STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math. Right now STEM jobs are expected to grow 10.8% between 2022 and 2032 compared to 2.3% growth for non-STEM jobs. This equates to 1.1 million more STEM job openings over 10 years.
However, STEM is still not emphasized in early education in many cases. According to a Google report, 84% of parents, 71% of teachers, and 66% of principals believe that computer science is as important as any other subject. But only 5.8% of students in 35 states are enrolled in foundational CS courses as of 2023.
So discover some of the best STEM courses and activities for kids to help your child discover new passions and the magic in technology. These classes are great after-school activities, or can even be taken on weekends or during school breaks.
Check out upcoming free computer science events for kids, led by tech experts: past events have featured guests from Pixar, NASA, Intel, and more.
Explore STEM Education Classes and Programs K-12
Discover some of the best STEM education programs for children in kindergarten through high school. From classes offered by PBS Kids and National Geographic to the American Museum of Natural History, you're sure to find something your child will enjoy, that could spark a lifelong interest in STEM.
Online STEM Programs for Elementary Students
Early exposure to STEM can inspire a lifelong interest in these fields, encouraging more students to pursue careers in science and technology. Let's explore some incredible STEM programs for kids in grades K-5.
1. Create & Learn
Create & Learn is an award-winning STEM education company that offers live online computer science classes for children K-12 worldwide. With a structured computer science curriculum guides designed by Google and Stanford experts, students are set up to succeed. Students learn using the same real-world applications that professionals use every day, ensuring knowledge and skills transfer to their future careers. The expert-led classes have won parents' favorite awards and been recognized by Microsoft's Minecraft, HulaFrog, ActivityHero, and Meta. Choose from 40+ different subjects from beginner-friendly Scratch coding and game development such as Minecraft coding and Roblox coding, to artificial intelligence, and even AP-level classes such as AP CSA Java. Get started with free introduction classes.
2. Bricks 4 Kidz
For over 10 years, Bricks 4 Kidz has been designing programs to encourage creativity, promote learning through play, and spark interest in science, technology, math and engineering. With the best educators in the U.S., they have developed programs using the fun and familiarity of LEGO® Bricks to inspire the inventors and innovators of the next generation. Explore hundred of motorized model builds and learn in small groups via Zoom with their online classes perfect for ages 5-13. Works on any device.
3. Digital Media Academy
Digital Media Academy was founded in 1999 on the campus of Stanford University to provide technology education to K12 teachers and develop technology immersion courses for students. In 2002, the Academy for New Media became Digital Media Academy and greatly expanded its technology education programs and operated in the most prestigious universities. Digital Media Academy offers online courses in computer science, music production, creative design, game development, and digital storytelling.
4. Science Bob
Science Bob” Pflugfelder is a science teacher, author, maker, and presenter that knows how to share the world of science in a fun way. He is a regular guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Live With Kelly and Ryan, The Dr. Oz Show, and Nickelodeon’s Nicky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn. His website has free on-demand science experiment videos covering a giant volcano experiment, a Pringles can rocket, a liquid nitrogen cloud, and more.
5. American Museum of Natural History
The Museum offers online programs to suit a range of interests for children and families from an early adventures program to the Lang Science Program. For example, The Scientist Is In is a family-friendly online program featuring scientists from various fields, from astrophysics to zoology. Join the livestream twice per month to hear about what they study and the tools they use, and bring your questions for each scientist to answer live. Learn about dinosaur ancestors, conservation, and more in previous session recordings. Or join Museum astrophysicists online for guided tours of the universe: visually rich explorations of our place in the cosmos in Astronomy Online.
6. Smithsonian for Kids
The Smithsonian offers lots of fun STEM programming for kids and teens. Meet the residents at the zoo, discover fun facts, and learn about conservation status. There are coloring collections, digital puzzles, virtual museum scavenger hunts, light painting tutorials, and more.
7. Mathnasium
Go deep into math! Teach your child vital math skills and build the foundation for their future math studies with online tutoring. Children can also master computation and problem-solving, and get equipped beyond standard test prep. Students can learn basic arithmetic, fractions, and factorization. In these sessions, instructors use the Mathnasium Method to tailor online math tutoring sessions to your child’s exact educational needs, for grades 2-12.
8. NASA Live Events
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is America’s civil space program and the global leader in space exploration. At its 20 centers and facilities across the country – and the only National Laboratory in space – NASA studies Earth, including its climate, our Sun, and our solar system and beyond. NASA's live events include a Spaceflight for Everybody virtual symposium, coverage of the ISS U.S. Spacewalk #78, and more.
9. National Geographic's Explorer Classroom for kids
Explorer Classroom is a live interactive session that connects young people, ages 4-14, with National Geographic Explorers — to hear behind-the-scenes stories and interact with cutting-edge scientists, researchers, and powerful storytellers from around the globe. All events are free. Learn about bees, seals, polar conservation, and more.
10. NOVA by PBS
Watch full episodes of PBS's popular science show online. Alok Patel takes you behind the scenes with the people—scientists, engineers, technologists, mathematicians and more—working to understand our world. Explore the rise of mammals, the stunning engineering of the Great Pyramid of Giza, black holes, and more.
STEM Clubs for Elementary Students
These STEM clubs for young students are great for having fun, learning problem solving skills, and building creativity.
1. Game Building Club
This fun live online club series for students in grades 3-6 features an expert instructor guiding students through a different Scratch coding project from start to finish in a 50-minute session each week. It's a great way to practice basic coding skills while creating a very popular and fast-paced Pop the Lock game, a soccer game, a game to see if you can land your rocket safely on Mars, and much more.
