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Online STEM learning platforms became more popular in recent years. Some students aren’t sure which platform to choose. We’ll discuss different online STEM platforms to help students make the right choice.
STEM means Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Online STEM platforms are virtual places where students learn and connect with others. We’ll look at ten online platforms for STEM learning worth considering.
Brilliant
“We will always have STEM with us. Some things will drop out of the public eye and will go away, but there will always be science, engineering and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics. Everything is physics and math”
Katherine Johnson, NASA
Brilliant is an interactive platform. This platform performs learning STEM through problem-solving and hands-on activities. Brilliant covers subjects like arithmetic, physics, and computer science. The platform has a focus on using information to solve practical issues for students. Students grow in many ways, deepen their understanding of complex concepts, and use their knowledge in their everyday lives. The disadvantage of the platform is a lack of advanced materials. The basic version of Brilliant is free, but the premium plan starts at $12.49/month.
Codecademy
Codecademy is a coding platform. Students use this platform to learn HTML/CSS, Python, and JavaScript. The platform offers an interactive coding interface and includes real-world projects to practice skills. The platform focuses on programming and lacks advanced theoretical content for deeper learning. There is a free basic plan, and the pro plan is $39.99 per month.
Tynker
Tynker is a children’s and teens’ coding platform. This platform introduces students to block-based coding, JavaScript, Python, and robotics. The platform is popular in schools to make coding fun and approachable. The downside of a platform is the absence of advanced content. Monthly subscriptions of Tynker start at $9.
MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW)
MIT OpenCourseWare is a free platform offering many STEM courses. The platform gives students knowledge in physics, computer science, and engineering. The disadvantage of this platform is a lack of interactive features, feedback, and certification.
Alison
Alison is a self-paced learning platform with free STEM classes for all skill levels. The platform provides degrees and certificates in a number of STEM fields. These fields include data science, engineering, and coding. The free version of the platform includes advertisements. Students need to pay at least $20 to get an official certificate for completing a course.
CS First
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Key Stats You Shouldn’t Miss
The statistics from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show STEM jobs are expected to grow 10.8% between 2022 and 2032 compared to 2.3% growth for non-STEM jobs. This equates to 1 million more job openings over 10 years!
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CS First is a free coding platform aimed at introducing students to computer science through project-based learning. CS First offers many topics, from storytelling to game design, and uses Scratch programming to teach coding concepts. The disadvantage of the platform is an introductory level of the learning materials. These materials aren’t suitable for advanced learners.
Microsoft Learn
Microsoft Learn is a platform for technology-focused education. The most popular Microsoft Learn’s subjects are data science, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing. The platform provides learning pathways and helps students get ready for Microsoft technology certifications. Many materials on the platform are free, but certificates start at $99. The content is limited to Microsoft. The company is well-known and its certificates hold value, but students should keep in mind whether this is the right path for them. Some companies don’t give extra credit for having a Microsoft certificate.
NASA STEM
NASA’s STEM is a free platform with a lot of free STEM resources for K-12 students. These resources include physics, space exploration, and engineering. It’s both an advantage and a disadvantage, as the platform isn’t suitable for students interested in other areas.
The Smithsonian Science Education Center
The Smithsonian Science Educational Center provides different activities to learn STEM. This platform stands out for offering many specialized programs, such as “Girls and Women in STEM”. The platform is a good choice to learn about science. Use a platform with more materials specific to other areas if you’re interested in something else.
Gimkit
Gimkit is a game-based learning platform designed to make quizzes and tests fun by turning them into competitive games. This platform is used in science and math classrooms frequently to simplify complex concepts through gameplay. A downside of the platform is its limited program, mostly using quiz-based learning. The basic version of Glinkit is free, and the premium version starts at $4.99/month.
Tips for Effective Online STEM Learning
Some students find STEM education difficult at first. Here are five tips to handle STEM learning and enjoy it:
- Set specific times for studying STEM subjects and stick to it daily.
- Learn more about STEM by taking notes, working through challenges, and engaging in interactive activities.
- Take breaks, especially if you’re struggling to solve or remember something.
- Focus on solving real-world STEM problems to avoid turning the material into passive knowledge.
- Revisit key STEM concepts to ensure long-term retention and deeper understanding after each learning session.
Conclusion
STEM transforms students’ lives. We listed ten platforms to help students grow in STEM. We gave five tips for making STEM learning more effective. We recommend students join Legacy Online School’s STEM program because our curriculum is accredited, and unlike many platforms, we provide full support to our students.
