R.E.A.L. STEM
Upper elementary students nationwide are invited to explore and use the R.E.A.L. STEM (Remote and Equitable Access to Learning STEM) to develop their science and critical thinking skills. There are currently six different learning adventures (and four legacy adventures) available. The R.E.A.L STEM website is free and accessible to all learners, and teachers are also invited to participate as well. On the website, there is a “Teacher’s Guide” for educators wanting to incorporate these lessons into their classrooms.
About the Authors
The R.E.A.L. STEM website was made possible through a grant funded collaboration between Idaho State University faculty and students. Dr. Cory A. Bennett, Professor and Chair for Idaho State University’s College of Education Teaching and Educational Studies Department, and Dr. Shannon Kobs Nawotniak, Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences and Director of the University Honors Program, joined forces to create R.E.A.L. STEM with the goal of delivering authentic STEM experience to upper elementary students. The project proposal was funded by INL in partnership with the Idaho STEM Action Center.
ISU Department of Geosciences students Kathleen Van Wesenbeeck, Kyleigh Kowalski, Amber Pryor, and Kelsey Pella developed the individual learning adventures featured in R.E.A.L. STEM, and collaborated with College of Education Honors student Beckett Bodell to develop an engaging science experience for young learners.