Avsnitt
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New Year... New STEM and STEAM resources on the way!
On the first episode of 2023, Matthias Kirschner joins us all the way from Germany! Matthias is the President of the Free Software Foundation in Europe, and he's been on this journey since 2004. Why do we need to know more about the Free Software Foundation? Teachers... their mission is to promote popular and professional education for all.
It's an organization with the learner and the educator as a priority! See more about the FSFE mission here. I understand that, quite frankly, this area can be intimidating for educators around the world. Because of this, using, creating, and learning more software and the latest technology misses our students that are not intimidated at all in most cases! How do we fix this?
Matthias has just published Ada and Zangeman that speaks to ALL in a wonderful story. It totally is a movie quality book... Will it come? I hope so! The character development and educational aspects for the use of technology and software by us, the users, has me wanting to pick up the phone and call Dreamworks! However, this is not all the mission for Matthias and the FSFE.
Matthias has worked with students in camps and absolutely loves to teach and share with children and teens. Ada and Zangeman is a true reflection of his passion! Check out the FSFE repository with open educational resources just for the book here. Find more information about the FSFE on twitter!
If you are feeling a little intimidating about teaching students more about the concepts of hardware and software, use All About Technology from the I Heart STEAM store that is a complete STEAM project unit: Upper Grades Version and Tiny Minds STEAM Version.
Grab a free STEAM Classroom Start Up Kit to help you even more with your technology adventures! -
Family STEAM time is always fun. We love challenging each other and creating together, but this family STEAM is totally a new one for me!
Meet Lobee Learning.. Mom, Tandy Moye and Son, John Moye have taken their best STEAM skills and combined them into an AMAZING platform for teachers, families, homeschoolers, and MORE! Not only will Lobee Learning take you through project-based learning like never before, but they are also going to make sure that you have all the tools in hand! That's right! This is a STEAM platform that comes with ALL the lesson materials.
John explained to us the admiration he has for his mom and how opened curiousity with her students. He left the world of business to bring her thinking and his business skills to create a simply mesmerizing platform. Look, I love a good messy build. The build style spelling of Lobee in the logo had me at HELLO!
Take a listen. It's not too often we get a good family competition on the show! I can't wait to start my first Lobee Learning project!
And speaking of fun projects.. PLEASE tell me you have gotten the Elf Shelf Science Investigation from the I Heart STEAM store! When you walk in the doors after Thanksgiving Break.. the excitement and good behavior will begin! By the way, are you on the emailing list? Every single member just received an entire FREEBIE package of winter resources! Go ahead and get on their today! More freebies on the way! -
Saknas det avsnitt?
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How do we fit everything in during November and December?
Staying on track with instructionHoliday activitiesBenchmark testingSTEAM?Use this episode to guide your classroom through the holidays and find time for STEAM!
STEM Gift GuideClassroom Christmas List
The Classroom Elf Investigation kills two birds with one stone: behavior and STEAM! Keep a No Wheels Field Trip on hand for those random timeframes! Enjoy a holiday project like German Christmas Markets!
Use these holiday gift guides for your classroom!Remember there is no way to get it all done! The best time in the classroom is always those that make an impact!
Don't forget to get on the email list for a special treat! -
Project-based learning, the beginning driving question, classroom essential questions, enduring understandings.. This list can be overwhelming! Today we break it down and make it right!
If you do something in the classroom just for a leader and not the students, it won't matter much. You have to KNOW why you do something with students and know they need it. Let's get the whole question dilemma sorted out!
Check out some great driving questions from our friends at Rock by Rock!
In this episode, we talk about improving student connections to questions through inquiry practice. My favorite strategy: See, Think, Wonder ! Get a little more info right here on the blog and grab the latest resource for this strategy right here! To get even more inquiry practice in, take your students on a virtual investigation journey. This one is hot off the presses!
Free resources always pick me up! Use these STEAM explanation posters for better understanding in the classroom, and hold your horses... I will be sending out 4 C posters to the email list soon. Make sure you are on it!
