Program

Grades

Location

Category

4-H Science, Engineering, & Technology
The 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) Initiative is the 4-H program’s response to our nation’s and state’s concern for improving human capacity and workforce abilities in the areas of science, engineering, and technology (SET). It combines non-formal education with hands-on inquiry-based learning, in a youth development context, to increase literacy and engage youth in improving their knowledge, skills and abilities in science, engineering and technology.

K-12

California

Organization

American Indian Science and Engineering Society
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society was founded in 1977 by American Indian scientists, engineers and educators. In view of the high dropout rates and low college enrollment and graduation rates of American Indians compared with all other ethnic groups in the United States, and the severe under-representation of American Indians in the science and engineering fields, these Native professionals resolved to create an organization that would identify and remove the barriers to academic success for Native students.

K-12

National

Organization

ASEE Engineering K-12 Center
The ASEE EngineeringK12 Center seeks to identify and gather in one place the most effective engineering education resources available to the K-12 community. It works to enhance achievement in pre-college science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education by promoting the effective application of engineering principles to K-12 curricula.

K-12

Virtual

Resource

Awesome Engineering
Day camps from a for-profit company. AWESOME Engineering brings the REAL world to kids by relating Engineering and Construction principles to things that they see every day. In addition to learning fundamental fundamental concepts, each child is taught how to correctly and safely use a variety of hand tools.

2-6

Bay Area

Camp

Best
BEST sought to convene the nation’s respected practitioners, researchers and policymakers and identify “what’s working” across the country to develop the technical talent of under-represented groups in pre-K through 12, higher education, and the workplace. No comprehensive assessment on this scale had ever been attempted. Three blue ribbon panels published their reports in 2004.

K-12

National

Resource

Bot Ball
COMPETITION: The Botball Program begins with a 2-day professional development workshop where educators and team leaders learn about current robotics technology and how to implement it into their classroom or community.

Following the workshop, students are given about seven weeks to design, build and program a team of mobile, autonomous robots as well as document the engineering process online. Participants compete against each other on a 4’ x 8’ playing field in a fast paced, non-destructive regional tournament. The robots are student built and programmed to maneuver on the game board without the need for remote control. There is a $2300 registration fee.

6-12

Nationwide

Competition

CA ITE Consortium (CITEC)
The California Industrial and Technology Education Consortium (CITEC) is a project funded and supervised by the California Department of Education. CITEC develops and provides statewide services and resources for industrial and technology education (ITE) in northern, central and southern California. Through collaboration with ITE professional associations and other organizations, CITEC provides dynamic, ongoing programs for professional and leadership development.

K-12

Virtual

Resource

California Girls Collaborative Project (Cal Girls)
The California Girls Collaborative Project (Cal Girls) has brought together organizations throughout California committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue educational choices and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The Cal Girls Program Directory lists organizations and programs that focus on motivating girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The purpose of this Directory is to help organizations and individuals network, share resources, and collaborate on STEM-related projects for girls.

K-12

Davis, CA

Resource

California Mesa Engineering Program (MEP)
Since 1970, MESA’s academic development program has supported educationally disadvantaged students so they can excel in math and science studies and graduate with degrees in engineering, science and technology.

6-12

Statewide

Resource

California State Science Fair
The California State Science Fair is the final science fair of the academic year for students throughout the State of California in grades 6 - 12, serving California's future scientists since 1952. It is hosted by the California Science Center (formerly, the California Museum of Science and Industry).

6-12

Statewide

Competition

CITEA (CA Industrial & Technology Educ Association)
The mission of CITEA is to promote and support Industrial Technology Education (ITE), Vocational Education, and Regional Occupational Program teachers, students, administrators and programs throughout the State of California, through the use of communication, dissemination, and advocacy.

K-12

Virtual

Resource

Crucible Youth Classes (Oakland)
The Crucible’s youth program offers hands-on classes and camps in industrial arts for young people, ages 8 to 18.

