STEM Learning
9 Fun STEM Apps for Kids
One fun way to add STEM learning to children’s days is by using apps that are designed for learning. Check out these nine STEM-related apps!
Have you heard? STEM learning isn’t just for middle and high schoolers. In fact, STEM learning in elementary grades is growing increasingly more important. “...biologically driven neurological processes and natural curiosity of how the world works make early childhood an optimal time to introduce children to scientific inquiry,” says Jennifer Buchter, lecturer at UNLV.
One fun way to add STEM learning to your children’s day is by using apps that are designed for STEM learning. While these apps are fun, they aren’t just games; they’re important tools that help children build their STEM foundation. Check out some of these fun ideas for STEM apps that you can use at home, in a classroom, or during homeschooling!
SimpleRockets
Kids can try their hand at becoming rocket scientist by designing their own rocket ships, blasting off into space, and exploring the solar system.
OddBot Out
After failing a standardized test Odd, a robot, ends up in the recycling bin. Help Odd escape through the factory's 100 unique rooms by solving puzzles like building a bridge across a small abyss, designing and driving a car, riding a robotic centipede, and more!
Sushi Monster
Sushi Monster is “a game to practice, reinforce, and extend math fact fluency that is engaging and appropriately challenging”. This app meets Common Core State Standards, and helps extend fact knowledge to support strategic reasoning, computational flexibility, addition, and multiplication.
Solar Walk: Explore the Universe in Planetarium 3D
This app provides an 3D model of our solar system and allows you to explore planets, satellites, moons, comets, 3D models of spacecraft and other space objects anytime and anywhere. It acts as an interactive encyclopedia of the solar system and so much more!
That’s Baloney!
Watch out! This wacky quiz game is something that both kids and parents can enjoy together. It’s based on the best-selling Edupress™ card game, has 2,500 thought-provoking quiz statements, and is calibrated with common core and state educational standards.
Crazy Gears
Crazy Gears is a digital puzzle game where children manipulate gears, chains, rods, and pulleys, to pull themselves through each level. Each challenge was designed to “adhere to the theories of educational technology pioneer, mathematician, computer scientist, and designer of the first programming language for children, Seymour Papert.”
ThinkRolls 2
Thinkrolls is a logic puzzle game that has 270 levels of science-filled mazes. The app teaches mental training, problem solving, spatial cognition, and memory, and provides fun learning for all ages.
Endless Numbers
Learn number recognition, sequences, quantity, numerical patterns, and simple addition with Endless Numbers. This app “sets the stage for early numeracy learning”, has interactive number puzzles and fun animations.
Blocks Rock! 3D Companion App
Combine digital and hands-on learning with the expansion to the Blocks Rock! traditional tabletop game. The Blocks Rock! 3D Companion App enables players to build complex and fun patterns that will make their brains light up!
In 2016, researchers at Indiana University conducted a comprehensive study that showed Blocks Rock! to be highly beneficial to STEM learning. Blocks Rock! can help with color identification, shape identification, hand-eye coordination, math skills, and spatial skills.
You can purchase the game here, and find the free app on Google Play or Itunes.
