The Oregon Coast STEM Hub connects educators with a variety of STEM-related lesson plans and resources that are available online. Do you know of a resource that should be on this list?  Contribute to this list.

 

 

Looking for lessons to implement at home?
See Also: STEM Resources for Families

Room to Read - STEAM Powered Careers

For Grades 1-3

FREE: Room to Read has worked with the University of Southern California to create a series of resources highlighting BIPOC authors and STEM professionals. Explore 10 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics-themed books that inspire first through third graders about the wide variety of groundbreaking and exciting STEAM careers. Hands-on activities can be done at home or at school, lessons are available in English and Spanish, and short video episodes are also hosted on the website. These materials are available digitally without cost.

Learn more: https://www.roomtoread.org/steam

TOPICS: Data Science * Engineering * Gastroenterology * Heart Surgery * Marine Biology * Nanotechnology * Occupational Therapy * Oncology * Polar Science * Virtual Reality

EXPLORE BY STEM TOPIC

  • Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops
    Grades 6 and up
    In this series of five short films, learn why natural warming loops have scientists alarmed—and why we have less time than we think. The five short films, ranging in length from 8-14 minutes, are ideal for classroom use. They are available for free, along with an accompanying science curriculum for grades 6 -12 as well as discussion guides suitable for university level and community groups.

  • HAPPENING: A Clean Energy Film and Curriculum
    Grades 6-12
    Watch as Robert Redford’s son James Redford explores the factors driving the transition to clean energy in his feature documentary HAPPENING. To further engage students, the Redford Center created TEACHING HAPPENING, an interdisciplinary, modular curriculum developed to work alongside HAPPENING. Free to teachers, the classroom version of the film runs 50 minutes and the curriculum supports MS-ESS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment. Watch a short trailer * Access free streaminng link and curriculum

  • JetStream: An online school for water
    Grades K-12
    Search lessons by topic in this National Weather Service Online Weather School. The site is designed to help educators, emergency managers, or anyone interested in learning about weather and weather safety.

  • MWEEs by the Sea
    Grades 4-12
    Educators can find resources to develop Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) for students on watershed topics, including climate change, ocean acidification, hypoxia, and carbon.

  • OCEP Coastal Education Program - Module Three
    Grades: 3-12
    The Oregon Coast Education Program provides coastal education modules with resources that help Oregon teachers provide meaningful watershed and coastal experiences for their students. Module Three is focused on Climate Change. The OCEP modules are housed on the Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators website.

  • Oregon King Tides Photo Initiative
    Grades - 4 to adult
    Participate in this citizen science initiative by taking and sharing photos of the coastline during a King Tide event. Images are used to document sea level rise over time and to inform coastal resilience planning.

  • The Teacher-Friendly Guide to Climate Change (book)
    Grades - High school
    This book from the Paleontological Research Institution includes both the basics of climate change science and perspectives on teaching a subject that has become socially and politically polarized. Download the PDF for free.

  • Weather and Climate Toolkit
    Grades - preK to high school
    This Indiana-Illinois Sea Grant page provides a sortable list of external resources on the general topics of weather, climate and climate change. Many of the resources can be readily utilized or adapted for e-learning and at-home teaching environments.