2-12

Bay Area

Workshops

Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge
The Winston Solar Car Project is extraordinary in its emphasis on building a well-rounded individual.  Students learn to plan, build budgets, develop CAD drawings, make oral presentations, and translate their plans into a real vehicle.  They learn how to handle success . . . and maybe more importantly . . . failure.  They learn the dedication it takes to stick with an 18-month project, and the patience to see it through.

National

Competition

Design Squad
Engineers have led a technological revolution that has improved the quality of our lives, yet many kids and adults alike do not understand how the technology they use in their daily lives works. They are also unclear about the engineer's role in society or even what an engineer does. Design Squad is one of the few places on TV where kids can learn about engineering.

K-12

Virtual

Resource

Destination ImagiNation
Destination ImagiNation is a an international creative problem solving competition program for kids in elementary, middle and high school divisions. Schools representing US States and Canadian Provinces compete with teams from foreign countries each year in late May.

K-12

National

Competition

Discover Engineering
Sponsored by National Engineers Week. Information and some activities to get kids interested in engineering.

Virtual

Resource

eCYBERMISSION
eCYBERMISSION is a free, web-based science, math and technology competition for students in grades six through nine. The competition promotes self-discovery and enables all students to recognize the real-life applications of science, math and technology. Students compete for regional and national awards while working to solve problems in their community.

6-9

Resource

Competition

Education.com Science Activities
Science activities to help show your child the fun side of learning! From easy science activities to more advanced science experiments, we've got you covered! Use the selector on the right to narrow your search by grade.

K-12

Virtual

Resource

Engineer Girl
The EngineerGirl website is part of an NAE project to bring national attention to the opportunity that engineering represents to all people at any age, but particularly to women and girls.

Virtual

Engineering Pathway
We invite you to Learn, Connect, and Create with high-quality teaching and learning resources in applied science and math, engineering, computer science/information technology, and engineering technology for use by K-12 and university educators and students.

K-16

Virtual

Resource

Engines of our Ingenuity
The Engines of Our Ingenuity is a radio program that tells the story of how our culture is formed by human creativity. Written and hosted by John Lienhard and other contributors, it is heard nationally on Public Radio and produced by KUHF-FM Houston. Among other features, this web site houses the transcripts for every episode heard since the show's inception in 1988.

Virtual

Audio or Video

EPIC – Engineering Possibilities in College
The EPIC summer day-camp for high school students offers an exploration of engineering disciplines using the Cal Poly Learn-By-Doing approach. Students will attend eight hands-on lab courses in various engineering disciplines, all taught by Cal Poly professors. The week will include fun activities, an industry tour, classes on college admissions and guest speakers. At the end of the week parents & friends are invited to the Student Showcase where students will proudly exhibit the engineering projects they completed. Women and other underrepresented groups in the field of engineering are highly encouraged to apply.

9-12

San Luis Obispo, CA

Camp

Explore the Volcano (SJ Tech Museum)
COMPETITION: Your challenge is to design a simple device that can safely deliver a small payload to a specific target inside a volcano. Of course, we don't have a real volcano at The Tech, so we have created a simulated one for this challenge. Check out the drawings of the volcano Test Rig.

Bay Area

Competition

F1 in School
It's a competition for teams of three to six school children to design and manufacture miniature CO₂-powered racing cars and then race them at regional, national, and international levels. Sounds simple? Not when you consider that these 11- to 18-year old kids use state-of-the-art software programs that enable them to play around with CAD (computer aided design) and CFD (computational fluid dynamics), just like real F1 designers.

6-12

National

Competition

FIRST LEGO
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is a global program created to get kids excited about science and technology. Geared for ages 9-14 (up to 16 outside of the U.S. and Canada), FLL utilizes theme-based Challenges to engage kids in research, problem solving, and engineering. The cornerstones of the program are its Core Values, which emphasize contributions of others, friendly sportsmanship, learning, and community involvement.

4-8

National

Competition

FIRST LEGO Jr.
Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL) is a hands-on program designed to capture young children's inherent curiosity and creativity and direct it toward discovering the possibilities of improving the world around them. Jr.FLL utilizes theme-based Challenges to engage kids in research, problem solving, and introductory engineering concepts. The cornerstones of the program are its Core Values, which emphasize contributions of others, friendly sportsmanship, learning, and community involvement.

