COVID-19 and Online Learning
In response to the spread of COVID-19, an increasing number of schools are temporarily closing their doors and turning to online learning. Our community of preK-12 education researchers offer the following activities (online curriculum, modules, and/or simulations), tools (apps and general resources), as well as tips to support remote student learning or teacher professional development.
In addition, we invite you to explore our Spotlights on STEM Topics and DRK-12 Research and Products for additional activities and resources.
(Last updated March 18, 2021)
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A Medical Mystery
A free middle school science program that supports teachers in the effective instruction of an NGSS-aligned, EQuIP-reviewed body systems curriculum unit. Includes the complete middle school science curriculum unit, a teacher’s guide, and an online professional learning course. Visit BSCS' collection of online resources.Grade Level(s): MiddleDiscipline(s): Science, Curriculum, Professional Development -
Analyzing Instruction in Math using the Teaching for Robust Understanding Framework (AIM-TRU)
The Analyzing Instruction in Math using the Teaching for Robust Understanding Framework (AIM-TRU) learning cycle is the result of a research-practice partnership centered on using the analysis of videocases grounded in high-quality instructional materials for use as a resource for in-service and pre-service professional learning. For videos, materials, slidedecks and a facilitation guide, please visit our website (note: a free user name is necessary to access the materials).Grade Level(s): Graduate, OtherDiscipline(s): Mathematics -
COVID-19 Curriculum Materials
Societal issues with important connections to science such as COVID-19 (and other challenges like climate change) are part of a broader class of problems known as Socio-Scientific Issues (SSI). In response to COVID-19, this set of learning activities was co-developed with several high school science teachers to create a set of SSI-based learning activities to help students learn about the science of coronavirus while engaging in epistemic practices.Grade Level(s): HighDiscipline(s): Biology, Science -
Data Nuggets
Data Nuggets are free classroom activities, co-designed by scientists and teachers, designed to bring contemporary research and authentic data into the classroom. Students are guided through the entire process of science, including identifying hypotheses and predictions, visualizing and interpreting data, making evidence based claims, and asking their own questions for future research.Grade Level(s): Elementary, Middle, High, Undergraduate, GraduateDiscipline(s): Mathematics, Science, Curriculum -
Early Math with Gracie & Friends
Play nine math learning apps and dozens of hands-on activities at home or in the classroom. A digital Teacher's Guide supports use in the classroom, and a digital Family Fun Guide provides activities to do at home.Grade Level(s): Pre-KDiscipline(s): Mathematics, Educational Technology -
Early Science with Nico & Nor
Explore six early science learning apps and dozens of hands-on activities. Use the digital Teacher's Guide to implement the technology-based science curriculum into preschool classrooms.Grade Level(s): Pre-KDiscipline(s): Science, Educational Technology -
ecoXPT
EcoXPT is an immersive simulation in which students use inquiry to learn how ecosystems work.Grade Level(s): MiddleDiscipline(s): Science -
eRebuild
eRebuild is a math learning game for students in grades 6th-8th. The game focuses on teaching the concepts of geometery and ratios and proportions through gameplay.Grade Level(s): MiddleDiscipline(s): Mathematics -
Exploring Infectious Diseases
This site provides an engaging and scientifically accurate set of instructional materials and resources aimed at deepening high school students’ understanding of infectious diseases (including Ebola and COVID-19) and enhancing students’ skills in seeking out additional information they need to make informed decisions, and influence their behaviors in response to future outbreaks and epidemics that undoubtedly will occur.Grade Level(s): HighDiscipline(s): Biology, Science -
Extended Reality Initiative: 360 Videos of Teaching/Learning Mathematics
This website provides a growing repository of 360 videos of classroom instruction (currently focusing on elementary mathematics). We also have created and are disseminating tutorial videos for using or creating similar media.Grade Level(s): OtherDiscipline(s): Mathematics, Professional Development, Teacher Practice -
Family Science Activities
Each short video provides ideas for family science activities for preschool-grade 3 students that reinforce NGSS 3D learning.Grade Level(s): Pre-K, ElementaryDiscipline(s): Mathematics, Science -
Flipgrid
Promotes video responses and discussion around a topic.Grade Level(s): Pre-K, Elementary, Middle, High, Undergraduate, Graduate, OtherDiscipline(s): Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Technology -
High-Adventure Science
High-Adventure Science brings several of the big unanswered questions in Earth and space science — think climate change, the availability of freshwater, land management and more — to middle and high school science classrooms. Each module includes interactive computer-based systems models and real-world data on unanswered questions scientists are facing today.Grade Level(s): Middle, HighDiscipline(s): Science -
Hurricane Module V2: How will hurricane risks and impacts change over the next 100 years?
