Have you ever had to sit at one end of the table to prevent bumping elbows with others at a restaurant? Do you constantly get ink smudges on the bottom of your hand as you write from left to right? Or do you have a tough time cutting with a pair of scissors?
Topics: BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, Culture, Science, Resources, Social and emotional learning
We’re still in the Dog Days of Summer (at least through August 11) and kids are soaking up the last bit of no-school freedoms in the heat and extra daylight. At some point in the summer, you might have uttered, “It’s so hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk.” But is that actually a thing? And, did you know there’s a National Sidewalk Egg Frying Day? Really, there is. It’s on the Fourth of July, America’s Independence Day, which also celebrates STEM in its own right.
Topics: IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Science, STEM, Authentic Learning, Activities, Hands-on Learning, Physics
National Waffle Iron Day is June 29. What?! There’s actually a day to celebrate the golden, crispy-on-the-outside, soft-and-fluffy-on-the-inside paragon of deliciousness? That yummy breakfast icon that contains little pockets perfectly suited for holding syrup and melted butter?
Well, yes, but that day, National Waffle Day, is August 24. June 29 is set aside to honor the reason waffles even exist at all – the waffle iron.
I have to admit, I don’t own, nor have I ever owned, a waffle iron. Don’t get me wrong, I love waffles. I’ve just never had the urge to make my own. But after researching National Waffle Iron Day and all the awesome things you can make with a waffle iron (besides waffles, of course), I might just have to change that.
Topics: IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Science, STEM, Activities, Hands-on Learning, Math
Editors Note: This blog was written by Pitsco TAG Teacher and NASA Space Ambassador David Lockett. He shares an inside look at the what and why of this unique and important event.
Tomorrow’s jobs are in space! But future ready begins now! In mid-March, as part of the Atlanta Science Festival, the Fernbank Science Center opened its doors to the community for the Astronaut Job Fair (AJF) as means to promote the importance of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). The daylong event was designed like a real professional job fair and career day. A diverse group of Atlanta’s students were directed through training to foster career-building skills while engaging with a staff of top space industry professionals.
Topics: IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Science, Technology, STEM, Careers, 21st Century Skills, STEAM, Workforce Development
The three Rs of education – reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic – were the foundation for much of 20th-century learning. Even as we advance well into the 21st century, those foundational skills still carry significant importance for today’s learners. Students absolutely need solid literacy skills – print and digital – as well as the ability to write well and complete basic to complex mathematic tasks.
Topics: IN THE CLASSROOM, Science, Technology, STEM, Trends, Resources, Engineering, Coding, Future Ready, 21st Century Skills, Math
