Check Out Our Picks for the Top STEM Apps: Grades 6-8
About the App
Hopscotch is a fun and interactive introduction to the basics of coding. Kids will be guided through some of their favorite games to learn how it was put together. Once they grasp the fundamentals, they will then have the choice to develop their own games from scratch. Middle schoolers can even publish their games within the app for others to play and enjoy. With a little creativity and imagination, the possibilities are endless.
Why We Love This App
Who knew learning to code could be so fun? The purpose of us downloading Hopscotch was strictly to review the app, but we must admit that we may have been caught sneaking in extra screen time to build games with our new coding skills. We love that this app is so hands-on and the tutorial overlays throughout are super useful. Warning for parents: You may want to download Hopscotch for yourself!
Field
Technology
Cost
$7.99 per month (7-day free trial)
About the App
With SimplePhysics, budding engineers and architects get to try their hand at building anything from treehouses to ferris wheels. Create designs with the blueprint editor or start from scratch. But, there’s one catch—the building materials have a “cost” associated with them. So, not only do users have to build the best structure, but it needs to come in under budget.
Why We Love This App
We love this app because, in the real world, we know everything isn’t black and white. There are various ways to look at something to come to a solution. In STEM careers, a popular approach to problem-solving is through design thinking—a solution-based approach to creatively resolve issues by understanding people’s needs and developing effective solutions to meet those needs. With SimplePhysics, your kids will get an early taste for design thinking every time they play.
Field
Engineering
Cost
$0.99
About the App
Learn all about a frog’s unique lifecycle and anatomical details without the live animal dissection. Middle schoolers can point their device’s camera at a flat surface, and watch a realistic frog appear right in front of their eyes using AR technology. Leap into this biology lesson by using your finger or an Apple Pencil to dissect the frog and get a close-up look of its complex organs.
Why We Love This App
We love how the scalpel, forceps and scissors feel so real, and we’re amazed at how well the app replicates an actual dissection. And we, of course, give this app bonus points for no messy cleanup and strong formaldehyde odor!
Field
Science
Cost
$3.99
About the App
Let your kid’s mind run wild! This app will unleash their creativity by building their world with 3D blocks in Minecraft. Middle school students can invite their friends to play online in their world and explore every nook and cranny. The great thing is there isn’t one single way to play. It’s their game, their world and they make the rules.
Why We Love This App
There’s a reason why this is the second bestselling video game of all time. Minecraft does an excellent job bringing out the creativity in everyone. We love how kids can become absorbed in this educational game and completely lose track of time. Their brains will get a great workout by drawing up critical-thinking skills, problem-solving strategies and more.
Field
Engineering
Cost
$6.99
About the App
DragonBox Algebra 12+ is an incredibly fun, fast and easy way to learn and practice algebra skills. This self-paced game allows kids to advance through “chapters” that build upon skills such as positive and negative signs, factorizations, parentheses, substitution and other math fundamentals.
Why We Love This App
Let’s face it—algebra can be tough, but with DragonBox Algebra 12+ it just got a little easier! We love that this app was carefully created and based on methods that focus on discovery and experimentation, instead of the typical drills and flashcards that kids see at school.
Field
Mathematics
Cost
$7.99
About the App
Your kids will see the world through the eyes of NASA scientists. They will learn about NASA’s ice, cloud and land elevation satellite named Mars. Users also learn about its magnetic tail, what causes the bright spots on the surface of the dwarf planet Ceres and more.
Why We Love This App
We love this app because it gives you a behind-the-scenes look into what NASA is working on right now! Kids will love this app because it engages them with striking images and animations taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. Extraordinary visuals, access to real data and cutting-edge concepts presented in a story format make NASA Visualization Explorer irresistible
Field
Science
Cost
Free
About the App
Tynker empowers middle schoolers to code by solving puzzles and designing their own games. Watch your kids transform their imaginations into reality through the power of programming. This app uses command blocks to introduce students to programming applications and robotics, leaving them hooked to continue learning more challenging concepts.
Why We Love This App
Kids will love Tynker because it provides interactive and fun classes that can be done at their own pace! With concepts ranging from debugging programs to pattern detection, this app is an excellent way for students to build their computational thinking skills for a future career in STEM.
Field
Technology
Cost
Free
