Resources for the Classroom and Educators

We are very lucky to have numerous resources available to us as educators. Some are free, while others are pay services. It can be challenging during the school year to use newly found resources, so I have a habit of saving links I come across on social media on my phone by leaving the tab open in Chrome. Here are a few so that I can close those tabs and still have easy access to the resources. It's not exciting to look at but holds a variety of free resources for use in the classroom, professional development, grants, and conference possibilities.

Classroom:

http://stemteachingtools.org/ - The STEM Teaching Tools site has tools that can help you teach science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). We are currently focused on supporting the teaching of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Each tool is focused on a specific issue and leverages the best knowledge from research and practice. 

https://www.sanfordharmony.org/ - Sanford Harmony is a social emotional learning program for Pre-K-6 grade students designed to foster communication, connection, and community both in and outside the classroom, and develop boys and girls into compassionate and caring adults.

http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/education-update/mar19/vol61/num03/Deepening-Independence-in-the-Reading-Workshop.aspx 

https://orise.orau.gov/stem/k-12/index.html - Recognizing that it is never too early to excite students about science education, ORISE offers a variety of STEM education opportunities for both students and the teachers who will be inspiring them. As more teachers are able to connect authentic research with classroom curricula, the more likely students will pursue careers within the scientific workforce.

https://www.weareteachers.com/team-building-games-and-activities/ - Team-building games and activities are a great tool for helping students learn to work together, listen carefully, communicate clearly, and think creatively. They also give your students the chance to get to know each other, build trust as a community and, best of all, have some fun! Here are 33 team-building activities that will teach your students these skills and more.

https://www.notsowimpyteacher.com/2019/07/first-week-of-school-lesson-plans.html - Lesson planning is always a bit tricky, but planning for that first week back to school is extra challenging! How much time should we spend teaching procedures? How can we get to know our new students? How can we make the first week fun? When should we start with the curriculum?

https://www.cilc.org/Interactive-Content/Zoom-Live-Streaming-Events.aspx - During this school year Zoom is sponsoring at least 2 streaming programs per month on CILC! These programs are presented by some of our TOP content providers at no cost to all CILC members. See below for a variety of topics, times and grade levels and to register for the programs.

https://hearthookhome.com/teach-children-to-crochet/ - What is better than being able to crochet for children? Being able to teach children to crochet, that’s what! Crocheting gives children a sense of accomplishment while fostering their creativity. Teaching a child crochet opens them up to so many crafting possibilities, so let’s make that easier on all of us!

https://www.nasa.gov/stem/artemis.html - Going forward to the Moon will be the shining moment of our generation. This moment will belong to you–the Artemis generation. Are you ready?

https://www.nsta.org/corteva/ - “Now, more than ever, it is important for students to have access to high-quality, hands-on activities and experiences that expand their perspectives about science,” said David Evans, NSTA executive director. “Agriculture provides a unique opportunity for teachers to engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts in a way that directly

and indirectly impacts their lives. We are thrilled to collaborate with Corteva Agriscience to

provide teachers with dynamic, real-world content that will enhance student engagement and

provide students with relevant examples of how their learning is linked to the agricultural world

around them.” 

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2018-02-14-why-taking-risks-in-the-classroom-pays-off-for-students-and-teachers - "For the past 13 years, I have been a social studies teacher at the middle school level. I’ve taught in a few districts with unique missions and priorities, but one thing that has remained constant is the fact that to make sure that learning remains engaging and relevant for the modern learner, risk-taking in the classroom is a necessity."

https://www.nasa.gov/stem/foreducators/k-4/a-year-of-stem.html - Make this your best year of teaching so far. Plan a year of involving your elementary school students in exciting, real-world science, technology, engineering and math, in a variety of ways with NASA and its partners. Some of these opportunities take minutes, and some require more planning. Click and print the checklist. Use the links below to find more information and to stay current, as details may change. Let this be a year of authentic learning with NASA STEM Engagement.

https://www.aiaa.org/get-involved/students-educators/k-12-teacher-resources - AIAA supplies teachers with all the tools they will need to stir the curiosity of their students, and those tools are fun, engaging, and, mostly, “hands-on,” to ensure the students thrive in their learning environment. From classroom grants, to standards based projects, to Aerospace Micro-Lessons, AIAA is committed to providing students with exceptional learning experiences, and teachers with the tools and resources to create those moments.

https://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/do_science_now/science_apps_and_activities - Are you looking to explore the surface of the Sun from your phone? We have an app for that! The Lawrence Hall of Science continues its long tradition of excellence in educational technology with a suite of new apps that explore hands-on science and important health topics.

