howtosmile blog

Helping teens recognize type 2 diabetes and make healthier lifestyle choices is the theme of the new, free “I Got This” interactive story app from UC Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science. Now available on iOS and coming soon to Android, the story is told through the eyes of a teenage girl who learns she has type 2 diabetes.

Inspire high school students to pursue computer science and STEM disciplines by encouraging them to compete in the 2015 Congressional App Challenge. U.S. students nationwide—both individuals and teams—will create and exhibit apps for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice. No previous computer science coursework is required.

Just in time for summer, plunge into the fun science of lakes, rivers, creeks, and ponds with the new DIY Lake Science app. Get wet—or not—as you investigate freshwater ecosystems and their importance to all life on Earth. Using inexpensive, everyday materials, the app lets learners explore freshwater science outdoors or indoors, anywhere they live, go to school, or even travel on vacation. 

The first Week of Making, sponsored by the White House, is set for June 12-18. "Making can motivate and inspire young people to excel in STEM subjects and prepare students for careers in design, advanced manufacturing, and entrepreneurship.

A baby seal that calms people who touch it...a rover that carries out rescue missions through fire or after an earthquake...a mechanical arm controlled by the thoughts of an injured human...What do these have in common? They're all robots with potential for helping people.

Enrich summer reading with connections to STEM and history! Here are ten books, both nonfiction and fiction, to link with Howtosmile.org activities about science and history around the world. 

1) The Kite That Bridged Two Nations and SMILE's Sled Kite activity;

Summer means picnics! In the park, at the beach, even inside on a rainy day, pack math and science fun in your picnic basket with Howtosmile.org activities. Combine STEM explorations about whatever you like best—food, kites, sand, animals and lots more—to turn a picnic anywhere into a whole new summer learning adventure.

There are so many ways to celebrate World Oceans Day June 8, including making and sharing marine artwork. Learners and their friends at home, camp or school can create pieces of water-themed art—saltwater or freshwater—then hold a summer Marine Art Show for families, their whole school or camp, even their local community.

How do you diagnose and help a three-eyed monster with a heart problem? That's the challenge and fun in the new, free Monster Heart Medic iPhone/iPad app, now available in the App Store. This educational adventure game uses animated monster stories, interactive simulators, arcade games, virtual diagnostic tests and more to explore the cardiovascular system and how it's affected by healthy living.

Earth Day, April 22, is part of this year's international Climate Education Week. At Howtosmile.org, you can find thousands of STEM activities, for all ages, related to the environment, climate and the natural world.