2018 Space Exploration Educators Conference

A team of teachers from our school wrote grants to attend the 2018 Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC). We had all taken part in the NASA Microgravity University for Educators (#NASAMgUE) last year. During that experience, we traveled to NASA Johnson Space Center for profressional development and testing of our students' deployment device (https://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov/about-mgue.cfm). During that amazing week, we did not have any time to visit Space Center Houston, but we did learn of the SEEC conference. We quickly made plans to return to Houston and attend the conference as a team. We all took part in writing grants for travel and scholarships for registration costs. In the end, we had enough funds to fully cover the costs of the trip.  Our school district supported us by providing substitutes for the team to have time to attend the conference. Our school supported us by managing the grant funds and helping us secure all the necessary travel arrangements. The PTA was even ready to cover our registration costs; however, that wasn't necessary because we had additional grant funds come in to cover those costs as well.



In January we were able to register for sessions. We were all amazed and excited about the fantastic sessions offered and the tours available at NASA Johnson Space Center.  It really was difficult to choose. Nevertheless, we complete our session choices, reserved our hotel and rental car, and before we knew it, it was time to board the airplane to Houston. After not having any time to visit Space Center Houston, our entire conference was based in the museum. It was amazing! Session were taught by knowledgeable and experienced educators, as well as, industry professionals who have worked in the space industry. Gina Kwid and I presented for one session sharing about our NASA MgUE experience, the robot components we used in the deployment device, and teaching educators how to code those same robots using C++.  The entire conference was an amazing individual experience, team-building experience, and something I will never forget. 

 

 

 

I also became part of the Space Educator Expedition Crew on team Destiny which is a phenomenal opportunity for educators. "Educators from around the country are collaborating to prepare students for 21st century science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers through Space Center Houston’s inaugural Space Exploration Educator Crew.  Space Center Houston launched the program in 2017 to help meet a nationwide need to prepare students for STEM careers and an equal need for extraordinary teacher leaders to inspire students. The crew aims to empower teachers to build leadership competencies by creating innovative STEM programs for their students, schools and communities." For more information or to apply for next year visit https://spacecenter.org/teacher-programs/space-exploration-educator-crew/.

Amazing opportunities await all attendees at Space Exploration Educators Conference (https://spacecenter.org/teacher-programs/teachers-seec/)!

Honeywell Educators at Space Academy 2018

Well, it's time. Time to apply for the 2018 Honeywell Educators at Space Academy https://educators.honeywell.com/application. Applications must be submitted by November 14, 2017. I applied last year and wasn't accepted. However, as I started my application this year, I was able to update my application from the previous year instead of starting from scratch.  Another nice feature to updating my application from last year is that I discovered some definite weaknesses in my previous application.

I encourage all interested educators to apply. It looks like an amazing experience and the application is not long. You have to upload an employment verification form, answer a series of questions, and submit three essay questions. Overall, it's not a bad experience and well worth any time and effort invested.  Good luck to all applicants!

2017 i-STEM Summer Institutes

I have been participating in i-STEM Summer Institutes (https://sde.idaho.gov/academic/istem/)since 2010. The only year I missed was 2016 when I was recovering from finishing my dissertation. i-STEM is a coordinated effort by the State Department of Education, Idaho Professional-Technical Education, educators, businesses, and industry to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Teaching Teachers

The first three years I participated, I was taking part in strands such as I3 - Imagine, Innovate, Invent and LEGO Mindstorms NXT. This is where I actually got my start in using robotics in my classroom. The following years I began to teach strands as a provider. My first year was teaching LEGO Mindstorms integration, followed by two years of teaching LEGO WeDo integration, and finally this summer 3D printing integration. I have always taught with a colleague, but this year my daughter taught with me.

Pivothead Glasses

The great part about i-STEM is that not only do you receive training on the technology or instructional practices, but you also receive the materials to teach your newly acquired skills. Participants received a robotics kit in the past, and this summer receive a 3D printer to keep and use in their classrooms. In addition, there is also another piece of technology all the strands receive along with training. This summer all participants received Pivothead glasses for easily recording videos on the go.

We had a great week!

If you are an Idaho educator and have not heard of or participated in i-STEM Summer Institutes, I encourage you to look for registration through the Idaho STEM Action Center (https://stem.idaho.gov/). In the past registration has started on March 1 and strands fill quickly.