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/classroom-resources/ - Bring National Geographic to your classroom through lesson plans, maps, and reference resources.

http://dailystem.com/ - dailySTEM is created by Chris Woods, a HS Math Teacher, Education Presenter, & Host of the STEM Everyday Podcast

https://ditchthattextbook.com/how-to-create-a-digital-escape-room-for-your-class-or-pd/ - Digital escape rooms offer the same experience as physical escape rooms in a more manageable way. Read this post to learn how to create them yourself!

http://www.fortheteachers.org/instructional_strategies/ - We know that students learn best when they are truly engaged in what they are learning, when they have the opportunity to explore, debate, discuss, examine, defend, and experiment with the concepts and skills they are ready to learn.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/3-ways-ask-questions-engage-whole-class - These techniques guide all students to process course content and then actively demonstrate their learning.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/teacher-resources - Hands-on STEM for Your Classroom

https://edu.google.com/teaching-resources/?modal_active=none - Explore resources and tools created by Google to inspire creativity, encourage hands-on learning, and equip your students with digital skills.

https://web.seesaw.me/ - Seesaw is the best classroom app for meaningfully engaging students in their learning

https://www.tinkercad.com/ - Tinkercad is a free, easy-to-use app for 3D design, electronics, and coding. It's used by teachers, kids, hobbyists, and designers to imagine, design, and make anything!

https://scratch.mit.edu/ - Scratch helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively — essential skills for life in the 21st century.

https://code.org/ - Every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science

Professional Development/Opportunities:

https://www.discoverspace.org/education/for-educators/teacher-liaisons/ - Teacher Liaisons are extraordinary educators who use space-related education programs and principles in the classroom to act as advocates for space-based education in their schools and districts. If selected for the program, they receive Space Foundation training and resources to further integrate space into their classrooms. The program is open to public, private and homeschool teachers, as well as school administrators, principals, specialists, curriculum and instruction developers and others who deliver education programs to students.

https://www.irex.org/program/opportunity-us-k-12-teachers-fulbright-distinguished-awards-teaching-research-program - The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program provides an opportunity for K–12 educators from the United States to conduct research and engage in other professional learning experiences abroad for three to six months. Fulbright Distinguished fellows complete individual inquiry projects on a topic relevant to education in the United States and the host country, take courses at a host university, and share educational practices with colleagues.

https://www.irex.org/program/opportunity-us-teachers-fulbright-teachers-global-classrooms-program-fulbright-tgc - The Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program (Fulbright TGC) is a year-long professional development opportunity for elementary, middle, and high school teachers to develop skills for preparing students for a competitive global economy. Fulbright TGC equips teachers to bring an international perspective to their schools through targeted training, experience abroad, and global collaboration.

https://stemtlnet.org/ - Working together to improve schools, effect policy, and re-envision the future of STEM teaching and learning.

https://orise.orau.gov/stem/k-12/competitions-for-educators.html - Monthly competition for classroom materials and funds

https://orise.orau.gov/stem/k-12/teacher-professional-development.html - Variety of STEM professional development opportunities

https://www.teachingtraveling.com/teacher-appreciation-travel-opportunities/ - The author of this amazing resource is an educator named Andi Webb who was previously featured on Teaching Traveling in the interview entitled, “18 Teacher Travel Grants.” That article has been read by thousands of people so far, but Andi realized there were countless other opportunities that are not mentioned there.

https://stem.idaho.gov/apply/ - Applications for professional development and resources

https://www.polartrec.com/educators - PolarTREC has several activities, opportunities, and resources for educators to learn more about the polar regions and polar science. Navigate through the features of this page to learn more about the PolarTREC program, explore ways to participate in research experiences or the polar science online course, and search for resources to teach about the polar regions.

http://www.infosys.org/infosys-foundation-usa/pathfinders/ - The Infosys Foundation USA is pleased to host immersive professional development opportunity in computer science (CS) and making. All K-12 US public school teachers are welcome to apply. Teachers from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Special consideration will be given to teachers from high-needs schools and under-represented communities, those new to teaching CS and making, and districts demonstrating significant commitment to these subjects.

