I know that you’re always looking for educational resources for your kids, whether they are STEM-related or not. Many options are available, but useful, high-quality ones can be hard to find. Here are a variety of resources that I’ve come across that you might find helpful.
DIY Electronics Stores
Adafruit: DIY electronics and kits and open-source hardware and tutorials
Maker Shed: The online store of Make: magazine and Maker Faire
Sparkfun: Over 2,000 open-source components and widgets plus online tutorials
Hackathons for Teens
Blueprint: Free learnathon and hackathon for local high school students held at MIT
CodeDay: Worldwide events where students get together and build apps & games
Devpost: Find hackathons, explore projects, and host hackathons on the platform
Hack Club: List of high school hackathons in the US & worldwide
Major League Hacking (MLH): Student hackathon league powering over 200 events
College Prep
Collegewise: Nation’s largest college counseling organization
Gap Year Solutions: Gap year consulting services
Strategic Academic Success: STEM prep courses and seminars in MA, CT, and remote
STEM Programs and Organizations for Girls & Women
Black Girls Code: Teaches girls about computer programming and digital technology
Girls Who Code: Free coding programs for girls in grades 3-12 & college-aged women
Girlstart: Empowering girls in grades 4-8 in CA, MA & TX with STEM programming
Lesbians Who Tech: Community of queer women in tech and the people who love them
MakerGirl: Girls ages 7-10 learn how to design and print 3D objects
National Girls Collaborative Project is a network of networks supporting girls in STEM
NCWIT Aspirations in Computing: Community for high school & college women in tech
SWENext: Society of Women Engineers membership for students aged 13-18
Syracuse University: STEM career resources for students, educators & parents
Technovation Challenge: Girls create mobile apps to solve community problems
Women in Cybersecurity: Community for aspiring women cybersecurity professionals
Women in Tech Summit: Events to inspire, educate, & connect women in tech careers
Startup and Tech Jobs in Massachusetts
Wellfound: Where startups and job seekers connect
Built In: Find startup jobs, tech news, and events
Venture Fizz: Search tech industry jobs & companies in Boston, NYC, or remote
STEM Podcasts and Videos for Kids
Brains On!: A science podcast for curious kids
But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids: A show led by kids who submit their questions
I Can Be What?!: YouTube series giving kids a sneak peek into STEAM careers
The Paper Girls Show: Animated videos and educational programming promoting STEM, mental well-being, and growth mindset.
Tumble: Stories about science discoveries, with the help of scientists
Wow in the World: Stories about science, technology, and innovation
Tutoring and Coaching
Beyond BookSmart: Executive function coaching for students
GoPeer: Connects qualified college undergraduate tutors with K-12 students
Educator Resources
SmartLab Learning: STEM-focused project-based learning environments & experiences
CSforALL: Central resource for K-12 computer science education
CS Unplugged: Free computer science teaching materials using hands-on games and puzzles
CYBER.ORG: Free K-12 cyber education program with age-appropriate content
Eduporium: Custom tech bundles for teachers and libraries, with activities & live workshops
Farm Sanctuary: Free curriculums on farm animals, sanctuary & our food system
Journal of Emerging Investigators: Science journal & mentorship for student researchers
Junior Scientist Maker Program: Interdisciplinary approach to teaching of the scientific method
MATHCOUNTS: Fun, challenging math programs for middle school students
MIT Edgerton Center: Free makerspace resources for K-12 educators
NVIDIA: A hub of resources & news for AI and robotics educators
OpenSciEd: High-quality free science education materials
ROBOTIS: K-12 robotics kits including an open source, 3D printable, humanoid robot
Ward’s Science Grants Services: Free resource for finding and writing STEM grants
Tinkercad: Free, easy-to-use app for 3D design, electronics, and coding
Vidcode: JavaScript coding tutorials that enable students to make creative projects
Youth Design Challenge: Students design bio-inspired ideas to solve real-world problems
About BostonTechMom
Cyndi Reitmeyer is BostonTechMom’s founder and the person behind the articles and program listings. Her blog explores topics related to raising children who are comfortable, competent, capable, and confident around science, technology, engineering, and math—whether they’re headed for a STEM career or not.