Sometimes video games get a bum rap. I’m guessing you’ve heard about some of the negative effects that video games can have on developing brains, but what about the positives? In my career as a web developer, I use skills I’ve gained from playing video games every day!
Topics: IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Culture, Technology, STEM, Social and emotional learning, Future Ready, 21st Century Skills, Workforce Development
At the end of the school day, before a holiday, as the school year wraps, during a subject they don’t enjoy, or sometimes for no specific reason at all, students can find it challenging to stay engaged. But it’s not just your classroom – you’re not alone, Teach. There are endless statistics about student engagement and disengagement. Gallup’s survey efforts of Grades 5-12 showed that almost half of students who responded to the survey are engaged with school (47%), approximately one-fourth aren’t engaged (29%), and the remainder are actively disengaged (24%). Numerous reports also state engagement only decreases as students progress through school.
Topics: IN THE CLASSROOM, Culture, STEM, Social and emotional learning, Future Ready, Hands-on Learning
May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month and an opportunity to raise awareness and take stock of the emotional health of our teens. Most everyone is a parent, aunt, uncle, teacher, or a friend of a teen. Or maybe you’re like me, with little ones that will someday be teens. We all have a stake in the emotional health of teens, so here are the skills that teens will need to stay strong.
Topics: IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Social and emotional learning, Future Ready, 21st Century Skills, Workforce Development
Earth Day is a great reminder every year on April 22 that we need to take care of the our planet because resources are limited. And it’s awesome that there’s a special day to celebrate with special events, but what about the rest of the year? How can this reminder be made part of everyday life and the lives of your students? Let’s take a look at projects that could make it an Earth Year.
Topics: IN THE CLASSROOM, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Culture, Social and emotional learning, Activities
Top 7 things you need for FIRST® Champ
“Remember, if you fail to prepare you are preparing to fail.”
– H. K. Williams
Will you be traveling soon to the FIRST Championship in either Houston (April 17-20) or Detroit (April 24-27)? You might be a spectator watching from afar or a fan sitting in the stands supporting your favorite robotics team. But even more exciting, you might be on one of the competing FIRST Tech Challenge teams that has made it all this way. If so, congratulations! That’s something to celebrate.
Topics: BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, Competitions, ROBOTICS, Collaborations, FIRST Tech Challenge, Technology, Social and emotional learning, TETRIX Robotics