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/professional-development/ - Explore opportunities and programs for K–12 educators

http://www.loc.gov/teachers/professionaldevelopment/teacherinstitute/ - Immerse yourself in the practice of teaching with primary sources from the unparalleled collections of Library of Congress this summer. Apply to attend a week-long professional development program for K-12 educators in the nation's capital.

https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/outreach-and-education/national-summer-teacher-institute - Each year, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) conducts the National Summer Teacher Institute (NSTI) on Innovation, STEM, and Intellectual Property. NSTI combines experiential training tools, practices, and project-based learning models to support elementary, middle, and high school teachers in increasing their knowledge of making, inventing, and innovation. The central focus of the Institute is on the creation and protection of intellectual property—this includes inventions, knowledge discovery, creative ideas, and expressions of the human mind that may have commercial value and are protectable under patent, trademark, copyright, or trade secret laws. Intellectual property is modeled as both a teaching and learning platform to help inspire and motivate student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, computer science, and other fields of study such as innovation and entrepreneurship.  

Grants:

https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/60480-Air-Force-Association - Due date Dec. 15

https://www.aiaa.org/get-involved/students-educators/aiaa-foundation-classroom-grant-program - Due date Jan. 17

https://stem.idaho.gov/apply/ - Different due dates

Conferences:

https://www.stemleadershipalliance.org/ - STEM Leadership Alliance July

http://www.edfesthawaii.org/ - March

https://conference.iste.org/2020/ - International Society for Technology in Education June-July

https://www.iteea.org/ITEEA_Conference_2020.aspx - International Technology and Engineering Educators Association March

https://spacecenter.org/educator-resources/teachers-seec/ - Space Exploration Educator Conference (SEEC) February

https://www.nsta.org/conferences/national.aspx/ - National Science Teaching Association March

https://www.nche.net/conference - National Council for History Educators March

https://ncce.org/conference2020/ - National Council for Computer Education (NCCE) March

Note: I plan to keep updating this post with resources throughout the school year.

Best Experience So Far

Wow! I had another inspirational experience last night with a talk by Astronaut Scott Kelly. His message about being an average, or even bad student, and still being able to accomplish his goals through planning and hard work was very insightful. Perseverance and hard work were underlying themes throughout the evening.  His passion for his work was clearly evident.

As an Einstein Fellow from rural Idaho, spending 11 months in Washington, D.C., I am often asked what has been the best experience so far.  For me, there is no single event or experience.  The variety of experiences to date include getting to know my cohort, attending lectures and symposiums, participating in professional development coordinated by the Albert Einstein Fellowship program, participating in professional development I have created for myself, and having fun in this amazing city.  I suppose my favorite experience is the overall experience all woven together. It is a rich and engaging experience that nurtures my professional career, my thrill of adventure, and drive to explore.

I can't believe it has already been two months since I started my time as an Einstein Fellow. On one hand, I would be hard pressed to list all the experiences I have already had. On the other hand, I am constantly looking for more experiences since I know my time in this fellowship is slowly ticking away.  During these two months, I have already begun a transformation.
Much like the fall trees with their changing colors, I feel as though I am in a similar process of natural and yet amazing change.


I am growing my knowledge base and developing a confidence in the learning opportunity I have created for students and hope to create for students in the future.  Furthermore, I have a new awareness of possible resources that can help support engaging STEM education for all students. I have no idea of what my total transformation will be by the end of the 11 months. In fact, I don't know what I will be doing after the 11 months since my previous teaching position is now experiencing its own transformation with a fantastic educator.  I do know that I have an increased passion for the importance of hands-on STEM in elementary education and a desire to continue to make a difference for students and educators.  My one piece of advice for other educators is find your passion and bring it to the classroom! You deserve it, and your students deserve it.  I am constantly inspired by the educators around me with a passion for students and educators.

