InternationalSchoolK12

Suggested free, open-source tools

InternationalSchoolK12 does not provide computers, internet access or software. These free, open-source tools work well for math, science and lab work. They are optional suggestions: install them yourself, and supervise younger children.

Set up learning tools with a parent

These tools run separately from the school website. A parent installs the desktop version or opens the official browser version. The school does not supply devices or software, and third-party services have their own terms.

Download parent-run Mac STEM installer

Read setup, classwork and AI-help guide

  1. Open the official link below. Check the current Windows, macOS or Linux requirements. Choose the free community download; avoid advertisements, paid app-store editions and unofficial installers.
  2. A parent handles installation permissions. Prefer local files and offline use. For browser work, use a no-account option where available; do not create a child account just for a project.
  3. Try one small task before starting: draw a shape, enter a table, or open a sample simulation. Save a local file or screenshot. Ask school support for an equivalent paper or supplied-data task if the tool will not run.

Keep names, faces, addresses, passwords and device notifications out of screenshots and videos. Do not upload school records to outside AI tools. School support will never ask for your password or remote access to a child’s device.

Early years

  • GCompris — Reading, counting and early math activities (Grades 1–4 · Licence: AGPL-3.0)
  • Tux Paint — Drawing for young children (Grades 1–5 · Licence: GPL-2.0)

Programming

  • Scratch — Block-based coding (Grades 2–8 · Licence: BSD-3-Clause)
  • Thonny + Python — Beginner Python for math and science (Grades 6–12 · Licence: MIT / PSF)
  • QScintilla 2 — Source-code editor component behind Octave's editor and Python/Qt editor projects (a library, installed with Octave) (Grades 10–12 · Licence: GPL-3.0)

Math

  • JupyterLab — Notebooks for math, statistics and lab data (Grades 9–12 · Licence: BSD-3-Clause)
  • Maxima (wxMaxima) — Computer algebra: equations, calculus (Grades 9–12 · Licence: GPL-2.0)
  • GNU Octave — Numerical math and graphing (Grades 10–12 · Licence: GPL-3.0)
  • Scilab — Numerical computing, signal and control simulations (Xcos) (Grades 10–12 · Licence: GPL-2.0)
  • R — Statistics, data analysis and plots for science projects (Grades 10–12 · Licence: GPL-2.0)

Writing and spreadsheets

  • LibreOffice — Writing, spreadsheets for lab data, presentations (Grades 3–12 · Licence: MPL-2.0)

Science

  • Stellarium — Planetarium for astronomy (Grades 3–12 · Licence: GPL-2.0)
  • Avogadro — Building and viewing molecules (Grades 9–12 · Licence: BSD-3-Clause)
  • QGIS — Maps and geography data (Grades 9–12 · Licence: GPL-2.0)

Lab work

  • myPhysicsLab — Browser physics models; check each model’s units and limitations (Grades 6–12 · Licence: Apache-2.0)
  • Tracker — Video analysis for physics experiments (Grades 8–12 · Licence: GPL-3.0)
  • Audacity — Sound experiments: waves, frequency (Grades 6–12 · Licence: GPL-3.0)
  • Arduino IDE — Electronics and sensor projects (hardware bought by the family) (Grades 7–12 · Licence: AGPL-3.0)

Free to use at home, but not open source

These are free for a student's own use on the maker's official site or app, under that maker's terms. The school does not host, embed or redistribute them, and passes no student data to them.

  • GeoGebra — Interactive geometry, graphing, algebra and 3D (Grades 4–12 · Free for students' personal, non-commercial use under GeoGebra's own licence (source code GPL-3.0; the apps are not open source). Use the official site or app; the school does not embed or redistribute it.)