Until next time, Do you I Heart STEAM, too? -
Real world projects for the classroom can be so overwhelming. Is it time to bring the ultimate hack for real world projects in the classroom?
Yes! On today's episode, meet Jeff Lynch and Sungae Yang. Real teachers have finally designed a real world project platform that only requires one click! It's an all in one everything platform that incorporates science, ela, math, social-emotional learning, and... you name it, it has it for your elementary students! Introducing Rock by Rock.
The only way to really grasp the magnitude of Rock by Rock is to visit this platform and see for yourself! Create a free account and get started!
Subscribe to stay up to dat this month with introductions of the many projects on the platform! Before you get started with projects in the classroom, make sure you give a good introduction to STEAM! Take a look at a few tips and amazing resources for that! Grab a set of STEAM posters for free!
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Teach this word to your students this year without fail! Join me today and find out the most important word to teach, a plan for teaching it, and resources for your classroom!
Yoda Quote Wall DecorYoda BabyYoda Pop-It PadYoda Stickers for Rewards
This isn't just a STEM word! It will help with every challenge in your classroom! I am bringing my favorite guest for teaching this word.. the one and only YODA! My favorite quotes from Yoda can be found here!
Yoda Classroom Resources:
Walt's Imagination: The Life of Walt Disney by Doreen RappaportOprah Winfrey: A Kid's Book About Believing in Yourself by Mary NhinAlbert Einstein: A Kid's Book About Thinking and Using Your Imagination by Mary NhinThe Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert ColesTimeless Thomas: How Thomas Edison Changed Our Lives by Gene Baretta
When it comes to really taking a deep dive into the challenges of STEM and STEAM, I love using All About the 4 C's! Teaching creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication in the classroom will help with many STEM challenges!
In today's episode, I will share a list of books to use for this word. Find them below:Join me next week with our special guests, Jeff Lynch and Sungae Yang, to start off the Rock by Rock September! Take a look now!
Get ready for the best STEAM University ever! Join the waitlist!
As always, do you I Heart STEAM, too? -
Here it is... The STEAM Survival Guide of Resources!
9 Step Guide for the Ultimate STEAM ClassroomConversation/Routine PostersSTEAM Explanation PostersTiny Minds STEAM for K-1Introduction to STEAM and STEAM Careers
On this episode, I share the STEAMed UP Teacher Framework™️! Too good not to listen!
Resources from the episode:
When all else fails... have tons of peppermint! Find more information for your STEAMventures on the I Heart STEAM Website!
❤️️Tell us thank you by subscribing and leaving a review!❤️️ -
Grab something to write with and something to write on! We are going to get interactive! In this episode, I will share my favorite back to school project: Invention Smash Up. I love this project because it really brings out ideation with students and allows for teaching the design process.
I take my students on a journey through thought. It blows their mind when I show them how to create thoughts and ideas with forced connections. I may or may not say that I have control of their mind. I use my favorite process poster to move students through the Engineering Design Process and consistently use it throughout the rest of the school year!
Recently, I attended the US Patent Office's Summer Teacher STEM Institute and went through the process of design and patenting, myself! This was an amazing conference! Check it out! Keep listening for more of my favorite projects coming in this school year! Ready to change your classroom into project-based learning classroom? Grab the guide with 9 tips!
I want to hear from you! Leave a review and share what you like or need! -
Time to hear the truth about STEM. It's so hard to hear truth. As long as something isn't said out in the open, then it's not true. We have to face it. Things will never change if we don't.
Come listen and hear 2 hard truths. One is actually personal! This one stung to talk about. Then, let's help you face a truth about STEM/STEAM you have to hear.
Let's start the upcoming school year off right by facing the truth and being prepared! Join me for the Roadmap to STEAM Masterclass here. 3 time slots available next week! Grab the essential Introduction to STEAM Foundations for your classroom! Make sure you have the Engineering Design Process ready for your classroom with a free resource here. Please subscribe and leave a review if you love what you hear! -
Looking at the skies just got the kind of million dollar makeover we all dream of! Listeners of all types....teachers, parents, and ANYONE on this PLANET, get ready for the kind of space tech at your fingertips we thought was CLASSIFIED!!
