As we’re in the digital age, many technologies are being developed to support e-learning as it continues to rise. We see various learning management systems (LMS) like Blackboard Learn and Canvas or mobile educational apps like Quizlet and Edmodo. However, there is one platform that you as STEM students can maximise ultimately for FREE… and that is YouTube!

YouTube is revolutionizing education. Videos on YouTube that are just a few minutes long but engaging and informative may be a valuable resource for STEM students struggling to maintain their focus in traditional classroom settings. YouTube videos may be used to educate complex topics and processes and display specific tips or directions to assist students in retaining their new information more quickly and effectively.

So to our STEM talents who are visual learners, want to feel engaged while studying, or simply like to learn new things, here are six spectacular YouTube channels you should check out!

Crash Course

A crash course is a fast-paced, high-intensity course where you learn the fundamentals of a specific topic. That is what the educational YouTube channel Crash Course is precisely all about! The channel was developed by John and Hank Green, two American brothers known for their best-selling books, entrepreneurial endeavors, and charity projects. Their team at Crash Course has developed over 15 courses, covering everything from the arts to STEM-related subjects at the high school and college level. To be specific, they have courses for AI, digital information, and physics, as well as world history, sociology, and literature. As a valuable resource for students and educators, the program also attracts an enormous audience of casual learners looking for educational resources on the web on their own.

Khan Academy

Let’s say you’re at home, reviewing kinematic equations or perhaps, solving calculus problems, and you need some help through the steps. You would turn to someone who can tutor you, wouldn’t you? Khan Academy can give you the proper assistance! With tutorial-like educational videos, this YouTube channel is one of the finest online tools for you to learn about STEM lessons quickly. Founded by Salman Khan, who tutored his cousins using a doodle app, Khan Academy has produced over 8,000 videos that include a broad range of academic subjects. Furthermore, students may study at their own speed using Khan Academy’s practice activities and customised learning dashboard. Their platform also offers various official test preparation (SAT, Praxis, LSAT).

Amoeba Sisters

Have you ever experienced reading a material repeatedly, yet you couldn’t seem to understand it because of how technical or complex it is? The Amoeba Sisters have got your back! They provide educational science videos and mix them with witty remarks and animation. Sarina Peterson and Brianna Rapini, or “Petunia” and “Pinky” as their amoeba characters are known, are the two sisters behind the creative channel. Their videos focus on high school biology because of Brianna’s certification and experience in teaching biology at the high school level. Nonetheless, according to the feedback they received, their content has been deemed valuable for college students with their introductory biology courses. With the Amoeba Sisters, you will indeed have fun while studying!

Cognito

The Cognito YouTube channel is a hidden gem for STEM students. Launched in 2018, it has provided over 400 educational videos covering GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) biology, chemistry, physics, and math. What’s impressive about Cognito is they supplement their videos with past GCSE exam papers, complete with answer sheets, found on their resources website. Last year, they also launched a comprehensive learning platform to guide students through every step of the learning process, from the first day of class until they are ready to take a test. Cognito put a lot of effort into streamlining the procedure and customising it for each exam board.

SciShow

SciShow is the perfect YouTube channel if you want to fill your insatiable curiosity about... everything! Their YouTube channel investigates the mysteries of the universe—from unveiling new science facts on a regular basis to explaining realities you’ve known for a long time. On top of that, SciShow hosts talk shows with respected scientists twice a month to enhance the learning experience. They also have a weekly quiz show to pump loyal viewers up. Isn’t all of this awesome? Quench your thirst for knowledge at SciShow!

TED-Ed

“Ideas Worth Spreading” is the motto of the TED Conferences (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) LLC, an American media company that distributes its talks online for free dissemination. TED-Ed is their educational initiative with the hallmark material of “TED-Ed Originals,” a short, award-winning animated series exploring cutting-edge ideas and research from across the world. An example of a Ted-Ed Original collection is “Epic Engineering,” with complementing, intriguing content that asks, “Why doesn’t the Leaning Tower of Pisa fall over?” and “Could we build a wooden skyscraper?” Interestingly, besides STEM content, their channel can inform students of relevant social topics like the elections and climate change. While TED has ideas worth spreading, you will encounter ideas worth learning!

Final Thoughts

Learning through YouTube definitely has significant value. Moreover, the platform is easy to access and promotes online discussions, especially among STEM students and educators. You just need to find the right videos first, and then you’re all set in your YouTube learning experience. You can start with the six YouTube channels we shared. Subscribe away! We’re happy to be of help! 

Have you gained new knowledge or acquired a new skill by watching YouTube videos? Have you put them into practice? Keep track of your achievements through a digital portfolio! Outwiths is the first digital portfolio showcase platform designed for STEM talents. Sign up here today!