Professional Learning Series – Spring 2021
Notes: Educators must register for each individual event.
Date: February 4, 2021
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Session Title: STEM-minded Intro – STEM-minded Resources
Session Description: Join WVDE staff for an interactive tour through the STEM-minded resources. This webinar will include support for educators at all levels seeking to bring a higher level of STEM integration into their classrooms. *This session will be recorded.
Date: February 11, 2021
Registration Link: Click here to register
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 PM
Speaker: DaNel Hogan
Session Title: #STEMontheCheap – Rich, 3-Dimensional Learning Experiences Using Inexpensive Materials
Session Description: Either engineering the world’s best glider using the IDEAS Engineering Journal (available in print and interactive online versions) or using invisible table and household materials to explore static electricity using science practices or wrangling ants and line following lady bugs, there are lots of options for you to help students make sense of the world regardless of their learning environment and your budget (or lack thereof). Join DaNel Hogan from The STEMAZing Project as you experience some of her favorite #STEMontheCheap self-differentiating ideas for PreK-12th grade and think creatively about how to make science and engineering accessible to all students. This meeting will not be recorded so be sure to join us live!
To fully participate in this session, you will need the following items:
- 5 index cards (ruled, 3”x5”)
- Scissors
- Invisible tape (Scotch or similar, ¾” width preferred)
- Two empty aluminum beverage cans
- 5 plastic drinking straws
- Two empty coffee mugs (these will not be damaged)
- Plastic utensils from around your kitchen (these will not be damaged)
- Empty plastic soda bottle (16 oz or larger)
- Polyester or acrylic article of clothing and/or wool sweater or socks
- Writing utensil
- Blank paper or a notebook to record observations
Bio: DaNel Hogan is a professional STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) educator. She taught physics for nine years at the middle and high school levels. As the Director of The STEMAZing Project™ at the Pima County School Superintendent’s Office in Tucson, she currently finds herself teaching educators how to better engage students using STEM content to Cultivate STEM Minds™. DaNel finds her creativity and imagination focused on #STEMontheCheap hacks – using inexpensive materials to teach STEM lessons.
Date: February 17, 2021
Registration Link – Click here to register
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Speaker: Chris Woods, @dailySTEM
Session Title: Building a STEM Culture in your School
Session Description: STEM is not just a class we teach. It’s a culture we build. And after years of talking about STEM as a great thing to include in our schools, we’re at the point where we need to move on from just pulling out some STEM kits and calling it good. We need to build a culture of STEM learning that transcends subject areas, we need to ensure that every kid every day gets to engage with STEM in their classroom and at home. *This session will be recorded.
Bio: Chris Woods has been inspiring kids as a math teacher for 20+ years. In addition to his work in the classroom, Chris authored the book Daily STEM: How to Create a STEM Culture in Your Classrooms & Communities, shares free STEM resources on his website dailystem.com and @dailystem on social media, and is the host of “The STEM Everyday Podcast.” Chris loves finding creative ways to inspire students, especially by adding STEM to the everyday classroom & making STEM accessible to families at home. He believes that STEM is not a class we teach, it’s a culture we build.
Date: March 4, 2021
Registration Link: Click here to register
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Session Title: STEM-minded Intro – Teaching Mindsets and Skillsets
Session Description: Join WVDE staff for a webinar introducing WV educators to the STEM Mindset and Skillset resources. This webinar will include practical applications for including the STEM Mindsets and Skillsets into regular classroom instruction to develop a STEM minded culture. *This session will be recorded.
Date: March 11, 2021
Registration Link: Click here to register
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Speaker: Katie Henry
Session Title: Exploring Micro: Bit
Session Description: Students today and over the next ten years will live through a fundamental transformation of technology in a way never seen in history. The creative and passionate work that will fulfill our students’ dreams and sustain their livelihoods will require the use of micro controllers, automation, and skills necessary to make decisions with technology.
While this may sound impossible for everyday teachers to incorporate into everyday teaching, it isn’t. Let this session be your first step to learn more. We will explore the free virtual micro:bit, a powerful microcontroller used by more than 25 million students worldwide – ages 8 and up. With several sensors onboard (a/b buttons, capacitive touch, microphone, temperature, motion, light) and outputs (sound, light), it’s easy to integrate into a single mini-lesson or across an entire semester. Using recyclables, other electronics, or one of 250 accessories, creative computer science possibilities with the micro:bit are endless. You will leave with super-simple activities that you can try with your students tomorrow – even in a remote teaching situation. These ideas are interdisciplinary and there will be something for everyone. Bring your questions and ideas. This session is absolute-beginner friendly. *This session will be recorded.
Bio: Katie Henry is the Head of Partner Engagement for the Micro:bit Educational Foundation in North America. She has worked in education for ten years, teaching students in kindergarten through college, and training thousands of educators worldwide on the topics of computer science and digital creativity. She is an elementary school classroom teacher (grades K-5) and middle school STEAM teacher (grades 5-8). Katie is a licensed school administrator and computer technology coach. Recently Katie has been invited to join U.S state, federal, and international education policy, and diplomacy efforts. She served on the Women in STEM roundtable discussion at the Pennsylvania governor’s office, as a Pennsylvania delegate to the State-Federal STEM Summit in Washington, DC, and as a U.S. Speaker in Morocco, sponsored by the U.S. State Department.
Date: March 18, 2021
Registration Link: Click here to register
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Session Title: STEM-minded Planning Tool
Session Description: Join WVDE staff for a webinar introducing WV educators to the STEM-minded Planning Tool. This webinar will include practical applications for using the Planning Tool as a guide for transdisciplinary STEM activities. *This session will be recorded.
Date: April 8, 2021
Registration Link: Click here to register
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Session Title: STEM in the Elementary Classroom
Session Description: Join WVDE staff for a webinar about STEM in the elementary classroom. The webinar will include information about the importance of STEM in the early years of education and practical applications for integration in the elementary classroom. *This session will be recorded.
Date: April 20, 2021
Time: Multiple, see below
Speaker: Dacia Jones, a.k.a. Dr. Drizzle
Session Descriptions:
K-5 event (April 20, 2021, 8:30 – 9:15 AM): Elementary School Sustainability Development STEM Challenge – Students will dive into the New River National Park and solve real-world problems that can help sustain the part. These sessions will include “on-demand” STEM challenges designed for elementary students. *This session will be recorded.
Registration Link: Click here to register
6-12 event (April 20, 2021, 10:00 – 10:45 AM): Middle and High School Sustainability Development STEM Challenge STEM Challenge – Students will dive into the New River National Park and solve real-world problems that can help sustain the part. These sessions will include “on-demand” STEM challenges designed the middle and high school students. *This session will be recorded.
Registration Link: Click here to register
Teacher Professional Learning (April 20, 2021, 3:00 – 5:00 PM): Join Dacia Jones for an immersive experience of best practices that integrate content areas into the Sustainability Development Challenges (SDGs). *This session will be recorded.
Registration Link: Click here to register
Bio: Dacia Jones (@dacia92), also known as Dr. Drizzle, is an internationally recognized educator who travels the country inspiring teachers and administrators alike to integrate STEM into everyday instruction. A regular presented at marquee education events such as NSTA, ISTA, and SXSW EDU, Dacia has been empowering educators to engage students through STEM for more than 20 years. She is known world-wide for her innovative approach to learning and is passionate about building relationships, building the culture of STEM, and building capacity. You can find more information about Dacia at http://www.daciajones.com/ and www.expeditionsineducation.org.