STEM education is not a brand new concept. It has been around for a while, and we bet that many of you have heard at least something about it, but now there is even more fuss over it.
What is it? Why does it matter? And how can STEM education be fun? In this article, you will find answers to these and many other questions. So, read on and let us familiarize you with the concept of STEM education and share with you some of the most exciting STEM games that make this kind of education simple and easy for middle school students.
Let’s dive in!
Introduction to STEM Education
Before we move on to discovering the best resources, apps, and games designed for STEM education, let’s first define what it is.
The abbreviation STEM refers to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The term STEM education is used to define a single, cross-disciplinary program (as well as specific teaching and learning methods) that combines all four disciplines. So, basically, it is a form of education that emphasizes the four key subject areas mentioned earlier.
Why should you care? These days, STEM knowledge and skills have become incredibly important in the business, workplace, and life in general. Over the past decade, employment in related jobs has grown rapidly. This job market tendency dictates certain rules for students. Now, you may not be able to write papers, after all, you can delegate them to a trusted essayservice, but you have to be proficient in STEM subjects. Otherwise, your future career prospects might not be so bright.
In the work and business landscapes, different STEM fields are developing quickly. Each of them is extremely promising and, often, well-paying. Therefore, to help students be ready for the future and set them up for success, teachers, parents, and even students themselves need to ensure they have access to high-quality STEM education.
Top 9 STEM Games for Middle-Schoolers
Though STEM education spins around such serious and tough subjects like science, technology, engineering, and math, none of which can be called students’ favorite, it doesn’t necessarily have to be boring.
Compared to most classroom activities, such as essay writing, STEM learning provides plenty of opportunities for students to have lots of fun. To make studying complex subjects simple and enjoyable, there are plenty of fun games used in STEM education.
Want to learn more and study with pleasure? Then drop writing another boring paper, or better, let a professional essay writer helper take care of it and continue reading to learn about the nine most exciting STEM games, apps, and resources available today!
1. Math Blaster
If you still think that learning math is hard and boring, you are wrong. The first STEM gaming option on our list, Math Blaster, proves the opposite. Math Blaster isn’t exactly a game. Instead, it is a cool online resource with dozens of math games and activities that help students master this subject quicker, easier, and while having lots of fun.
On Math Blaster, there are plenty of awesome games meant for different grades, as well as for different math branches. It is definitely one of the best resources to use if you want to boost your STEM knowledge and skills.
2. Inventioneers
Physics is one of the toughest sciences to learn. If you don’t understand the basic concepts, you will be facing plenty of issues with your homework assignments. Of course, you can always turn to professional academic helpers from a do my essay service and get all your assignments done quickly and easily. Or you can try this fun game to finally start understanding physics.
Inventioneers is a cool app available for both Android and iOS. The app was designed to help middle school students learn the basics of physics in the form of a fun game. During the game, kids will be creating their own inventions. A fun and fruitful learning experience is guaranteed with this app.
3. K-5 Science for Kids – Tappity
When it comes to learning sciences, most students, especially younger ones who are still in middle school, find it extremely boring. K-5 Science for Kids is a category in the Tappity app for iOS. And it was designed to change the way kids see learning sciences.
In the app, middle school students will find a huge library of lessons, stories, games, and other activities. The number of science topics covered in Tappity is more than 100. Some of the most popular subjects available here include biology, astronomy, physics, and much more. With this app, students will start loving science.
4. Exploratorium
The next great opportunity for STEM education for middle school students is Exploratorium. Just like Math Blaster, Exploratorium is not an app or game itself. It is an educational website that has collected tons of helpful materials and activities covering history, engineering, technology, math, physics, and plenty of other STEM subjects.
With this online resource, students can have the best learning experiences. Not only is it extremely informative, but it also offers plenty of space for creativity and fun. With Exploratorium, STEM education is made simple and enjoyable.
5. The Elements by Theodore Gray
The next app is compatible with iOS devices. As you can guess from its name, The Elements by Theodore Gray was created to teach students the periodic table. But, unlike boring classes or lectures, it helps kids learn the basics of chemistry through detailed 3D graphics.
The Elements by Theodore Gray is not exactly a game. However, it is no less exciting than the other apps and resources on our list. The app helps students learn about different elements of the periodic table, their features, and how they combine in the world around us. The app was designed for younger students. But, thanks to its informativeness and excellent graphics, it can also be rather interesting for adults.
6. NASA Kids’ Club
NASA Kids’ Club is one of the best online resources for middle school students interested in space. The website created by the world’s most famous aeronautics and space organization has everything students need to get familiar with space and aeronautics. There are lessons, galleries, NASA TV, and loads of helpful materials.
In terms of STEM, NASA Kids’ Club offers a variety of STEM engagement activities and games. All activities offered here can be done both at home and in a classroom. And each of them is doomed to offer unforgettable learning experiences to middle school students.
7. The Human Body by Tinybop
Anatomy is for sure a rather complicated subject for middle school students. Learning the systems inherent in a human body can be confusing. Not to mention that it is not too exciting for younger students. However, with The Human Body by Tinybop, learning anatomy is fun and easy.
The Human Body by Tinybop is an app for iOS and Android. Students will find plenty of information about the human body inside the app. It features detailed, high-quality, and interactive models and systems that teach kids human anatomy. Also, the app shares lots of discussion questions and interaction hints that can be used in the classroom or at home to make learning anatomy even more exciting and fun.
8. Science Kids
This website was created to help middle school students learn science and technology in a fun and easy way. Science Kids is a friendly learning space where students can find plenty of free videos, lessons, and facts covering a wide range of topics in science and technology.
Apart from the theoretical part, this website also offers many fun learning tools. There are dozens of exciting experiments that students can try. And there are also plenty of awesome games. In other words, there is everything kids need to start loving science and technology.
9. TryEngineering
Another STEM subject that isn’t very exciting on its own is engineering. This subject requires a solid knowledge base and strong technical skills to master it fully. Needless to say that middle school students may lack both. But, TryEngineering is there to change this.
TryEngineering is a website powered by IEEE. If you haven’t heard of it before, IEEE stands for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers – the largest international association of specialists in the fields of engineering and technology. The website was created to share knowledge, experience, and handy resources owned by IEEE with volunteers, teachers, and students around the world.
What will you find here? There are many informative articles and lessons covering a variety of engineering topics. But, even that’s not all. The biggest reason to bookmark this website right now is that it also offers a number of cool games that literally let kids try themselves as engineers and have lots of fun in the process.
The Bottom Line
These days STEM education is getting more and more important as the employment rate in STEM-related fields keeps growing. Mastering subjects like math, technology, science, and engineering is now one of the best ways to secure a successful future career for modern students, which is the main reason why STEM education is trending today.
Now, after reading this article, students, parents, and teachers out there should be able to understand the concept of STEM education, recognize its value, and, most importantly, find ways to make this education fun and effective. The games from this article can help ensure an immersive and pleasant student experience. So, be sure to bookmark them whether to help yourself, your kids, or your students get better in STEM subjects with ease!
