This STEM challenge is a perfect Easter or spring activity! (?Note: I recently changed to a new platform for my website. This has caused some wonky formatting & spacing. I’m working on updating everything as quickly as possible. I know it’s looking a little crazy; thanks for your patience!?) Premise Working against a criteria […]
3 Critical Factors for Quality STEM Challenges
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 […]
#KINDNESSNATION Campaign
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 […]
December 2016 Update
I know you are going to miss some of the things going on in my blog, YouTube channel and TpT store. Who has the time to keep up with their own lives, let alone someone else’s whole deal?! Hopefully, these monthly updates will make it easier to catch all the updates and teaching tidbits to make your […]
Martin Luther King, Jr. Writing Prompts
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 […]
STEM Challenges: To Assess or Not to Assess…
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 […]
The STEM Challenge Cycle
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 […]
November Recap
I know you are going to miss some of the things going on in my blog, YouTube channel and TpT store. Who has the time to keep up with their own lives, let alone someone else’s whole deal?! Hopefully, these monthly updates will make it easier to catch all the updates and teaching tidbits to make your […]
All Students Deserve to Fail
We don’t like to be the bearers of bad news. Some of us avoid conflict at all costs, but we do our students a gross disservice when we shield them from challenges in a bid to protect their self esteem. Perhaps they will avoid the temporary sting of defeat when we don’t challenge them, but they will […]
October Recap
Congratulations on surviving October, one of the most challenging feats in teaching prowess! Since you’re so busy doing your thing, I know you are bound to miss some of the things going on in my blog, YouTube channel and TpT store. Hopefully, these monthly updates will help you catch all the updates and teaching tidbits to make […]