1-3

National

Competition

FIRST Robotics
The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard "kit of parts" and a common set of rules. Teams build robots from the parts and enter them in competitions designed by Dean Kamen, Dr. Woodie Flowers, and a committee of engineers and other professionals.

9-12

National

Competition

FIRST Tech Challenge
The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is a mid-level robotics competition for high-school students. It offers the traditional challenge of a FIRST Robotics Competition but with a more accessible and affordable robotics kit.  The ultimate goal of FTC is to reach more young people with a lower-cost, more accessible opportunity to discover the excitement and rewards of science, technology, and engineering.

9-12

National

Competition

Future Cities Program
Welcome to Future City, a national competition you'll find as fulfilling as it is fun for your students. Now in its second decade, the National Engineers Week Future City Competition is a program developed for seventh and eighth grade students to help them discover and foster interests in math, science and engineering. As you'll soon discover, it's a program that's both challenging and stimulating for everyone involved.

7-8

National

Competition

Futures Channel
The Futures Channel was founded in 1999 with the goal of using new media technologies to create a channel between the scientists, engineers, explorers and visionaries who are shaping the future, and today’s learners who will one day succeed them.

Virtual

Audio or Video

Girl Scouts - Girls-Go-Tech
Resources to get girls interested in STEM.

Virtual

Resource

Great Science for Girls
This web site, "where girls and technology click," aims to "share knowledge with those interested in learning more about technology through an interactive community of women." Among the site's sections are Techie Toys, Cyber Jargon, Tech Resources, Project Pages, Binary Gear, Gadget Deals, News, and Message Boards, as well as a Job Section that offers advice about resumes and interviews and information about women in IT jobs.

Virtual

Resource

How Everyday Things Are Made
Videos of how things are made. Sponsored by Stanford University.

K-Gray

Virtual

Resource

Intel Design & Discovery
Design and Discovery is an academic enrichment curriculum that engages students in hands-on engineering and design activities that enhance knowledge, and problem solving skill in the areas of science and engineering. Design and Discovery is most appropriate for informal education settings with extended blocks of time for hands-on activities.

Virtual

Curriculum

Invent Now
Sponsored by the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation. Invent Now is a non-profit organization that brings to the world a wide range of programs, places, content and other experiences. Everything we offer is in service of our mission: to celebrate and foster the spirit and practice of invention — the innate human impulse that drives social and economic progress.

Virtual

Resource

InvenTeams
InvenTeams are teams of high school students, teachers, and mentors that receive grants up to $10,000 each to invent technological solutions to real-world problems. Each InvenTeam chooses its own problem to solve.

9-12

National

Grants

JETS/AbilityOne National Engineering Design Challenge
High School Students Making a Difference! A team competition in which students use their creativity &problem solving ... math ... science ... research ... writing ... presentation and drafting/design skills to create a real-life solution to help individuals with disabilities succeed in the workplace and achieve independence in their lives.

9-12

National

Competition

Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS)
JETS is a national non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting engineering and technology careers to our nation's young people. Since 1950, JETS academic competitions, educational activities, and career guidance resources have been exciting students about careers in engineering and technology.

Various

Mister Roger's Neighborhood Manufacturing Videos
A few manufacturing videos from Mr. Rogers.

K-12

Virtual

Resource

NASA Kids Science News Network
NASA's KSNN™ is a standards-based program that uses the Web, animation, and video to introduce science, technology, engineering, math, and NASA concepts.

Virtual

Resource

NASA Teaching Materials
Lesson plans, videos, pictures, etc. that teachers can use in their classrooms.

K-12

Virtual

Resource

National Association of Rocketry
Since 1959, sanctioned NAR model rocket competition has evolved into a proven method for challenging the individual to improve craftsmanship and flying skills. It is an activity that emphasizes patience, skill, and sportsmanship. Any NAR member can participate in NAR sanctioned competition.

