You can get great information from PBS on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or STEM. They offer workshops, experiments and lesson plans as well as exceptional shows to help you explore your world in these areas. Many of the shows are available for viewing on the Web. This badge program focuses on items you can take back to use with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and other youth groups.

 .

Steps

1. Zoom! Girl Scouts® recommended science training.

pbskids.org/zoom/grownups/scitraining

Zoom helps kids understands science. As part of their offerings, they have an adult training. This one is recommended by GSUSA. Start with this training to see how easy it is to lead science activities. Feel free to save the materials and resources for use at a later date. Suggested age for this show / materials is 9 and older.

2. Middle Level STEM Education with “Design Squad,” “Fetch,” and “DragonflyTV”.

www.pbs.org/teachers/webinar/archive.html

Find out about a few more STEM education shows on PBS. The link will take you to the archives of webinars. Watch the one with the title of this step. Look through the other webinar offerings and see if anything else looks interesting to you that you might want to come back and check later.

For now, let’s see what’s available from these three shows.

3. Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman.

www.pbs.org/parents/fetch/training/index.html

Fetch! Is another show featuring science for kids. The training and activities are different from Zoom! Suggested age for this show / materials is 6-10. It also has science training to help you get started.

NOTE: There is a Girl Scout patch for 6-10 year olds featuring science and engineering activities. The requirements will be available with the PDF of this badge program. The badge does not say “Girl Scouts”, so it can be earned by others as well.

4. Design Squad.

pbskids.org/designsquad/parentseducators/workshop/welcome.html

Design Squad deals with engineering. There is a workshop for educators/adults at the link in this step. In addition, there are numerous guides and activities you can do with kids. Activities are designed for kids from Kindergarten (K) through grade 12.

NOTE: There is a Girl Scout patch for Juniors through Ambassadors. The requirements will be available with the PDF of this badge program. The badge does not say “Girl Scouts”, so it can be earned by others as well.

5. Dragonfly TV!

www.pbs.org/parents/dragonflytv/index.html

While this show does not have workshops for adults, it does have numerous educator’s guides. It also has numerous scientific activities for kids. Activities are available for preschoolers through teenagers.

6. NOVA.

www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers

The best science show on television, Nova has 37 seasons to show for it. This link is to the education site. The materials you can use are numerous, so it’s easier to explore for yourself. You can find science, technology, engineering and math for grades 6-12. In addition, the digital libraries are free.

7. For teachers.

www.pbs.org/teachers

Feeling adventurous? PBS has a site just for teachers. You can select the grade level you’re looking for and general subject matter. In addition, PBS does free online webinars, discussions and more. You might not be specifically a “teacher”, but the materials they provide for free to help children are extensive.

8. Explore on your own.

PBS science shows are for everyone. Check out these additional PBS sites. The URLs are in the “Sites to Explore” section.

• Nature — For grades 6-12, explores the natural world.
• Secrets of the Dead — For grades 6-12, introduces science through investigation into ancient mysteries.
• Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures — For grades 6-12, covers themes of adaptations, ecosystems and human impact through ocean studies.
• NOVAscienceNOW — For grades 6-12, covers the developments and people in science and technology today.
• Wired Science — For grades 6-12, explores the cutting-edge topics in science and technology.
• E2 — For grades 6-12, explores environmental and social challenges.
• Mathline — For grades K-12, includes over 100 free lesson plans and video lessons.
• NewsHour Extra: Science resources for teachers and students — For grades 6-12, features many teaching resources.
• Scientific American Frontiers — For grades 5-12, explores the latest trends in science, medicine, technology and the environment.
• The Ascent of Money — For grades 6-12, examines the economic system.
• Curious George — For grades PreK-5, extends learning opportunities of the show.
• Sid the Science Kid — For PreK-5, helps to develop natural wonder and build a foundation for early science exploration.
• EekoWorld — For K-4, teaches environmental science.
• Kratts’ Creatures — For PreK-5, explores wildlife and habitats in an online world.
• Cyberchase — For PreK-5, teaches core math and science concepts.
• The Democracy Project — For grades 3-6, find out about the American democratic process.
• Misunderstood Minds — For anyone, learn about how to help understand and overcome learning disabilities.
• SciGirls — SciGirls features tween girls using science and engineering in everyday situations. It even encourages science clubs.

PBS is continually coming out with thought-provoking and educational programming. Don’t stop exploring just because you’ve hit the end of this list. Continue looking through their site for more and share your findings.

.

Supplements

FOUND_DS_GirlScout_Patch_Web.pdf

.     Design Squad (engineering) patch program, activity sheets are available in English and Spanish.

FOUND_FETCH_GirlScoutPatch.pdf

.     FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman patch program features science and engineering activities.

.

Sites to Explore

pbskids.org/zoom/grownups/scitraining

www.pbs.org/teachers/webinar/archive.html

www.pbs.org/parents/fetch/training/index.html

pbskids.org/designsquad/parentseducators/workshop/welcome.html

www.pbs.org/parents/dragonflytv/index.html

www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers

www.pbs.org/teachers

www.pbs.org/wnet/nature

www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets

www.pbs.org/kqed/oceanadventures/educators

www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow

www.pbs.org/kcet/wiredscience/education

www.pbs.org/e2/index.html

www.pbs.org/teachers/math

www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/science

www.pbs.org/saf/educators.htm

www.pbs.org/wnet/ascentofmoney/lessons

pbskids.org/curiousgeorge

pbskids.org/sid

pbskids.org/eekoworld

pbskids.org/krattscreatures

pbskids.org/cyberchase

pbskids.org/democracy/educators/index.html

www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/math.html

pbskids.org/scigirls

www.pbs.org/parents/catinthehat/explorer_guide_topten_tips.html