STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education integrates the core disciplines that enable students to solve problems, be creative, think with their hands, work together, and articulate ideas – important 21st-century skills students need to be successful.

Topics: IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Homeschool, STEM, Resources, 21st Century Skills

I just recently learned that October 7 is National LED Light Day. Why have a national day just for a type of light? I was wondering the same thing. It turns out, there are lots of reasons to celebrate LEDs (light-emitting diodes), not the least of which is that, thanks to creative inventors and engineers, we enjoy LED lighting as we go about many of our everyday activities. Which is why Bridgelux, Inc., a company that designs patented LED lighting solutions, founded National LED Light Day in May 2016 to celebrate the history and advancements of the LED light.

Topics: IN THE CLASSROOM, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Teacher Resources, Technology, STEM

For most people, summertime means outdoor activities: sports, swimming, playing at the park, and so forth. But when winter comes around, we tend to hunker down inside our homes. Sure, as a kid, I still spent some time outside in the winter, building snowmen, sledding, and having snowball fights, but there were always winter days that were just too cold to enjoy outside.

Topics: BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Homeschool, Teacher Resources, STEM, Trends, Resources, Activities, Hands-on Learning, STEAM

July 26 is National Parents’ Day. This US day of tribute to parents has fallen on the fourth Sunday in July since 1994, when congress passed “The Parents’ Day Resolution” (National Parents’ Day). 

Topics: IN THE CLASSROOM, ADMINISTRATION & THOUGHT LEADERSHIP, BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, Teacher Resources, Collaborations, Teacher Development, Workforce Development

When I was in fifth grade, I was almost in a yo-yo commercial. Looking back now, I wonder if knowing the physics behind yo-yoing would have helped me land that commercial. Who knows? Maybe I’d be a famous actress – or yo-yoer – by now.

Topics: BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Science, STEM, Trends, Activities, Hands-on Learning, Physics