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April 20, 2020

STEM Activities for Toddlers | Webinar

STEM Activities for Toddlers is a live, interactive webinar that explores ways to incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concepts into the toddler classroom. The course will discuss hands-on activities, including time outside to learn ways to weave in environmental science.

About the STEM Webinar

Two PQAS hours will be offered. Participants are expected to fully participate with their digital device microphones and cameras on. This is not a log-in and leave event. Arriving 15 minutes late may result in no credit for the session. Please note, no refunds will be provided for cancellation or no show.

Learning Objectives of The STEM Webinar

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

    • identify the elements of STEM;
    • explain why STEM is important in the toddler classroom; and
    • implement activities that incorporate multiple elements of STEM.

Available Date

To access this course, use the link below or enter the event ID on the Pennsylvania PD Registry website.

More Information

For questions, please contact Karen Rucker at 717.314.8368 or krucker@respectingchildren.com. For more events like this, click here. 

*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key

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April 15, 2020

Making and Tinkering at Home and School

Are you interested in learning how to transition your home or school into a making and tinkering environment for your young child(ren)? Join Cate Heroman, author of Making and Tinkering with STEM, and Lianna Kali, Project Director for The Tinkering Studio in San Francisco’s Exploratorium, as they share strategies for delightful investigations to try at home and school.

About

During this webinar, presenters will take a closer look at tinkering with two big ideas–light and shadow play and balls, ramps, and chain reactions. Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance for viewing this live webinar. For those who cannot attend, a recorded version of the presentation will be made available within six to eight weeks.

Registration

To register, visit NAEYC’s event page.

News

April 3, 2020

Distance Learning: How to Support STEM and Physical Activity at Home

Are you interested in learning how to implement STEM activities to keep students learning and engaged at home? Join Kristin Harrington, EdTech Coach from Flager County Schools, on April 9 for the webinar, “Distance Learning: How to Support STEM and Physical Activity at Home.”

About

By attending this webinar, participants will learn:

    • how to balance education with student engagement at home;
    • how to mix STEM and active movement at home;
    • about free tools for mindfulness and SEL for students; and
    • advice on how to support other teachers and staff.

This webinar will be of interest to kindergarten through middle school teachers, librarians, library media specialists, technology integration specialists and coaches, principals, and school and district leaders. There will be time to have your questions answered at the end of the presentation.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.

News

December 6, 2019

$20M in PAsmart Grants Available to Advance STEM and CS Education

On November 25, 2019, Governor Tom Wolf announced that “up to $20 million in PAsmart grants are available to prepare students for the fast-growing fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and computer science (CS).”

About

Governor Tom Wolf has secured $40 million dollars to reinforce his PAsmart initiative, an increase of $10 million from 2018 investments. With this, “the Department of Education will award $20 million for STEM and computer science education through PAsmart Targeted pre-k–12 grants and Advancing grants. The Department of Labor and Industry will soon announce applications for $10 million for apprenticeships and industry partnerships. Funding for career and technical education also increased by $10 million.”

Discussing this initiative, Governor Wolf said that “PAsmart is strategically investing in science and technology education so students get the skills they need for emerging jobs in high demand. The grants encourage businesses and schools to develop partnerships that focus education on the knowledge students will need to succeed in growing industries. Through PAsmart, we are developing the most prepared and talented workforce in the country, which will help students excel, grow the middle class, and strengthen the economy for everyone.”

Grant Details

PAsmart Targeted Pre-k–12 Grants

The initiative will be issuing PAsmart Targeted pre-k–12 grants of up to $35,000 each with the intention to “meet the needs of local education agencies and their schools that have limited to no computer science offerings and did not receive targeted grants in 2018-19.” By receiving these grants, schools have the opportunity to “introduce and expand computer science programming and to provide educators from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 with training and professional development to teach CS.” With this, the grants will provide “greater opportunities for students of color, low-income students, and girls to learn critical skills needed to succeed in today’s workforce.”

PAsmart Advancing Grants

A larger PAsmart Advancing grant of up to $500,000 each will also be available, with the intention to “support cross-sector partnerships that provide quality STEM and CS experiences to learners of all ages – early childhood, pre-k–12, post-secondary, and adult learners – as part of high-level strategic approaches to workforce readiness.”

Application Deadlines

    • PAsmart Targeted Pre-k–12 Grant: Friday, December 20, 2019
    • PAsmart Advancing Grant: Friday, January 10, 2020

Grant applications and additional information can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) website.

More Information

For more information, read the full press release.

*Information provided by the Office of Governor Tom Wolf

News

July 16, 2019

Parent-Child Interaction

Are you looking to engage in an educational experience with your young child? Join other caregivers and their young children for creative STEM-based activities. Together, parent and child will interact with each other and socialize with other families to grow, learn, and play!

Learn More

To learn more, contact Neil Walker at 412.728.2892 or neil@tryingtogether.org.

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July 2, 2019

Supporting Math Skills with Developmentally Appropriate Music Activities

Join Music Together on July 10 for an edWebinar exploring opportunities to support young children’s emerging math skills with developmentally appropriate music activities.

About

In this edWebinar, participants will learn about developmentally appropriate music and movement activities that naturally support children’s exploration of math concepts, including pattern, sequence, representation, proportion, and opposites. Participants will be introduced to new songs and chants they can use in their work with children, hear about research on the topic, and see ways to lead music experiences with young children.

This edWebinar will be of interest to educators working with toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners. Time for questions will be provided.

Register

To register and learn more about this edWebinar, visit the event page.

News

May 1, 2019

STEM All Hands on Tech: Robot Playground

Join the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Carrick branch for a day of experimentation, play, and learning by exploring interactive technology and a variety of robots. STEM All Hands On Tech programs support learning and literacy by introducing children to technology. This event is intended for children in grades pre-k to 5.

Questions

For questions, contact Jon Antoszewski at 412.381.6543 or antoszewskijo@carnegielibrary.org.

This location is handicap accessible. See the event page.

News

Leap into Science! Workshop

Professionals and community members that teach Preschool/School Age children and/or families are invited to join a national network for science and literacy. By joining, you will receive training and materials to lead Leap into Science workshops.

What is Leap into Science?

Leap into Science is a nationwide program developed by the Franklin Institute Science Museum that integrates open-ended science activities with children’s books, designed for children ages 3-10 and their families. The program empowers educators to offer workshops in community settings like libraries, museums, and out-of-school time programs to engage underserved audiences in accessible and familiar settings. Leap into Science provides workshops on a science theme for three possible audiences: early childhood, elementary, and family groups.

Workshops

The Pennsylvania Leap into Science Leadership Team is hosting free training sessions on Leap into Science Wind workshops at the following times and locations:

  • Edinboro, PA: August 22, 2019; 10:00 am – 2:30 pm
  • Williamsport, PA: September 12, 2019; 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
  • Allentown, PA: Oct 1, 2019, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm

Benefits

Each organization who participates in Leap into Science will receive:

  • A 4-hour in-person training on high-quality science and literacy curriculum and facilitation strategies for two or more educators,
  • Ongoing support during program implementation as part of a Leap into Science National Network,
  • Access to the national Leap into Science leadership team and online resources,
  • A curriculum and materials kit (valued at $300), and
  • Web-based training on new curriculum themes in subsequent years

Commitments

As a Leap into Science partner organization, you are committing to:

  • Scheduling and leading at least three (3) Leap into Science workshops for children and/or families living in underserved rural or urban communities by next spring,
  • Posting each workshop to The Connectory, a searchable directory for STEM programs across the country,
  • Leading Leap into Science activities during National Leap into Science Week during the last week of February,
  • Completing a workshop report following each workshop,
  • Participating in quarterly calls with other trained educators in your state, and
  • Completing an annual survey and possible interview.

Registration

To participate in the national network and attend one of the training sessions listed above, please complete this brief application form by May 15, 2019. Priority will be given to organizations that can send at least two educators to the training.  If selected, you will receive email notification of your acceptance by June 15, 2019, along with details about the training you will attend.

Questions

For more information, contact the Franklin Institute Science Museum at 215.448.1200 or guestservices@fi.edu.

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April 11, 2019

Science Tots Book Fair | Barnes & Noble

Join Science Tots from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. to learn more about S.T.E.A.M.: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. The event will have hands-on, educational and fun activities based on the upcoming Earth Day! No registration required!

See the event page.

About Science Tots

Science Tot’s mission is to connect families with the instruction and tools to power early  S.T.E.A.M. learning.

News

March 29, 2019

Hello Robo: Early STEM Robotics

Robots provide unseen services across industries, including transportation, medical, and manufacturing. Early learners need the foundational STEM skills that allow them to imagine and build the robots of the future.

About the Event

Join the Carnegie Science Center Teaching Excellence Academy for a professional development workshop where participants will use resources from NAEYC and other STEM experts to examine developmentally appropriate concepts to prepare students for robotics technologies. Educators will discover hands-on, standards-aligned activities they can do right away, even if they don’t have a robot — yet!

This professional development opportunity is for pre-K through 2nd-grade teachers.

About the Academy

Carnegie Science Center’s Teaching Excellence Academy offers opportunities for educators in all grade levels, with specific workshops in STEM, early learner education, and digital fabrication. Act 48 credit is provided upon successful completion of each workshop. In addition to onsite workshops, the Science Center offers multiple opportunities for professional development to be delivered at local sites throughout the academic year. For more information, visit their website.

Registration & Questions

To register or ask questions, contact Toni Stith at StithT@CarnegieScienceCenter.org or 412.237.1616.