Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

Outdoor learning helps our district’s students see sustainability in action

Key points:

  • Sustainability initiatives are increasingly important to school districts, students, and their communities
  • One school district is combining sustainability initiatives with STEM learning to empower students in their learning
  • See related article: How outdoor learning spaces lead to STEM engagement

Modesto City Schools is located in Northern California, and we receive more than 260 days of sunlight annually. While the sunshine typically provides ideal climate conditions, it can also be a double-edged sword. For several years, California residents have been affected by drought and have gained a thorough understanding of the need for water frugality and sustainable lifestyles.

Modesto City Schools has prioritized sustainability initiatives designed to address climate change, reduce our carbon footprint, combat air pollution, and educate the next generation of students about a sustainable lifestyle—and that includes renewable energy.…Read More

1 2

Discovery Education Premieres Haul!: An Interactive STEM Learning Experience that Digs Into Sustainable Copper Production with Freeport-McMoRan

Charlotte, NC. – Freeport-McMoRan and Discovery Education present a new, first-of-its-kind gamified educational experience with Haul!. This immersive, virtual STEM mission is part of Dig Into Mining – The Story of Copper, an educational program for students grades 6-12 that explores the use of metals such as copper in our everyday life.

Releasing September 22 at 1 P.M. ET, this cutting-edge learning experience is designed to give students the opportunity to discover how copper ore makes its way into items that power our day, including cellphones, computers, vehicles, and more. Students must navigate a loaded haul truck through a 3D copper mine to earn their Haul Truck Operator’s Scorecard, while learning how STEM is used in this larger-than-life operation. The learning experience is accessible through web browsers and Chromebooks using a keyboard and mouse or a USB game controller. An accompanying educator guide makes it easy for educators to integrate the hands-on STEM learning adventure into any lesson plan. The accompanying resources also include classroom extensions to engage students before, during, and after they explore the resource. Learn more and register here.

“Copper is a critical mineral in the renewable energy transition and one essential to our sustainable futures. At Freeport-McMoRan, we are committed to the highest standards of environmental stewardship and social impact. In this new interactive virtual experience created with Discovery Education, students discover first-hand the STEM activities and skills behind this resource powering our world,” said Tracy Bame, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Freeport-McMoRan. “The gamification of learning engages students in exciting ways, while the accompanying educator resources and activities make it easy for teachers to connect the classroom to the wider world.”…Read More

6 female tech leaders offer advice for women in STEM

It’s common knowledge that engaging–and retaining–girls and women in STEM classes, STEM degrees, and STEM careers is an ongoing challenge.

Some key elements in this equation are representation, along with ensuring girls and women have role models to support them in their STEM learning and career paths.

The pandemic has prompted many workers to change their career paths, and many STEM sectors like cybersecurity struggle with talent shortages. Women only account for 28 percent of the STEM workforce today.…Read More

1 2

3 ways STEM learning supports the future of work

To succeed in college and the workplace, students require a solid foundation in STEM learning. Experience in these subjects does not only benefit aspiring scientists and engineers–it’s essential for all students.

In fact, between 2017 and 2027, the number of STEM jobs will grow 13 percent. Even positions in traditionally non-STEM fields (estimated to grow by 9 percent) will require some sort of technological knowledge.

STEM learning is all about designing creative solutions for real-world problems. Problem-based STEM curriculum allows students to see the impact of their learning. That kind of authenticity builds engagement. Students progress from asking “When will I ever use this?” to connecting skills and applications.…Read More

1 2

5 ways to boost student engagement with STEM learning strategies

As educators, we are always trying to find ways for all students to achieve success. Research has shown us that students who are engaged in learning are more likely to be successful.  So how do we know when students are truly engaged in learning? They are active participants–they listen and ask questions, they are invested in and internalize what they are learning, they make real-life connections, and they take pride in the work they produce.

Two years ago, my school, Dr. Rodriguez Elementary, kicked off a new effort to create authentic learning experiences for all students by infusing STEM learning strategies into our curriculum. We believed this effort would increase student engagement and motivation. While we have more work to accomplish in this effort, to date we have been pleased with the results.

