Recent articles
Student promotes DIY with super-awesome videos
12/28/2018
Topics:
From a cardboard periscope to robots programmed to paint, seventh grader Sylvia Todd likes to make things. And she wants to inspire other kids — particularly girls who sometimes shy away from STEM careers — to get passionate about science, technology, engineering and math.
"Some…
Minecraft explained by the experts (kids)
12/28/2018
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Many teachers and parents have heard of the educational benefits of Minecraft and would like to learn more or even start playing. But it can be intimidating to get started when our children know so much more about the game than…
From game designer to published author — at just 14
12/28/2018
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Eighth-grader Brian Christian knew exactly what kind of video game he wanted to create. But the software was holding him back.
Although simple to use, GameMaker’s drag-and-drop interface didn’t give the New Jersey student as much control as he wanted. “I would often find that…
Student-created robotics program brings STEM to all learners
12/28/2018
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Delaney Foster grew up seeing how important inclusion can be for those with intellectual disabilities. Her sister, Kendall, was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, and Foster attended an inclusive school in PK and kindergarten. The opportunity to share the life-changing lessons she’d…
The story of autism as told by a 10-year-old with autism
12/18/2018
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Since first grade, Alex Bittner has started each school year by talking to his classmates about how his brain works differently than theirs. Together with his mom, he answers questions about why he sometimes paces in the back of the room or why hearing the teacher read a violent scene from a…
How a 'wildly stupid creative decision' turned this teen into an animator
12/11/2018
Topics: Coding & robotics
Six years ago, a 12-year-old sat frustrated in front of her laptop and decided that she could not animate.
Three years later, she stopped caring and did it anyway.
Hi, that’s me – 18 years old now and fresh out of my final high school exams. Time for me to…
Find out how this 10-year-old became a digital citizen and empowered learner
06/06/2018
Topics: Digital Citizenship, Standards
Kids are always listening – and learning. Sometimes when we least expect it.
That was the case with fourth grader Olivia Van Ledtje who overheard her mother reviewing some students’ Selfie Center videos and decided she, too, had a lot she’d like to share.
…
Minecraft + creative passion = innovative learning
06/20/2017
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Digital Citizenship, Digital storytelling, Gaming, ISTE Conference & Expo, Literacies, Makerspaces, professional learning
It’s no secret that Minecraft taps into students’ passions. What better way to learn than by playing your favorite game?
But Minecraft doesn’t just fuel their passion for video games. Its design-oriented gameplay allows kids to explore a wide variety of interests within the…
Discover how filmmaking can propel students to greatness
06/13/2017
Topics: ISTE Conference & Expo, Personalized Learning
In the past three years, filmmaker Laney Blair has made nine short films. Her work has appeared at multiple film festivals across the United States. She also co-founded the successful #IAmMyBeautiful body positivity campaign in her spare time.
A veteran presenter at global…
When students become teachers
04/27/2017
Topics: Advocacy, Assessment, Corporate innovation, Education leadership, professional learning, Standards
Students in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) in Alaska were familiar with videoconferencing. After all, distance learning via videoconferencing technology (VCT) had become a regular event in their remote rural schools, connecting them to professionals and other students…