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Welcome to the wonderful world of Piper! Join us for this session where we will learn about the basics of the Piper Computer Kit, a DIY computer kit designed to be put together like a wooden puzzle. Once assembled, students have the opportunity to learn and play through an interactive video game experience. Using Piper, students will learn the basics of engineering, coding, and computational thinking, all while developing the skills they need to solve larger real-world problems using technology.
Cricut makes smart cutting machines that work with an easy-to-use app to help teachers and students in all subject areas and all grade levels design and personalize almost anything. In this session, we’ll go over the basics of using a Cricut and cover how to get started with your Cricut account and their design software. We’ll also discuss some cross-curricular activity ideas for you and your students so you can get started on creating unique projects. Let’s explore what this fun and easy to use machine has to offer!
Do you want to learn how to draw in mid-air, or create 3D objects without a 3D printer? Join us as we create 3D doodles and designs instantly with the 3Doodler pen! During this magical course, we'll go through the basics of the 3Doodler pen and come up with activity ideas to help you integrate 3D drawing into your classroom.
Unpacking Technology Safely at the Beginning of the Year
Even if you tuned into our spring course on safely packing your technology at the end of the year, you may still be feeling overwhelmed now that it is time to unpack for the new school year. Don't fret! Join us for this session as we share recommended steps to unload your technology safely after a summer of storage.
Storing Technology Safely Over the Summer
Ever encounter battery-related issues with your devices at the start of the school year? We know how frustrating it can feel when your technology won’t hold a charge or function the way it used to when you return back to school in the fall. Join us for this end of year session as we share recommended steps to prepare your technology for storage over the summer.
Celebrate Student Success Using 3D Design & Printing
As educators, we wear many hats. We are listeners, planners, data collectors, and above all: motivators. In order to motivate our students, we are constantly looking for ways to celebrate their achievements. In this session, we will share ideas for designing prizes and other celebratory items to commemorate your students’ accomplishments for homework completion, attendance, and so much more!
Turn Your Students' Love of RGM into a Career
Join Jennifer George and Brent Bushnell to discuss how to cultivate the next generation of inventors through joy and creativity. Brent is the Chairman and CoFounder of Two Bit Circus, which deploys STEAM-based programs focused on creativity and invention to inspire students around the world. Brent’s a Sir Edmund Hillary Fellow, a supporter of Clowns Without Borders and publishes on Twitter @brentbushnell; he and members of his team were part of the extraordinary build for OK-Go's viral Rube Goldberg music video for "This Too Shall Pass." Jennifer and Brent will lead an insightful talk about how kids who love building, tinkering, and problem solving can turn those interests into a career.
In this session, participants will learn how to create Rube Goldberg machines at home – or with items commonly found around the house. Joined by Jennifer George, we will preview the upcoming book: “25 Rube Goldberg Machines You Can Build at Home.” Guest speakers include Zach Umperovitch (builder), Tori Cameron (author).
The Impact of Classroom Spatial Arrangement and Lighting on Student Learning
Discover how lighting and the layout of the classroom can have an impact on learning. Join Jennifer, Glen, Nicole, Jolene, and Katelyn as they discuss the impact lighting and spatial arrangement has on social-emotional learning. They will also talk about new lighting technologies and flexible seating options that are available to help educators ease stress and enhance learning.
Guest speakers: Glen Gracia (Head of Communications & Brand at LEDVANCE, makers of SYLVANIA General Lighting), Nicole Gracia (Second Grade Teacher, Jenkins Elementary School), Katelyn Forcucci (Director of Education at NoraNivel), and Jolene Levin (CEO of NoraNivel)
Rube Goldberg Cartoon Contest: Putting the 'A' in STEAM!
Join Jennifer George as she leads a lively conversation with illustrators Abby Merrill and Ed Steckley as they describe and quite literally illustrate how to draw Rube Goldberg Machines. Once your students have mastered invention drawing, take learning to the next level with the Rube Goldberg Crazy Contraption Cartoon Contest. We will discuss how the contest can add the Art into STEAM learning and how your students can enter.