Here are five strategies using technology the teachers in my school have implemented to create a learning environment that actively engages students and promotes more fun in learning.…Read More

1 2

Vernier Software & Technology Takes Science to the Next Level

To further support collaborative STEM learning, Vernier Software & Technology recently launched LabQuest 3. This standalone data-collection platform takes the award-winning LabQuest interface and enhances it with a robust set of new features and functionality for middle school, high school, and college students to use during classroom, laboratory, or field investigations.

“LabQuest 3 makes it easier than ever for students to collect, analyze, and interact with data as they engage in hands-on scientific discovery,” said John Wheeler, CEO of Vernier Software & Technology. “The platform’s full set of new features—from its capacitive touch screen to its compatibility with our complete family of Go Direct® wireless sensors—really take the data-collection experience to the next level for students.”

LabQuest 3 is a full-featured platform highlighted by a large, high-resolution color screen, and intuitive software navigation using gestures, which can be a faster, more ergonomic way to interact with the screen. LabQuest 3 also offers robust wireless capabilities that provide students the ability to collect data anywhere when using the device. Students can connect LabQuest 3 to any of the Go Direct sensors using Bluetooth® wireless technology or, if needed, easily connect to wired Vernier sensors. With Wi-Fi wireless connectivity, students can collect and share data with multiple devices—including computers, Chromebooks, or mobile devices running Vernier Graphical Analysis™—for a hands-on, collaborative learning experience.…Read More

Discovery Museum Announces New STEM Learning Resources for Teachers and Families

Discovery Museum announced today the launch of Virtual Traveling Science Workshops (VTSW) and other teaching resources for schools, and Parent-Assisted STEAM Experiences (PASE), a set of in-museum and at-home learning resources and supports for families. Developed to address the educational constraints of the COVID crisis on schools and families, these resources will support student learning this school year and beyond.

Virtual Traveling Science Workshops – The Museum has launched Virtual Traveling Science Workshops (VTSW), a redevelopment of its popular in-school STEM workshops, with COVID-19 protocols and safety standards in place. VTSW are available for eight STEM topics including Magnets, Sound, Force & Motion, Weather & Climate, and more.  The workshops are for Kindergarten through 8th grade, for students either in the classroom or at home.

Virtual Traveling Science Workshops are taught by Museum educators, streamed live to encourage student interaction. Individual student materials are safely packaged and delivered to the school in advance of the workshop to allow for timely distribution to students, whether they will be in the classroom or at home. These workshops are available for booking now.…Read More

Easy Science Experiments for Kids at Home

A collection of fun, safe, and easy science experiments for your students and parents can do at home. Science education does not have to stop while learning from home or with the end of the school year. Upparent has compiled a list of easy science experiments for kids that are perfect for hands-on learning over the summer! A little fun goes a long way to helping our kids keep learning while on break.

Browse the list to discover some really cool science experiments that educate and encourage STEM learning. This is a great way to plan simple and educational indoor activities for kids.

View the complete list at Upparent.com…Read More

8 STEM learning challenges students can do at home

I was chatting with my brother the other day about how things are going with my two nieces learning at home while their schools are closed due to COVID-19.

My 13-year-old niece, Sophie, has continued to follow a typical school schedule each day with her school delivering a full learning program online. Her high school is doing a wonderful job providing lessons and activities to keep her motivated, learning, and engaged. She is enjoying this new way of learning, although she does report that hands-on subjects such as music and science are not quite us much fun sitting in her bedroom as they normally are at school.

Related content: A virtual learning lesson from Hong Kong…Read More

1 2

SPIN TO WIN!

Spin to earn entries into the weekly $50 Gift Card Giveaway.

All entries count toward the Grand Prize Apple iPad.

Visit and Spin each day to earn more chances to win!

Spin to earn entries into the weekly $50 Gift Card Giveaway. All entries count toward the Grand Prize Apple iPad!

Spin to Win!
By entering, you agree to receive the Innovations in K-12 Education newsletter. Unsubscribe at any time. See rules.
Never
Remind later
No thanks