Distance Learning for Elementary STEM: Creative Projects for Teachers and Families

This practical guide outlines a vision for online and distance STEM learning at the elementary level, with creative activities based on eight STEM themes.

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 does not always translate easily to online settings, particularly at the elementary level where children should be actively engaging in activities, exploration and discussion.

From designing a zoo, to learning to garden, to exploring the night sky, you’ll find eight STEM lessons that are creative, hands-on and engaging for elementary learners. Written for teachers and parents, the book unpacks STEM integration across multiple subjects, with connections to the ISTE Standards. The book also includes play-based lessons for young learners, and ideas for innovative design challenges.

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.
• Supplementary learning materials such as questions and quizzes.
• Ideas for games and reinforcement.
• Hands-on activities and engineering design challenges.
• Connections to various content areas as well as children’s books, movies and art to keep the learning going after the lesson is completed.

Concluding with a model for designing online and distance STEM learning for elementary-aged children, this book will support teachers and parents in designing the types of resources and learning experiences they need for elementary students’ distance learning.

Audience: K-5 teachers and parents

Amanda Thomas, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of mathematics education in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She received her doctoral degree in 2013 from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her research focuses on teachers’ use of mobile technology in elementary mathematics classrooms. She’s also interested in STEM education and supporting teachers in innovative STEM integration. She is the author of Transform Your K-5 Math Class and Transform Your 6-12 Math Class (ISTE, 2020).