Explore Your Future | Resources: Mentors

Resources: Mentors

Try these top sites recommended by our team of researchers who demand fun, interesting & authoritative sites.

LESSON PLANS

PARENTS

Encourage career exploration early and often, it creates a real world connection to school work increasing the student’s interest. Enjoy learning together about the new and emerging careers for the 21st century.

Browse the Student, Do It Now, High School & Redefining College sections of Explore Your Future for more resources.

Black Family Technology Awareness Week – Every year the city of Philadelphia participates in this event. In 2009 events will be held from February 15 – 21. Check out this site (http://www.roundtheway.org) for updates on events.

The Brain Matters: A website with lots of simplified information about the brain and neurology, by the American Academy of Neurology Foundation.
http://www.thebrainmatters.org/index.cfm?key=1.5.1

Chemical Heritage Society
http://www.chemheritage.org/index.html

The Delaware Valley Innovation Network has studied the life sciences industry in this region. They put together a Talent Gap Analysis Report to highlight where life sciences jobs will be concentrated in the future, so we can be preparing our children and students with the skills they’ll need. Read a summary of the report here, and find links to the full version.
http://www.delawarevalleyinnovationnetwork.com/news/article/delaware-valley-innovation-network-unveils-talent-gap-analysis-report

Engineer Your Life (EYL) is a national messaging campaign designed to reposition engineering as an exciting, rewarding career choice for young women. Anchored by an award-winning multimedia website, www.EngineerYourLife.org, EYL features 10 great reasons to become an engineer, streaming video of inspiring women engineers, descriptions of dream engineering jobs, and advice for parents, counselors, and engineers on how to talk to young women about this career.

“From Pipelines to Pathways” – a speech by Dr. Joseph Bordogna, the Chief Operating Officer of the National Science Foundation, about the importance of adapting education to meet the needs of 21st century students, particularly in community colleges.
http://www.nsf.gov/news/speeches/bordogna/jb021024atepi_conf.htm

GETT (Girls Exploring Tomorrow’s Technology) is a program that teaches girls and their parents about career opportunities in STEM subjects. Check out their website to learn more about their upcoming events: http://www.gettphila.org/about.html

“The JASON Project” – In partnership with National Geographic, the JASON project has in-depth, fully formed lesson plans in various scientific topics for sale. Free previews are available. Topics include monster storms, Earth’s eco-systems and more. Content is intended for grades 4-8, but is flexible enough to be adapted for different students: (http://www.jason.org/public/home.aspx)

“KidsWeb” – a website full of easy to navigate, interesting links for kids about science, art, social studies and more.
http://www.npac.syr.edu/textbook/kidsweb/

“Math + Science = Success” – a site with tips for parents of kids in all grade levels, how to get your child engaged with math and science.
http://www.mathsciencesuccess.org/home.phtml?id=parents

Math Cats – a site full of ideas to make math lessons interesting and exciting, made by a math teacher and parent.
http://www.mathcats.com/grownupcats.html

“Mixing in Math” Tips for parents on how to work Math lessons into everyday activities: http://mixinginmath.terc.edu/

The NGA Center for Best Practices makes STEM one of its education focuses. Read what they have to say about the importance of STEM in the future.
http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.1f41d49be2d3d33eacdcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=b1da18bd4bae0110VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD

Innovation America was the NGA’s big STEM initiative of 2007.
http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.751b186f65e10b568a278110501010a0/?vgnextoid=e34e2bad2b6dd010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=92ebc7df618a2010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD

PBS Parents
http://www.pbs.org/parents/

The Philadelphia Education Fund is a non-profit working to improve education in the Philadelphia region. Their website is a wonderful resource full of research and information.
http://www.philaedfund.org/

Project 360 is a Philadelphia-based program that offers assistance and support for home-schooling or self-directed students. Explore their website for more information.
http://www.project360teens.org/index.html

NASA’s International Space Station Interactive Site: Learn all about how astronauts live, the technology they have on board the space station, and take a 360 degree virtual tour.
http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/ISSRG/index.htm

Pennsylvania STEM Initiative
http://www.psi.camp7.org

Philadelphia Youth Network has a number of programs that place students in paid internships and career exploration programs. A summary of their programs can be found here.
http://www.pyninc.org/aboutpyn.html

The Work Ready Program (http://www.workreadyphila.com/) connects students with internships and job shadowing opportunities in Philadelphia.