2. Beginner Coding Club
Create something new every week with beginner-friendly Scratch Junior coding for students in kindergarten through second grade! For six weeks students build original challenges and fascinating projects, guided live by an expert instructor in a 45-minute session.
3. MIT's Kids Science Club
Explore all sides of science with the Kids Science Club! Sign up for any or all of the topics such as rocks and minerals, rainbow science, lemon light, and more to reserve a kit full of all the materials you’ll need to participate in the activities. Then, join on Zoom to explore and experiment.
4. Nautilus Ocean Exploration Club
This elementary STEM Club lesson series was written for anyone who wants to lead students through 10-12 meetings exploring ocean science and technology in an after school STEM Club setting. This club provides exposure to the ocean and marine life for all students (regardless of personal access to the shoreline or access to at-home resources) through a compilation of videos, hands-on challenges, photographs, and children’s literature.
Online STEM Programs for Teens and Middle School Students
STEM programs for high school students prepare students for the demands of college-level coursework and the modern workforce, where STEM skills are in high demand. These programs help students develop advanced problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and technical skills that are essential in a wide range of careers. By participating in STEM programs, high school students can explore potential career paths and gain hands-on experience with real-world applications of science and technology.
Three top options for high school students include Project Lead the Way (PLTW), which offers comprehensive courses in engineering, computer science, and biomedical science; FIRST Robotics, which combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology; and CodeHS, an online platform that provides a full computer science curriculum, including programming, web design, and cybersecurity. These programs not only enhance academic achievement but also inspire a passion for innovation and leadership in STEM fields.
1. BioBuilder
This introductory program provides a three-week online guided learning community for teams of high school students who want to design biotechnologies to make the world a better place. It includes five hours of asynchronous lectures by Dr. Natalie Kuldell, biodesign assignments, reference materials, feedback on assignments and projects from BioBuilder teaching assistants, weekly live Office Hours, and a Project Showcase.
2. Create & Learn
Learn how to solve real-world problems with computer science in award-winning online classes with live instruction. Reach advanced topics such as AP CSA Java, Cloud Computing, and even Computational Biology with a curriculum crafted by professionals from Google, Airbnb, Code.org, and Apple.
3. Coursera
Coursera offers high school students and professionals access to a wide range of STEM programs from top universities and institutions, providing courses in subjects such as computer science, data science, engineering, and mathematics. These courses are often self-paced and come with interactive assignments, empowering students to learn at their own speed while earning certificates that can enhance their college applications. Additionally, Coursera’s partnerships with industry leaders like Google and IBM give students the opportunity to gain practical, job-ready skills in emerging STEM fields.
4. FIRST Robotics
FIRST Robotics offers high school students a hands-on, collaborative experience in STEM through designing, building, and programming robots to compete in annual challenges. The program emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity, providing students with real-world engineering experience and mentorship from industry professionals. Through participation in FIRST Robotics, students develop critical technical and leadership skills while also gaining exposure to potential STEM career paths.
Free Online STEM Programs
Looking for even more affordable STEM programs? These free STEM programs encourage all students to explore and pursue STEM careers. Check out some free STEM classes and resources that kids in grades K-12 will enjoy.
1. Online STEM expert webinars
Learn from tech experts from top companies that teach how they use computer science in daily life for students in Grades 2-10. These open events provide children a unique opportunity to learn directly from some of the biggest experts in their fields, from NASA, Pixar, Apple, Intel, and more. In these live (and later on-demand) classes, students discover real-life applications of computer science. They find out what coding has to do with their favorite sports, see how medical research is influenced by computer science, and learn all about the power of GPU and its impact on movies like Star Wars.
2. Free coding classes for kids
Free coding classes for kids are a great way to introduce computer programming to students, without being costly. From fun beginner languages, to awesome Roblox game development, to more advanced programming that drives real-world innovation - explore free introduction classes to enjoy.
3. Code.org
One thing we like in particular about Code.org is in addition to coding, it also covers general computer science topics such as data, artificial intelligence, and the Internet. Code.org offers a variety of free lesson plans that align with educational standards. As well as tons of Hour of Code activities that help peak kids' interest in computer science and build their confidence, within just one hour of coding. Any child 5 and up can learn from this site with parental guidance.
4. W3Schools
W3Schools is an excellent site for advanced learners such as high schoolers. The site started with web focused technologies such as HTML and JS in the early years, and has expanded significantly to include almost all popular languages such as Python and Java. The step-by-step content and quizzes cover the core concepts in great details.
5. PBS Kids games
In the Cyberchase simulation, you'll help Jackie, Matt and Inez use math to protect the digital universe from evil. Learn engineering principles, and design anything you can imagine with Design Squad Nation's challenges, videos and tutorials. The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! features pre-K STEM games, activities and videos including an exotic math safari adventure.
6. Khan Academy Kids
This award-winning app engages kids 2-8 in core subjects like early literacy, reading, writing, language, and math. It was developed in collaboration with learning experts at Stanford and aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Common Core Standards. Five whimsical, charming characters—including narrator Kodi Bear—guide kids through activities and stories.
Join Online STEM Classes for Kids and Teens
STEM courses can take place in school or homeschool, through after-school online programs, or at a STEM summer camp or a virtual winter break camp. These courses prepare students for future careers in STEM. While two people may have both graduated with a computer science degree, one could be designing characters for video games while the other could be building self-driving cars. Computer science jobs are everywhere - you may not even realize fields like medicine, government, or film need computer science majors.
Empower your child to learn how to code, explore artificial intelligence, design video games, perform science experiments, and more. Begin their STEM learning adventure today with a free beginner coding class.
For more subjects, explore the best computer science classes for kids, best online math classes for kids, and best online science classes for kids.
