The MindFuel STEM Store is an online catalog of blended-learning resources, including lesson plans and project-based activities, experiments and design challenges, and entrepreneurial and innovation skills development course material. It covers topics such as body systems, chemistry, earth sciences, energy, ecosystems and more.
In 2017, health insurance for active and retired school employees cost $1.9 billion, accounting for 12 percent of the $15.7 billion spent overall on Massachusetts schools. The costs increased 12.2 percent from 2013, growing at a faster clip than salaries for classroom teachers (11.8 percent).
Three groups representing West Virginia school groups said they are poised to take statewide action on an education reform omnibus bill and expect to take a vote this week. The bill bundles together a 5 percent pay raise and money for public health insurance with other education reforms, including charter schools.
When it comes to teaching students about slavery, teachers often stumble through the topic. In the worst cases, they use poorly conceived lessons that end up inflaming students and communities. One idea is moving beyond textbooks, which often use inadequate or inaccurate descriptions, to include records and firsthand accounts. Another way is to get out of the classrooms by visiting museums and historic sites.
Analyzing data out of a massive physical education initiative in Texas, researchers concluded that a daily physical education mandate didn't have any positive impact on kids' health or educational outcome. They found that the four-year program actually had detrimental effects, correlating with an uptick in discipline, bullying and absence rates.
English language learners should have the same opportunities to participate in STEM classes as any other student, English learner and bilingual consultant Lori Menning told attendees of the Future of Education Technology Conference in Orlando last week. "[Language and STEM] should come simultaneously because we know they learn through those experiences," explained Menning, of Cooperative […]
KinderLab Robotics expanded its KIBO curriculum suite by announcing the K2-focused Growing with KIBO. It is designed to support classrooms with a complete, sequenced STEAM curriculum covering robotics, coding and computational thinking. In addition, it provides opportunities for integrating these topics with arts and literacy activities.
For educators, the big challenge is figuring out how best to teach students not just to receive knowledge but to apply it. Educators are also experimenting with approaches like “project-based” and “student-centered” learning, that encourage collaboration and solving complex problems that have applications for the real world.
SICO has introduced the Enriched Dining Experience, with the goal of helping K12 schools create more exciting, profitable and efficient dining spaces. The portfolio includes free interior design consultation, and a product line of dining tables, booths, chairs, signage, trash receptacles and serving line accessories to manage queue lines.
