October 30, 2020 Engaging and Teaching Parents About Technology Are you interested in learning how to teach parents about technology? Join Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Karina Gathu, and Tay Gudmundson on December 17 for “Engaging and Teaching Parents About Technology.” About Parents can be collaborators or obstacles when the topic of technology comes up. With more remote learning than ever, schools need parents. Educators often talk to parents when mistakes or accidents happen, as a reactionary measure. However, schools can be more proactive about preventing those mistakes by reaching out and understanding parents’ situations and worries. This webinar will draw from on-the-ground work with hundreds of parents, sharing survey results with their biggest concerns. Time for questions will be provided. Featured Topics In this webinar, professionals will: learn the five most important things parents should know about digital citizenship, learn how, when, why, and who to host a digital parenting event with, and learn how to be proactive with parents, not reactive. Registration This webinar is best suited for K-12 teachers, librarians, and school and district leaders. To register, visit the EdWeb website.
October 13, 2020 Remake Learning Days Across America Launch Are you a Remake Learning Days event host or educational stakeholder who is interested in learning more about Remake Learning Days Across America 2021? Join Remake Learning on Tuesday, October 13 from 7 – 8 p.m. EST for the National Launch! About Remake Learning Days Across America (RLDAA) is an innovative learning festival for families and youth. Hosted in 16 regions across the United States, RLDAA features hands-on and engaging events designed for kids of all ages at libraries, schools, tech centers, museums, play spaces, and more. