Distance Learning for Elementary STEM

Online and distance learning may sound fairly straightforward. Instead of learning in a classroom setting, students learn at home with the assistance of online resources. But classroom learning doesn’t always translate easily to online settings, particularly at the primary level where children should be actively engaging in activities, exploration and discussion.

When it comes to STEM subjects, integration across multiple subject areas, a range of settings and play-based versus traditional learning present opportunities for young learners to engage in age-appropriate online and distance learning. This book features eight creative, integrated STEM lessons, including ideas for designing a zoo, learning to garden, exploring the night sky and more. Each lesson offers online, traditional and hands-on components, with connections to the ISTE Standards and academic standards across primary grades. The book concludes with a model for designing online and distance STEM learning to support teachers and parents in creating effective learning experiences for primary students.

Each of the eight lessons includes:

• an overview of materials, resources, time and supervision needed
• suggested resources to explore, such as simulations and virtual field trips
• ideas for games and reinforcement
• hands-on activities and engineering design challenges
• connections to content areas as well as children’s books, movies and art to keep the learning going.