I’m Building a 3D Printer – Day 2
A few days ago I posted about being part of a class for teachers and educators where we build a 3D printer and learn to use it and the keep it to use with our students and teachers. Today we were given the entire 3-4 hours to just get back to work assembling our...
On The Road – Project Wet Training
One of the valuable STEM learning opportunities I'm part of right now is training teachers across our state in Project Wet. Think of it as Project Wet with a STEM focus. We wrote and received a rather large grant sponsored by the Nevada Division of Environmental...
Building My Own 3D Printer
A few weeks back I was invited to participate in a class at the University of Nevada, Reno, where participants would build a 3D printer from a kit and learn how to use it. I jumped at the chance since you get to keep the printer, and I saw the possibilities to take it...
With all the talk about how much we value teachers, and especially great teachers …
In the past few weeks we have witnessed Winter Olympic medal winners and participants receiving their medals and much deserved national media coverage, parades, expanded media interviews, front page articles and lengthy news reports. When they arrive home they are met...
Interview on Wes Fryer’s “STEM seeds”
Today I connected with my friend Wes Fryer, a fellow STEM teacher, to have a conversation about STEM learning and to share some of the projects my students have participated in in the past. We also touched on the definition of STEM and what it is NOT. Wes has started...
STEM: Cantilever Spans
Background on Cantilever Spans (click on any photos in post to see enlarged) We participated in a school's Family STEM/Science Night recently, which always ends up being a kick. Having families participate together and...
Rethinking School District Social Media Policies for Teachers / Students
I've been fortunate enough to teach in a school district that blocks very little - blogs, Twitter, Flickr, wiki's, YouTube, Cover-It-Live, and more are all open. FaceBook and the obvious porn and other sites are blocked. However in my job as STEM Facilitator I hear...
Unleash the Learning Power of Blogs By Actually Using Them Consistently!
Blogs are an incredible learning tool. But like an exercise bike, having one does not lead to self improvement unless you use it. And using it sporadically is only barely helpful. You have to invest time to get the great results … imagine now the sculpted/toned bodies...
Sharing Real-World Projects Sharpens the Literacy Skills of Connected Students
I have a new post up over at the Powerful Learning Practice Blog entitled: Sharing Real-World Projects Sharpens the Literacy Skills of Connected Students. Head over and give it a read ... and comment as well. 🙂 I've been making the point in my STEM trainings that...
Constructive Learning Is …
7 Years ago Doug Noon, an elementary teacher in Alaska, who some will remember for his fantastic blog "Borderland," which unfortunately he decided to end awhile back, challenged his readers to write their own blog posts about what constructive learning is. I'd link to...