Toys every teacher should know about- A follow up to NSTA regional workshop.
I’m not sure whether the start of my noon workshop October 30th was a beginning or a culmination of a year of working on a new idea. For personal reasons I like to change my presentations from year to year either expanding on an idea or trying out new themes. This year I wanted to emphasize two things I have been working on and trying to drive home to teachers:
1. Work with the companies that have materials you like.
2. All sciences, all subjects for that matter, are more interesting if you have your students being active learners.
OK, the advantage of this website is I can preamble and talk as I want to teachers. So, I’m going to tell you about this workshop from the start. I think it is important to see the combined work of students, other teachers and companies working with teachers. Once upon a time, years ago a principal in Ledford, NC heard me present and asked to send some teachers to observe me in my classroom for a day. Jim Abraham was one of those teachers and has since become a peer and friend. When Jim returned to his school one of his comments was “that it would be tough to copy what I did because I had so many toys in my room.” Then two years ago I went to a Biotechnology conference with another peer, Leslie Benson, and after our presentation I attended a workshop that introduced me to LEGO Education robotics. Mrs. Benson has, with the help of Universities, Companies, and personal contacts established leading edge Biotechnology courses in her high school. I have also worked with some companies as a peer trainer, exhibitor, and just a teacher working with a product I use in my classroom.
Specifically: PITSCO, PASCO, Castlelearning.com, Eduware, and LEGO education
Last year, my students worked with PASCO probeware to develop what I call a recipe box of “Quick labs” that were demonstrated at the 2007 NCSTA conference. I liked the idea of a more interactive workshop. I wanted teachers to experience the activities not just be told about them.
Last November (2007) I got the idea of doing a workshop for teachers where they got to see the wide range of “TOYS” that are out there to help bring excitement into the classroom. That led to a new workshop idea for the 2008 NSTA Regional conference in Charlotte, NC. I arrived with a loaded car of “Toys” including everything from MagLev tracks, to rockets, to a Kodak digital frame, .. so much stuff that the bellman Manuel started asking about all the equipment. As a side note, Westin Hotel, you need to know how helpful Manuel was the whole time I was there. He was a great reflection on your hotel! I had talked to five companies (PITSCO, PASCO, Eduware, LEGO education, and Castlelearning.com) about my idea and how they could support the education experience I wanted to demonstrate. Not only did I get their support but there was a representative from all five at the workshop for all or part of the time.
Thursday, two of my students from last year that are now seniors met me at 7AM dressed to impress! Peter Gendron and Catherine Grainger got a quick tour of the convention area, exhibitor badges from LEGO Education, 250 bookmarks with workshop information and a few lessons in talking to strangers then they were sent out on their own. I mention them because, I believe, this was an extension of the learning experience they started a year ago. Their job at this time was to talk to teachers and invite them to the workshop from 8AM until 11AM. During this time they were also introduced to the company representatives that were in the exhibit area. An hour before the workshop we started setting up the room and meeting with the Companies that were supporting the workshop. Jacob from PITSCO came with Gas Dragsters, Solar cars, wind cars, and more. Kristie came from LEGO Education with two working robots, Virginia came from PASCO with demonstrations of probeware, Scott came from Castle Software and Bill from Eduware with free trials for all teachers that participated in the workshop. We even had raffles of everything from Stuffed Animal Microbes, to gift certificates, to a full year of access to Castlelearning.com for a school (a prize worth thousands! THANK YOU!) So we were set or so I thought! Teachers started arriving, for a workshop slated for 80 teachers, 20min early. Catherine and Peter greeted all of them with a Star sticker supplied by the Paper Magic Group. If you do not know about Paper Magic Group and their educational stickers Google them! I love their product! They donated the stickers for the workshop. We ended up with over 250 teachers! That is a tough number of teachers to do hands on activities. Well people adjusted and stepped up! My intern from last year helped me with a HydroRunner demo, Jacob moved his dragster track out into the hall of the hotel, Leslie Benson talked about peer teamwork, Catherine and Peter answered questions, while I tried to put out fires (Not enough tape, glue sticks, everything!)
To make a long story short or a little shorter -WOW. In the next hour teachers built and raced dragsters, built solar cars and took them outside to run, built propeller cars (Oh to the teacher that tried her car and it would not work. Try it again on a hard surface not the carpet. I should have mentioned it but forgot!), built and launched straw rockets, talked about robotics, and tried quick probeware labs. I think it was fun for all but I saw teachers laughing, playing, talking to strangers, and just acting like kids with new toys!
Teachers- Explore what is out in the education activity world. Talk to companies that help you and make materials you use in your classroom. Learn a new idea every month and try it out with your students. Help sponsor or promote a teacher experience in your area.
Finally:
1. Companies mentioned above you should be very proud of your representatives that participated in this workshop.
2. Companies thank you for your support of time, materials, and door prizes.
3. To the parents of Peter and Catherine- They were excellent in every way!
4. Dave, Leslie, Manuel, Jacob, Bill, Scott, Virginia, Kristie thank you for helping me be a better presenter.
5. Catherine and Peter, your performance was exceptional!