“Science Can Take Her Places! Encouraging Your Daughter’s Interests in Science, Math, and Technology” by the Sally Ride Science Foundation – a PDF handbook for parents explaining the statistical decline in girls’ STEM performance and how they can encourage their daughters (Note: this is a PDF file).
http://www.sallyridescience.com/files/srs-sharedImages/Parent_handbook_eng_2006.pdf

Sally Ride resource page for parentss
http://www.sallyridescience.com/for_parents

The Schuylkill Center offers several summer camp programs for children aged 4-15.
http://www.schuylkillcenter.org/programs/summercamp/

“Shift Happens” is a popular video on YouTube that highlights the importance of keeping up with 21st Century Skills in today’s global economy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljbI-363A2Q

Year of Science 2009.
http://www.copusproject.org/yearofscience2009/

Parents of middle school students:

American Education Services: Plan for College
http://www.aessuccess.org/plan_for_college/index.shtml

Parents of young children:

PBS Kids Play
http://www.pbskidsplay.org/flash2/default.php?page=welcome&lang=en

Science Explorers – camps and after school programs that make science fun for kids K-6.
http://www.scienceexplorers.com

The Schuylkill Center offers educational after school programs for students in Kindergarten up to 5th grade.
http://www.schuylkillcenter.org/programs/afterschool/

Please Touch Museum: Philadelphia’s interactive museum for children ages 1-7.
http://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/

TEACHERS & SCHOOL COUNSELORS

This is a list of STEM-related teaching ideas and resources. Browse the Student, Do It Now, High School, Redefining College & Parents sections of Explore Your Future for more resources.

Tips and resources from ACT on how to guide your students into career planning.
http://www.act.org/path/secondary/career.html

Amusement Park Physics: An interactive site that teaches about physics by explaining how roller coasters work. Includes a feature that allows students to design their own roller coaster while applying the rules of physics.
http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/coaster.html

ASEE Engineering K-12 Center page for Educators – includes lesson plans and ways to integrate engineering into class work more often.
http://www.engineeringk12.org/educators/default.php

“The Case Files” is an exploration through the lives of important historical figures in science, provided by the Franklin Institute. A great classroom resource: http://www.fi.edu/learn/case-files/index.php

Chemical Heritage Foundation
a href="http://www.chemheritage.org/index.html">http://www.chemheritage.org/index.html

Delaware Aerospace Education Foundation (DASEF) Education Programs and Resources.
http://www.dasef.org/programs/index.htm

Delaware Aerospace Education Foundation list of field trip opportunities for elementary students.
http://www.dasef.org/field_trip_descriptions.htm

Discovery Channel Lesson Plan Library.
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/

“Doing What Works – from the Dept. of Education” – research-backed educational strategies for teaching students (especially girls) in STEM.
http://dww.ed.gov/topic/topic_landing.cfm?PA_ID=8&T_ID=18

“Edutopia” – A website for teachers that promotes an adjustment in teaching strategies to meet the needs of 21st century students.
http://www.edutopia.org/

Engineer Your Life – a website encouraging girls to explore engineering. Features a page specifically for parents and school counselors to help them guide the girls in their lives towards engineering.
http://www.engineeryourlife.org/cms/6172.aspx

“Envirothon” is a hands-on challenge for high school students held at The Schuylkill Center in Philadelphia. Envirothon combines in-class curriculum and outdoor training helping students to learn more about Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Soil & Land Use, Wildlife, and Current Environmental Issues.
http://www.envirothonpa.org/

