Copernicus STEAM Learning Lab - CSLL

Join us on Friday, 24 March, at 4pm via Zoom, as Scratch co-developer Dr. Yasmin Kafai discusses:

"Computational Thinking 2.0: Directions for the Future of Computing Education"

Register for log-in details. It's free!
https://umassd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAqf-utqDkiHNO8Ba0cIvn2clXcfRCZ7svb?fbclid=IwAR3R1bmL2AtBPEMY9Sh-hc4aDcKDgoaUdG2Vz2uqwXuLBAzhuCy0pxUARPU&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Dr. Kafai partnered with MIT Media Laboratory's Mitchel Resnick, 20 years ago, researching and developing Scratch, the networked and media-rich programming environment that develops technological fluency among students ages 8+.

Since those early days, this creative learning tool has introduced computer science programming and and empowered a generation of young people in over 140 countries. Scratch promotes computational thinking and problem solving skills; creative teaching and learning; self-expression and collaboration; and equity in computing. Scratch is always free and is available in more than 70 languages.

We hope you will take part in this opportunity to refresh and expand your approaches to helping your students build their creative computing skills.

Dr. Kafai welcomes questions during this interactive talk, so please make an effort to join the call live.

Please join on Friday, March 24th at 4pm to hear Dr. Yasmin Kafai speak about Computational Thinking 2.0: Directions for the Future of Computing Education. This event is FREE and the link to register is in the comments.

Quinceañera!

Scratch Celebration — Scratch Foundation This year marks the 15th Anniversary of Scratch, the world’s largest free creative coding platform for kids (8-16). We hope you’ll join us on May 19, 2022 between 6 and 7:30 pm ET and May 20th, 2022 between 8 and 9:30am for a 15th Anniversary Scratch Celebration during Scratch Week.

BEE smart!

Register NOW for Kaput Center’s next guest lecture. Zoom in and learn!

Bridging biology and computer science…

Registration link in comments.

Bee part of the growing interdisciplinary STEAM hive!

Kaput Center presents Dr. Robert Gegear "The Bio-CS Bridge: A Transdisciplinary Team Approach to Integrating Biology and Computer Science in High School Curricula", Friday, April 29th 4-5pm via Zoom (pre-registration required; link in the comments)

Abstract: Pollinators are declining at an unprecedented rate worldwide for unknown reasons. These declines pose a significant threat life on our planet due to the critical role that pollinators play in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity. The Beecology citizen science research project aims to improve pollinator conservation efforts in North America through the rapid collect of ecological data on species at risk. I will discuss how the Beecology Project is being used to create a fully integrated STEM+C high school curriculum (the BIO-CS Bridge) that combines scientific practices such as experimental design and hypothesis testing with computational thinking and skills such as modeling, simulation, and systems approaches to biology. I will also highlight and demonstrate some of the freely available BIO-CS Bridge educational tools that we have developed for teachers, which include a mobile webapp, computer simulations, online data visualization tools, and other online resources. This work provides a blueprint for the use of transdisciplinary team science to develop highly effective integrated curriculum in many content areas.

Register TODAY...then share this with your circles!

Join in and learn as Dr. Zandra de Araujo explains her, "...research with students classified as English learners, teachers using flipped mathematics instruction, and professional learning opportunities for teachers."

The Kaput Center presents Dr. Zandra de Araujo, (Re) Examining Assumptions, Friday, April 8th 4-5pm via Zoom (link to pre-register for event is in the comments)

Abstract: Humans make assumptions. Many times, these assumptions may be passed along and turn into powerful narratives, whether true or not. In this talk I’ll look at some assumptions we have in mathematics education and the ways in which my research has caused me to rethink these assumptions. In particular, I’ll focus on my research with students classified as English learners, teachers using flipped mathematics instruction, and professional learning opportunities for teachers.

Bio: Zandra de Araujo started her career as a high school mathematics teacher. Currently, she is the Chief Equity Officer and Math Principal at the University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning. Prior to her current position, she was an associate professor at the University of Missouri. Her research focuses on teachers’ curriculum use, particularly with English learners. She is a board member in NCTM and TODOS, the author of numerous mathematics education publications, the creator of the Mathematically Educated blog, and the co-creator of the Two-Minute Teacher's Guide.