Meet Mike from Slooh! Michael Paolucci is an internet entrepreneur and a pioneer of online advertising, as well as online video editing, online labor marketplaces, and social astronomy. Michael is currently the founder and CEO of Slooh, a digital education platform teaching students to explore space via a network of online telescopes. He holds a patent for live astronomy.
Funded in part by a National Science Foundation grant, Slooh brings the wonders of space exploration to upper elementary through post-secondary students around the world with The Online Telescope for Teachers. For almost 20 years, the company has provided the ability to view space phenomena, capture observational data, and engage in gamified learning through its patented user-controlled network of online telescopes in the Canary Islands and Chile. The company additionally provides robust professional development to help educators drive student learning.
Slooh also recently announced The Online Telescope for Families which enables families to explore, capture, and analyze more than 1,000 real-world space objects and events using professional-grade technology together – all from the comfort of their homes.
I literally haven't seen anything like this and said, "YES!" I took my own photographs of the crescent moon last week! Yep, that's right my own images that are stored on the Slooh Library in my dashboard. Don't walk... RUN to Slooh and get started! Find the link below:
https://www.education.slooh.com/families
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SloohEDU
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slooh/
Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SloohLive/
Let's light up Slooh on May 15 at 9:30 PM Eastern and join in their community celebration!
Ready for more STEM/STEAM to transform your classroom? STEAM University is open and more affordable than EVER! Go ahead and start planning for a classroom filled with wonder, joy, and 21st century learners by signing up at: https://teach.iheartsteam.com/steam -
On today's show I have the perfect STEAM superhero for us ALL!
We have Mike Schloff from the Maple Woodshop on the show, and he's going to tell us all about woodworking can come into your classroom. Yes, you and your students can build new shelves, birdhouses, a mud kitchen, a solution to your latest problem for project-based learning, or anything you can imagine! Better yet, he is here to build your confidence and make you feel like a woodworking expert for your students!
The first thing I did after recording this show was report to my administration that I have found our next AMAZING PD! Don't miss this episode!
Take a look at the opportunities the Maple Woodshop is offering for schools below:
Maple Woodshop School Opportunities
Go ahead and connect with them on Instagram!
There is no better way to start understanding more when you walk into the hardware store than the Maple Woodshop! I am super excited to start building more with wood in the classroom now! Officially, I am now collecting wood scraps and adding more training to STEAM University! Are you ready to get in? Right now and right now only, I have a special running for those who join! Just hit the link below!
STEAM University
Please subscribe and leave us a review if you enjoyed today's show! -
Dr. Marci Klein is joining the show to share the MOST amazing tiny little STEM tools with us!
After working in child development as a pediatrician for over 20 years, she transitioned into the STEM Education world inspired by none other than her own children!
Cardboard is literally a pain in my side and the best tool in the shop when it comes to STEM building for K-5, but I bet many of us would agree that it isn't the easiest item to cut or connect. I've tried many neat ideas, but 3duxDesign has blown me away with their connectors and teacher resources! Yep, teacher resources.... Did I mention they're FREE? Please tour the 3duxDesign website and take a look under the learn section!
https://www.3duxdesign.com/
In today's episode, we talk about sustainability and conservation of supplies/resources. If you have listened, as promised, here is the link to Precious Plastics which I could not remember at all!
I always love a good story, and she has one to tell us! Psssst.... There may be some collaborations coming soon... possibly to STEAM University! Get on the waitlist today, but before you go grab the totally FREE Ultimate STEAM Classroom Guide! -
In every episode of the I Heart STEAM Teacher Podcast, I make it a point to provide useful and completely positive information.
My heart has been heavy for a few years with the directions public education is moving into, but this year takes the cake. So today.... I am discussing quite a few topics that WE should ALL stop for just a moment and think about a little bit.
So.. DEAR EDUCATION, It's time we talked.
This isn't a total rant. It's a thoughtful hmmmmmm....