National

Competition

Nuts, Bolts, & Thingamajigs
Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs Foundation and the FMA Foundation have joined forces and are now Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs^SM, The Foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl. We invite you to join us in inspiring the next generation of tinkerers and the innovators of tomorrow's workforce.

K-12

Virtual

Resource

Odyssey of the Mind
Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Kids apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level.

K-12

National

Competition

Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO)
This educational program is geared to K-16 educators and administrators and will provide a general introduction to the specific NASA/NOAA missions. Quality K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education workshops and NASA and NOAA scientist/engineer presentations of the science behind the satellite instruments along with rocket launch viewing opportunity (icing on the cake, not guaranteed to go even up to launch day) are provided. All K-12 educators will be provided exciting learning opportunities as well as a teacher’s guide, a classroom poster and mission CD for classroom use.

K-12

Vandenberg AFB

Resource

PLTW Gateway to Technology
Build a robot or a racecar. The PLTW Gateway To Technology program is divided into five independent nine-week courses developed for grades six through eight. GTT is taught in conjunction with a rigorous academic curriculum and is designed to challenge and engage the natural curiosity of students.

National

Resource

PreK-12 Engineering
This website is a free resource for educators and administrators who are looking to integrate engineering concepts and activities into prek through twelfth grade classrooms. The activities available on the site are linked to the new Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Frameworks. Many of the standards in these frameworks are closely related to the nationally recommended standards for technological literacy by the International Technology Education Association (ITEA.)

Virtual

Resource

Project Lead the Way
Project Lead The Way is a national 501 c3, not-for-profit educational program that helps give middle and high school students the rigorous ground-level education they need to develop strong backgrounds in science and engineering.

Curriculum

RobotEvents.com
RobotEvents.com exists to connect students, mentors, and schools in every community to a variety of successful and engaging technology-based programs. Our goal, along with our primary co-sponsors Autodesk and Innovation First Inc., is to provide these programs with services, solutions, and a community that allows them to flourish in a way that fosters the technical and interpersonal skills necessary for students to succeed in the 21^st Century. Whether it's a competitive event, workshop, camp, or conference we understand the unprecedented level of passion and commitment it takes to create, maintain, and execute such programs. RobotEvents.com is committed to promoting technology and related student and professional advancement so that one day these programs become accessible to all communities.

National

Resource

SAE World in Motion
he A World in Motion® curriculum joins together teachers, students, and industry volunteers in an exploration of physical science while addressing essential mathematic and scientific concepts and skills. Industry volunteers play an essential role in motivating the next generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math by bringing their everyday experiences into an AWIM classroom.

3-10

Online

Resource

Sally Ride Science Camps
Innovative hands-on science camps for girls entering 4th - 9th grades. These unique camps provide girls an opportunity to explore science, technology, and engineering while having fun on a college campus.

4-9 (girls)

Selected locations nationally

Camp

Schmahl Science Workshops
We are a partnership of students, parents, teachers, scientists and science professionals who have come together to help foster this interest in science. SSW networks with professors, scientists, and educators throughout the USA. A Schmahl Science Workshop goes on-site, off-site, any site ---anywhere. We will take our program to anyone who wants to learn.

Bay Area

Workshops (traveling)

Science Net Links
Providing a wealth of resources for K-12 science educators, Science NetLinks is your guide to meaningful standards-based Internet experiences for students.

Virtual

Resource

Shop Rats
The Shop Rat Foundation hopes to establish Shop Rat Classes throughout the nation within the next 10 years. Currently there are Shop Rat Programs in Michigan and in Alabama. We are also in the process of creating and publishing a "Shop Rat Program" curriculum so that middle schools across the nation can integrate hands-on programs into current classes or begin a "Shop Rat" class in schools.