  • Amazon Future Engineer
    Grades: 6-12
    April 2020: Free online virtual robotics & coding classes for any student or teacher affected by COVID-19 in the US.
  • Code.org
    Grades: K-12
    Code.org provides free online computer science and coding curriculum for K-12 students as well as professional development for teachers.
  • If-Then Backyard Coding Game for Kids
    Grades: preK-2
    Computers (students) follow conditional statements of the one designated as Programmer.
  • The Journey Inside
    Grades: middle school and high school
    Intel provides this collection of 35 interactive, online lessons for students to learn about technology, computers, and society.
  • Made with Code
    Grades:  all ages
    This Google site inspires girls to pursue their dreams with code.  Projects range from beginner to advanced, and include seasonal activities such as programming the lights on holiday trees at the White House.
  • Microsoft Youth Spark
    Grades: all ages
    This Microsoft site is filled with resources for students to learn about computer science and coding and ideas for how mentors can support classrooms.
  • STEM Pack - Cybersecurity from AAUW
    Grades: middle school
    This curriculum created by Symantec and the American Association of University Women provides robust lessons that cover the origins of the internet, binary code, an introduction to programming languages and coding, deconstructing a computer, and more.
  • BPA
    Grades: K-12
    Explore science, electricity and power with lessons and other resources from the Bonneville Power Administration.
  • CIESE
    Grades: K-12
    The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education sponsors and designs interdisciplinary projects that teachers throughout the world can use to enhance their curriculum through compelling use of the Internet.
  • COSEY
    Grades: middle school and high school
    OSU's Center for Outreach and Science Engineering for Youth provides lessons designed to introduce students to concepts in the scientific method and sustainable engineering. Each curriculum is available as a downloadable .zip file and includes a lesson plan as well as a PowerPoint presentation for use in the classroom. Some lessons also include worksheets, where applicable.
  • Designing Our World 
    Grades: K-12
    This OMSI curriculum provides lessons and activities to engage youth and families in engineering activities that are altruistic, personally relevant, and social.
  • DiscoverE
    Grades: K-12
    Discover Engineering provides resources for engineering mentors, plus this searchable list of engineering activities and lesson plans.
  • Engineering is Elementary
    Grades: 1-8
    Supports educators and children with curricula and PD that develop engineering literacy.  Includes classroom curriculum for Gr 1-5, and free afterschool curriculum resources for Gr 3-8.
  • Invention Convention
    Grades: K-12
    This curriculum from the Henry Ford Museum supports the 7-step invention process and entrepreneurship.
  • Khan Academy
    Grades: high school
    Online teaching modules and innovative training models for a variety of STEM subjects.
  • LEGO MINDSTORMS Robotics
    Grades: upper elementary through high school
    What can you do with your EV3 robots during when you are not preparing for a competition?  Check out these fun lessons and project ideas.
  • MIT BLOSSOMS
    Grades: middle school and high school
    Blended Learning Open Source Science or Math Studies includes great teacher-created videos about complex ideas.
  • NASA Space Launch System (SLS)
    Grades: 1-5
    NGSS aligned lessons include Light But Strong and How Big Is It?
  • Project Invent
    Grades: 9-12
    This website includes 7 lesson plans and 30+ tools from design thinking, engineering, and entrepreneurship to guide students through solving real problems with technology.
  • Tami's Tower: Let's Think About Engineering
    Grades K-2
    Online game from Smithsonian Science Education Center challenges students to solve problems using basic engineering design principles.
  • Wave Energy Education Project
    Grades 5-12
    This resource from the Pacific Marine Education Center and SMILE (Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences) gives students, educators, and parents the tools and resources that they need to design and test their very own wave energy device.
  • Wave Energy Engineering
    Grades: 4-12
    In this lesson designed for grades 4-12, students build and test their own model wave energy devices.  Wave Energy kits are available for check out from HMSC; See also: A Primer on Wave Energy from Oregon Sea Grant.
  • Beetles Project
    Grades: K-12
    The BEETLES (Better Environmental Education, Teaching, Learning & Expertise Sharing) website has resources dedicated to improving the quality of outdoor science education.
  • iTree
    Grades: 6-12
    Project Learning Tree’s Teaching with i-Tree unit includes three hands-on activities that help students discover and analyze the many ecosystem services that trees provide. Students input data they collect into a free online tool that calculates the dollar value of the benefits provided by a tree, or a set of trees.
  • MWEEs by the Sea
    Grades 4-12
    Educators can find resources to develop Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) for students on watershed topics, including water quality and wetland science.