Has common sense and proven researched brain and age appropriate learning styles our teachers need to be using just taken a U-turn upon seeing the Krispy Kreme "Hot Now" sign lit up on the road to sound educational practices.... and forgotten to leave those wonderful treasures found in the Krispy Kreme shop to find their way back to us?
I would love to know your thoughts on the episode topics! Drop an email to [email protected] anytime! As promised in the episode, my two best management strategies for independent learning and listening/speaking skills are ready for you to download! Grab them here. Yes, they are so simple.... How could this work? Friends.... simple isn't always a bad thing.
I see you glittery teacher with sparkly management tools and routines in your classroom, but I will sit and get to know my students more while they just follow two simple guidelines that work, work, work, and you can keep applying more glitter! Side note: I like glitter, too!
Listening and Speaking Skills Strategy Poster/ Independent Activity Movement Strategy Poster -
The Outdoor Classroom is so much more than a garden! In this episode, find out how I have worked with school partners to revamp, remodel, and repurpose the Outdoor Classroom to fit so many more STEM needs! We are going to totally HACK the Outdoor Classroom!
Want to grab many of the storage items and resources discussed in the episode? Find them here!
Need a little guidance on how to bring more of your content into an Outdoor space for enhanced retention? Take a look at Lower Grades Outdoor Classroom Activities and Upper Grades Outdoor Classroom Activities.
The BEST tasks happen OUTSIDE!
Ready for STEAM University? It's coming! Get on the waitlist! -
STEM gifts obsession list has arrived! I like to think of myself as an extreme curator. Without a doubt, one of my favorite things to do is share new ideas with other teachers, as well. These two characteristics go hand in hand so I have curated a list of ALL my STEM product obsessions just for the teacher… That’s right. Not what to buy the kids, but what will make this teacher have the BEST DAY EVER with students! Delivered to you today in 5 categories. These obsessions make ME happy, students learn and explore with curiosity, and they are classroom approved must-haves!
If you missed last year’s list, take a peek here!
Read more about all of these goodies on the blog!
The Must-Haves List
Scotch Laminator - Gotta get that!IKEA Tubs - At $2.99.. did I just say $2.99? This is most spacious tub for storing a STEM center with sections inside!
Wooden Trays - You can't have enough of these! So useful.. and I love natural wood.
Peppermint Jar - Clears the head and engages the senses. My students are allowed to take one when they need it. We love the soft peppermint the best.
Blisslight Projector - Do not hang lights again! Create a mood in the room for a lesson or just enjoyment!
Splash Mats - LIFE CHANGER!! I use outside with kinetic sand on the mat or inside to catch things and tiny parts!
Induction Cooktop - AMAZING! Cooking is one of the best activities for incorporating STEM! We love becoming a play dough making factory!
You can my Amazon Affiliate Shop here organized with all the categories!
On the bougie side of things... they are talented crafters and educators that deserve a shout out!
Tanglewood Hollow
Nature Based Toys
AborInspirations on Etsy
Young, Wild, & Friedman -
I get asked this question so often..... How do you manage all the chaos and moving parts during project-based learning and STEM?
So today... I'm telling you exactly how I do it. I have NO trouble ever. It takes practice, but just like with STEM and project-based learning our goal is to have students experience and work through their own failures.... I want group and project work order to be their responsibility, too.
SHOCKER... I don't have a raise hand policy in my classroom. It's silly to me. How should I pick between 10 raised hands and not exclude the others? We don't have time for everyone. Let's face it, too. The same students that raise their hands... are always the same for the most part.
So dig into this episode and grab these tricks and tips for management. We go in-depth into all things management for STEM/STEAM and project-based learning in the STEAM University Course! Get on the waitlist for the next cohort today!! -
How to develop creativity in the classroom should totally be part of your teacher growth and development list.
CreativityCritical thinkingCollaborationCommunication
Yes friends, the time has come to say it out loud. It’s not the easiest skill to work on with students at all. Especially if you feel like you aren’t creative yourself, but that’s NOT true. It takes a plan and some active research.
