Blog Posts

Life as a #GirlDad: Empowering children in STEM

Posted by Preston Frazier on March 11, 2021

“Speak to your children as if they are the wisest, kindest, most beautiful and magical humans on earth, for what they believe is what they will become.”
– Brooke Hampton

For me, there is no better feeling than being a dad, especially a “girl dad.” As a dad to a soon-to-be-four-year-old daughter (whom I call my three-nager), my life can be summed up in four words:

Interesting, yet very rewarding.

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Topics: IN THE CLASSROOM, BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, ROBOTICS, Homeschool, Teacher Resources, Technology, STEM, Trends, Resources, Engineering, Coding, Authentic Learning, Activities, Future Ready, Hands-on Learning, STEAM, Women in STEM

Chocolate-covered learning: Seven STEM activities for kids

Posted by Admin on February 13, 2021

“Americans consume 2.8 billion pounds of chocolate each year, or over 11 pounds per person” (Chocolate Store). That is a lot of chocolate. And, if I’m honest, I most certainly do my part to meet that statistic. I will pick chocolate over any other sweet flavor, bar none.

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

Black History Month STEM ideas

Posted by Admin on February 10, 2021

Coauthored by Lisa Lewis, gifted intellectual instructor at Lafayette Upper Elementary in Fredericksburg, VA, and Pitsco TAG member

As educators, we are the individuals who have a direct connection and responsibility to make STEM accessible to all students. We must be mindful to provide and empower all students with STEM opportunities. 

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Topics: IN THE CLASSROOM, BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Teacher Resources, Collaborations, Culture, STEM, Trends, Resources, Teacher Development, Authentic Learning, Activities, Hands-on Learning, STEAM, Women in STEM

Chicago STEM’s unlikely hero

Posted by Admin on February 05, 2021

An English teacher hits the pavement to bring STEM to Chicago neighborhood kids

“It’s not my problem. It’s somebody else’s problem.”

We are all guilty at times of waiting for the experts, the officials, the duly sanctioned to tackle problems that are outside our wheelhouse. However, there are also moments when a great purpose inspires a great accomplishment from an unlikely source.

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Topics: High School, FUNDING, Teacher Resources, Collaborations, STEM, Teacher Development, Professional Development, Hands-on Learning

Puzzle time! The brain benefits of solving

Posted by Admin on January 28, 2021

Sometimes, we need to all step away from our screens and devices to unplug and work out . . . OK, don’t leave just yet! I mean a mental workout! Various types of puzzles and brain teasers are great ways to exercise your noodle or fun ways to pass the time. I for one am a huge fan of puzzles. Jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, riddles – you name it, I love them. And, with the cold weather, the darker days, and the pandemic, I have been cranking them out! Luckily, there are lots of benefits to puzzling and, plus, the aha moment never gets old.

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Topics: IN THE CLASSROOM, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Teacher Resources, STEM, Resources, Authentic Learning, Social and emotional learning, Activities, Hands-on Learning, Math