  • ODFW STEP Education
    Grades: K-12
    Discover the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's "Fish Eggs to Fry Program", in which STEP Biologists bring salmon and trout eggs into the classroom to be raised by students and then released.  Access the curriculum, handbook, supporting videos and more.
  • OFRI Learnforests
    Grades: K-12
    The Oregon Forest Resources Institute provides forest-based resources for Oregon educators. Search for materials by grade level, standards or subject.
  • Raindrop to Sea
    Grade 6
    This eight-part video series highlights components of an Oregon watershed and is one of the components in a package of educational materials being provided by the Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative and Oregon Coast Aquarium to teachers in the Lincoln County School District for use in their sixth grade classrooms.
  • Salmon Watch Streaming
    Grades: K-12
    The World Salmon Council has an excellent series of videos and online activities focused on salmon that they created in spring 2021 with Freshwaters Illustrated.
  • Secret Life of Salmon
    Grade 3
    The five-part Secret Life of Salmon video series is one of the components in a package of educational materials being provided by the Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative and Oregon Coast Aquarium to teachers in the Lincoln County School District for use in their third grade classrooms.
  • StreamWebs
    Grades: middle school and high school
    Hosted by OSU Sea Grant Extension, this dynamic networking platform that links students with locally based hands-on watershed stewardship projects and provides a multimedia showcase for their project and data reports.
  • USGS Education
    Grades: K-12
    Why is the ocean water salty?  Explore the USGS Education Pages and learn the answer to this and other questions about water, erosion, earthquakes, tsunamis and much more.
  • WISE
    Grades: 4-12
    The Watershed and Invasive Species Education program is dedicated to helping teachers learn about emerging watershed issues, which can be used as tools to engage students in science learning and community action.
  • Let's Talk, Read and Sing about STEM
    Grades - infant to preK
    The U.S. Department of Education created these tip sheets which provide fun, concrete resources and recommendations for families, caregivers, and infant, toddler, and preschool educators on easy ways to incorporate STEM concepts and vocabulary into everyday routines, and suggestions for activities to engage young children in STEM learning.
  • LA STEM Stories
    Grades: K-12
    LA STEM Stories provides context and curricula for exploring topics and skills in STEM with integrated support from Language Arts (LA). Each story s based on a true account of a STEM explorer or team as they approached a problem or challenge in their community. This curriculum was developed by Eastern Oregon University staff and shared by the Greater Oregon STEM (GO-STEM) Hub.
  • Room to Read STEAM
    Grades: 1-3
    This book series highlights BIPOC authors and STEM professionals. Explore 10 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics-themed books that inspire first through third graders about the wide variety of groundbreaking and exciting STEAM careers. Hands-on activities can be done at home or at school, lessons are available in English and Spanish, and short video episodes are also hosted on the website. The materials are available digitally without cost.
  • Axial Seamount Expedition 2017
    Grades: K-12
    Resources for teachers to learn about current research at the underwater volcanic region off the Oregon coast known as the Axial Seamount. In July 2017, a Lincoln County School District teacher-at-sea aboard the R/V Revelle blogged about the ship's expedition to the Axial Seamount and collected educational videos, classroom activities and data resources that are arranged by grade band.
  • Bridge
    Grades: K-12
    A collection of K-12 resources for marine science education on-line, including lesson plans and links to resource providers, professional development and grant opportunities.  Resources are organized into topic areas and grade levels.
  • Changing Ocean Chemistry
    Grades: 9-12
    Created in 2019, this high school curriculum focuses on ocean acidification's causes, impacts and solutions.
  • COSEE
    Grades: K-12 and informal audiences
    Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence is a nationwide network of ocean science research institutions, informal science education organizations, and formal education entities, funded primarily by the National Science Foundation with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  The Best of COSEE Hands-On Activities can be searched by subject, grade level, or Ocean Literacy Principle.
  • Deep Ocean Education
    Grades: K-12 and informal audiences
    With resources for educators, students, and the public, the Deep Ocean Education Project website will help you harness the power of three leaders in ocean exploration: NOAA Ocean Exploration (NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer) Ocean Exploration Trust (E/V Nautilus) and Schmidt Ocean Institute (R/V Falkor).
  • Dungeness Crab OA Case Study
    Grades: General audience
    National Marine Sanctuaries has created a communications toolkit designed for educators and communicators to use to teach others about the impact of ocean acidification on Dungeness crab.
  • Estuary Education
    Grades: middle school, high school
    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) have collaborated to produce a site containing everything you ever wanted to know about estuaries, how they function and the creatures that live there.  The site contains lesson plans, animations, tutorials and games, including an entire "Estuaries 101 Curriculum" and links to real-time data from estuaries around the country.
  • EverBlue
    Grades: K-12
    Unique at-home marine education lessons that support teachers, parents, and students learning on virtual platforms. Each activity is based on a published marine research paper, and available for free. 
  • An Incredible Journey
    Grades: 4 - 5
    This series of educational resources from NOAA Fisheries is designed to highlight the challenges facing salmon, and how communities, organizations, and governments are working together to help salmon overcome passage barriers, restore riparian habitats, and reduce water pollution. Curriculum includes a children's book and game in English and Spanish.
  • Marine Debris Interruptions: Students Seeking Sources and Solutions
    Grades: 4-12
    Students focus on one marine debris object commonly found on Oregon beaches, research its original purpose, user, and life cycle, and then propose targeted solutions to prevent this particular item from becoming marine debris. Includes three complete lessons plus resources to investigate study of different MD items.
  • Marine Debris STEAMSS
    Grades:  4 - 12
    Marine Debris is a complex, real-world problem which can be addressed through the lenses of several different academic subjects. This curriculum integrates the subject areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math, and Social Studies (STEAMSS), focusing on experiential hands-on activities for students in grades 4 through 12. The collected teacher-tested resources enable educators to create in-depth, project based learning (PBL) units, work with teaching partners across disciplines, and find classroom and field experiences that will help students explore the issue and impacts of marine debris and engage in stewardship actions
  • MBARI EARTH Ocean Acification Resources
    Grades 6-12
    This collection of OA resources came from a 2018 MBARI EARTH educator workshop. Find lessons, articles, online interactives, graphics, and more.
  • MWEEs by the Sea
    Grades 4-12
    Educators can find resources to develop Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) for students on watershed topics, including marine debris, ocean acidification, and hypoxia.

