We know that you are always looking for educational resources for your kids, whether they are STEM-related or not. There are a lot of options available, but useful ones can be hard to find. Here are a variety of resources that we have come across that you might find beneficial.
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
STEM Activity Websites
littleBits: Electronics DIY projects
Rosie Research: Fun science projects that teach real science
Science Sparks: Creative science ideas and experiments for school or home
The STEM Laboratory: Fun STEM activities for kids
Hackathons
Blueprint: Free weekend-long learnathon and hackathon for local high school students held on MIT’s campus
CodeDay: Worldwide event where students get together and build apps & games
MAHacks: Free bi-annual hackathon for high school students in New England (MA)
MetroHacks: Free high school hackathon for high school students in New England (MA)
Find Other Hackathons: This website maintains a list of high school hackathons in the US
College Prep for Teens
Collegewise: Nation’s largest college counseling organization
College Trips and Tips: College tips and travel guide by parents for parents
Edmit: Personalized, transparent pricing and outcomes data on colleges
Gap Year Solutions: Gap year consulting services
Internship Connection: Find STEM internships in Boston, New York City and Austin
Strategic Academic Success (MA + CT): STEM prep courses and seminars
Girls' and Women Programs and Organizations
Black Girls Code: Teaches girls ages 7-17 about computer programming and digital technology
Girls Who Code: Hosts free coding programs for girls grades 3-12
Lesbians Who Tech: Community of queer women in or around tech (and the people who love them)
MakerGirl: Girls ages 7-10 learn how to design and print their very own 3D object
NCWIT Aspirations in Computing: Community for high school and college women in technology
SWENext: Become part of the Society of Women Engineers as a student ages 13-18
TechGirlz: Offers free workshops to get girls interested in different kinds of technology
Technovation Challenge: Girls build a business plan and mobile app that address a community problem
Startup and Tech Jobs in Massachusetts
AngelList: Startup jobs around Boston
Built in Boston: Boston-area job board
LearnLaunch: Edtech job board
Venture Fizz: Tech and startup jobs, news, and insights
STEM Podcasts 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
Tumble: Stories are told about science discoveries, with the help of scientists
Wow in the World: Stories about science, technology, and innovation
STEM Magazines
Make: DIY projects involving computers, electronics, robotics, metalworking, and more
Popular Science: Science reporting, technology news, and DIY projects
Scientific American: Guide to advancements in science and technology
Smore Magazine: Science magazine for curious girls and boys
A few of BostonTechMom's favorite books!
Parenting Support
Moms as Mentors: Resources to empower moms and daughters
Phase2Parenting: Boston resources for raising tweens and teens
Educator Resources
MATHCOUNTS: Fun and challenging math programs for middle school students
MIT Edgerton Center: Free makerspace resources for K-12 educators
OpenSciEd: High-quality freely available science education materials
STEM Grants Services: Free resource for finding and writing STEM grants