What… now I have to do science?

YES, you, too, can do science at home!

You might be wondering how to keep your children or students involved? What online tools are there that are educational? Or, how do I replicate experiences that are normally interactive, hands-on, require equipment, or are outdoors?

As an environmental educator (and mom) that spends the majority of my days outside with youth and adults, I, too, am struggling with our new education challenges. I have compiled a list of science-based resources below to assist students, parents, and teachers in the explorations of science.

Getting ourselves outdoors is also more important than ever, so whether you have a sidewalk, a backyard, or a natural area that you can safely visit… take your kids and yourself outside for fun, fresh air, and some science! Stay tuned for more information on science and nature at home from UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County!

• University of Florida agriculture online lessons: aec.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/ag-teachers/
• Project Learning Tree, activities to do at home (look at links at bottom of page for more curriculum): www.plt.org/educator-tips/activities-to-do-with-children-at-home and family nature activities www.plt.org/activities-for-families/ and activities focused around Earth Day 2020 www.plt.org/news/earth-day-2020/
• NASA has great resources: spaceplace.nasa.gov/menu/parents-and-educators/
• North American Association for Environmental Education has online teaching resources ready to go: naaee.org/eepro/resources
• National Environmental Education Foundation has online teaching resources ready to go:  www.neefusa.org/education/environmental-education-home
• Mystery science: great science lessons free for rest of the year! mysteryscience.com/
• Natural History Museum of Utah teaching resources: researchquest.org/
• National Geographic kids: kids.nationalgeographic.com/
• San Diego Zoo: animal videos, activities, and games for kids: kids.sandiegozoo.org/
• Science-based natural resource curriculum: www.factsnsf.org/facts-natural-resources.html
• National Science Teaching Association has tips for teaching online (join for free): learningcenter.nsta.org/science60/science60-learning-together.aspx
• Ted Talks: a playlist for kids: www.ted.com/playlists/86/talks_to_watch_with_kids
• Resources, lessons, and online science classes www.superchargedscience.com/
• Cookie.com: online learning games, videos, and worksheets www.cookie.com/
• If you have taken any of the Project WILD classes, don’t forget these conservation and wildlife activities! If you haven’t taken a class, here are some online resources from Project WILD: www.fishwildlife.org/projectwild/wild-parents

Up-to-date, science-based information on Covid-19 can be found here: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_covid19

An Equal Opportunity Institution. UF/IFAS Extension, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at www.scgov.net/ADA.