Invention Convention Worldwide is a global K-12 curricular program mapped to national and state educational standards that teaches students problem identification, problem solving, entrepreneurship, creativity skills, and confidence. RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals 2025 runs June 4-6, 2025 at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, MI. (more…)

When I saw this ESchoolMedia article, my first response was, He** no! but I paused to ask why a reputable magazine would even ask this question. Before reading the article, I asked Grok the same question. Here’s what a generative AI has to say about that issue:

The end of STEM: Why AI-driven education must replace an outdated model

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This week, February 16-22, 2025 is DiscoverE’s Engineers Week. Their tagline:

“A week-long event, a year-long commitment”

Do you wonder why anyone would be passionate about engineering? Overall, engineering offers a combination of intellectual challenge, real-world impact, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. By pursuing a career in engineering, students can contribute to meaningful projects, solve complex problems, and make a positive difference in the world.

What is Engineers Week?

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Natural disasters is a related discussion to any number of topics–geography, ecology, Earth Day, even problem solving. Here are 17 websites that bring the power of these natural forces to students (click here for updates to the list):

• Avalanches
• Earthquakes
• Earthquakes–an animation
• Earthquakes for Kids

• Earthquakes–USGS
• Every Natural Disaster Explained in 12 Minutes (video)
• Flood—hugefloods.com

• Hurricanes
• Natural Disasters–for kids–video
• Natural disaster videos

• Natural Hazards–from Crash Course–video
• Savage Earth
• Storm Chasing

• Top 10 Natural Disasters for Kids–video
• Tsunamis
• Volcano videos
• Volcanoes

Click image below for slideshow of many natural disasters

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Here are 7 online resources to help you create a school-based MakerSpace (click here for updates on this list):

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National STEM Day is November 8, 2024, the unofficial holiday that celebrates science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education throughout the United States. Many add ‘art’ to the celebration for the acronym, STEAM. Here are some great ideas that remind your students of the excitement that is these core subjects:

Ten Ways to Celebrate National STEM Day with NASA

National STEM Day focuses on helping students advance in STEM fields, a priority of NASA as we continue to push the boundaries of exploration and soar into the future. In celebration of National STEM Day, we challenge you to engage and inspire the Artemis generation as we go forward to the Moon by 2024 and continue to innovate in the areas of Earth science and aeronautics. To help you join in on the festivities, here are 10 ways you can celebrate National STEM Day with us.

49 STEM Activities for Students 

On November 8^th, we will celebrate National STEM Day to get kids excited about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Together the STEM subjects represent some of the fastest-growing and most in-demand fields in the United States.

While STEM topics seem a natural fit in high schools and post-secondary curriculum, education experts are promoting a focus on STEM subjects for younger and younger children. 

12 Projects for your STEAM program

Twelve favorite STEAM projects where artistic thinking becomes the engine for unpacking solutions. 

Activities from Engineering for Kids

National STEM/STEAM Day is dedicated to all things science, technology, engineering, art, and math. STEM (and STEAM) represents some of the fastest-growing and in-demand fields in the world today and Engineering For Kids is passionate about inspiring the next generation of engineers, artists, and innovators.

Bring Weather into Your Lesson Plan with Earth Networks and WeatherSTEM

One of the hottest topics in schools and an area of greatest need is STEM resources.  Earth Networks has developed creative and compelling STEM curricula on a variety of weather topics. Any school with a weather unit or an onsite weather station will appreciate this site. I asked them to drop in and explain their education programs to the AATT community:

4 Lesson plans

This STEM bundle includes four lesson plans: Engineering and Design, The Human Body, Keyboarding and the Scientific Method, and Robotics. All incorporate technology into authentic class activities such as bridge building, note-taking, and math. Each lesson plan includes an Essential Question and Big Idea, average time required to complete, suggested appropriate grade level, suggested teacher preparation, step-by-step directions (see preview for an example), assessment strategies, pedagogic background, samples, and images (where relevant). 

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Introducing the Makeblock mBot2: A Fun and Educational AI Robot for Coding

The Makeblock mBot2 is a delightful and educational AI robot designed to captivate the interest of children aged 8-12 in the fields of STEM. This robot toy not only provides an engaging visual learning experience but also teaches essential skills in programming, electronics, robotics, and computer science. It is a popular choice for educational settings such as classrooms and after-school programs, as well as for home use, fostering the development of logical thinking, problem-solving, and project creation abilities.

A Beginner-Friendly STEM Kit with Rich Educational Resources

The mBot2 is an ideal starting point for young robotics enthusiasts, offering an easy-to-assemble kit that most children can build in less than 30 minutes. This quick setup allows them to jump right into coding and interactive play. The mBot2 is also supported by a rich collection of educational materials, including free access to mBlock, a coding software that makes learning both fun and accessible. For those who prefer a structured learning path, more than eight free courses are available, covering topics like computer science, coding, and STEM fields. These courses teach students how to apply theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios, with over 33 instructional cases that explore the mBot2’s capabilities, such as obstacle avoidance and line-following. (more…)

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong was the first man to place foot on the moon. Commemorate that this year with an exciting collection of websites and apps that take your students to the Moon (click for updates to the list):

1. Apollo 11: Countdown to Launch via Google Earth
2. Apollo 11 VR
3. Google Moon–see the Moon in 3D with your Google Earth app
4. How we are going to the Moon–video
5. If the Moon Were Only One Pixel…
6. JFK Challenge — takes kids to the Apollo 11
7. NASA’s Musical Playlist–88 million viewers of 188 songs
8. Moon Phase Simulation Viewed from Earth and Space (interactive, elementary and middle school)—and associated Lesson Plan
9. Observing the Moon in the Sky (interactive, elementary)
10. Moonrise to Moonset (media gallery, elementary)

More on space

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Makeblock and xTool Set to Ignite ISTE 2024: A Glimpse into the Future of STEAM Education

As the curtains draw closer for the 2024 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference, the educational community is abuzz with anticipation. Scheduled to take place from June 24-26 in the vibrant city of Denver, the event stands as a lighthouse for those seeking to revolutionize their classrooms with the latest in educational technology. This conference is the epicenter for educators, technologists, and visionaries who are driven by the passion to transform learning through the integration of technology.

A Pioneer in STEAM: Makeblock’s Commitment to Innovation

For nearly ten years, Makeblock has been a trailblazer in the realm of STEAM education, consistently leading the charge in delivering holistic solutions that both empower educators and ignite the imagination of students worldwide. Their diverse range of products includes sophisticated hardware, intuitive software, and a meticulously crafted curriculum, enhanced by top robotics competitions. Makeblock has been instrumental in fostering the principles of STEAM and nurturing the creative spirit of the next generation of innovators.

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