We even need to research this topic on a class by class or student by student basis. Why? It is literally something that we have to unlock, and it may take different approaches. But let’s be clear… being creative or teaching others to be creative just means having one thought inspire another thought!
Jump into the episode and get the low down on optimizing for brain functioning at different age levels to improve retention and creativity.
I simply love studying concepts of how the brain functions to optimize learning in the classroom. For sure, we all need to dig into it more! The 4 C’s for 21st Century Learning are:Your lesson goals should be to strive for these concepts to be included in your lessons as much as possible! But we don’t always know how to include these in our lessons and especially how to develop creativity. I know you believe creativity is something you have or don’t have, but it’s developed. Yours can be developed, too. Here’s a little something to help you out in the classroom: STEAM Concepts Posters
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This! What a great episode!
Growth mindset is an absolute must for teaching students in any subject area, but for STEM or STEAM, they have to learn how to work through failure and stay positive! Don't we all!
Come take a listen to this incredible story with Ron from the Pick-a-Stic company! I have truly loved using Pick-a-Stics with my family to promote table discussion!!
I can't wait to bring them to the classroom, but I am enjoying them so much at home, I may have to order another set! If you want to know more about Pick-a-Stics... you can find them on Instagram @pickastic. Of course, going straight to the website will give you even more information! Go to the website.
This year needs tons of growth mindset practice with students! Take a look at and grab some free STEAM instructional posters for your classroom that are hot off the presses from me!
Keep STEAMing on! -
Back to school STEM or STE(A)M is a crucial time for all elementary teachers.
Why? During the first weeks of school, THIS is when the foundations and fundamentals for a STE(A)M culture can be laid that will benefit all of the core subjects. These foundational posters will help you get started!
Yes… all of the core subjects!
So how should back to school STEM look? Is it a week of STEM challenges? Is it the start of a STEM project? Actually, back to school STEM doesn’t look like this at all! If you want students to benefit more from the STEM or STE(A)M projects that they work on throughout the year, FIRST they need to get what STE(A)M is. We can’t just say the acronym or say the words like science, engineering, and so on.
In this episode, I will share the exact process you should use to begin the school year off with STEM or STEAM. It's so simple... you may thin it's too good to be true! You really must start the year off with back to school STEM this way! So… these definitions listed above… you can grab them here! I’ve got them ready for you to print and use in the classroom!
I know you probably need a little more than just a set of definitions for back to school STEM! If you are a Kindergarten or 1st grade teacher, Tiny Minds STEAM is a complete 5 week introduction to STEAM that will really boost their understanding in many areas beyond just STEM. For teachers in grades 2-5, Introduction to STE(A)M is perfect for you and completely integrated into English Language Arts! Back to school STEM is important and sets the precedence for the year!
Did you enjoy today's episode? Let us know! Subscribe if we make you happy and leave a review! What do you want to know more about?
Thanks for joining us today! Do you I Heart STEAM, too? -
Yes... we are going to combine STEM, Escape Rooms, and Cooking!
Expose your students to STEM without all the set up!Engage with curiosity and excitement!Time limits will allow your students to complete during instruction.Let them experience and live through failure!Core subject content practice and understanding involved!
Meet the STEM Chef... Ashie Bhandiwad! Ashie, a BIOENGINEER, has focused her scientific know how and love for teaching scientific application to children into virtual escape rooms! This passion project was came to life during "the shutdown" when her physical escape rooms geared to children had to close.
Simply AMAZING! I can't wait to see how this project evolves and grows. Teachers, why should you check out Ashie?Check out the STEM Chef at www.stemchef.com
Also find her on Tik Tok (hallelujah!), Instagram, and Facebook @stemchef
I can't wait to try this out with a group of students!
Ready to engage your students with STE(A)M? Download the 9 Tip Guide for the Ultimate STE(A)M Classroom! Join the Roadmap to STEAM Masterclass for a plan to start the year off with!
Take part in weekly conversations in the STEAM University Facebook Group! We would love to have you! - Visa fler
