Blog - Inventionland Education

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nfield

The Basics of Digital Citizenship

Oct 21, 2020, 6:00:49 AM

The broad definition of Digital Citizenship is the ability to use technology and the internet in a safe and meaningful way. Whether a student is attempting to do research for a project or they’re engaging in a conversation on social media, they’re either engaging in good or bad digital citizenship practices. This is something that will affect students both academically and personally and, due to the predominantly online nature of school this year, it’s crucial now more than ever that you impart the responsibility of Digital Citizenship on your students.

The Flipped Classroom Model

Oct 7, 2020, 6:00:24 AM

A Flipped Classroom Model involves flipping the traditional student roles both in and out of the classroom. The typical learning model involves lecturing & teaching ideas in the classroom and then assigning papers, worksheets, and discussion questions for students to take home. In the Flipped Classroom Model, however, the opposite approach is employed.

Classroom Safety Tips & DIY Supplies

Aug 21, 2020, 4:56:50 AM

Our team has been working hard to put together some crucial safety tips for the upcoming school year. One major way you can maximize the safety in your classroom is by using desk dividers. All this means is creating a physical barrier between students’ desks in order to avoid and spit or sneeze particles jumping from one desk to another (yuck). There are many different models that you could work with so it all depends on how you set up your classroom.

Magic Maker Storage Bins

Aug 11, 2020, 6:00:05 AM

Magic Maker Storage Bin (def): a bin or crate (in the classroom or at home) that includes scraps, recycled materials, and craft supplies that can be utilized for Maker projects. Common side effects of including a Magic Maker Storage Bin in your classroom could include increased creativity, a newfound interest in repurposing, and a surge of confidence and collaborative learning.

Balancing Screen Time and STEAM Time

Jul 7, 2020, 6:00:15 AM

Every parent knows how difficult it can be to tear your child away from their screens. You’ve likely tried to start a conversation with your child amidst their favorite show only to be met with shushes or complete silence. You’ve also likely walked into a room and witnessed your child engaging with three layers of screens all at once: TV, laptop, phone. As much as you wish your child was more passionate about STEM/STEAM passions, you just can’t seem to get them interested or engaged. Well, there are techniques you can integrate into your house that will allow your kids to get both the screen time they crave and the STEAM time that they’ll soon come to love.

Hour of Innovation: An Online-Learning Resource

May 14, 2020, 6:00:38 AM

Prior to this era of social distancing, Inventionland Institute periodically hosted a free workshop offering Act 28 credits to educators called their Day of Innovation. The program involved giving teachers and educators the opportunity to tour Inventionland’s immersive work environment, network with one another, and learn new STEM/STEAM activities that they could take with them and implement in their classroom. Once at-home learning became mandatory and those seminars were put on hold, however, Inventionland Institute quickly realized how tough this transition would be for educators. Teachers who have never used online learning will not only have to figure out what tools will allow them to effectively host an online classroom, but also what programs and activities will empower their students to continue to learn in an online setting.

How Students Benefit from Taking Our Course for Multiple Years

Apr 9, 2020, 7:42:19 AM

As developers of education tools, we pride ourselves in empowering students to think independently, work creatively, and learn collaboratively through our STEM curriculum. The course we’ve designed is extremely flexible, putting the power into the hands of students as they develop, build, and advertise their own original product.

3D Printing vs. Laser Cutting: What’s the Difference?

Apr 2, 2020, 6:00:13 AM

If a student or colleague asked you what the difference between a 3D printer and a laser cutter was, what would you say? Is this the type of question you can answer confidently with your head held high, or the type that would have you faking an injury to avoid answering… our students aren’t the only ones who do this, right? As educators, it’s important that we continuously keep up with the latest technological innovations to ensure that we can give our students the proper tools and training to succeed in the real world. The problem is, when you’re outside of the Maker world, resources used to explain these technologies are often technical, daunting, and inaccessible to those in the field of education.

PETE & C Pittsburgh 2020

Mar 20, 2020, 8:00:03 AM

PETE & C or the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference is a statewide event that allows teachers, administrators, and school board members to connect with technology directors and leaders. The conference involves several events from which educators can learn about the upcoming advances in the field of education technology, including keynote speakers, workshops, and hundreds of exhibitors showcasing their technology products and curriculums. We had representatives of our Inventionland Institute Curriculum attend the conference as Exhibitors, giving us the opportunity to both showcase our educational tools and geek out with our fellow educators over innovations in educational technology.

Women’s History Month: Women in STEM

Mar 17, 2020, 6:53:38 AM

We all know the names of inspirational and influential women in our history. Women like Rosa Parks, Marie Curie, Florence Nightingale, Amelia Earhart, Maya Angelou- and many more whose actions and work have dramatically shaped the world we live in. There are, however, some women in STEM fields, both throughout our history and in our present, who haven’t quite become the household names they deserve to be.