Topic - Teacher Spotlight

Easy Science Experiments on the Carnival of Education

Every once in a while I stumble across a new resource or website and say, “Why didn’t I know about this before now?” If you’re a teacher and you don’t know about The Carnival of Education, check it out! As I understand it, the Carnival of Education is hosted on a new education site each week, and it has an amazing readership. Brew a second pot of coffee because once you start reading, you’ll get roped in for a few hours (each time you check it out).

Not Your Typical Mentos Geyser Video

There are literally thousands of online videos featuring the Mentos Geyser experiment, but this video is worth a few minutes of your time. It’s a first-class video produced by Mr. Delos Santos and his third grade class at Stone Ranch Elementary in San Diego, California.

Mr. Santos says that the project first started out as just a science experiment for the unit on Matter, but quickly grew into a much bigger project. But it’s not just a video, the class created their own “Fizz”ical Science website. “The largest challenge in producing a project like this is being able to engage all students in the digital learning process. Teaching them the proper technique and how to convey their message in a clear and systematic way was another challenging aspect of our project,” according to Mr. Santos.

Here’s the best part… The video has been nominated for an iVIE (Innovative Video in Education) Award! The award ceremony will take place on May 20th, and we’ll keep you posted.

BUT… We held our own screening earlier today and our staff would like to present Mr. Delos Santos’ third grade class with our own video

Boot Camp Update – Dedicated Teachers in Pittsburgh Area

We just wrapped up the final leg of our teacher boot camp tour with workshops in Pittsburgh and New York. While everyone on the team is exhausted, the one thing that keeps the energy high is meeting other teachers who are truly making a difference. I met teachers in both cities who paid to come to boot camp on their own – no funding from their schools or the district. I asked the same question you’re probably asking, “Why did you do it?” One self-funded teacher in the Pittsburgh workshop described answered with this…

I’m a professional who believes that training is important. I think that teachers who isolate themselves to their classroom never grow. I really enjoy teaching science and I came to the workshop to find new ways to get my kids fired up. Once my Principal sees the results, she’ll support more and more. I know it.

It’s tough to believe that we work in a profession where our leaders don’t believe in or support professional staff development, but I can’t help but be inspired by her dedication to teaching and to her students.

I also

Teachers Appreciate Messy Gifts!

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4 – 10, and the actual Teacher Appreciation DAY is May 6th! These dates are nearly upon us, and it’s time to be thinking about what kind of appreciation you want to show your children’s teachers.

Let me give you a few hints: Your child’s teacher already has enough mugs, pins, Christmas ornaments, knick-knacks, and pretty much anything that says “World’s Greatest Teacher.” After teaching for just a few years, most teachers could probably start up a gift shop with that stuff.

What your child’s teacher wants is something he/she can USE! Teachers love gift certificates, for example, and a gift certificate for the Steve Spangler Science Store might be the best thing to EVER HAPPEN to any teacher, EVER.

Seriously, teachers really don’t want another plaque, no matter how catchy it might be. Teachers want things they can use, and if it’s something they can use with their students, that’s even BETTER!

El Centro Teachers Hooked on Science

Imagine a room filled with 183 energetic early childhood teachers and you’ll know how fortunate I was to present our Hands-on Science Secrets workshop in El Centro, California. Heather Vessey-Garcia worked for almost a year to plan every detail of the event… down to lightning fast on-site registration and a killer lunch (always important when teachers are showing up on a Saturday). Speaking of Saturday, I can’t begin to thank all of the participant for taking their personal time on the weekend to attend the workshop, but this shouldn’t surprise anyone who works with early childhood educators. The El Centro teachers were eager to learn about new activities for their children and to share some of the things that are working best for them right now.

As always, if you attended the workshop, I’d invite to share a comment on ways you’re using the materials and information with your students… but don’t blame me for making a mess with the Mentos and Diet Coke eruption.