Spotlight on Sources:
Welcome to Renzulli Learning’s Spotlight on Sources, some of our most engaging resources to excite and inspire your students!
STEM and STEAM activities are vital to students' education. Incorporating these activities into the curriculum appeals to a broader and diverse group of learners and promotes more organic problem-solving of real world problems. STEM and STEAM also empowers teachers to utilize project-based learning that crosses all the disciplines to foster a more inclusive learning environment where all students are engaged and excited to learn. Renzulli Learning has thousands of STEM and STEAM activities for you and your students. This week we are highlighting some of our favorite resources.
This week we are highlighting ebooks through our weekly activities!
To locate these activities within Renzulli Learning:
Under the 'Teach' navigation, click 'Search'.
On the Search page, type in the title of the activity you would like to locate.
For more ideas to infuse enrichment activities with your curriculum, please visit the Unit Supplements on the Teacher Site, under “Teach.” We can also link these enrichment resources to your regular curriculum if you send us a theme or topic.
K-2
A Gas Sudsation
Projects & Independent Study
A chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar produces carbon dioxide gas. Chemical reactions are everywhere in the environment around us! Perform an experiment to learn more!
American Museum of Natural History: A Closer Look at Mars
Website
If you look up at the sky on a clear night, you may see a red dot among the stars. This dot is Mars, named in ancient times after the Roman god of war. Although no one has ever visited this red planet, we know a lot about it. Find out what we know about Mars in this online tour of Earth's closest neighbor.
Buggy & Buddy: STEM Activity for Kids: Creating Hexbug Mazes and Structures
Projects & Independent Study
In this STEM activity, children use various loose parts and play materials to create mazes, structures, and obstacles for their Hexbugs. This activity is an absolute hit with kids and promotes all kinds of learning: planning, problem solving, engineering and building, creativity and more!
3-5
Factmonster: Famous Buildings and Structures
Websites
This website is for anyone interest in architecture. Here is a list of some of the most famous pieces of architecture in the world. Scroll down to see the complete list. The structures are broken down by period and location.
Air and Flight
Websites
If we can't see air, how can it hold up an airplane? Check out this site, and conduct some experiments to discover the magic behind air!
American Museum of Natural History: Grow Rock Candy
Websites
Learn about crystals by growing some rock candy!
6-9
Websites
As Dr. Frankenstein’s assistant, you are trying to help her build new creatures to study. Your goal is to explore a variety of creature combinations, and figure out which works best and why. Click the link!
Websites
Click the link to learn how to make your own miniature greenhouse or "terrarium" out of a clear container.
Websites
Scientists learn about animals by observing them and from analyzing their DNA. Starting your own field journal is the first step towards understanding the wildlife in your area. Click the link to read more about “Keeping a Field Journal”.
10-12
Websites
Discover the many ways that women have influenced and enhanced the practice of medicine. The individuals featured here provide an intriguing glimpse of the broader community of women doctors who are making a difference. The National Library of Medicine is pleased to present this exhibition honoring the lives and accomplishments of these women in the hope of inspiring a new generation of medical pioneers. Click on any photograph to see a short film.
Websites
Electric current can heat things and cause chemical reactions. Learn about the relationship between magnets and electricity in this lesson. Then check out the "Activity" and "Test" links.
Research Sites
How is the electromagnetic spectrum divided? There are x-rays, gamma rays, radio waves, ultraviolet waves, visible light, and infrared waves. Read the information at this site to learn about galaxies, quasars, and the electromagnetic spectrum.
Thanks for being a part of the Renzulli Learning family and we hope you find these resources helpful.
Your Renzulli Learning Team