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13 Awesome STEAM Games, Apps, and Sites

	DIY Nano DIY Nano is a science app that introduces nanotechnology to kids in ways that are both cool and understandable. This uncluttered, well-designed app includes DIY activities and experiments, as well as short videos about topics like materials used in nanotechnology, "nano" and nature, and how nanotechnology affects everyday life. Read full review.
	Algodoo Algodoo is a 2D physics sandbox that lets students build working systems of environments and objects which all have interacting physical characteristics; it's like a blend of toybox and laboratory sure to lead to fun and discovery. Read full review.
	Science Buddies Science Buddies is the go-to site for anyone heading into a science or engineering project. Teachers will find checklists, handouts, and grading rubrics. Fair coordinators can utilize the planning guides and judges' information. Read full review.
	DIY - get skills. Be awesome. DIY - Get skills. Be awesome. is the companion app of the crafty, creative how-to website DIY. Kids can learn how following directions, sharing project information -- including photos and videos -- and asking questions on the go via mobile technology can combine to make DIY - Get skills. Read full review.
	TinkerBox TinkerBox is part game, part creative outlet. Kids can work their way through the six levels of puzzles, each offering many stages, where they drag the right object into place to complete the physics puzzler -- think Rube Goldberg machines. Read full review.
	Make: Online MAKE: Online, the website from the creative minds behind MAKE Magazine, is the go-to place for DIY project ideas, reviews and resources, and a user-supported community of like-minded tinkerers. Covering science, technology, craft, and the pure pleasure of making stuff, MAKE outlines some seriously cool hands-on opportunities for kids. Read full review.
	Garry's Mod Garry's Mod (GMod) is a physics sandbox stuffed with art and models from Valve software's popular games, including Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike. With a large library of generic objects, recognizable props from Valve's games, and pre-built devices like thrusters and wheels, users can build and share nearly anything they can imagine. Read full review.
	Kerbal Space Program Kerbal Space Program is somewhat like a NASA simulator except it's set in a fictional star system and on the planet Kerbin. Players purchase various rocket parts, put them together, and then see if they can get their ship into orbit, to one of Kerbin’s two moons, or even to another planet. Read full review.
	Codecademy In Codecademy, older kids and teens write computer code. They set their own pace through lessons on every major modern programming language, including PHP, Javascript, Python, Ruby, HTML, and CSS. First, they create an account using an email address or an existing Facebook, Twitter, or Google account. Read full review.
	Design Squad Nation The Design Squad Nation website complements the PBS Kids television show Design Squad, in which teenagers compete to create the most novel solutions to engineering challenges. The competitive aspect of activities, along with video demonstration of the brainstorming and prototyping that go into design, make the website a great learning tool for kids. Read full review.
	Minecraft Minecraft is a sandbox game that rewards players for collecting and combining resources into new, useful items that enrich gameplay and help further exploration and creativity. Since each new world begs to be explored and reshaped, Minecraft cultivates 21st-century skills: goal-setting, collaboration, creativity, design and systems thinking, and engineering. Read full review.
	Gamestar Mechanic Gamestar Mechanic is an online toolset, game, and community that teaches kids how to build games. It focuses on the art of visual design rather than on programming, as other game-making platforms, such as Scratch, do. Overall, Gamestar Mechanic is one of the best-documented and approachable game-design tools available to kids and their teachers. Read full review.
	DIY In DIY, kids use everyday materials to complete challenges in various skill areas. After an adult approves their membership, kids create a unique login and design an avatar. They start exploring more than 50 skills on the homepage, where popular topics are listed along with a featured challenge and news about who's earned a new badge. Read full review. Brought to you by Common Sense Media (http://www.graphite.org/blog/13-awesome-steam-games-apps-and-sites?utm_source=2014_02_11_Educator_Newsletter_1&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly)

2014 Cyber Safety Family Night

The King George County Schools Technology Department will host its second annual Cyber Safety Family Night on March 6, 2014 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at King George Elementary School.  The theme this year is Raising Responsible Digital Citizens. We invite all area families to attend to learn more about safe, secure, and responsible use of technology. The event with begin at 5 p.m. with breakfast for dinner prepared by the KGES food services staff, followed by a brief introduction and three thirty minute breakout sessions where presenters from the school and community will offer information to help families stay safe online. We will provide childcare for children ages 0-5 and special sessions for elementary and middle school aged students. Please visit http://goo.gl/ag912g to register.