National Science Foundation
HOME | TOPICS | ABOUT PROTOTYPE | SEARCH
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR STEM EDUCATION
Over the past decade, NSF investments in development of instructional materials and technologies for STEM education have produced a variety of full-service and special purpose programs of curriculum material and instructional software. The following are examples of products available.
RESOURCES
resource image thumbnail
STEMStudy
STEMStudy is a centralized source of articles, videos, and interactive content that focuses entirely on college preparation and the application process.
resource image thumbnail
MyScope Outreach
FEI and the Australian Microscopy & Microanalysis Research Facility (AMMRF) have partnered to launch MyScope Outreach. It is an easy-to-use platform that gives students a glimpse into the microscopic world around them.
resource image thumbnail
A Complete Guide of STEM Resources
A comprehensive list of STEM resources for students, parents, and educators.
resource image thumbnail
Worms, Shadows, and Whirlpools
This book represents a new way to think about science education for young children. It identifies important science inquiry skills and concepts appropriate for the very young.
resource image thumbnail
Young Scientist Series
The Young Scientist series is a science curriculum for children three to five years old.
resource image thumbnail
World Watcher
WorldWatcher is a supportive scientific visualization environment for the investigation of scientific data, in K-12 and college classrooms.
resource image thumbnail
Whyville
Whyville is an interactive website and part of a larger research project. In Whyville, millions of "citizens" come from all over to learn, create, and have fun together.
resource image thumbnail
Connecting with Mathematics: Ideas behind Techniques
The Education Developoment Center (EDC) is developing, field-testing, and disseminating professional development materials for mathematics teachers in grades 6-12.
resource image thumbnail
Video Mosaic Collaborative
The Video Mosaic Collaborative (VMC) is a collaboration portal that integrates the Robert B. Davis Institute for Learning Video Collection with tools designed to transform mathematics research, teaching and learning.
resource image thumbnail
Urban ecology course materials to enhance student knowledge and engagement
develops pathways for inner-city students to enter college with a focus in a STEM area by learning how to use cutting edge geospatial and computer modeling software to investigate pressing urban ecological problems and take action using social and environmental justice lenses.
resource image thumbnail
Universal Design in Science Education
The Universal Design in Science Education project develops technology-rich science curriculum modules for grades 3-6.
resource image thumbnail
Understanding Science
The mission of Understanding Science is to provide a fun, accessible, and free resource that accurately communicates what science is and how it really works.
resource image thumbnail
Modernizing Instruction in Taxonomy and Systematics: Materials for High School Biology
This project has led to two high school curriculum supplements, one on taxonomy and one on developmental biology.
resource image thumbnail
Think Math!
Think Math! is a comprehensive kindergarten through fifth grade curriculum that provides high-quality mathematics for all children.
resource image thumbnail
The Fun Works careers guide web site
Fun works is a web site designed to help young people explore ways to link their interests to exciting future careers.
resource image thumbnail
Teaching Elementary School Science as Argument
The Teaching Elementary School Science as Argument (TESSA) has two main purposes: (1) To develop electronic resources to support preservice elementary teachers in learning to teach science as argument, and (2) To study the development of preservice elementary teachers knowledge and practices for teaching school science as argument.
resource image thumbnail
SimStudent: a computational model of human learning
SimStudent is a computational model of human learning. It is a model of inducing rules by generating explanations of example problem solving steps. SimStudent allows us to study domain-general mechanisms of skill acquisition, which in turn provides us opportunities to advance theories of machine- and human-learning.
resource image thumbnail
Scratch - a programming language for kids
Scratch is a new programming language that makes it easy for children ages 8 and up to create interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art -- and share them on the web.
resource image thumbnail
Exploratorium Science Snackbook
The science snackbook is a collection of science education resources that are based on, and scaled down from, exhibits in the museum of science, art and human perception in San Francisco.
resource image thumbnail
Understanding Evolution for Teachers
With over a million hits per year, www.evolution is a teacher resource aimed at improving the understanding of the nature of science, the patterns and processes of evolution, and the history of evolutionary thought and to increase their ability to teach these subjects effectively.
