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…

Using Social Media for Yourself and Your Students

Everyday in America, students and teachers alike sit through many lectures racing to keep up with the information that is being presented in order to have complete notes. In the process, you are only hearing every third word and are missing key concepts that are being shared. How many of you have left PD sessions with hand cramps? Think about how your students feel!

There is an answer to this problem that can be found in the use of social media. Through tools such as Twitter, note taking becomes an interactive activity rather than a menial task of writing fast. “Now wait” you say, “Twitter is blocked in my district”. No worries, I have you covered. Social media does not always have to be Twitter and Facebook. Any time that you can use a site to interact with each other, you are using a social media tool. Sites such as www.todaysmeet.com , and www.padlet.com allow you similar functions as Twitter in terms of communicating with others.

Let’s take TodaysMeet.com. This site is designed fo…

Start the New Year with a Plan for Screen Time

Few word combinations provide a sinking feeling for parents quite so quickly as ‘screen time’. Maybe
college tuition, but if your house is anything like mine, screen time is the more pressing issue. With two
elementary and two middle school children, along with my own technology habits, dealing with screen
time can seem overwhelming. Here’s a few strategies to make 2019 the year YOU control the screen!

In May 2018 the American Academy of Pediatrics provided ‘Children and Media Tips.’ There are
several practical reminders such as establishing limits, being a positive example and establishing tech-
free zones in the house. The point that really resonated with me was to not use the technology as an
emotional pacifier; that tech time should not equal alone time. Young children learn and develop
through social interactions and play. Play is much more complex than just a swipe and a tap!

In an updated position statement the National Association for the Education of Young People
acknow…

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