In afterschool programs, educators enjoy more freedom to introduce ideas they might not have time to work into a regular lesson plan. For our newest Teacher Talk, I chatted with Mallory Davis, a curriculum director who works with afterschool programs. We had a wonderful conversation about how to integrate STEAM and SEL and the benefits of afterschool STEM education.
STEM learning experiences can be truly powerful and can help shape how children develop their 21st century skills. And, now, EdTech manufacturers regularly supplement their products with full curriculum resources that may include the lesson plans, activities, and more. Designed so all teachers can lead lessons more effectively, STEM curricula can really enhance learning.
So much goes into creating a school esports program, especially if you are trying to quickly start competing against other teams. If you’re interested in jumping in to interscholastic gaming competitions as opposed to students just playing with their classmates, the High School Esports League serves as a great resource for athletic directors, tech directors, and even coaches.
Most school administrators will be happy to give their approval for starting a school robotics club but you’ll still have to show a clear value proposition in your proposal. Once you get approved, research some classroom robots and find lesson ideas, you’ll be ready to firm up the key logistics, including where you’ll meet, how often, and how to tie
STEM experiences help students in many ways and educators are always finding new ideas for improving them. One of those popular options, of course, is through enrichment programs. The benefits of STEM learning are great but they’re often capped in the classroom, meaning more school leaders are encouraging students to participate in STEM outside of school.
Afterschool STEM programs and camps have been around forever but they’re sometimes mainly for child care purposes. Recently, however, we’ve seen shifts in kids actually wanting to participate in enrichment programs to continue developing their STEM skills outside of school. And, the best part is that they often truly enjoy these STEM experiences.
As they’re becoming an increasingly important part of 21st century schools, libraries are evolving to better serve the needs of modern students. They’re being transformed into instant information hubs, innovation centers, and makerspaces as they grow into a tool for 21st century learning—breaking away from past standards.
Education in 21st century schools, especially when educational technology plays a role, is very much aligned with progress, growth, and the scaling of programs. Now that the summer is here, it seems appropriate to talk about some of the programs that students take part in outside of their structured school activities, including various afterschool programs and fun clubs.
We added the databot kits to our offerings just a few months back and this small, cube-shaped robot is certainly now a powerhouse when it comes to STEAM education—even in the remote variety. Using its on-board sensors, which include air pressure, altitude, CO2, and humidity sensors, the device is capable of collecting a whole lot of real-world information.
This organization was derived from one of the oldest and most prominent organizations for children in the country. We first partnered with them two years ago and, after working together for one year, were asked to return for a second year and provide twice as much content and STEM kits for the students involved around the country.
