Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

KinderLab Robotics Debuts AI Curriculum for Young Learners

Waltham, MA – KinderLab Robotics, a leader in educational STEAM robotics for grades pre-K–5, has launched Thinking with KIBO: Introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Early Grades, a free curriculum designed to help students understand how AI tools work and think critically about how these tools can improve lives in their communities.

Designed for students in grades 1–3, each of the lessons allow students to explore fundamental ideas about AI through activities with the hands-on and screen-free KIBO robot. Thinking with KIBO engages with computer science concepts in K–5, alongside evolving content standards in artificial intelligence. The curriculum is ideal for a 5–6 week unit in computer science or technology/media classes, as well as afterschool programs, enrichment centers, libraries, makerspaces, and more.

“We can make advanced and abstract ideas like AI accessible to young kids when we stick with what works in early childhood: hands-on experience with physical manipulatives and playful opportunities for self-directed knowledge construction,” said Jason Innes, director of curriculum, training, and product management at KinderLab Robotics. “KIBO provides a research-proven method to explore computer science, engineering, and now AI concepts in early childhood STEM education.” …Read More

North Dakota to require computer science for all K-12 students

North Dakota has become the first state to require computer science and cybersecurity education for all K-12 students.

Gov. Doug Burgum and North Dakota School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler celebrated the governor’s signing of HB1398, which requires the teaching of computer science and cybersecurity and the integration of these content standards into school coursework from kindergarten through 12th grade. Baesler said North Dakota is the first state in the nation to approve legislation requiring cybersecurity education.

“Today is the culmination of years of work by stakeholders from all sectors to recognize and promote the importance of cybersecurity and computer science education in our elementary, middle and high schools,” Baesler said at the bill’s signing ceremony on March 24.…Read More

Discovery Education and Boeing Present a New Virtual Field Trip for Students Exploring STEM and Robotics in Aviation Manufacturing 

Charlotte, NC — Discovery Education and Boeing present a new virtual experience – Manufacturing the Future of Aviation Virtual Field Trip – to show students how STEM makes aviation manufacturing more efficient and safer. This virtual field trip is part of FUTURE U, an award-winning program that provides standards-aligned, hands-on, experiential learning resources that ignite excitement and inspire students to become tomorrow’s innovators. 

Premiering Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. ET and available on-demand, this virtual learning experience transports students to manufacturing centers in Renton, Wash., Portland, Ore., and Salt Lake City, Utah to meet the diverse mechatronics, robotics, and ergonomic engineers at Boeing. During the Manufacturing the Future of Aviation Virtual Field Trip, students discover the revolutionary devices and machines that make modern manufacturing safer, faster, and safer. Learn more and register here. 

“It’s critical for us to do all that we can to get students excited about the careers of the future. This new virtual field trip is another exciting way students can learn more about how important STEM careers are in the aerospace industry–and how fun and rewarding they can be,” said Vice President of Boeing Global Engagement Cheri Carter. …Read More

How to use alternative assessments in the classroom

Did you know that a 5th grade teacher is expected to guide students to mastery of 200 standards each year? Given a typical school year of 180 days, that’s 1.1 standards a day! Of course, standards don’t exactly work like that. You can certainly teach more than one standard a day, but that doesn’t give you time to explore them, unpack them, and revisit them, which is where learning and mastery actually happen. That’s a lot of content to cover, and not much time to do it in.

But this is only the beginning. Not all standards can be treated equally. Some have limited application and require lower levels of critical thinking; others are foundational to future learning and broadly applicable. So, how do we even begin to tackle this mess? How can teachers determine their power standards and assess student mastery in a way that’s both fun and effective?

One way to begin is by utilizing a scoring system to single out the standards that align to the chief priorities in your classroom. Consider implementing the following categories and grading them on a scale of 1–5: …Read More

SkriLab Receives ISTE Seal of Alignment

(Warsaw, Poland) – Skriware, an international edtech company providing schools with equipment and lesson plans that enable practical and hands-on education in the spirit of STEAM, earned the Seal of Alignment from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) for its educational laboratory, SkriLab. This seal of alignment, and Skriware’s sales and marketing partnership with New Ascent Education, marks the company’s expansion into the U.S. education market.

“We are thrilled that Skriware’s entry into the U.S. education market has been preceded by the official ISTE Seal of Alignment. Our solution is well adapted not only to ISTE standards, it has also received the Education Alliance Finland certification,” said Karol Górnowicz, CEO of Skriware. “In Poland, SkriLab is already used by more than 2,500 primary schools (grades 1-8 in U.S. schools). We receive very positive feedback from teachers and school principals, and the reports from the lessons conducted on Skriware equipment provided by the institutions clearly indicate students are more engaged. We hope we will be granted the same opportunity to help teachers raise students’ engagement in STEAM across North America.”

ISTE Seal of Alignment reviews are conducted by a panel of education and instructional experts. By earning a Seal of Alignment, ISTE verifies that SkriLab promotes critical technology skills, supports the use of technology in appropriate ways, contributes to the pedagogically robust use of technology for teaching and learning, and aligns to the ISTE Standards in specific ways as described in the review finding report.…Read More

Discovery Education and Illumina Corporate Foundation Present a New Virtual Field Trip for Students to Explore the Power of DNA

Charlotte, NC — Discovery Education and The Illumina Corporate Foundation today announced a new virtual experience – Genomics: Decoding the Language of Life Virtual Field Trip – to immerse students in grades 6-12 in the power of DNA. Presented by the Illumina Corporate Foundation and Discovery Education, this virtual field trip is part of DNA Decoded, a program designed to inspire students to unlock the power of genomics with ready-to-go, standards-aligned lessons and activities.  

Premiering September 15th at 1 PM ET and available on-demand, this virtual learning experience transports students to the Illumina labs in San Diego, CA to meet real-world experts harnessing the power of the genome to improve lives and support the conservation of the Earth’s natural resources. During the Genomics: Decoding the Language of Life Virtual Field Trip, students will explore the cutting-edge genome sequencing technology that is being used to revolutionize everything from medicine to agriculture to sustainability and much more. Learn more and register here. 

“DNA has not only the potential to transform life, but it can also inspire students to pursue careers in STEM,” said Sharon Vidal, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility. “At Illumina, we are dedicated to fostering opportunities for students in the world of genetic science and to expanding future possibilities for the next generation by putting genomics into action.”   …Read More

Phenix City Schools Awarded Cognia STEM Certification

Phenix City, Ala. (August 4, 2022) — Phenix City Schools (PCS) are now STEM certified, becoming the largest and fourth district in the nation. Every school in the PCS system earned Cognia’s STEM Certification in June.

According to Cognia, its STEM Certification Program, “guides leaders with a specific framework and improvement process, culminating in recognition for programs that demonstrate a strong and effective STEM focus… These standards, which Cognia identified through robust research and extensive observations, focus on characteristics like problem-based experiential learning and the integration of
STEM thinking into a broad range of activities and learning opportunities.”

PCS met and exceeded each of the standards and expectations set forth by Cognia. Cognia recognizes and certifies PCS’ STEM program:…Read More

When it comes to edtech, it’s not about the tools, but how you use them

In this week’s Getting There: Innovations in Education, Editor at Large Kevin Hogan explores how to get the most impact out of the edtech tools in your district.

Also in this podcast:

  • New cyber security standards attempt to help secure district networks through awareness.
  • Dr. Matthew X. Joseph, Executive Director of Learning, Providence Public Schools on the power of human networks.
  • How video creation tools can improve parental relations.
…Read More