Opportunities Abound - Washington, D.C. is My Classroom

One month in to my Einstein Fellowship, I am still in awe of the opportunities that abound within the program and the Washington, D.C. area. Since traveling to the Capitol for my fellowship in August, not only have I seen "the sights" and explored various neighborhoods, I have attended briefings, lectures, symposium, Library of Congress events, and traveled to Idaho for a conference. Our cohort of fellows are placed at the National Science Foundation, NASA, Department of Energy - Office of Science, Congress, and Library of Congress.

As we each learn about new opportunities, we share them out. There are learning opportunities taking place on a daily basis, not to mention time to get together to enjoy social outings. As one fellow put it, "Sometimes this buffet puts everything out at once bu won't let you take two or three things." If you can't find something to do to grow, it's because you're not looking.  Now, a month in, I find that I am able to start making connections between what I may have heard in a symposium or lecture with a briefing on technology integration into K-12 classrooms and what I am collaborating on at the Library of Congress. Creating connections between content and transferring that learning to new situations is what we want our students to do in the classroom.  Looks like Washington, D.C. is my classroom for growing, learning, and transferring that knowledge to new projects to benefit elementary STEM education!

    

Year-Long Personal Professional Development Plan

If you view the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program (https://science.energy.gov/wdts/einstein/), you find the following program overview, "The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship (AEF) Program provides a unique opportunity for accomplished K-12 educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to serve in the national education arena. Fellows spend eleven months working in Federal agencies or in U.S. Congressional offices, applying their extensive knowledge and classroom experiences to national education program and/or education policy efforts." While this is an accurate representation of the fellowship, it doesn't delve into the amazing opportunity for educators to experience in-depth, year-long, personal. professional development. What exactly do all those adjectives really mean? They indicate an amazing opportunity for individualized professional growth.

As part of the Einstein Fellowship, educators attend a week-long orientation at the beginning of the fellowship. As the name indicates, the orientation helps to introduce fellows to the ethics and forms that are part of the program. We also experienced personal assessment of our strengths and how to develop our strengths, as well as, how to work together as a cohort. This was the first steps in the year-long process. 

Throughout the year, fellows attend monthly day-long professional development opportunities organized by the AEF Program. These days include fantastic experiences with the Smithsonian and Library of Congress to name just a couple. We also prepare a monthly half-day professional development for our cohort. Now this may already sound like something you might be interested in and too wonderful to be true, but that's not all. Each fellow creates their own professional development plan for their time in the fellowship. Have you ever thought about gaps you might have in your professional skills? Have you ever thought about what you are really passionate about in education? Thinking about these things takes time which is a rare commodity for educators. In the month that I have been with the AEF Program, I have had the time to improve my professional skills with colleagues and consider the possibilities of my educational passions and the outcomes I would like to see for all students. I now understand that even though I am collaborating with a sponsoring agency such as the Library of Congress to achieve their goals, I also have the opportunity to identify and achieve mine. I have already experienced so much transformation in some ways that I have difficulty imagining what the next 10 months will bring. I have identified my goals for the fellowship, and I have the time and resources to start achieving them. Hands-on elementary STEM education, formal and informal, should be available to all students.  I plan to examine, identify, and create elementary STEM resources and ways to provide equity in access. Can't wait!

Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship - 1st Month

I am one month into my 11-month fellowship. I cannot believe how much has happened in the short time, and yet, I cannot believe that there is only 10 months left. Currently, the program is accepting applications through November 15, 2018 (https://science.energy.gov/wdts/einstein/).  I realize I do not have much time in the fellowship, but I can already say that it is a transformational experience full of amazing opportunities. Below are pictures from the past month that started off with a road trip from Idaho to Washington, D.C.  There are numerous pictures and I did that in part to emphasize how many opportunities there are during the @AEF_Program. Believe it or not, I haven't even done as much as some Fellows. #amazing #PD #STEM #valued