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Creating classrooms that facilitate transformational learning has ever been a challenge. Let's rediscover what works in the context of Do It Yourself (DIY) STEM, technology-blended hands-on learning in the classroom.
Creating classrooms that facilitate transformational learning has ever been a challenge. Let's rediscover what works in the context of Do It Yourself (DIY) STEM, technology-blended hands-on learning in the classroom.
Let's explore five tips for kindling STEM-powered learning in your classroom.
Let's explore five tips for kindling STEM-powered learning in your classroom.
Learn More
Learn More
Audio #1: Collegial Coaching & Relationship Importance
Audio #2: Value of Video for Coaching
Audio #3: Characteristics of Coaches
Teaching & Learning Strategies That Work
Teaching & Learning Strategies That Work
Looking for readable, relevant books that will shift your practice, focus you on teaching and learning strategies that work?
Looking for readable, relevant books that will shift your practice, focus you on teaching and learning strategies that work?
Click on the book covers to learn more about two powerful books that will get some keen insights. To get a taste of the powerful ideas shared in these books, listen to the audio snippets beneath each.
Read Miguel's blog entries relevant to...
Curated STEM Awesomeness
Curated STEM Awesomeness
Looking for STEM activities and apps? Check out this document chock-full of content. You can explore and adapt these for your own use.
Find a list of iOS/Android apps, websites, Chrome browser apps/extensions. and Pinterest sites featuring STEM activities.
Tip #1 - Encourage students to engage in solving real life problems
Tip #1 - Encourage students to engage in solving real life problems
Session Description
Session Description
In this resource section, learn how to create collaborative PBL projects to engage learners. Specific examples are provided for Generation Z learners who seek hands-on learning and want to be media-makers. PBL helps students foster team-building and solve real life problems.
Tip #2 - Promote intercultural learning, real world opportunities for students
Tip #2 - Promote intercultural learning, real world opportunities for students
Strategies
Strategies
1. Create a school hashtag to build a global presence and organize activities (#stemeachday)
1. Create a school hashtag to build a global presence and organize activities (#stemeachday)
2. Create a global conversation around student work
2. Create a global conversation around student work
3. Enable students to research wonders or problems in their community, then share that with others around the globe live or via YouTube.
3. Enable students to research wonders or problems in their community, then share that with others around the globe live or via YouTube.
Strategy: Virtual Field Trips & Mystery Skype/Hangouts
Strategy: Virtual Field Trips & Mystery Skype/Hangouts
Ready to take your students on virtual field trips? Be sure to review the Skype in the Classroom Getting Started Guide or connect with others using Google Hangouts in Education.
There are many types of connections possible. For example:
Second Grade Culture Exchange, an eighth grade class in Minnesota interested in a Mystery Hangout, and a third grade Spanish-speaking class.
Mystery Hangout: Mystery Hangout is a social game played with two groups of students. It's a mix of Battleships and 20 questions.
As you might imagine, the possibilities are endless for connecting with educators passionate to unite globally, and what a great opportunity for your students.
STEM Tools and Toys
STEM Tools and Toys
These toys and tools present various approaches. Often, parents and teachers are looking for “turnkey” solutions or kits. There are many kits that can be used in a home or classroom setting. Here are my top three favorite tools and/or toys, along with links to websites where you can find more ideas. What would you add or include that I haven’t?
Sunprint ($11.59): “The SunPrint Solar Paper lets you makes beautiful pictures by placing objects on the paper and exposing it to the sun. The paper undergoes a chemical change. The Sunprint paper can be used for a creative, solar art project,” says the Amazon description.
Cubetto ($222.95): TCEA’s Ashley Weiler introduced me to Cubetto. Montessori-approved, this is a “coding toy for girls and boys ages 3 and up. Children help Cubetto, a friendly wooden robot, navigate a magical world by writing their first programs using hands-on coding blocks.”
Tynker app + Parrot Mambo Minidrone ($): Learning to code with algorithms (sets of instructions that are repeated to automate and simplify coding) is fun with the Tynker app (Android/iOS) and the Mambo drone.