  • NANOOS
    Grades: 6-12
    The Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS) website provides users with a wealth of near and real-time ocean data that students can use to learn about climate, coastal hazards, ecosystem assessment, fisheries and maritime operations. Explore the lesson plans and topic-specific applications.
  • NOAA Education
    Grades: K-12
    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration site links to a variety of lesson plans, videos, topical essays, career information, and puzzles related to marine topics.  It covers everything from tsunamis to coral reefs to fisheries.  Make sure to check out the Office of Ocean Exploration & Research under the Education Programs tab for near real-time access to a series of multidisciplinary ocean explorations.
  • NOAA Planet Stewards Educational Resources
    Grades: K-12
    This collection of links to educational resources are helpful for educators seeking curriculum that deals with climate and other environmental issues that face our planet.
  • OCEP Coastal Education Modules
    Grades: 3-12
    The Oregon Coast Education Program provides coastal education modules with resources that help Oregon teachers provide meaningful watershed and coastal experiences for their students.  The OCEP modules are housed on the Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators website.
  • OIMB GK-12 Curriculum
    Grades: K-6
    Lessons developed as part of UO's Oregon Institute of Marine Biology Graduates in K-12 Education project, complementing UC Berkeley's MARE curriculum. Lessons groups by grade level, and each level focuses on a different marine habitat.
  • Oregon Seafood Education
    Grade: 5
    The lessons in this project introduce five Oregon fisheries to fifth grade students. Each fishery unit in the 2021 pilot included guest speakers, slide presentations, posters, tasting opportunities, multi-disciplinary activity books, and a culminating Jeopardy game. Resources can be adapted for older and younger audiences.
  • ORSEA Anchoring Phenomena
    Grades: 6-12
    Science and math lessons developed by teacher-scientist teams in the Oregon Marine Scientist and Educator Alliance (ORSEA) program are centered around anchoring phenomena in marine ecosystems.
  • Regional Class Research Vessels
    Grades: K-12
    Curricula, videos and other forms of information show K-12 students how scientific observations made at sea are the crux of understanding, discovering, tracking and predicting natural and human-impacted processes within and beyond the ocean.
  • Saving the Southern Resident Killer Whales
    Grades: 6-8
    This standards-based PBL unit from NOAA Fisheries helps students understand the cultural, economic, and ecological importance of South Residents and connections between individual actions and watershed health.
  • South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
    Grades: K-12
    While specializing in place-based education and field trips, SSNERR also produces online content that can be used for distance learning. Check out their YouTube channel, Watershed Video and associated EdPuzzle.
  • Surfrider Pacific Rim Ocean Friendly Y.E.S. (Youth Environmental Stewardship)
    Grades: Secondary teachers
    Three program options for secondary school students that create awareness around ocean protection, and teaches youth how to become environmental change makers
  • VA SEA Lessons
    Grades: 6-12
    Classroom-tested science lesson plans created by graduate students from Virginia Institute of Marine Science.
  • Washed Ashore
    Grades: 5-8
    Learn more about plastic marine debris, and create engaging art pieces to convey to others the problem of persistent plastic marine debris on our oceans.
  • World Ocean Curriculum Catalogue
    Grades: K-12
    WORLD OCEAN Observatory Curriculum Catalogue provides a comprehensive list of links to educational content, lesson plans, and educational activities for kindergarten through secondary programs.  The Our Ocean Space network invites students to exchange projects, art, audio-visual presentations and more with their counterparts worldwide. 
  • NASA's STEM on Station
    Grades: 5-12
    Lesson plans explore the challenges of living in space, and engage students in engineering design, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence.
  • Space Force STEM Engagement
    Grades: K-12
    Live interactions between school classrooms and U.S. Space Force military and civilian personnel. Initial events will take place December 1-7, 2021; check the website for future engagements.
  • Space Station Explorers Kit
    Grades: 3-8
    Developed by the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory's education team, the downloadable guide introduces students to life aboard the ISS through six hands-on activities and accompanying online resources.

Early Learning Stem Resources

Let's Talk, Read and Sing About STEM!

Looking for strategies to help you teach STEM to preschoolers? See this STEM Teaching Guide from the Boston Children's Museum.

Salmon Watch STREAMING

New Virtual Field Trip Videos

Salmon Watch Videos

  • Six eye-catching short films created by award-winning filmmakers at Freshwaters Illustrated
  • Interactive online quiz games
  • Unique activities, including two 360° Virtual Tours that bring the river to you