The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia has a website of science & technology educational resources.
http://www.fi.edu/learn/index.php

“Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles” Fun ideas for Math classes.
http://www.cut-the-knot.org/content.shtml

“K-12 Energy Lesson Plans”: Created by the US Department of Energy, this site provides lesson plans for all ages on many aspects of energy efficiency and alternative energy sources.
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/education/lessonplans/

“KidsWeb” – a website full of easy to navigate, interesting links for kids about science, art, social studies and more.
http://www.npac.syr.edu/textbook/kidsweb/

Learner.org offers educational videos and resources by Annenberg Media for use in schools. They also offer continuing education and professional development for teachers.
http://www.learner.org/index.html

“Math + Science = Success” is Georgia’s STEM initiative. It’s full of great ideas for how to get more involved in STEM for students, teachers & parents.
http://www.mathsciencesuccess.org/

Math Cats – a site full of ideas to make math lessons interesting and exciting, made by a math teacher and parent.
http://www.mathcats.com/grownupcats.html

NASA Science information for Educators.
http://nasascience.nasa.gov/educators

“NASA’s Space Food & Nutrition Educator Guide” NASA has prepared a number of lesson plans revolving around the ways to feed astronauts through the years. Deals with issues of food preservation, nutrition, mold growth and more.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Space_Food_and_Nutrition_Educator_Guide.html

“NASA Space Science Education Resource Directory” A convenient page that allows users to search NASA’s educational science resources.
http://teachspacescience.org/cgi-bin/ssrtop.plex

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills
http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php

PBS Teachers
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/

Pennsylvania STEM Initiative
http://www.psi.camp7.org

“The Power of Small” A website companion to a compelling panel discussion about the advancements available through nanotechnology and their implications – which are sometimes ethically challenging or potentially dangerous.
http://www.powerofsmall.org/index.php

The Real World Design Challenge by the US Department of Energy sets kids grades 9-12 to work on real engineering challenges. Teams of students tackle this problem the way a team of engineers would, and present their solutions in a national competition. This year’s Challenge will focus on aeronautics and energy usage.
http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/rwdc/index.html

Sally Ride Science page for educators – includes a good resources page, educators blog, and lesson plans about science, nature, space, and STEM careers:.
http://www.sallyridescience.com/for_educators

Science Explorers – camps and after school programs that makes science fun for kids K-6. Does some professional development for science teachers.
http://www.scienceexplorers.com

The Schuylkill Center in Philadelphia offers continuing education, curriculum supplements, and more for teachers looking to strengthen their skills in the Environmental Sciences.
http://www.schuylkillcenter.org/programs/forteachers/

“Teach Engineering” offers many free lesson plans for teachers of all grade levels. The lesson plans make the connection between engineering and many other subjects; art, biology, environmental science, math, and more.
http://www.teachengineering.org/browse_lessons.php

“Teaching Math: A video library, grades 9-12”: A video series offering creative tips and lessons for high school math teachers. Created by WGBH Boston.
http://www.learner.org/resources/series34.html

“Teach Net”: A website by teachers, for teachers. Provides lesson plans in a wide variety of subject, from math to music to health, a message board & newsletter to help teachers share ideas, and fun & helpful resources like, classroom décor tips, “how to fill 5 minutes”, brainteasers and more.
http://www.teachnet.com/

“Teacher’s Domain by WGBH-Boston” – A database including more than 1,000 classroom-ready multimedia resources for teachers that cover a range of topics. Requires users to register (free).
http://www.wgbh.org/article?item_id=3461321

The film series “Women in Non-traditional Careers” highlights hundreds of women in career areas where they are typically underrepresented, like highway construction, entrepreneurship, dentistry and more. The DVDs come with biographical resources about the film “stars” as well as discussion questions and additional classroom-ready materials.
http://nontraditionalcareers.com/index.html

“Year of Science 2009”
http://www.yearofscience2009.org/home/

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