resource image thumbnail
Science Notebooks in K-12 Classrooms
Science notebooks can be used to help students develop, practice, and refine their science understanding, while also enhancing reading, writing
resource image thumbnail
My World GIS
My World GIS is a geographic information system (GIS) designed for use in middle school through college classrooms. It offers easy-to-use tools to perform investigation and analysis as they explore critical issues about the enviornment, geography, geology, demography, history, and much more
resource image thumbnail
Minds On Physics
The Minds-On Physics curriculum prompts students to work together using simple equipment to learn about fundamental physical concepts and principles and how to apply them properly
resource image thumbnail
Science and Technology for Children (STC) BOOKS
The National Science Resource Center has launched a new series, "Science and Technology for Children BOOKS," to add
resource image thumbnail
Mathematics: Modeling Our World
Mathematics: Modeling Our World is an integrated core curriculum for high school that is based on the premise that students learn best when they are actively involved in the process
resource image thumbnail
Math in Context
Mathematics in Context (MiC) is a comprehensive 6-8 mathematics curriculum. It uses realistic contexts and multiple strategies to discover, explore, and understand rich math concepts
resource image thumbnail
Math Trailblazers
Math Trailblazers is a complete, research-based K-5 mathematics program that integrates math, science and language arts
resource image thumbnail
Math Pathways and Pitfalls
Math Pathways and Pitfalls (MPP) provides professional development for teachers, and intervention lessons for students in grades K-8
resource image thumbnail
Living by Chemsitry
Designed to encourage all students to learn real chemistry, Living By Chemistry is a full-year high school curriculum
resource image thumbnail
Lego Engineering
LEGO engineering provides teacher and student resources for building, programming, and troubleshooting robotics and other engineering projects using LEGOs. Materials include curriculum modules, programming challenges and quick reference guides for all ages, and a searchable knowledge base with code examples
resource image thumbnail
SEPUP: Science Education for Public Understanding Program
SEPUP materials are standards-based, issues-oriented science curricula that emphasizes the scientific thinking, personal and societal decision-making, science and technology as professions, and science as a predictive activity. SEPUP has three core supporting text: Science and Life Issues; Issues and Physical Science; and Issues and Earth Science. Each can serve as a stand-alone, full-year program or as part of a three-year integrated science program.
resource image thumbnail
IT Across Careers
The IT Across Careers (ITAC) project has developed resources that promote broader learning and implementation of information technology (IT) knowledge and skills. Resources include instructional materials and assessment rubrics
resource image thumbnail
Teachers' Domain
Teachers' Domain is an extensive library of free digital media resources produced by public television, designed for classroom use and professional development
resource image thumbnail
"Teachable Agents" as an approach to science learning
The Teachable Agents Project combines research from computer science, psychology, and education to develop computer-based learning environments.
resource image thumbnail
SCALE-UP: Classroom Design for Student Centered Learning
SCALE-UP (Student-Centered Active Learning Environment for Undergraduate Programs) shares state-of-the-art learning studios, teaching methods, and instructional materials that are based on more than a decade of discipline-based education research.
resource image thumbnail
Resources for Environmental Literacy
Resources for Environmental Literacy offers a fresh way to enhance your classroom productivity. The environmental context it provides can improve your students' science learning even as learning the science improves their ability to deal with five real-world topics.
resource image thumbnail
Quest Atlantis - Educational Gaming
Quest Atlantis (QA) is an international learning and teaching project that uses a 3D multi-user environment to immerse children, ages 9-16, in educational tasks.
resource image thumbnail
Project-Based Inquiry Science: PBIS
Project-Based Inquiry Science is a middle school curriculum project based on students thinking like and being scientists.
resource image thumbnail
Birdsleuth - Student Investigations Focusing on Birds
This middle-school or high school curriculum facilitates inquiry in biology, ecology, animal behavior and natural history.
resource image thumbnail
Physics That Works - Project Based Curriculum
Physics That Works is a one-year, project-based curriculum that places standards-based science learning in workplace contexts.
resource image thumbnail
SMILE: Math and Science resources for out-of-school learning
The Science and Math Informal Learning Education (SMILE) pathway collects the best educational materials on the web and creates learning activities, tools, and services for those who teach school-aged kids in non-classroom settings.
resource image thumbnail
Democratizing the Math of Change
The SimCalc project seeks to democratize access to the mathematics of change, making challenging concepts accessible to ordinary middle school students.
resource image thumbnail
OrganicPad - Chemistry Without Constraints
OrganicPad is an educational tool designed for users to freely draw molecules in an intuitive manner.
resource image thumbnail
Investigations in Number, Data, and Space
Investigations in Number, Data, and Space is a complete K-5 mathematics curriculum that has been designed to help all children understand fundamental ideas of number and operations, geometry, data, measurement and early algebra
resource image thumbnail
Investigating Earth Systems
Investigating Earth Systems (IES) is an Earth science curriculum for the middle grades (6th-8th grades). Inquiry and the interrelation of Earth systems form the backbone of all IES activities
resource image thumbnail
Interactive Mathematics Program
The Interactive Mathematics Program (IMP) is a growing collaboration of mathematicians, teacher-educators, and teachers who created a four-year program of problem-based mathematics
resource image thumbnail
InterActions in Physical Science
InterActions in Physical Science is a yearlong physical science course for seventh or eighth grade middle school students
resource image thumbnail
Insights: An Inquiry-Based Elementary School Science Curriculum
Insights: An Inquiry-Based Elementary School Science Curriculum is a K-6 curriculum designed to meet the needs of all children in grades K-6 while specifically addressing urban students.
