Loves: inspiring STEM resources for kids
Loves is a cornucopia of the books, films, and music we fondly remember from our own childhoods as well as the apps, sites, and other new media that we discover while researching for our apps. Here are a few favorites for exploring science, technology, engineering, and math.
- Travel the world’s biomes in high-definition in Planet Earth, recommended by Holly. While the discoveries shared in Planet Earth inspired further investigation (see Vampyroteuthis), Holly also offers a word of caution for younger kids: there is frequent food chain-related carnage.
- Create your own animations, stories, and games — and learn to code in the process, on Scratch, recommended by Abby. Kids can digitally archive and share their works on the site. It’s a slightly more modern update to the archives Abby created as a kid for her own creative expressions: wallpaper-bound and stapled books.
- Dive into How to Smile’s collection of free science and math activities, recommended by Katie. Katie notes that the heart of the site is a dedication to sharing resources that contribute to the joy of learning.
- Have fun learning algebra. Yep, fun, really! DragonBox, recommended by Raul, promises — and delivers — just that.
- Blast off into space in the Discovery Channel’s When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions, recommended by Jessie. The dangerous nature of space travel paired with real footage and heartfelt storytelling makes for highly compelling viewing.
- Explore even more of the far reaches of the universe with the space app, Exoplanet, recommended by Raul. Created by Hanno Rein, a young astrophysicist at Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study, this app wasn’t built for kids. But it’s an incredible introduction to the vastness of the universe to share with them.
- A little closer to home but still totally out there: help MIT map the brain on Eyewire, also recommended by Katie. To join the site and the “neuroscience revolution,” you just need curiosity and careful eyes.
- Sing and dance along to They Might Be Giant’s 2009 recording of a children’s record series from the 50s and 60s, Here Comes Science, also recommended by Raul. While kids tend to be pretty fond of the album, you might find your toes tapping, too.
As always, find more of our favorite content for kids on Loves.
