How to Instill a Lifelong Love of Science

Stuff this week - How to Instill a Lifelong Love of Science I recently came across an article from 2015 titled STEM for Elementary School Students – How to Instill a Lifelong Love of Science. Please take 10 minutes to read it. It is an excellent summary of what STEM education is and how it should be taught in schools. I do note with interest that the article is from two years ago yet uptake remains slow.  I grabbed the following quote from the article and ask the question - How good would it be in a school that did this? STEM education is active and focuses on a student-centered learning environment. Students engage in questioning, problem solving, collaboration, and hands-on activities while they address real life issues. In STEM education, teachers function as classroom facilitators. They guide students through the problem-solving process and plan projects that lead to mastery of content and STEM proficiency. STEM proficient students are able to answer complex questions, investigate global issues, and develop solutions for challenges and real world problems while applying the rigor of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics content in a seamless fashion. STEM proficient students are logical thinkers, effective communicators and are technologically, scientifically, and mathematically literate.

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Stuff in the news Makers Movement Changes the Educational Landscape - An article from the USNEWS website 22 May 2017 The exact age when girls lose interest in science and math - A new survey commissioned by Microsoft found that young girls in Europe become interested in so-called STEM subjects around the age of 11 and then quickly lose interest when they're 15. An article from CNN 28 February 2017 Australia lagging in crucial STEM component - An article suggesting artificial intelligence is lacking from the curriculum. The Educator website 19 January 2017 Tech Supergirls paving the way for women in technology - An article on The Source News from 27 September 2016

Stuff to buy Klutz LEGO Chain Reactions Craft Kit - With the stuff in this kit and a pile of your own ordinary LEGO bricks, you can build Ten awesome machines that can be combined to make dozens of different chain reactions. *At this point in time I earn no money from any product I list and I am not affiliated with any other company.

Stuff in education 3 Simple and Smart EdTech Strategies for Teaching With Technology - Providing teachers with quality training is so important yet sorely lacking. An article from the Global Digital Citizen website 30 May 2017. How Design Thinking Builds Empathy, Gives Purpose and Honors Educators - How making builds empathy, why it’s important to compensate teachers for continuously learning, and advice for administrators who want to drive change through design thinking. An article from Edsurge 15 May 2017

Stuff to do Australia Wide Edutech 2017 - EduTECH is the LARGEST education event in Asia-Pac and the Southern Hemisphere. 7-9 June 2017 in Sydney. Australian STEM Video Game Challenge - For grades 5+.The Australian STEM Video Game Challenge will ask participants to develop games in response to a central theme or idea. Registration open 1 May and submissions close 25 August. Young ICT Explorers -  A non-profit competition, which has been created by SAP to encourage school students to create their best Information and Communication Technology (ICT) related projects. Registrations are OPEN. See the YouTube video here! CSIRO CREST Program - CREativity in Science and Technology. Engage your students with open-ended science investigations and technology projects through the CREST program. National Science Week - Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology and thousands of individuals – from students, to scientists to chefs and musicians – get involved, taking part in more than 1000 science events across the nation. 12 - 20 August 2017

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Bricks 4 Kidz® | Awesome Fun With LEGO® Bricks 

Young Engineers Australia - Provides an engaging, hands-on learning platform using LEGO® and K’nex® assembly kits

CoderDojo - A volunteer run programming club

Code Club Australia - A network of coding clubs for kids aged 9 to 11.

Stuff to do in Brisbane SLQ Digital Futures - Each year the State Library of Queensland presents a theme of interest to the Queensland community. Throughout 2017, we invite you to join us in exploring Digital Futures. Robogals Holiday Workshops - Robogals from UQ are advertising for their next holiday sessions in June. Get in quick! (Grades 4+) Robotronica 2017 - Robotronica is a groundbreaking one-day event showcasing the latest developments in robotics and interactive design. QUT's The Cube 20 August 2017  - - - Brisbane Library Service has purchased the very flash NAO Robot and is showing it off in various libraries. The Cube at QUT has a number of changing programs.  Brisbane Planetarium - Features entertaining and informative shows for adults and children STEMPUNKS STEM classes for kids in Brisbane STEAMPUNX - Not to be confused with the organisation above! Offers in-school and out of school workshop programs Flying Fox Studios - A studio offering programs in the arts, music and construction areas from babies to teenagers in Brisbane Building Block Studio | Learning Activity Centre in Brisbane For Budding Coders And Engineers Fun Chess Classes For Kids in Brisbane | Chess Mates Red Cat Science | Kids get to do what they can't at school It's Rocket Science School Incursions - Educational and fully interactive project based rocket science incursions for primary and secondary schools in a safe and empowering learning environment.