STEM education principles are a powerful paradigm to teach young folks about the world. In fact, Thomas Edison pioneered the basics of STEM in his “invention factory” concept, a model that later came to be known as his industrial R&D labs. Following Edison, every Fortune 500 company has a vibrant process model for how R&D is done in their organization, so we know from history the STEM philosophy is a powerful economic driver. Here is a sampling of some of the teacher resources out there on the Internet to help you along with STEM teaching in your classroom. We encourage you to drink deep from this well, and also look around at STEM programs at work in nearby schools. There could be a local school with a program that you could apply or adapt to your classroom. In the future, we will be presenting more samples from the Internet for you to see and use as well.  Stay tuned to STEM.

Discover Engineering, a website devoted to the profession of engineering and what engineers do. STEM is at the very basics of engineering.

Engineering is Elementary® (EiE) This project fosters engineering and technological literacy among children. EiE has created a research-based, standards-driven, and classroom-tested curriculum that integrates engineering and technology concepts and skills with elementary science topics. EiE lessons not only promote K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning, but also connect with literacy and social studies.

Engineering Go For It [eGFI] Created by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), this website has lessons, a newsletter, and a magazine designed to increase students’ interest in STEM education and becoming an engineer.

FastTrack STEM Centers are non-profit agencies that provide services to K-12 students and educators. Our partners and stakeholders work with us to boost Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in their local areas.

Girl Scouts introduces girls of every age to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities that are relevant to everyday life. Whether they’re discovering how a car’s engine runs, becoming math whizzes, or learning about careers in STEM fields, girls are moving forward into the future. They can host science fairs, design Web sites, plan for space exploration, visit geological sites and more.

International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) STEM Center for Teaching and Learning™ was established in 1998 to strengthen professional development and advance technological literacy. Center initiatives are directed toward four goals: development of standards-based curricula; teacher enhancement; research concerning teaching and learning; and curriculum implementation and diffusion.

Pathways to Science is a project of the Institute for Broadening Participation (IBP). Pathways to Science supports pathways to the STEM fields: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We place particular emphasis on connecting underrepresented groups with STEM programs, funding, mentoring and resources.

The Colorado STEM Network (CSN) STEM Centers bring local and regional STEM stakeholders together to identify local challenges and assets around the alignment of K-12 outputs and expectations and support development and implementation of policy at the local level.

The Millard Oakley STEM Center for the Teaching and Learning of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics is a new facility at TTU [Tennessee Tech University] in support of a campus-wide initiative to enhance existing models and develop new educational strategies in STEM-related fields.

The National Girls Collaborative Project™ (NGCP) is designed to reach girl-serving STEM organizations across the United States. An intense recruitment and selection process began Fall 2005 to identify sponsoring organizations to lead local collaboratives. The organizations selected to host local collaboratives are impressive in their knowledge, experience, and diversity. As a group, the local collaboratives have an extensive network of organizations and individuals engaged in pursuing this common goal and the opportunity to share with and learn from each other. They vary in focus areas and populations served and include higher education institutions, community-based organizations, private non-profits, but all work to increase gender equity in STEM fields.

The UCA Institute for STEM Professional Development and Education Research (UCA STEM Institute) plays a vital role in support of the University’s [University of Central Arkansas] mission in teacher education in science and mathematics. The Institute provides “high quality,” innovative STEM educational opportunities through developing partnerships, professional development, research, K-12 outreach, and sharing of instructional resources. These activities are aligned with state and national initiatives and contribute to the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics’ vision of being a national leader in STEM education.

A Digital List: Helpful Engineering Games – Any time you build something or take something apart, you are actually doing things that engineers do. You can build with many different materials, from blocks to straws and marshmallows. This process involves thinking about what you want to build first and then designing a structure that achieves your goals. After you spend some time designing different things, you might even figure out how to build an elevator that moves up and down.