As the summer winds down, and you’re planning to begin another school year, the feelings are usually mixed, aren’t they? The anticipation of a fresh start is energizing, but the end of wearing pajamas all day just ’cause you can feels like a loss to be mourned! My advice: focus on the positive. The beginning […]
Top 10 Reasons to Start the School Year with STEM Challenges Read More »
If you’re looking for a straight-forward challenge with the simplest of materials, Card Towers will be right up your alley! This one is a classic, but I’ve got a few ideas to make some tweaks to fire up the imagination and engagement! And this is a special post for the blog/vlog because it means I’ve finally caught
STEM Challenge: Card Towers Read More »
As I look back on my life, there were several seminal moments that lead to me becoming completely obsessed with the power of STEM Challenges. We’re nearing the 47th anniversary of one of those moments. While I wasn’t actually alive for the Apollo 13 mission (launched April 11, 1970), the 1995 movie that dramatized it
Apollo 13: The Ultimate STEM Challenge Read More »
I started my career teaching 5th grade in 2000. Any classroom teacher will tell you that first year is a killer. Hanging on for dear life, I decided not to pursue a master’s degree, or in fact any hobbies or social life outside of teaching; there simply wasn’t time. Fast-forward to 2008: Since I kept coming
How I Became a STEM Challenge Fanatic Read More »
This STEM challenge is a perfect Easter or spring activity! Premise Working against a criteria & constraints list, students create a nest designed for maximum capacity. There are a variety of materials & options described in the video below to make this spring activity easier or more challenging. Materials
Spring STEM Challenge: Nice Nest Read More »
Have you been considering trying STEM Challenges with your class, but you’re not sure where to start? You want to be sure you’re using your limited instructional minutes well, but maybe you’re not convinced STEM Challenges fit the bill. There’s really no reason to be intimidated, but you’re right to seek out some information! Like
3 Critical Factors for Quality STEM Challenges Read More »
No matter where you stand politically, if you are in the classroom, you have undoubtedly noticed signs that the world is sorely in need of a littlemore kindness, empathy, and willingness to listen and learn from each other, even if (or maybe especially if) the other person holds opposing views and beliefs. I was so pleased
#KINDNESSNATION Campaign Read More »
Holy Moly, it’s been a loooong time since I did a post about writing! It’s so difficult to be torn between my two great loves: science (especially STEM challenges) & writing! There’s only so much time in a day! So, without further ado… Martin Luther King, Jr. put together some of the most beautiful, powerful
Martin Luther King, Jr. Writing Prompts Read More »
The main thing I want to put forward today is that we shouldn’t assess for sake of assessing or out of habit. Assessments should always be thoughtful and serve a worthy purpose. So, before making any decisions about assessments, ask yourself why are you doing STEM challenges in your classroom? What do you hope to achieve? What
STEM Challenges: To Assess or Not to Assess… Read More »
How long should a STEM challenge take? Is there more to STEM challenges than just designing & building? How do I plan a STEM challenge? How does it break down into smaller parts? If you’ve found yourself asking any of the questions above, you’re in the right place! Essentially, you’re wondering how to best approach the
The STEM Challenge Cycle Read More »