Tip #3 - Create opportunities for computational thinking and algorithms
Tip #3 - Create opportunities for computational thinking and algorithms
Check out these resources:
This session explores valuable research relevant to personalized learning along with technology integral to Future Ready Schools. When used efficiently, technology can power classroom collaboration, inquiry, and composition, as well as foster global connections.
The importance of becoming a STEM coder cannot be overstated. This blog entry will give you handy stats and provide some simple steps you can take.
The importance of becoming a STEM coder cannot be overstated. This blog entry will give you handy stats and provide some simple steps you can take.
It also explores the rationale and importance of beginning with STEM early on.
It also explores the rationale and importance of beginning with STEM early on.
Take your STEM projects to the next level by adding the use of a green screen. It can be done inexpensively and will really engage your students.
Take your STEM projects to the next level by adding the use of a green screen. It can be done inexpensively and will really engage your students.
Looking for a fun way to introduce STEM projects to students? Try blending green screens into your STEM DIY projects. Let’s take a quick look at a few ways your students can do that.
Tip #4 - Invite young people to become virtual construction workers, builders, and architects
Tip #4 - Invite young people to become virtual construction workers, builders, and architects
Learn how to design PBL experiences in virtual worlds like Minecraft: Education Edition. Participants will also experience PBL lesson-based design opportunities.
Learn how to design PBL experiences in virtual worlds like Minecraft: Education Edition. Participants will also experience PBL lesson-based design opportunities.
Learn how to create your own virtual room and wallpaper it with educational content. It all starts with paper and a website!
Learn how to create your own virtual room and wallpaper it with educational content. It all starts with paper and a website!
Tip #5 - Accelerate Your Learning with Professional Learning Networks (PLNs)
Tip #5 - Accelerate Your Learning with Professional Learning Networks (PLNs)
Get connected! Come create a Twitter account and start following great educators with fantastic resources. You’ll learn how to follow hashtags and make the most of your new network!
Get connected! Come create a Twitter account and start following great educators with fantastic resources. You’ll learn how to follow hashtags and make the most of your new network!
STEM Do It Yourself Projects Ideas
STEM Do It Yourself Projects Ideas
“Where did you get your idea for that project?” I asked a second grade teacher who was sharing a STEM project at a San Angelo, Tx TCEA area conference. “Pinterest!” she replied with a smile. “I find most of my ideas there.” To be honest, it had never occurred to me to look on Pinterest.
“Where did you get your idea for that project?” I asked a second grade teacher who was sharing a STEM project at a San Angelo, Tx TCEA area conference. “Pinterest!” she replied with a smile. “I find most of my ideas there.” To be honest, it had never occurred to me to look on Pinterest.
Yet you can find many DIY STEM projects appropriate for home or classroom there. Here are my top five favorite Pinterest boards:
Yet you can find many DIY STEM projects appropriate for home or classroom there. Here are my top five favorite Pinterest boards:
RAFT – Idea Sheets – A set of over 700 projects based on readily available low-cost materials.
Tinkering Studio blog – Amazing projects that are tinkerable and can be used in a variety of settings.
The Creativity Lab on YouTube – K-12 making videos
Check out the solo cups activity, taught to me by Peggy Reimers (@preimers).
Check out the solo cups activity, taught to me by Peggy Reimers (@preimers).
Maker Magic
Maker Magic
Ready to get started with Maker Magic? Here are some resources that will help you get going with maker-related topics.
Ready to get started with Maker Magic? Here are some resources that will help you get going with maker-related topics.
Are You a Maker?
Are You a Maker?
Of course, you are! What does it take to setup a space for making? Let's explore via this photo tour, as well as check out the resources shared below. Be sure to check back often, as this resource will be updated periodically.
*Adapted with Minecraft examples by Miguel Guhlin from a chart available online here. Read full report, What Works in Classroom Instruction, featuring effect size online from McREL.
*Adapted with Minecraft examples by Miguel Guhlin from a chart available online here. Read full report, What Works in Classroom Instruction, featuring effect size online from McREL.
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