Just in time for Computer Science Education Week December 4th-10th, 2017 and Christmas, here’s a list of the top STEM toys that introduce and reinforce coding for toddlers to teens. The following STEM-based toys are a great choice for introducing kids of all ages to coding, as well as developing coding skills. The following toys are great for at home use, and within K-12 classrooms. For more information about incorporating STEM and tech toys into the K-12 classroom contact STEM Education Consultant, Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski via the contact page on this site. Diana conducts STEM, STEAM, MakerEd, and NGSS professional staff development worldwide, year-round. Osmo ALEX Toys Future Coders Cube Stackers Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set by Learning Resources Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-A-Pillar Dash and Dot by Wonder Workshop Ozobot Sphero WoWWee Elmoji SmartGurlz Siggy Scooter with Doll Kibo Puzzlets Primo Toys Cubetto Code Monkey Island Robot Turtles Cubelets Robot Construction for Kids Hasbro FurReal Makers Proto Max Jewelbots Code Master
Tag: coding
Washington Teachers Explore STEM and MakerEd Challenges During Teacher Training Workshop
I recently had the pleasure of sharing my knowledge and expertise of STEM and MakerEd strategies with elementary and middle school teachers in Washington. During the two day training teachers were introduced to the engineering design process, incorporating lessons that develop and strengthen 21st century skills, the design cycle, and methods/strategies to incorporate Makerspaces within their school library and classrooms. During the two-day training teachers were given the engineering design challenge of designing a roller coaster marble run using recycled materials, designing and creating a vehicle that was powered by air, using recycled materials, as well as designing and building a Vibrobot. Teachers were introduced to strategies on incorporating a Makerspace within their library, as well as ideas for Maker Centers within their classrooms. Teachers were introduced to a wide-array of technology, tools and kits that are commonly used in school library and classroom Makerspaces such as: Makey Makey, Snap Circuits, LittleBits, Makedo, Ozobot, Fisher Price Code-A-Pillar, Squishy Circuits and more. Additionally, teachers were introduced to incorporating tinkering/ take-apart centers within their Makerspaces. Teachers were given the task of analyzing a toy or household gadget with their group, they were then asked to take the gadget apart. They were to identify and label the parts etc. The components from the deconstructed broken gadgets can be used to create new gadgets and inventions, or used to repair similar gadgets. Students of all ages love to tinker, and I find that adults love to tinker and take part in deconstructing gadgets as well. The process of tinkering, and deconstructing gadgets indeed develops and strengthens 21st century skills, and incorporates science and engineering practices. The following photos are a sample of the STEM and Maker Explorations that were conducted during the two day STEM and MakerEd teacher training workshop. To schedule a STEM, MakerEd, or NGSS teacher training workshop complete the contact form found on the contact page.
St. Paul School Hanoi Staff Attend STEAM Institute
My childhood days were spent growing up in Bangkok, Thailand and Vientiane, Laos thus when I was contacted to conduct science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) training for the entire teaching staff of St. Paul School in Hanoi, Vietnam I was elated! During a four-day STEAM Institute early childhood-grade 8 teachers and school administrators were introduced to STEAM practices and content. To make the training as beneficial and meaningful to all the staff, the staff was separated into grade levels. There was also scheduled time to meet with individual departments across the disciplines in small groups. The training started off with introducing and modeling inquiry-based teaching practices and learning to the staff. The staff was also introduced to incorporating journaling across the disciplines. All investigations incorporated 21st century skills, and were aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. Throughout the four day institute teachers conducting hands-on-minds-on inquiry-based STEAM investigations including: engineering design process, materials science, connecting mathematical principles and architecture, building science, reverse engineering, building dimensional structures with recycled materials, sustainable engineering, incorporating meaningful technology and more. It was a great group of teachers, with a very supportive administrative staff that will help the teaching staff in their efforts to incorporate “meaningful STEAM experiences” within their classrooms in the 2017-2018 year. The entire teaching staff and administrators truly embraced the benefits of incorporating STEAM-based practices and content across the disciplines and all grade levels. I look forward to hearing how St. Paul American School in Hanoi students become immersed in exploring STEAM this year. The following photos are a small sampling of the STEAM-based investigations that were undertaken during the STEAM institute. For more information about the STEM, STEAM, and NGSS professional staff development Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski conducts worldwide complete the contact form found on this website.