Recent articles
Start your own online student competition
09/25/2015
Topics: Gamification, STEM & STEAM
Students are easy to get engaged. Many will watch videos and play games online all day long when given the chance. Getting them to create meaningful products rather than just mindlessly consuming, however, can sometimes be a challenge.
One way to inspire even the most reluctant…
EdTekTalk: Sergei Lupashin makes a case for challenge-based learning
09/08/2015
Topics: Gamification, ISTE Conference & Expo, Robotics, STEM & STEAM
Contrary to popular belief, not all engineers were born with an affinity for math. Some have to find the right inspiration.
Take Sergei Lupashin. The Russian aerial robotics researcher, inventor, businessman and…
5 standards-aligned lesson plans
08/24/2015
Topics: Curriculum, Standards, STEM & STEAM
In June, I wrote about five fabulous lessons you could “steal” from…
Teach your students to code with Code.org's free resources
08/21/2015
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, STEM & STEAM
If you haven’t heard yet, coding is a big deal, and for good reason. Computer science (CS) job opportunities pay well and are growing at twice the national average. And yet, most schools don’t offer any programming classes, and CS courses don’t even count toward graduation in about half of U.S.…
CT scan: Computational thinking broadens student's analytical thinking skills
07/14/2015
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, STEM & STEAM
When Jeannette Wing shared her vision in 2006 that computational thinking (CT) would be “a fundamental skill used by…
Enough tchotchkes! Get students making meaningful 3D projects
06/01/2015
Topics: Makerspaces, STEM & STEAM, Tools
As 3D printers increasingly find roles in schools, libraries and even homes, it is vital that educators provide challenging and meaningful projects. School administrators, trustees, superintendents and parents will not be impressed by an iPhone case downloaded from the internet to roll off the…
Engaging girls in games and coding
03/11/2015
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Gaming, STEM & STEAM
Tanya Martin is a mother, an educator and a World of Warcraft aficionado. As a gamer, she is exposed to a lot of stereotypes about women and gaming as well as notions that girls aren't as good at computer skills and coding as boys.
" "We need to get rid of those stereotypes," " she…
Put student passions at center of learning
03/09/2015
Topics: Flipped learning, Project-based learning, STEM & STEAM
The key to engaging students in authentic, engaging and meaningful project-based learning is making projects relevant to students. As educators, we've been taught that project-based learning starts with a well-defined driving question. However, when a challenge question is firmly written…
It is rocket science! And your students can be part of it
03/06/2015
Topics: STEM & STEAM
NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission launch March 12 provides an unprecedented opportunity to bring ISTE Standards-ready, hands-on science activities related to the mission to classrooms.
The MMS mission will study the mystery of how…
Teen investor 'kickstarting' new Arduino board
03/03/2015
Topics: Makerspaces, STEM & STEAM
Last year when we talked to 13-year-old Quin Etnyre, the budding young inventor and entrepreneur was immersed in plug-and-play electronic circuits. When he wasn't tinkering with the ArduSensors he had invented, he was…