resource image thumbnail
Insights in Biology
Insights in Biology is a comprehensive first-year high school biology curriculum that emphasizes cellular and molecular biology as well as genetics, ecology and evolution
resource image thumbnail
Girls Communicating Career Connections
The Girls Communicating Career Connections (GC3) is a youth-produced, Web-based media series and companion educator materials on science and engineering careers targeting girls from underserved groups
resource image thumbnail
Full Option Science System (FOSS)
The Full Option Science System (FOSS) is a K-8 science curriculum developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California at Berkeley
resource image thumbnail
Exploring Earth
The Exploring Earth site was designed to accompany Earth Science, a high school textbook
resource image thumbnail
Everyday Mathematics
The Everyday Mathematics program is an elementary mathematics program celebrating 20 years of research and development
resource image thumbnail
Environmental Connections
Environmental Connections is a guide to assist in teaching about the environment, whatever the class subject
resource image thumbnail
EarthComm
Earth System Science in the Community (EarthComm) is a comprehensive secondary-level educational program
resource image thumbnail
Developmental Biology
Developmental Biology is a supplement for High School biology that highlights mechanisms of development, the role of genes in development
resource image thumbnail
Climbing the Tree of Life: Taxonomy and Phylogeny
Climbing the Tree of Life: Taxonomy and Phylogeny is a supplement for High School biology which takes advantage of student' interest in biodiversity
resource image thumbnail
Environmental Inquiry
Environmental Inquiry (EI) is a website and curriculum series developed to help high school students conduct environmental science research.
resource image thumbnail
Core-Plus Mathematics
Core-Plus Mathematics is a college-preparatory high school mathematics program emphasizing the integrated development of fundamental concepts and skills in algebra and functions
resource image thumbnail
Connected Mathematics Project
Connected Mathematics is a complete middle school mathematics curriculum
resource image thumbnail
ChemCom: Chemistry in the Community
Chemistry in the Community is a first-year high school chemistry textbook that covers concepts in the context of societal issues.
resource image thumbnail
BSCS Science: An Inquiry Approach
BSCS Science: An Inquiry Approach is a three-year program in the sciences for high school that introduces students to the core concepts in inquiry, the physical sciences, the life sciences, and the earth-space sciences.
resource image thumbnail
Math Connections
MATH Connections focuses not only on skills and problem-solving found in other secondary math programs, but it also focuses on conceptual thinking and the connections that make mathematical sense to students
resource image thumbnail
BSCS Biology: A Human Approach
BSCS Biology: A Human Approach is an introductory high school biology curriculum that helps students look at and understand biology in a brand new way.
resource image thumbnail
BioComm: Biology in a Community Context
BioComm is a full-year Biology course covering all core topics.
resource image thumbnail
ATE Central
ATE Central is a freely available online portal and collection of materials and services that highlight the work of the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) projects and centers.
resource image thumbnail
Astrobiology
Astrobiology is a low-cost, high-impact science course designed to reach students having a wide range of abilities.
resource image thumbnail
Engineering is Elementary
The Engineering is Elementary (EiE) project aims to foster engineering and technological literacy among children.
resource image thumbnail
Active Chemistry
Active Chemistry is a full-year chemistry program covering all core concepts.
resource image thumbnail
Active Physics
Active Physics is a different species of physics course. It has the mechanics optics, and electricity you anticipate, but not where you expect
resource image thumbnail
The CME Project
The CME Project offers an innovative high school mathematics curriculum, wrapped around a familiar course sequence of Algebra 1, Geometry,
resource image thumbnail
The Geometer's Sketchpad
The Geometer's Sketchpad is a dynamic construction, demonstration, and exploration tool that adds a powerful dimension to the study of
resource image thumbnail
The BioKIDS/DeepThink
The BioKIDS/DeepThink research group is engaged in educational research to improve science learning in high-poverty, urban, elementary and

Funded by the National Science Foundation as a supplement to Award #0634149.
Copyright 2011 TERC.

Opinions expressed on this site are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the National Science Foundation.
Note: NSF funding for this project has ended and this site has been converted to a static archive that is not actively maintained.