Information Technology Education

Back in the spring, I was asked to direct a STEM summer academy.  I was thrilled to have the opportunity to create a summer experience for grades 4-8 learners that would be the best STEM experience they could ever have!  As I was brainstorming ideas, I decided it would have to be all about the kids having a maker experience in every sense of the word - three strands all centered on making and creating. 1)  Code-makers:  Here, the students used Google CS-First and App Inventor to create games and apps.  They engaged in pair-programming and had a lot of fun 'making' with code. 2)  STEM-makers:  In this strand, the students created using science, technology, engineering, and math.  The room was full of "junk" that they used to make Rube Goldberg devices.  They had Ozobot and Sphero challenges.  For Ozobot, they had to design the longest course in black marker on an 8.5 x 11 inch size sheet of paper.  Then, they ran their ozobots on t...

Excited to share about an article just published in Desert Ridge Lifestyles: STEM in the Middle Explorer Middle School and its diverse STEM offerings Contributed by Janice Mak STEM, or science, technology, engineering and mathematics, emphasizes the interdisciplinary approach to teaching students about these areas that is critical to society both now and in the future.  Explorer Middle School is unique in its approach to meeting the educational needs in this area through its pioneering approach and reputation as a school leading the way in technology.  From its diverse elective course offerings to its extracurricular STEM club, it is a unique place for middle school students to explore in a hands-on, minds-on way areas that interest them. Electives In its signature Project Lead the Way program, Explorer Middle School students learn about engineering firsthand by designing and testing windmills, robots and more.  Offered at both the introductory and advanced levels, studen...

I just returned from ISTE that was in Philly this year.  It was an incredible few days with ed tech enthusiasts from around the world.  I also gave my first Ignite talk...but first, a confession.  When I first submitted by Ignite proposal to be considered for acceptance, I actually had no idea about what an Ignite talk was.  I just knew it was a 5 minute presentation.  Before my proposal was accepted, I attended a conference that had a few Ignite speeches and when I realized what I signed up for, my heart dropped just a little.  And then when I found out my proposal was accepted, it dropped a little more.  At the same time, it was a challenge I knew I wanted to accept.  Since learning about them, I have wanted to use it with my students as a final performance-based assessment.  What a great way for them to distill the really important info into a meaningful presentation format! So, I got to work on my slides and really did some reflection - w...