Wonder Workshop’s Virtual Robot and Class Connect Webinar
Bring coding to life with Wonder Workshop’s Virtual Robot & Class Connect software, no robot necessary! In this webinar, we will review Class Connect, software that unlocks Dash’s Neighborhood, a Virtual Robot inside of
Blockly for Web and iOS. Kids can solve robot coding challenges by moving Dash around right on the screen in a rich, 3D environment.
Understanding the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Innovations in science are happening at a rapid rate. Often driven by technology and human ingenuity, these advancements must be supported from the ground up in future working populations to sustain this growth. That's where the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) come in, as strong K-12 science standards can help to prepare students to be college and career ready in the 21st century. Join us to learn about the inner workings of the NGSS and how to read them in a way that can help you to frame engaging science activities.
St. Patrick's Day STEM Activities
Join us to find the gold at the end of the rainbow as we explore St. Patrick's Day themed STEM activities geared towards elementary students. We will walk you through some fun festive cross curricular STEM activites the incorporate both the engineering design process and creativity. Now let's go find that gold!
KIBO Advanced Coding Extension Set
Now that you and your students have mastered the basics of the KIBO Robot, it's time to kick it up a knoch. Come and see how your students can advance their knowledge of coding concepts with the KIBO Advanced Coding Extension Set. During this course we will talk about subroutines, "If Not' parameters and "Repeat Random" parameters. We will also leave you with some activities to get you and your students started with each new concept. Can't wait to see you there!
Rube Goldberg Machines with iBlocks
Learn how to use the iBlocks framework to guide your students through the Engineering Design Process, first building context and understanding around Rube Goldberg, simple machines, and then how they come together in a Rube Goldberg Machine. IBlocks content leads students through the planning, design, and construction of their machine and finally, the testing and evaluation, where students learn the importance of refining, remixing, and redesigning.
Ultimaker: Optimizing Your 3D Print
The Cura software by Ultimaker is a free slicing software with over 200 settings to adjust your 3D print to fit your needs. Join us as we show you where to download the software and learn specific skills to enhance the details and optimize your 3D model.
How to Integrate Technology into Your Rube Goldberg Machine
In this session, David Fox, creator of the “Rube Works” app, will talk about bringing the Rube Goldberg experience to an app in a fun and inspirational way. Alefiya Master from MAD-learn will talk about the importance of app development in STEM education. Twelve live attendees of our Rube Goldberg OTIS series will be selected to receive Rube Goldberg early reader chapter books for their school libraries!
STEAM: Candy Corn Catapults Using littleBits
Get into the fall spirit with littleBits! In this course, you'll learn how to help your students design a candy-corn-launching catapult using the littleBits Math Pack. We'll review the design challenge and show you everything you'll need to get started. Whether students design their catapult using littleBits or household consumables, your students will love practicing their 21st century skills in this fun, fall-themed activity.
Finch is a micro:bit-powered, programmable robot that can grow with your students from K-12 and beyond! With built-in sensors, buzzers, lights, and so much more, students can take their programming wherever their imagination takes them. Whether your students have never even heard of coding or are highly experienced, they can develop future ready skills with the Finch Robotics kit. In this session, we'll cover the basics, as well as the free educator resources offered by BirdBrain Technologies that can help you get started.
Rube Goldberg Machines in the Digital World of Minecraft
Join the team from Rube Goldberg Inc and Minecraft global ambassadors they discuss bringing STEAM into the digital world of Minecraft through Rube Goldberg Machines. They will discuss the minecraft.edu tutorials based on simple machines and how those lessons will culminate in a digital Rube Goldberg Machine Contest with NASEF set in the world of Minecraft.
Rube Goldberg Machines in the Classroom
In this session, Jennifer George shares how teaching Rube Goldberg in the classroom levels the playing field for all learners of all ages. She will talk about the history of the Rube Goldberg Institute for Innovation & Creativity, the origins of the Rube Goldberg Machine and the machine contests that the family has run for over 35 years. She will also introduce a variety of new offerings that exist for all grade levels that want to get started creating Rube Goldberg Machines in the classroom.