Time To Discover… An Exciting Free Spring Virtual Conference!

http://blog.discoveryeducation.com

Welcome to this midweek post filled with information about a special conference that has the power to enrich your learning environment. In this post I want to make you aware of a the Free Spring Virtual Conference brought to you from  the people at Discovery Education, an industry leader in education. The date for this conference  is Saturday, April 24… the time will be 9:00 AM EDT – 4:00 PM  EDT. I have checked the line up,  and I am  certain you will find  sessions that will apply to 21st Century Education. Read On … Mike

Imagine the opportunity to attend sessions on constructing and maintaining professional learning networks, becoming a networked learner, discovering how  digital media and technology can engage and benefit students from all backgrounds, differentiating instruction, solving real problems while composing music, making movies and learning about others  using live video, and exploring how technology has affected women in Iraq. Best of all you can be an engaged conference attendee right form your own home. Perhaps you wish to attend one session, or all of them!  Best of all they are free!

Take a moment to check out this outstanding conference filled with a group of quality and informative presenters. The line up below is slated to start on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 9:00 AM EDT . You can register at this address.

9:00 AM:  Connections, Conversations, and Collaborations: Creating a Personal Learning Network That Works For You –  DEN Guru Lee Kolbert. Explore online tools where you can reach out to connect and build your own Personal Learning Network (PLN), tailored to your needs. In fact her Geeky Momma’s Blog recently won a Top 50 Innovative Educators Award,  an award I also received  for my blog  After looking at her highly engaging and informative Blog,  I am excited to see her presentation.

10:00 AM:  Homework Gone Digital – Discovery Education’s Matt Monjan will share  how to differentiate your instruction and connect with your students using the Discovery Education Student Center.

11:00 AM: When You’re Not the Smartest Person in the Room. – Dean Shareski will make the case that everyone needs to be a networked learner.

12:00 PM: Cell Phones, Internet and Oprah:  How the US Presence in Iraq Has Affected Women’s Lives – an interesting journey with  Christina Asquith,  author of the brilliant and extraordinary book  “Sisters in War: A Story of Love, Family and Survival in the New Iraq”. Check out these excellent reviews.

1:00 PM: Connecting Language Learners to the Curriculum through Digital Media – Discovery Education’s  Lindsay Hopkins will explore Discovery Education through the lens of Language Learners and see how digital media and technology can engage and benefit students from all backgrounds.

2:00 PM:  Rock OUR World – DEN STAR Carol Anne McGuire will Rock OUR World by sharing how K-12 students have rocked their world by solving real problems while composing music, making movies and learning about each other in live video conferences.

3:00 PM: DEN in Ten –  DEN’s Lance Rougeux will close the day with an overview of  all of the benefits the DEN offers and take a look at the many events planned for 2010.

Reminder that along with virtual attendance via the internet, there will also be physical locations. Check this link for locations and further information.  Remember, the entire conference is free…  but I guarantee it will be rich in information!  Thanks for joining me on this midweek post. As always, feel free to follow me on twitter at (@mjgormans). Also please take a moment to subscribe to this blog by email or RSS. You are also invited to visit my 21centuryedtech Wiki!  Have a wonderful weekend and hope to see you online! – Mike

Free STEM And PBL Resources From Discovery Education and Siemens

What an appropriate time to  celebrate the NSTA Conference with a tribute to an awesome collection of  STEM resources! For those not familiar with STEM education, imagine the power in combining Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math into a program that brings cross curricular understanding with real world application. Those familiar with Daniel Pink even understand the importance of a fine arts contribution to STEM. Now combine the outstanding and first rate resources of Siemens Corporation and Discovery Education. Welcome to a posting that highlights a great web site based on STEM, PBL, and 21st Century education!  Don’t miss any part of this posting, including the conclusion which includes what may be the best free professional development opportunity for STEM educators this summer! As always feel free to follow me on twitter at (@mjgormans) and I will be sure to follow you back and we can learn from one another! You are also invited to visit my 21centuryedtech Wiki! Please enjoy and share this post with others! Have a great week! – Mike

I have been working with STEM education and Project Based Learning for over ten years! I have presented on this topic at  regional and national conferences along with facilitating in-service at various schools. When I first visited the Siemen’s STEM Academy I was amazed at the resources already collected in the short time this website has been online.  It is evident, as stated in the website, “Siemens is committed to supporting the next generation of scientists, engineers, and business leaders through multiple educational initiatives.” Additionally, Discovery Education has a reputation of delivering not only a diverse and highly engaging streaming service, but also a commitment to programs that are transforming classroom instruction across the nation.

