Tech Tip #13 - Hot Wheels Speedometry Kit for FREE!

Welcome to our final 'tech tip' of the school year! We will begin regularly posting tips when the students return after Labor Day.

A definite theme of ours this year has been making. We feel there is a definite value to creating and making something in the classroom. Our recent Southwest Michigan Mini Maker Faire was attended by over 1200 people who made over 200 Nerdy Derby Vehicles, launched 150 rockets, and 100 of them learned to solder.

Taking that making mentality and making learning hands-on is nothing new. John and I both recently received a great kit meant to support later elementary students with math and science ... from Hot Wheels. In fact, Hot Wheels is GIVING AWAY a speedometry kit for free to any 4th grade teacher that applies here. Each kit includes the following materials.

40 Hot Wheels® diecast cars
16 orange loops
16 track clamps
64 track connectors
100+ feet of orange track

Lessons for using the kit are Common Core and Next Generation Science Standard aligned and some contain YouTube videos to help guide classrooms as well. While the focus is on Grade 4, you could utilize this kit at many levels. Berrien RESA now has two available to support your classrooms, feel free to contact John or I for more information. Have a great summer!

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Getting Started with 3D Printing: Part 1

By now, it is likely that you have seen or heard of the concept of 3D printing. The easiest way to think of it is taking a 3D model off of the computer and turning it into a real life product. 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process so there is very little waste when you make objects.

When you decide to get started yourself, it can be VERY overwhelming trying to figure out which 3D printer to buy and how to even begin. In this series of blog posts, I intend to share some first hand tips on how to make that process easier and help you avoid some mistakes that I have made.

Finding a Printer

Congratulations, you have examined your educational goals and figured out that a 3D printer would be a good fit for you and your students! Expect that you will need to have a budget of approx. $700 to $1000 to get started. That would include the cost of the machine, and a spool of filament.

Here at the RESA we have a RoStock MAX v2 ($1000 for the kit) and a Polar 3D printer ($600.) There…

Google My Maps

You may have noticed that 'Google My Maps' have shown up in your google drive. I was able to attend a session at MACUL's Googlefest this past month and picked up some great tips from Kelly Kermode, a technology coach for Forest Hills Schools.
Below is an overview on how to import data into a Google My Map. Once you have mastered this skill there are numerous practical uses to explore! ______________________________________________________________________________
Here is what the finished map looked like based on the data that I imported. I was alerted that there were several rows unable to be mapped - I went in and checked for grammar and was able to resolve this issue. I could also have chosen to place the pins manually by selecting one from above and placing it where I wanted. _________________________________________________________________________

Google My Maps provide a great tool for building geographic awareness. Students could create a walking tour of thei…

How one C.I. Classroom approached Robotics - and What I Learned from Them

I learned today that the state of Michigan has 411 teams registered for the just launched FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics season. California is in a distant second place with 258 teams. The robots these teams create are designed, built, and tested by students to complete a challenge while competing against other teams. They are impressive to see in person. Maybe too impressive.

I think that teachers often hear the term 'robotics' and believe they do not possess the skills needed to teach students this concept. Some see a shiny finished product and forget the process involved. Some are afraid to learn alongside their students. And some just do not know where to start. Hopefully this post will give you some ideas.

Steve Swenson and Cindy Chaney teach a cognitively impaired classroom in Berrien Springs Middle School. They reached out to Berrien RESA inquiring about materials we had to support robotics. I sat down and talked abo…

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