The NCCE conference always has tons of options to learn about integrating STEM in your classroom and this years conference is no different! One of the great ways to take a deeper dive with STEM integration is by attending a Workshop at NCCE 2020. The two hour time frame of each workshop gives you a chance to get hands on with the latest educational technology tools. Pair that with our great lineup of workshop presenters and I guarantee you will leave each workshop with new ideas for your classroom. Veterans of the NCCE conference will tell you that it is smart to sign up early as many of the workshops fill to capacity prior to the conference. Below is a preview of each STEM based workshop on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of the conference. If you haven’t registered yet remember, February 5th is the deadline for the early bird rate!
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Wednesday, March 4th
BRINGING ROBOTICS TO ALL SCHOLARS: EXPLORE SPHERO INTEGRATION K-12
In this Sphero robotics workshop, participants will learn how to start, expand, and refine an integrated Sphero robotics program across a district or school in after school programs and/or classroom lessons. In addition, participants will learn how to connect to Sphero robots and the three basic ways to code the Sphero robots, with a main focus on block coding. Exploring Federal Way Public Schools and Sphero Edu created resources, participants will also see first-hand how a district can lead the way to growing community excitement and partnership.
ENGAGE WONDER, ACTIVATE LEARNING, IGNITE ASSESSMENT
Use technology to design personalized, problem-based learning cycle, including performance based assessment. Learn how technology supports implementation of personalized learning, with individual passion projects as well as group inquiry. Take home project ideas, rubrics, and step-by-step activities with needed tech tips to bring depth to both learning and assessment.
ENGAGING STUDENTS WITH AR/VR WITH COSPACES AND MERGE CUBES
Creating AR/VR in the classroom used to be for the big companies but now using CoSpaces, you can help students create their own AR/VR worlds. Transform that boring book report, science project or math assignment into something that will blow their minds.
BALANCING TECHNOLOGY WITH UNPLUGGED OPPORTUNITIES
It’s not always practical to sit kids at computers to teach them the fundamentals of computer science. This workshop will show you how to incorporate unplugged activities into your lessons to provide variety and opportunities for deeper understanding.
ARDUINO OR RASPBERRY PI. WHICH IS THE RIGHT BOARD FOR YOUR CLASS?
Learn easy to use tools including Raspberry Pi 3 Tablet Kits, PodPi kits, and Microbits. Coding with JavaScript, Python, Scratch, and block coding, these tools can be used at any level to suit your classroom needs. Integrating hardware and software has never been easier, even if you don’t know how to code!
CODING AND ROBOTICS WITH DASH, DOT AND CUE
Join Bryan L. Miller, Director of Strategic Education Outreach, as you go hands-on and learn how you can bring coding and robotics to your classroom, in a fun way! In this workshop you will have the opportunity to explore Wonder Workshop’s robots, Dash, Dot and Cue through center-based activities. You will walk away excited and ready to code in your classroom!
Bring your phone or camera and join us for a walk through Seattle where we will gather photos that we can use to create and tell stories back in the classroom. Learn tips and tricks, for organizing a photo walk with your students. Photos are a great way for students to show understanding, make connections and synthesize information. (There will be an optional companion session (Creative Ways of Sharing Your Story with Photos) where we take our photos and create stories using maps, collages, and video.)
Getting materials in the hands of students can be difficult. This workshop focuses on high-interest materials and activities that can be reproduced at little to no cost. From 3-D printing without a 3-D printer to building circuits and causing reactions, we will explore how to innovate without breaking the bank.
Thursday, March 5th
INVENTING WITH CARDBOARD CIRCUITS
Paper circuits are fun, but not very robust. Electronic kits are useful, but they’re pretty expensive. Cardboard circuits hit the sweet spot! Learn how to create low-cost materials that students can use to explore basic electronics, integrate into projects, and use with micro controllers such as Micro:bit, Makey Makey, Arduino, and others. Participants will leave with a basic set of materials constructed during the workshop.
CODING AND MINECRAFT: THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!
Come experience the best of both worlds combining Minecraft: Education Edition and Coding. Students will love this combination of game-based learning and coding that can lead to future certifications. You will have the opportunity to unpack the curriculum and experience Minecraft: Education Edition.
HOW TO CHOOSE A MICROCONTROLLER FOR YOUR CLASSROOM
What are all these microcontroller boards and how do I use them?? This workshop covers the basics of common microcontrollers like Arduino, micro:bit, and the Raspberry Pi. Participants will learn about hardware features, software coding languages, and examples of what we can (and can’t) do with them. This workshop is designed for educators looking to decide what microcontrollers to start working with and invest in for their classrooms or other educational environments.
Join us for Appy Hour! This is a fun, informal session for primary educators looking for new strategies for using digital tools with their young learners. Learn about apps and websites created just for littles and HOW to use them for hands-on, student centered learning in the primary classroom. Enjoy snacks and conversation with your peers about meaningful media use while learning more about amazing digital learning tools available for children ages 4-7 for home and school.
Friday, March 6th
ART AND COMPUTER SCIENCE: INTERACTIVE SCULPTURE
Bringing Computer Science together with the generative creative aspect of Art can encourage a larger, more diverse audience to engage in computational thinking, coding, and electrical engineering. Arduino microcontrollers, precise motor control, and light arrays can provide students with a powerful new tool as part of their creative palette. Participants will design and code projects that could be implemented in a class with focus on Art, Computer Science, or Engineering and Design.
LET’S GET ANALOG! – BREADBOARDING 101 WITH LIVING COMPUTER MUSEUM
oin Living Computers: Museum + Labs for a fun, hands-on dive into the basics of circuits and logic! Using a common prototyping tool called a breadboard, you’ll learn how to bring electrical engineering and hardware design into your middle or high school classroom, all in the context of historical computers and video games!. Our educators will show you how to build series and parallel circuits, construct logic gates, and even wire up breadboards to microcontrollers like Arduino or Micro:bit. Leave with all the skills and pro tips you need to immediately begin teaching with breadboards in your school or makerspace.
TOTAL TECH BLUEPRINT: VETTING AND CHOOSING DIGITAL RESOURCES
Does your school need a blueprint for how to vet and choose quality digital resources for classroom digital tools, blended learning, content management systems, and other resources that fit the instructional needs of diverse groups of students? We have it! Come gain guidance in choosing better digital tools to support your instructional program across content areas. In this work session. Participants will have hands-on exploration, and walk through the vetting process on various platforms guided by a comprehensive rubric. Don’t miss it!