Students will use the Hurricane Explorer model to explain and predict how the path and strength of a hurricane can change, investigate real-world case studies on the risk and impact of hurricanes, and explore the effect of rising global temperatures on hurricanes.Grade Level(s): Middle, HighDiscipline(s): Climate Change, Earth Science, Science -
Math Mapper
A digital tool that offers compelling student middle grades math problems and provides students with assessment tools and a dynamic learning map.Grade Level(s): MiddleDiscipline(s): Mathematics -
Model My Watershed
Model My Watershed is a watershed-modeling web app that enables citizens, conservation practitioners, municipal decision-makers, educators, and students to analyze real land use and soil data in their neighborhoods and watersheds; model stormwater runoff and water-quality impacts using professional-grade models; and compare how different conservation or development scenarios could modify runoff and water quality.Grade Level(s): HighDiscipline(s): Science -
Moon Phases & Eclipses
Moon Phases & Eclipses is a free and innovative 3-day unit that provides interactive videos, hands-on activities, lesson plans, and student worksheets to explore why the Moon's phase changes.Grade Level(s): MiddleDiscipline(s): Science -
Ocean Tracks
Use the Ocean Tracks interactive map, curricular modules, and data analysis tools to explore and quantify patterns in the migratory tracks of marine animals in the northern Pacific Ocean and relate these behaviors to fluctuations and trends in physical oceanographic variables.Grade Level(s): High, UndergraduateDiscipline(s): Science -
Padlet
Online tool students can post responses to that allows for multiple means of expression, representation.Grade Level(s): Pre-K, Elementary, Middle, High, Undergraduate, Graduate, OtherDiscipline(s): Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Technology -
PhET Interactive Simulations
Collection of 158 free interactive math and science simulations from University of Colorado Boulder. Engage students in math and science practices, and virtual labs, during remote learning. Find over 2,000 sim-based lessons under teacher resources.Grade Level(s): Elementary, Middle, High, UndergraduateDiscipline(s): Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Mathematics, Physics, Science -
Plate Tectonics
The Plate Tectonics module "What will Earth look like in 500 million years?" helps students build a systems view of plate tectonics through focused case studies and interactions with the Seismic Explorer and Tectonic Explorer models.Grade Level(s): Middle, HighDiscipline(s): Earth Science, Science -
Proportions Playground
Proportions Playground is designed to build understandings of proportional reasoning.Grade Level(s): High, Undergraduate, Graduate, OtherDiscipline(s): Mathematics -
Research Quest
Research Quest is a series of science investigations designed to improve students’ critical thinking skills. Registration and use is free! Parents can also sign up free for Research Quest Live, hosted by a live museum education facilitator (https://nhmu.utah.edu/rq-live).Grade Level(s): Middle, OtherDiscipline(s): Science -
SageModeler
The SageModeler modeling tool allows students to construct dynamic models and validate their models by comparing outputs from their own models with data from one or more other sources, including national datasets, experimental data gathered from probes, or data generated by simulations.Grade Level(s): Middle, HighDiscipline(s): Science -
Seasons
Seasons is a free and innovative 8-day unit that provides interactive videos, hands-on activities, lesson plans, and student worksheets to explore the causes behind Earth’s seasons.Grade Level(s): MiddleDiscipline(s): Earth Science, Science -
Seismic Explorer
Explore the pattern of earthquakes on Earth, including magnitude, depth, location, and frequency.Grade Level(s): MiddleDiscipline(s): Earth Science, Science -
SOLID Start K-2 Curriculum Materials
SOLID Start (Science Oral Language and Literacy Development from the Start of School) curricula are guided by a driving question and puzzling phenomena that engage young students and elicit their natural curiosities. The units are designed to support young students’ science learning and oral language and literacy development.Grade Level(s): ElementaryDiscipline(s): Science -
TEEMS Curriculum
Transforming Engineering Education for Middle Schools (TEEMS) is a free engineering curriculum for gr. 6-8 learners.Grade Level(s): MiddleDiscipline(s): Engineering, Curriculum -
ThingLink
Way to promote multiple means of engagement around a topic.Grade Level(s): Pre-K, Elementary, Middle, High, Undergraduate, Graduate, OtherDiscipline(s): Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Technology -
Tip: Leveraging Your Networks
If you are looking for online resources, many museums, universities, teacher networks, and educational organizations are curating lists. For example, the Exploratorium has created a Learning Toolbox featuring free materials addressing coronavirus science, as well as general science support for at-home learning.Grade Level(s): Pre-K, Elementary, Middle, High, Undergraduate, Graduate, OtherDiscipline(s): Science -
Tips for Using Videos to Teach Math Remotely
The Flipped Mathematics Study offers advice on how to use video to teach math remotely.Grade Level(s): Middle, HighDiscipline(s): Mathematics -
Tools for Ambitious Science Teaching
Choose from a series of videos that demonstrate ambitious teaching.Grade Level(s): Graduate, OtherDiscipline(s): Science -
Understanding Ebola
This is a free resource to educate the public about Ebola. The website includes an interactive model that allows teachers, students, and community members to actively explore the factors that influence a disease’s spread and mortality rate. Visit BSCS' collection of online resources.Grade Level(s): High, Undergraduate, GraduateDiscipline(s): Science -
Visual Access to Mathematics Resources
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic school closures, the VAM project compiled example strategies, tasks, and apps for supporting students who are English learners (ELs) in mathematics, with information about how to adapt these examples to remote learning. Online workshops related to the resources and strategies were also offered for educators.Grade Level(s): MiddleDiscipline(s): Mathematics -
Voicethread
Way to promote multiple means of engagement and express around a topic.Grade Level(s): Pre-K, Elementary, Middle, High, Undergraduate, Graduate, OtherDiscipline(s): Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Technology -
WISE: Web-based Inquiry Science Environment
Free, standards-aligned, and research-based inquiry curricula that address NGSS 3D proficiency. Includes Interactive scientific models plus hands-on activities, personalized guidance, and rich embedded assessments. For teachers, WISE offers a a virtual workshop for customizing WISE units for distance learning.Grade Level(s): Middle, HighDiscipline(s): Biology, Earth Science, Engineering, Environmental Science, Science, Technology