Maker Faire

Want a great way to get your kids involved in hands-on STEM projects?  You should check for local mini-Maker Faires in your area!  Described as the World's Greatest Show-and-Tell, maker faires are a gathering of minds... minds that are fascinated with inventing and creating.  Personally, I think it's a great tie-in to STEM projects.




Also, check out things like SparkTruck that will come to you!


Check out this link to find a Mini-Maker Faire near you!

Google map from MakerFaire.com/map

Possible ideas for Maker Faire... Robotics?

I had an opportunity to play with the Lego Mindstorm kit at ISTE this year.  I really enjoyed their product, and I would love to get it into the hands of my students!  I'm debated exactly which product to delve into- I would love to hear what you are using! Leave a comment or send me a message on Twitter!

Today we had our district tech conference.  I played with littleBits. I like that they are magnetic and $149 for a starter kit.  I like and dislike that there is no software component; I think it is easier to use, but they aren't learning a software program like Scratch.

Steve Dembo (@teach42) was our Keynote today!  He works for Discovery Education, and he is also a co-author (with Adam Bellow) of:  

Me & Steve Dembo @ our local tech conference

Adam explains Google Glass to me @ ISTE

Have you watched this yet?  It's a must-do before the new school year!  Get ready to change the world!

A new mindset for teaching Math CC

I have a confession: I haven't felt supremely confident about teaching math common core style.  It feels... messy.  And I'm ok with messy in a hands-on way: my concern was our messy work never matching "the answer" in the back of the book.
I'm having to rethink my preconceived notions, and it's entirely due to Dan Meyer's amazing TED talk. I love the idea of creating multimedia to intrigue students and draw them into the mathematical thinking process.  Having those grand math conversations and really having them get it- isn't that the point?  Deeper concept knowledge?  Real world applications?
I'm in.
Are you?


Check out this amazing website, NextVista, where students and teachers can submit educational videos.  I also love that they have video contests!

PS I would sooooo love to share the multimedia and problems that I'm doing in my class... if you will share yours too!  Promise?

Twitter for Educators

Are you still trying to figure out what Twitter is all about?  Maybe your colleagues need some inspiration?  Check out my new video to explain what Twitter is all about and how you can expand your professional learning network!