Recognition in the Education Profession

After being included in a recent article for Boise State's Focus Magazine (https://focus.boisestate.edu/article/ed-d-in-educational-technology/), I was reminded of a few concerns I have with any type of professional recognition.  Although I appreciate recognition for the hard work I put into my career each day, I worry that when people see such articles or other such recognition they believe I have perfect lessons each class and I handle every situation with perfect outcomes.  While I hope to lead other educators by my examples, that does not mean I am perfect.  It does not mean I have all the answers.  What I try to do as a teacher-leader is what I think is right for students based on my experience and expertise, as well as, research.  I am always trying to improve my own instructional practices through reflection and on-going learning.  I am willing to try new practices and tools if if appears it will benefit students.

On a similar note, teachers should be recognized for their successes.  We face a high level of scrutiny from people who understand education and more often from people who have little or no understanding of education and the classroom setting.  While the scrutiny can be frustrating at times, it is important for people to understand the various aspects of the education profession.

More Professional Development Opportunities - Paid

Of late, I have been thinking about how important professional development opportunities are for educators.  Every school day I come in contact with fantastic educators.  We do great things for students each day.  Some of the great things I am aware of but there are many more I may never know.  Within my own school district, I don't know if other teachers are using robotics or 3D printing.  What engaging and valuable learning opportunities have they found for their students?  It is difficult to find time to interact with local educators and especially educators from other areas.  Therefore, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of paid professional development opportunities.

Paid professional development opportunities do not necessarily pay educators for their time spent at workshops, academies, or conferences. Rather paid professional development cover the costs to attend the various opportunities for learning new instructional strategies, content information, and networking with other educators.  As an educator with three children in college, I do not have the funding to attend conferences or other professional development opportunities without assistance to cover the costs.  I often look for ways to earn money outside of my contract days teaching workshops, writing curriculum, etc.  However, there is still so much I want to learn and so many student opportunities to discover.  In order to attend or present at conferences, I write grants to cover or assist in the costs associated with travel, registration, etc.  Many grants prefer to support items that will be used directly by the students.  While this is understandable, I think it is important to remember that the most important tool students have access to each school day is the teacher.  The better the teacher, the better the results.

There are opportunities for educators to attend teacher academies such as Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, Northrop Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy, and Honeywell Educators at Space Academy.  However, these opportunities are few and limited to a small fraction of all educators each year.  Furthermore, applications for the paid opportunities, while worth the effort, can be fairly time consuming.  Benefits for professional development extends beyond the immediate ideas taken back to the classroom.  Professional development can make educators feel valued and rejuvenated.  Meeting educators from around your state, country, or internationally, creates a vital network of support and on-going professional development.  The network creates an impact for colleagues back at school and students within the classroom.  Just visualize the ripple effect that can be created by teachers attending professional development.

There are so many fantastic educational conferences, workshops, and academies available.  It would be great to make them more accessible for interested educators.  Funding should not be the factor that prohibits educators from achieving their professional goals and growing their professional aptitudes.  There are so many fantastic educators.  We need to provide them a way to continue to grow and share their strengths with others.  My network continues to grow and I continue to improve my instructional practices.  I share what I can with others.  In fact, I love talking about my classroom.  However, I will never be done improving my practice. I will continue to seek opportunities that will make me a better teacher so my students can be better.  I simply wish there was more support and funding to make the process easier for all educators.

Fantastic Summer of Professional Development

It's been another amazing summer of professional development.  I attended the 2016 Global MindED conference in Denver, the MAVEN Elementary Educator Summit in Boulder, Texas Regional Collaborative Conference, and the Idaho MEMTA retreat.  Furthermore, I taught camp for STEMBus.usa.  All of these events combined for an exciting time networking and learning more strategies and content for my classroom.

In order to make the most of these professional development events, ideas, and people met, I decided to keep one notebook for all of notes, worksheets, and contacts.  Usually, I use a different notebook for each event and then have a hodge podge of notes and handouts that are difficult to keep organized and access.  After a summer full of learning, I now have all my information in one place.  I also made sure to highlight specific items I would like to integrate into my classroom instruction.  Now, as I prepare for the fast approaching school year, I can easily find information key for the new year.

If you are interested in attending professional development opportunities, it is possible to do it without funding it yourself.  My PD opportunities came through applications, scholarships, and grant writing to fund any remaining costs of the training.  There are a variety of paid professional development opportunities out there.  Do some basic searches, and you will begin to find opportunities that fit your needs.