STEM Basics: Computers, Coding & Application
With the increasing application of computers and technology in many career fields, teaching computer science–basics and beyond–has become more important than ever. But it can be a daunting idea, especially if this is not your area of expertise. How can you teach something that you are not familiar with yourself? In this week’s Homeschool Living, you’ll find tips for incorporating computer applications into many different subjects, as well as resources for teaching–and learning–computer basics, history, and even coding and programming. Browse these resources for finding STEM-related scholarships and career fields.
Computer Basics & History
Explain That Stuff offers a condensed look at the history of computers from the abacus to the iPhone. You can also go back to the computer basics and explore the nuts and bolts of your computer and its components.
This post from Design Your Homeschool discusses the importance of teaching responsible computer usage and includes tips for ways to incorporate computer usage into many different subjects.
STEM & Coding
This article in Parents explains why it’s important for children to learn coding.
Even the youngest students can learn computer science with the lessons at Code.org. Lessons are broken down into grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12 (including an advanced placement course). Using videos and kid-friendly graphics, your students will be coding in no time.
Code academy offers interactive lessons for learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. (You must sign up for a free account to access the lessons.)
Code Monster is a particularly helpful program for children to use in learning coding. The interactive features and prompts allow them to play with the code and learn what each command does.
Want to teach your kids code on the go? Try coding apps like Daisy the Dinosaur, Hopscotch, and Kodable–all free for iPad.
Computer Careers
The Engineer Girl website was fashioned with middle school girls in mind, to encourage girls to consider pursuing careers in engineering. With categories like “Engineers,” “What They Do,” and “How to Get There,” your daughter’s questions are sure to be answered. If not, have her research and submit a question of her own in the “Ask an Engineer” section of the website.
Use this handy scholarship finder to discover a multitude of scholarship opportunities available to students interested in computer science fields.
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