Doing background research using the internet
We've carefully curated a list of sources for further learning, plus learn how to best navigate online information to sort out the good information.
our favorite sources
The internet contains so. much. information. SO much! This is an incredible time where we have access to the entire world of knowledge, plus the history of how we got that knowledge. Here is a list of some of our favorite scientific resources for your study.*
National Geographic Education. Website.
NOVA. Website.
Smithsonian Science Education Center. Website.
Zooniverse. Website.
But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids. Podcast.
CrashCourse. YouTube.
Amoeba Sisters. YouTube.
Ted-Ed. YouTube.
Libby. App. You can enter your library card and have a wealth of knowledge to your disposal! An important part of science is developing a love for it and staying excited about it. For that, we recommend reading fun stories about it through your local library or the Libby app. What's available is determinant on your library, but here are some fiction and non-fiction books we've have success finding on here. If you can't find it, you can always go into your library to see if they have it, or request a copy! Again, you won't need these for our curriculum, but if you want to read some good STEM centered stories— check out this list.
*we are not affiliated with any of the above recommendations and are receiving no monetary or promotional payment for recommending them.
National Geographic Education. Website.
NOVA. Website.
Smithsonian Science Education Center. Website.
Zooniverse. Website.
But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids. Podcast.
CrashCourse. YouTube.
Amoeba Sisters. YouTube.
Ted-Ed. YouTube.
Libby. App. You can enter your library card and have a wealth of knowledge to your disposal! An important part of science is developing a love for it and staying excited about it. For that, we recommend reading fun stories about it through your local library or the Libby app. What's available is determinant on your library, but here are some fiction and non-fiction books we've have success finding on here. If you can't find it, you can always go into your library to see if they have it, or request a copy! Again, you won't need these for our curriculum, but if you want to read some good STEM centered stories— check out this list.
- 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky
- Why Is Milk White?: &200 Other Curious Chemistry Questions by Alexa Coelho
- Who Is Jane Goodall? by Roberta Edwards
- Who Was Marie Curie? by Megan Stine
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
- The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
*we are not affiliated with any of the above recommendations and are receiving no monetary or promotional payment for recommending them.
navigating online information
With it being so easy to access information, we have to be careful that we're not reading misinformation. This resource is meant as an aid so that when you do projects and your own research, you can know who to trust.
The following is a link to a 10 part video series by CrashCourse all about how to navigate digital media. It can be helpful to watch these over time and with an adult so you can discuss with them what you learn.
The following is a link to a 10 part video series by CrashCourse all about how to navigate digital media. It can be helpful to watch these over time and with an adult so you can discuss with them what you learn.
Our favorite highlights from this series are:
1. Seek knowledge laterally. Don't look at the same source, look at many sources on many different sites! Read arguments, counterarguments, and see what people are saying across the board. This allows you to gain a lot of different perspectives of the source and learn more about their authority.
2. Don't be impatient! Have the patience to read things you don't yet understand. One day, you will.
3. Trust research done by accredited authors. Accredited means a person, organization, or course of study is officially recognized and authorized. Sources often become accredited through education, writing peer-reviewed journals, and— you guessed it— using the scientific method.
What are your favorite highlights? Feel free to write them in a journal, discuss them with an adult, or write to us in the learning activity below!
You'll realize that there is one question these video series don't touch as much on, something that isn't talked about as much as blatant misinformation. That question is: what happens when we follow all the accredited research, and the scientists don't agree? Scientific disagreement happens! We have come to trust science as an absolute truth, and for the most part, it is. Certain scientific questions such as "Is the Earth flat?" can be resoundingly and assuredly answered no, but there are still conspiracy theories and misinformation out there to try and "prove" otherwise. This is just misinformation, and we should listen to the scientific community on this one as 100% of accredited scientists will tell you the earth is round. But sometimes, there is research that is still evolving and developing, and we have to do a little more research and have a little more patience to get the best answer. Heck, some of the best scientific discoveries were made because kids couldn't find the answers they were looking for! They focus on that question all through their studies, apply the scientific method over, and over and over until they publish a journal about it and tens of thousands of people read it worldwide. That could be you!
One thing you can know is absolutely true: if a large portion of the accredited scientific community all agree on some research or a fact, it's the information you should follow. Understanding how to effectively research keeps you informed, safe, and allows us to find new things— scientific truths often act like building blocks: we discover one thing, and that successful discovery leads to the discovery of another thing. This is one of the most important things you can learn early on! Here are some more resources for you to look at all about scientific truth.
1. Seek knowledge laterally. Don't look at the same source, look at many sources on many different sites! Read arguments, counterarguments, and see what people are saying across the board. This allows you to gain a lot of different perspectives of the source and learn more about their authority.
2. Don't be impatient! Have the patience to read things you don't yet understand. One day, you will.
3. Trust research done by accredited authors. Accredited means a person, organization, or course of study is officially recognized and authorized. Sources often become accredited through education, writing peer-reviewed journals, and— you guessed it— using the scientific method.
What are your favorite highlights? Feel free to write them in a journal, discuss them with an adult, or write to us in the learning activity below!
You'll realize that there is one question these video series don't touch as much on, something that isn't talked about as much as blatant misinformation. That question is: what happens when we follow all the accredited research, and the scientists don't agree? Scientific disagreement happens! We have come to trust science as an absolute truth, and for the most part, it is. Certain scientific questions such as "Is the Earth flat?" can be resoundingly and assuredly answered no, but there are still conspiracy theories and misinformation out there to try and "prove" otherwise. This is just misinformation, and we should listen to the scientific community on this one as 100% of accredited scientists will tell you the earth is round. But sometimes, there is research that is still evolving and developing, and we have to do a little more research and have a little more patience to get the best answer. Heck, some of the best scientific discoveries were made because kids couldn't find the answers they were looking for! They focus on that question all through their studies, apply the scientific method over, and over and over until they publish a journal about it and tens of thousands of people read it worldwide. That could be you!
One thing you can know is absolutely true: if a large portion of the accredited scientific community all agree on some research or a fact, it's the information you should follow. Understanding how to effectively research keeps you informed, safe, and allows us to find new things— scientific truths often act like building blocks: we discover one thing, and that successful discovery leads to the discovery of another thing. This is one of the most important things you can learn early on! Here are some more resources for you to look at all about scientific truth.