Back to School (Or Not) Part 1: What the Heck Is STEM Learning?

EI Editor Posted On Jul 29, 2020 | Learning Through Play

Over the last 15 years or so, STEM learning has weaved its way into the American curriculum, with STEM activities showing up in classes as early as preschool. But what IS STEM? And why is it so important?STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – areas that are growing by leaps and bounds as we become more and more reliant on technology. In fact, while there are millions of jobs in STEM fields around the world, employers are struggling to fill them because, until recently, these subjects were not emphasized in schools. Current thought holds that exposure to these subjects and opportunities to explore them through hands-on learning experiences will excite kids and inspire them to continue to study STEM subjects and then go on to pursue STEM-related careers.Teachers across the country have been working hard to infuse their daily lessons with STEM examples, ideas, conversations, activities, and experiments. And you can, too! The STEM experts at EI are sharing easy ways to introduce and reinforce STEM learning right now, at home![caption id="attachment_6537" align="alignnone" width="840"]

GeoSafari® Jr. My First Microscope[/caption]S is for ScienceKids are naturally curious about science and there’s not a rug rat around who doesn’t love an awesome science experiment. Introducing your little ones to the amazing world of science is easy, with the GeoSafari® Jr. My First Microscope! Featuring extra-large, dual eyepieces and a chunky, kid-sized focusing knob, this sturdy microscope is perfect for preschoolers. Kids collect everyday objects, place them on the sample tray, turn on the LED light, and take a peek to see their object magnified up to 8x larger. They can examine everything from a postage stamp to a piece of pizza, gaining an understanding of the physical composition of different objects around them and getting invaluable, hands-on experience with a real, scientific tool! On sale NOW for $14.14 on Amazon Prime. Keep the science fun going with the FREE, downloadable science activities and Home’s Cool Videos on our website, like our beginning science activity cards and erupting apples experiment how-to video![caption id="attachment_6538" align="alignnone" width="840"]

Artie 3000™ The Coding Robot[/caption]T is for TechnologyCoding is a key STEM skill and kids as young as 7 years old can get in on the fun, thanks to Artie 3000 the Coding Robot, the creative way to learn to code! Using a computer or tablet, and Artie’s on-board WiFi, kids follow easy instructions to create the code, then Artie draws whatever they’ve coded. Artie’s simple set up and pre-programmed designs are perfect for beginners; more advanced coders can create their own, custom code. From basic shapes to advanced drawings, words, even secret code, Artie grows with your child as their skills advance. Check out this amazing list of 45 fun things to do with Artie 3000 and the awesome Artie Home’s Cool Video series for a visual how-to. Available on Amazon Prime for $54.99.[caption id="attachment_6540" align="alignnone" width="840"]

Design & Drill® Space Circuits[/caption]E is for EngineeringKids as young as five years old can explore the incredible world of engineering with Design & Drill® Space Circuits sets! Mini-STEMgineers use a kid-friendly drill to complete 20 space-themed missions, including making lights turn on and off, spinning simple motors, activating buttons and switches, and more, all while building basic problem-solving skills and gaining an understanding of simple circuitry. On sale now on Amazon Prime for just $27.70! Looking for even more building and construction fun? Browse our At-Home Activities page and Home’s School Videos for additional activities including drawing with your drill and practicing simple bolt addition.[caption id="attachment_6541" align="alignnone" width="840"]

Hot Dots®[/caption]M is for MathMake math practice WAY more fun, with interactive Hot Dots®! The Hot Dots Jr. Let’s Master Pre-K Math set gives kids a jumpstart on math success with 85 pre-K math lessons, 15 advanced lessons, and a talking pen. Preschoolers press Ace-the Talking, Teaching Dog Pen to any answer dot for an immediate audio and visual response. Silly sounds and fun phrases keep kids engaged and motivated as they tackle lessons on counting, numbers, patterns, time, fractions, and more. Available now on Amazon Prime for $30.14. Kids can also practice counting, numbers, patterns, sequences, shapes, colors, and more with the free, downloadable math activities on our website!With a bit of forethought, sneaking some STEM learning into your at-home play time is simple – and fun!

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EI Editor | Posted on Sep 17, 2020

Teachers (and Parents Helping from Home), You’ve Got This!

Seven Reasons Why You’re Going to Be AWESOME This Year and Seven Sweet Ideas, to Boot!We’re the first to admit, this school year may be a little bit crazy. No matter your school’s current scenario, things are definitely not status quo. But teachers, you’ve got this! Here are three reasons why you’re going to ROCK this school year, from us, your biggest fans!First, you’re fab on the fly. What you teach may be mandated, but how you teach it has always been up to you! You’re flexible, you try different approaches with different students, and you turn on a dime when something’s not working. Second, you’re cool with collab. You’re used to collaborating with your colleagues, bouncing crazy ideas off each other, and sharing resources. And you’ll be there for each other now, too, to test each other’s online platform sign-in processes, do trial runs of video calls, troubleshoot technology issues, and share the awesome TED Talks, Khan Academy lessons, free downloadable EI worksheets, and funny teaching memes you find. And third, you bring the fun! From putting their packs on the right pegs to lining up for lunch, you’re used to making even the most mundane activities more fun – and we know you’ll keep finding awesome ideas to do just that ????Speaking of awesome ideas, we’re sharing a few of our own, meant to make your learning space, day, and overall outlook just a little bit brighter:1. Keep Things Quiet!If you’re teaching or learning from home, create a customized doorhanger to let the rest of your crew know that you are online. Cut your own door hanger out of sturdy cardboard, purchase a blank wood hanger at Michael’s and paint it yourself, or follow these easy instructions to transfer an inkjet page onto wood.