Register -- NOW!
Tune-in...it's free!
Hear about inspiring ideas to engage students of all ages.
STEAM-learning knits together the arts and the sciences -- in FUN, engaging, and productive ways. E-textiles is an ideal platform to sprout interest in the STEM + Arts content areas.

The Kaput Center Presents Dr. Deborah Fields, Friday, March 25th 4-5PM (prior registration required). The Colloquium will be live on Zoom.
Title: E-textiles in Schools: Curriculum, Teaching, and Results of
Putting Making in Computing Classrooms
Registration link is in the comments. Registration is free!

NUWC Division Newport scientist paying it forward as FIRST Robotics Competition team mentor By NUWC Division Newport Public Affairs Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team lead mentor Rick Blight approvingly looked on as some of the 22 program participants gazed in amazement as engineer Gary Huntress demonstrated the warfare center’s ro...

Our USA kids can learn a lot from their peers in Goa, India.

Their project, using MIT Media Lab Scratch tools hits very close to home as they've designed a mobile app to help their local tourism based economy! Congrats to these bright students and their teachers!

Goan student wins Nat ‘Google Code To Learn Contest 2021’ National champion Venkatesh Dempo presented his mobile app titled ‘Tourism De Goa’ and finalist Viraj Marathe presented 'Covi companion'

The UK loves Raspberry Pi...an amazing tech learning tool that can be used by all ages...from simple projects to complex platforms

Astronaut Tim Peake championed it during his time on the International Space Station...

https://www.cityam.com/raspberry-pi-raises-33m-in-funding-round/

Raspberry Pi maker attracts £33m in funding round The charitable foundation behind the Raspberry Pi, a bestselling, British personal computer, has closed a $45m (£33m) funding round.

Creative thinking skills are needed to be successful -- in all fields.
Science, tech, engineering, and MATH paths cry out for BETTER prepared high school grads. It starts with the youngest students...loving what they learn!

Johns Hopkins, Bloomberg Philanthropies Announce $150M Effort to Fuel STEM Diversity - The Washington Informer Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg Philanthropies have announced the launch of the Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative that addresses historic underrepresentation in STEM fields.

Proposed all-girls elementary school for Rochester would center around ‘STEAM’ topics ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A new all-girls elementary school (K-6) could be opening in the City of Rochester, come Fall of 2022. The proposed charter school would focus on STEAM-related topics …

Worth the time...

Teaching the concept of time: A steam-based program on computational thinking in science education (2018). Teaching the concept of time: A steam-based program on computational thinking in science education. Cogent Education: Vol. 5, No. 1, 1507306.

Excellent STEAM book list for kids of all ages!

30 Best Engineering Books for Kids - Teaching Expertise Have you ever found yourself struggling to get your child interested with STEAM? Do you find it difficult to get them to engage with engineering, or to apply

The music plays on...even while virtually learnIng.
A New Jersey teacher created this project using Scratch!
It has gone viral.
Teachers as far away as New Zealand are tuned in!

Scratch - Imagine, Program, Share Make games, stories and interactive art with Scratch. (scratch.mit.edu)

News from Utah...
When adults participate in Scratch Coding professional development -- everyone wins!

BootUp Professional Development to Participate in 2021 AASA National Conference on Education BootUp will Showcase K-5 Program Success and Expansion of Computer Science into Leading Districts, including Chicago PS, Dallas ISD, and Shelby County SD

Creative Computing -- connects kids!

Samaira Mehta shows other kids the fun of coding by inventing board games 12-year-old founded a company to make board games that teach kids to code.

More Scratch coding news...from India!

How the UpSchool Project is teaching languages to kids stuck out of school — and making it count! UpSchool Project is teaching coding languages, Hindi and Tamil to kids aged between 8 and 13. We get you the details about their live online classes

Raye Montague: The "Hidden Figure" Who Revolutionized Naval Ship Design This trailblazing engineer became the first person in history to design a Naval ship using a computer.