Terri is a curriculum and tech integration specialist, speaker, and author with a passion for engaging and empowering learners. She delivers engaging professional learning, consultations on a variety of educational needs, and professional articles for various outlets . Find out more about Terri on the About page in the site menu.
“Change the Equation” is a website that is devoted to “Inspiring Youth in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math”. It offers current news about S.T.E.M., resources for learning about S.T.E.M., videos, and sobering statistics (called “STEMtistics”) about how far behind the United States has fallen in the areas of math and science education. The “Change the Equation” blog is also very informative. From this site, I found my way to their YouTube Channel that features some videos from their “S.T.E.M. is Cool Video Contest”. I particularly liked the one below, which really summarizes the value of learning math and science in school to prepare for those “cool” jobs like designing video games.
I ran across this post by Tamara Fisher on “Unwrapping the Gifted”, and thought it was an excellent idea. Basically, she allowed each of her GT classes to create a top 10 list on her whiteboard of the ways GT has helped them. She has students from primary through high school, so it is interesting to see the advancement of the lists, yet the common themes throughout. I recommend taking a look at her examples, and then giving it a try yourself. I can’t wait to see what my own students have to say!
Yes, I know the Build-On Lego Brick Mug is a bit of a departure from my usual posts, but it is Fun Friday, and you must admit that this is a great idea! A good portion of my gifted students love building with Legos, including Lego robots, and I am pretty sure that they would be thrilled to receive one of these as a gift! Although this might make it even more difficult to convince your child to “stop playing at the table”, you know you kind of wish you had one, too!
For more recommended games and toys for gifted kids, you might want to visit my Pinterest board.
On April 9, 2012, the video, “Caine’s Arcade” was posted online for the world to see. I have posted about this truly inspiring video in the past, in addition to the subsequent formation of the Imagination Foundation. If you have never seen this video, you must make time to watch it. Caine is one of my heroes, and I am so glad that Nirvan Mullick chanced upon Caine’s Arcade, and realized what a wonderful story it would make. This is a true tale of imagination, perseverance, ingenuity, and problem solving. Mullick has posted some updates on the home page of Caine’s Arcade to let everyone know what has happened in the past year – including the over $200,000 raised in scholarship money for Caine. In addition, you can learn how you can help Mullick win a $100,000 grant to “foster creativity and imagination in more kids.”
Feel the need for a pick-me-up? Watch Caine show you the power of a positive attitude.
This is a video that should probably be watched by older students, as some of the topics that it brings up might need to be discussed in a mature way. However, I love the concept of this PSA from the Anti-Defamation League. The premise is that some of the famous people, such as Martin Luther King Jr., who we lost far too early, would still be alive today and achieving even greater things if hatred did not exist. This would make for great class discussions, and inspire some research projects for some of the lesser known people featured. Even if you don’t show the video to your class, this could certainly be an interesting assignment, to choose a victim of hate and envision the contributions he or she could have made to this world if that person’s life had not been cut short.
A couple of days ago, I received my daily update from my “Apps Gone Free” app. I noticed the “Robots for iPad” app, and thought it sounded intriguing, but didn’t have wi-fi at the time to download it. I remembered it yesterday, and decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did!
“Robots for iPad” is only available for free this week, as it is National Robotics Week (April 6-14, 2013) here in the States. If you’re reading this post after that time period, I still think it’s worth the 99 cent regular download cost.
The app shows different types of robots from all over the world. You can filter them by country, type, date, or size. You can also view just the featured ones, or random robots. Once you click on a robot’s picture, you will see a description of the robot and its purpose. There are also additional photos, and it looks like they all have videos included as well.
In addition to the summaries of the robots, you can also read robotics news, play a game, and learn more about the study of robotics.
F.Y.I. – this app is rated 9+ for “Infrequent/Mild Horror/Fear Themes. I haven’t had a chance to look at all of the robots, yet, but have not found anything I wouldn’t want my own child to see.
Don’t forget to download Robots for free before the end of this week!
A Screen Shot of Part of the Robots GalleryMy favorite robot, Paro, was designed to be a therapeutic tool used in hospitals in nursing homes. This is a picture of some Paros recharging with their pacifiers.Paro giving comfort to an elderly woman