The first thing you may notice are links to some STEM activities that have been well known for their past success. This includes the  Siemens Competition which allows high school students to gain national recognition as they explore Math, Science & Technology with challenging research. Visit Siemens Science Day where elementary students can make slime, create creatures, or forecast a funnel cloud. The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge empowers students in all grades to participate in the only national challenge to develop and share environmental ideas that just might just change the world. The Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement encourages advanced placement students today to advance innovation for tomorrow.

Perhaps you want to check out the Professional Development Webinar Page featuring upcoming webinars such as;  Getting Started with Project Based Learning with Jennifer Dorman on April 8,  7 PM ET and Layers of Learning with Google Earth with Brad Fountain May 4, 7 PM ET. Take a look at the outstanding archive of ready to watch webinars including;  How Math Can Solve Everyday Problems, Using Technology To Create New Knowledge,  Top Ten STEM Resources,  STEM Connect with Michio Kaku, Live Green Webinar #1,  Live with Mr. Wizard!,  Summer School – Science Week, The Science of Hurricanes and Go Wild: Animal Planet’s Jeff Corwin Talks About Environmental Education in the Age of Technology. There are more webinars planned for the future!

Another important area to visit is the Resource Page.  It contains quality information and lessons that will assist teachers in the implementation of STEM lessons and 21st century learning.  Teachers can share their favorite lesson plans, tips, tricks, ideas, presentations, websites, videos and other STEM related resources that may prove useful for others who want to expand their classroom materials.   Subjects include Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics,  and Integration. Once again, this site is relatively new and while there is over one hundred resources available already, it is bound to grow! One example, check out this entertaining video that teaches students major concepts about rocks? (You may need to sign up to view)  Be sure to visit the STEM Blog packed with current and cutting edge  STEM ideas and news information. Blog content is contributed by Discovery Education’s Patti Duncan and Lance Rougeux.  At the Blog you can learn about National Lab Day and take time to view this video including a message from the President. The Blog links to some great STEM related resources such as this ESchool News Article on STEM education resources. This Blog will prove to be a valuable resource as you look for information to use and share with others while investigating the growing STEM movement.

Are you looking for what may be one of the best free professional development opportunities for educators interested in STEM this summer? If  you are looking to bolster STEM learning in your classroom, want access to top STEM scientists, thought-leaders, and innovators, and want to network with like minds across the country, then apply today to attend the Siemens STEM Institute.  The application deadline is April 16, 2010. The Siemens STEM Institute is described as ” a one-of-a-kind immersion program that promotes hands-on, real-world integration of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in the classroom.” You, or a colleague you pass this on to, could be one of fifty teachers selected as a STEM Fellows to attend this all expenses-paid, week-long (Aug. 1-6) professional development experience. The event will be hosted at the world headquarters of Discovery Communications, located just outside of the nation’s capitol, in Washington D.C. The week will be filled with guest speakers at the forefront of STEM, field trips to leading institutions where Fellows will observe real-world applications of STEM subject matter, and opportunities for networking and collaborating with peers from across the nation. In addition to broad-based STEM applications, each Fellow will be assigned to a thematic working group that will provide additional deep-dive exposure. Take a look at an agenda that any serious STEM educator would want to be a part of!

It is time you take a moment and discover what Discovery Education and Siemens have created to facilitate our student’s success in the Twenty-first Century! As more educators understand the value of STEM education, Discovery Education and Siemens will join that necessary and important partner, which is you and your students!  Take a moment to register for free and explore the world of STEM education and real Inquiry – Project Based Learning!

Thanks for joining me on another journey dedicated to learning in the Twenty-first Century! Please share resources you find that promote STEM education! It truly is an exciting time to be an educator!  As always feel free to follow me on twitter at (@mjgormans) and I will be sure to follow you back and we can learn from one another! You are also invited to visit my 21centuryedtech Wiki!  Please enjoy and share this post with others!  Have a great week! – Mike