When it comes to education and business, we often think of them as two separate entities. While education, especially higher education, presumably leads to a career, there isn’t always a clear connection between what we learn in school and the skills we end up using on the job.
Topics: Workforce Development, Hands-on Learning, 21st Century Skills, Career Expeditions, Careers, Trends, STEM, Culture, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, FUNDING, IN THE CLASSROOM
“The ultimate victory in competition is derived from the inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best and that you have gotten the most out of what you had to give.” – Howard Cosell
Fun. Exhilaration. Adrenaline. Victory. Defeat. These are a few words that describe competition. Whether you’re aware of it or not, competition is happening around you every day, and it’s human nature to want to compete in some form or fashion – not only in sports, music, and work, but in everyday life.
Topics: Hands-on Learning, 21st Century Skills, Engineering, Dragsters, TSA, STEM, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Competitions, IN THE CLASSROOM
There’s no debate: teaching in the 21st century has been greatly enhanced by the aid of technology. The students in our classrooms are digital natives. They’re eager to utilize various technologies, resources, and devices. Their natural aptitude with devices and their interest is the buy-in you need to enhance and deepen their learning through tech. In short, students thrive when given opportunities to use technology in the classroom. However, there can be challenges, which often hinder the implementation of bringing technology into the classroom. Let’s break them down, tackle them, and get that tech in!
Topics: Professional Development, Resources, FUNDING, Elementary School, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, ROBOTICS, Technology, Coding
What is STEM? Yes, it’s a group of letters that could stand for science, technology, engineering, and math. Or, if you are a part of the STEM East Network, STEM stands for Strategies That Engage Minds. No matter your definition of STEM, we’re all on the same page: STEM skills, and the dispositions that come along with acquiring those skills, will project students into the future. After all, students are the future workforce, and if schools and business join together, the result can be the closure of the skills and interest gap.
Topics: STEAM, WorkKeys, 21st Century Skills, Future Ready, Trends, Collaborations, ADMINISTRATION & THOUGHT LEADERSHIP, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Workforce Development
It’s a bit hazy and, arguably, debatable as to when STEM actually became a “thing.” Some will contend it’s been around since the race for space was initiated in the late 1950s/early 1960s. Others will say it‘s been present since the 1970s/1980s when huge technological advances were occurring (i.e. the Macintosh and first cell phone). Still others will proffer it was the 1990s when education councils were setting curriculum standards with more emphasis for science, technology, engineering, and math.
Topics: STEAM, STEM, Hands-on Learning, Activities, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, innovate