Photo credit: FamilyShoppingBag.com2. Add Some Inspiration!Print a positive message each day and post it where your kids can see it. Or, if you’ve got great writing, write your words of encouragement on your whiteboard. Then read it aloud with your kids at the start of the day (and again the middle and end, if need be!). Find some great quotes to copy at Greeting Card Poet. Visit our blog for some super tips on building back-to-school confidence and print out our adorably awesome mini posters to help set the tone for an inspiring year!

3. Stay Organized!If you’re working from a smaller space than usual, it’s especially important to have a place for everything and keep things organized. Our Small Space Place Pocket Chart is a great way to store your materials! You can also use it to plan and organize your week, revealing one pocket at a time to your students.

4. Get to Know Each Other!Kids crave connections and teachers want to get to know their teachers, so host a virtual show and tell. Save a bit of time each week for kids to show off their pets while you share your prized coffee cup collection or whatever other wacky things you’ve got to get your kids giggling. Here are some ideas on how to get set-up!

Photo caption: sarahchesworth.com5. Get Moving!A welcomed break from the computer screen, send your kids on a scavenger hunt! Have students find items from around the house as they relate to lessons. Teaching Science or STEM? Have them go find a real-world example of an inclined plane. Teaching math? See if they can snap a pic of a parabola. Check out these fantastic 22 Scavenger Hunt Ideas.

6. Play Dress Up!Keep things light with a spirit week! Have the class dress up in a different theme each day – and you do it, too! Think crazy hair, Hawaiian shirts, mismatched socks, and pajamas. Odds are, your online students won’t even have to change! Here are 4 serious benefits of playing dress up for child development.[caption id="attachment_6939" align="alignnone" width="700"]

Photo credit: mommyevolution.com[/caption]7. Bring in Reinforcements!You’re not in this alone. Use your parents and online resources to add some variety and keep your kids engaged. Host a reader’s workshop with parent guest readers or authors reading their own books online. Type “Children’s Book Authors” into YouTube and take your pick or click here for awesome options from PBS Kids. Join this read-along of "You Matter" with author Christian Robinson.This year is a huge ask, for sure. Teachers are going above and beyond what they ever imagined they’d be doing in the name of educating our kids and keeping them safe. There’s no one we trust more than you to do it – and we’re here for you! Find free resources, including ideas, experiments, printables, and downloads perfect for teachers and homeschooling parents alike, on EducationalInsights.com. You’ve got this!
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EI Editor | Posted on Aug 4, 2020

Back to School (or Not) Part 2: STEAM-ing Up Back to School

A lot of things remain uncertain as we head into the coming school year. One thing that hasn’t changed, whether you’ll be teaching from the front of the room or your living room, is the emphasis on STEM and STEAM learning. As you head back to school in whatever format that looks like for you, EI is here to help support your STEAM lessons with super-cool, ultra-creative, coding activities, courtesy of Artie 3000![caption id="attachment_6563" align="alignnone" width="840"]

Visit codewithartie.com for helpful tips-n-tricks and free downloads![/caption]Artie 3000 – the Coding Robot, makes coding simple, fun, and creative, by enabling kids to create code that Artie draws on paper! Equipped with his own WiFi and built-in coding apps, students can use the classroom computer and Artie’s simple UI to drag-and-drop command blocks. Hit the run button and Artie will execute those commands on a sheet of paper for a totally tangible connection to the code. With this simple UI, point & click programming options, and more advanced computer languages for students ready for a coding challenge, Artie adapts to each of your student’s needs, providing a rewarding coding experience and building STEM confidence.

And, with four color pens and easy-to-program shapes, words, and designs, Artie is the perfect tool for engaging the creative kids in your classroom in some serious STEM learning. Write the code, execute it on paper, then color it in – Artie is a technology lesson and art project all in one! In fact, our 45 Things To Do with Artie list includes lots of art activity ideas, ranging from making puppets for a puppet show to door hangers featuring students names, coding and coloring wearable hats for Artie, and more. Artie also offers RC fun. Students can use the arrow keys on the keyboard to control Artie’s path through the classroom (another simple lesson in coding!). Guide him to set off a student-designed chain reaction, patrol the classroom, select a student to answer a question, and so much more.Best of all, with step-by-step instructions, pre-programmed content, free downloadable content, how-to-videos (including student-produced videos!), and activity ideas from partners including Mensa for Kids, Artie is so easy to use that your students can figure it out without you![caption id="attachment_6577" align="alignnone" width="743"]

Photo credit: @miss_luluandbiscuit[/caption]Learn more about Artie 3000 – the Coding Robot at www.codewithartie.com or visit Amazon.com to purchase Artie 3000 for the sale price of $54.99 with Prime delivery!