7-12

Michigan
(but looking to go national)

Competition

Skills USA
The SkillsUSA Championships is the showcase for the best career and technical students in the nation. Contests begin locally and continue through the state and national levels.  This is a multi-million dollar event that occupies a space equivalent to 16 football fields. In 2008, there were more than 5,200 contestants in 91 separate events. Nearly 1,500 judges and contest organizers from labor and management will make the national event possible. The philosophy of the Championships is to reward students for excellence, to involve industry in directly evaluating student performance and to keep training relevant to employers' needs.

National

Competition

Soap Box Derby
The Soap Box Derby is a youth racing program which has run nationally since 1934. World Championship finals are held each August at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio.

Competition

Teach Engineering
The TeachEngineering digital library provides teacher-tested, standards-based engineering content for K-12 teachers engineering content for K12 teachers to use in science and math classrooms.

K-12

Virtual

Resource

TeachEngineering.org
Introducing engineering into the K-12 classroom K12 classroom connects science and math concepts to the everyday engineering that surrounds us. This teacher resource, TeachEngineering.org, helps teachers enhance learning, excite students and stimulate interest in science and math through the use of hands-on engineering.

K-12

Virtual

Resource

Teachers' Domain
Teachers’ Domain is an online library of more than 1,000 free media resources from the best in public television. These classroom resources, featuring media from NOVA, Frontline, Design Squad, American Experience, and other public broadcasting and content partners are easy to use and correlate to state and national standards.

K-12

Virtual

Resource

Team America Rocketry Challenge
The 2009 Team America Rocketry Challenge is now underway! Teams from across the nation are working on designing, building and flying a rocket that reaches an altitude of 750 feet, stays aloft for 45 seconds, and returns one raw egg unbroken. Mentors from the National Association of Rocketry are ready and willing to help your team complete a successful flight! Submit your team's qualification flights by Monday, April 6th for your chance to be one of the top 100 teams to compete for your share of $60,000 in cash and scholarships. View a recommended schedule to keep your team on track.

7-12

National

Competition

TechExplorer - California
CACT Tech-Explorer turnkey projects make it easy for teachers to move students’ minds by introducing hands-on fabrication techniques. The projects are offered in academic English, math, science and history middle school and high school classes and meet state curriculum standards.

6-12

Northern CA

Workshop

The Federation of Galaxy Explorers
The Federation of Galaxy Explorers Battle of the Rockets Competition is designed to get students interested in engineering and science with an exciting hands-on competition. The competition has multiple levels providing a continuous challenge for students as their skill levels grow. Each year a new more complex event will be included in the competition.

7-12>

National

Competition

Thinkfinity
Thinkfinity.org makes it easy for educators to enhance their classroom instruction with lesson plans, interactive activities and other online resources. Thinkfinity.org also provides a wealth of educational and literacy resources for students, parents and after-school programs.

All of Thinkfinity.org's 55,000 standards-based K-12 lesson plans, student materials, interactive tools and reference materials are reviewed by the nation's leading education organizations to ensure that content is accurate, up-to-date, unbiased and appropriate for students.

K-12

Virtual

Resource

TOYchallenge
Toys are a great way to learn about science, engineering, and the design process! As girls and boys create a toy or game, they experience engineering as a fun, creative, collaborative process, relevant to everyday life.  The program is flexible enough that it can be used in school, after school, homeschool, with a neighborhood group, or as part of any youth-based organization. A team consists of 3 to 6 members, at least half of whom must be girls. One adult is the team coach.

5-8

National

Competition

TryEngineering
TryEngineering offers a variety of lesson plans that align with education standards to allow teachers and students to apply engineering principles in the classroom. The website will allow you to select a lesson that will be age and content appropriate for your classroom. Download the full lesson plan PDF file to see how the lesson plan aligns with Educational Standards.

2-12

Virtual

Resource

Vex Robotics
The new VEX Robotics Competition game for the 2008-2009 season is Elevation. Elevation is a unique and challenging team-based game that will put high school and middle school students' engineering and technology skills to the test. Students, with guidance from their teachers and mentors will aim to build the most innovative robots possible and work together to obtain the most points possible. In addition to just having a great time and building amazing robots, through their participation in the VEX Robotics Competition and their work within their team, students will learn many academic and life skills.

National

Competition