Science
Science Featured Resources
March is Women's History Month
Women carved diverse collaborative roles in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from the mid-1800s onwards. Here are some engaging and inspiring examples of women’s early participation in these innovative fields that are represented in our collection—from Ada Lovelace in the 1840s through to Beatrice Shilling’s work in aviation during the Second World War and after.
As of March 2023, 72 women have flown in space. Of these, 44 have worked on the International Space Station as long-duration expedition crewmembers, as visitors on space shuttle assembly flights, or as space flight participants on short-duration missions. This article recognizes the significant accomplishments of these women from many nations.
Learn about the life and scientific achievements of botanist, explorer and environmentalist Ynés Mexía
Every March, we celebrate two special days – International Women’s Day and International Day of Forests. We’re excited to highlight Brenda Haskill, who has shared her story of being a woman working for the woods.
Sheheroes
Join us Sunday, March 17 at 2 PM PST to meet former Firefighter and Fire Chief Cindie Schooner-Bal at
First Woman Graphic Novels and Interactive Experiences that tells the tale of Callie Rodriguez, the first woman to explore the Moon.
4th-Grade Students Free CA State Park Pass
California State Park Adventure Pass
A state park pass program, the California State Park Adventure Pass, is for 4th-grade students. The pass provides free entry for fourth graders and their families to 54 amazing participating state parks throughout the state. For more information on the California State Park Adventure Pass program, please visit the State Parks’ website at parks.ca.gov/AdventurePass. Additional details at About the California State Park Adventure Pass.
Parent Science Navigation Videos
Twig Parent Navigation Videos
English - Parent/Student Twig Science Navigationhttps://learn.twigeducation.com/twigsciencenextgen-student-digital-assignment-accessSpanish - Parent/Student Twig Science Navigationhttps://learn.twigeducation.com/tutorial-en-espanol-para-padres-de-familia
Previously Featured Science Resources
No backyard (or local park) expedition is complete without this trusty activity pack. Prepare for five days of outdoor, close-to-home adventures with guided videos, crafts, and hands-on experiments.
Coral reefs are home to all the colors of the rainbow—and 25% of all fish species in the sea. From microscopic baby corals to mega-sized sea turtles, there’s room for everyone on the reef. Enjoy a week under the waves with science crafts, activities, coloring, and more
Searchable science/agriculture themed games that are for students TK-5 with integrated reading and math skills.
Be a CDC disease detective (Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer - EIS officer) trained in epidemiology and sent to investigate global outbreaks.
NASA’s citizen science projects are collaborations between scientists and interested members of the public. Through these collaborations, volunteers (known as citizen scientists) have helped make thousands of important scientific discoveries. Want to work on some real NASA science?
Families of 4th-grade students will have access to their own Every Kid Outdoors pass, good until the end of August 2021. This pass, worth about $80, will give families free access to national parks, national forests, and national wildlife refuges.
Science Snacks are hands-on, teacher-tested activities that bring explorations of natural phenomena into the classroom and home. These Science Snacks showcase Black artists, scientists, inventors and thinkers whose work aids or expands our understanding of the phenomena explored in each Snack.
Check out these Gizmos that celebrate the accomplishments of black scientists and engineers.
Time for some winter STEM activities for kids! Read on for 30 science experiments, math activities, engineering design challenges, and even coding fun - all with a winter theme!
Website with a list of winter STEM activities for students ages 6-8.
PBS Digital Studios
NOVA Science Videos
The Olympic and Paralympics are here again and a great opportunity for learning across the curriculum. Here are some ideas to support learning in science, maths, D & T, geography and of course PE!
Perot Museum of Nature and Science video series exploring multiple science topics from the human body to paleontology to engineering. Has both English and Spanish student activities and subtitles.
National Geographic Kids
Recycling Round-Up Game
Help clean up the park! Your job is to sort the stuff people throw away and put it in the proper bin. Is it recycling, compost, or trash? Get facts about climate change and tips on how you can help save the earth.
Thursday, February 18, 2021 – Mars: Mission Perseverance Rover landed on Mars. This website is to follow the progress of the Perseverance rover and Ingenuity as they explore Mars. -- Exploratorium Mars Perseverance Rover Events -- Smithsonian article What to Know Before Perseverance Lands on Mars -- Exploratorium Countdown to Mars (video) showing the history of Mars exploration -- NOVA 5 Facts About Mars Video
From visiting mission control to seeing where space robots are built, the interactive tour lets online users explore the historic space facility from anywhere in the world. The interactive tour takes visitors to several locations at the 177-acre laboratory, which together provide an overview of JPL’s rich history and its many space missions, past and present. Each location is embedded with dozens of points of interest – including videos, fun facts, and images.
Gizmos
Science Computer Simulations
Phet
Science Computer Simulations
Engineering Challenges
Design Squad Global (PBS)
American Farm Bureau Foundation - increase awareness and understanding of agriculture.
American Farm Trail - tours and facilities of real like agriculture experiences.
Valley PBS Science
Valley PBS for Parents (TK-3) - shows, games, articles for parents
Valley PBS - (TK-8) videos for the students searchable by grade and topic.
PBS Learning Media - (TK-12) Learn at Home (Valley PBS) - videos, lessons, activities, and interactive to explore science.
Click image below for educational weekly TV scheduling and more.Citizen Science Projects
PBS American Spring Live Once on the page scroll down to the center to find more citizen science projects including butterflies and sunflowers.
iNaturalist Nature Tracking/Exploration
To take part in this large community, all you need to do is log in to the website or the mobile app, enter your data, and get activated immediately to explore, discover, record your observations and share them with everyone. The app is very intuitive and simple to use: just take a photograph of a plant or animal, upload it directly to the app or website and record a report that will be added to all the others. Providing data is very simple, you just have to observe, photograph, and upload photos on the website that will send this data directly to scientists who can use it in specific studies of flora and fauna.
Make Earth Day Every Day