Blog Posts

The science behind the perfect pie dough

Posted by Corinne Pachl on January 20, 2022

Updated 6/10/24

Pie! It’s my favorite dessert to eat, and, as an amateur baker, it’s my favorite dessert to make from scratch. Nothing is more comforting than the scent of an apple pie baking in the oven, especially on a cool, cozy day!

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Topics: BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, STEM, Activities, Hands-on Learning, Physics, Inquiry-based Learning

Making spirits bright with the science of holiday lights

Posted by Admin on December 20, 2021

Updated 6/18/24

My favorite part in the movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is when Clark Griswold’s 250 strands of lights on his house finally turn on. If you haven’t seen Christmas Vacation, Clark decorates his entire house – and I mean the ENTIRE house – with holiday lights. He brings out his whole family to see the lights all turn on at once. But, as he brings the two power cords together to turn it on, nothing happens. Later, after his wife flips the correct switch, all the lights flicker on, lighting up basically the whole city. A holiday miracle!

Although we might not go as all out as Griswold on our holiday lights, they’re a key piece in building the holiday spirit. And, as we’re getting into the holiday cheer at Pitsco, what better way to brighten our spirits than by learning the ins and outs of a string of lights?!

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Topics: BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Science, Technology, STEM, Engineering, Activities, Hands-on Learning, Art

Using Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for personal growth as a teacher

Posted by Admin on December 06, 2021

(Authored by Jim Brown and James Jones, members of The Ambassador Group for Pitsco Education.)

Updated 6/18/24

Teachers of all grade levels face challenges on a daily basis, from elementary teachers tasked with teaching young students to read and recognize shapes and sounds to middle school teachers working with students who are beginning to gain more independence and figuring out their place in the world to high school teachers trying to prepare burgeoning adults for the real world.

In order to help students grow intellectually and emotionally, and to continue meeting their thirst for knowledge, we ourselves must stay thirsty – for knowledge, understanding, and new ways of teaching and reaching our students.

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Topics: Middle School, Elementary School, High School, BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Teacher Resources, Collaborations, Resources, Careers, Teacher Development, Professional Development, Conferences

Youth racing program creates new career opportunities for underprivileged communities

Posted by Admin on November 11, 2021

Updated 6/11/24

Since its founding in 1998, the Urban Youth Racing School (UYRS) in Philadelphia has earned a fair amount of publicity for the spectacular opportunities it offers to inner-city students. Sneak a peek during the school’s Build A Dream summer program, and you’re likely to see students learning about engines, designing cars, and racing go-karts as part of a simulated racing team.

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Topics: Middle School, High School, BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, Competitions, Science, STEM, Dragsters, Engineering, Careers, Authentic Learning, Activities, Future Ready, 21st Century Skills, Maker Ed, Hands-on Learning, STEAM, Workforce Development, Art

Turn lemons into a lemonade stand: Inspiring entrepreneurship

Posted by Admin on August 16, 2021

Updated 6/4/24

One of the first entrepreneurial experiences many children have is operating a lemonade stand. It’s where some of us learn about the 4Ps of marketing, how to work with money, or how to follow through with an idea. And, just maybe for some, we catch the bug for business. For others, it’s just one-time fun that results in stickiness and sunburns.

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Topics: BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, STEM, Trends, Resources, Careers, 21st Century Skills, Hands-on Learning, Workforce Development