YouTube is huge. It’s the second most used search engine online. Everyone I know uses YouTube for help and information. I once had a teacher friend YouTube how to assemble a drawer organizer from Ikea. No need to try to decipher the cryptic Ikea directions…she just watched a video!
If you’re a science teacher check out these five channels to bring video content to your lessons.
1.) Bill Nye – Of course I had to include Bill. He’s a cult classic. His videos are effective and kid-friendly. I use Bill Nye videos for science skills that are hard to create demonstrations for. My science curriculum covers physical and chemical changes. There are some demos and labs I can do, but ultimately my principal isn’t too keen on using open flames in class. Bill Nye’s channel offers viewing opportunities of labs I can’t do in a classroom setting.
2.) It’s Okay To Be Smart – Part of the PBS brand, this channel is all things science. They start with an essential question and then explain the answer with appealing graphics and fun narrative.
3.) NASA – Kids love space. I get a ton of questions during my Earth and Space unit. I have used the NASA YouTube channel to answer questions and show my students incredible footage of our universe. My absolute favorite part about this channel is the videos they have from the ISS. My kids go insane when I show them a glimpse of what it’s like being an astronaut in space.
4.) SpanglerScienceTV – Ok this guy is amazing. He has the best science labs EVER. Just go check out his channel. You’ll thank me later.
5.) TED-Ed – Just like their professional development videos for teachers, TED-Ed is all about bringing knowledge to kids in a cartoon format.
What YouTube channels do you use in your classroom?
