All over the world, the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing summer schools and camps to cancel their programs. In their place, kids can explore a number of fun virtual worlds designed to help them learn science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Developed by a global team of scientists and researchers, Science Island includes over 20 hours of animation, books, games, songs, quizzes, and experiments.

“I’m hoping that giving kids access to this now will encourage them to play the game and develop a passion for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM),” Science Island developer James Marshall told Swinburne News.

Field Day Lab is an awesome series of free science and engineering games from the Wisconsin Center for Education Research at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. The games include:

  • Lost at the Forever Mine: Kids crash land on a forgotten mining planet where they develop mathematical models that help them manage their resources and time.  
  • Crystal Cave: Kids hang out in “The Yard,” a virtual junkyard where they learn all about earthquakes, water cycles, antibiotic resistance, and more. 
  • Lakeland: In this game designed for high schoolers, kids must figure out how to develop a town next to a lake without harming the quality of its water. 
  • AtomTouch: In this simulation developed for students in 5th grade through early high school, students count atoms from molecules and learn about states of matter and atomic bonds.

Looking for more free STEM stuff this summer? Kids can also explore science and engineering through these free virtual summer camps:

  • Camp DIY: This website includes over 80 visual do-it-yourself projects for kids, as well as a series of challenges that help them learn mechanical engineering.
  • Connected Camps Minecraft: Through 14 August, kids ages 8-13 can sign up for this week-long camp where they’ll learn through a number of classes, including engineering.
  • MarcoPolo Learning: Kids aged 3-7 can access more than 500 videos and 3,000 games that teach STEM and reading.

STEM Teacher Resources

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