benefit from funding for classroom supplies, field trips, or zero-waste classroom projects.

Mini-grants will be awarded every other month. Grantees will be offered the chance to participate in a spotlight interview with the creators of Wayfinder Society to inspire other educators. Grantees also will be celebrated during the society’s end-of-the-year celebration each May.