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!

Comments

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…

Student Technology Showcase Post

Each year, student teams and their teachers from around the state participate in the AT&T/MACUL/MVU Student Technology Showcase, an event held at the State of Michigan Capitol Building. This year’s Student Technology Showcase took place on December 7, representing 34 schools across Michigan. It was an opportunity for teachers and students to present to lawmakers classroom technology projects designed and created by students at all levels of K-12 education. Through these demonstrations our lawmakers see the importance of technology integration into the classroom firsthand, hearing straight from students themselves. The event was also a chance for teams to move about the rotunda of the Capitol to explore the work of teams from other districts. These new connections helped students grow their digital literacy knowledge while discovering the possibilities of other technology integrations into school projects and curriculum. For most students, this was their first experience meetin…

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…

#BRESA Tech Talk

Search This Blog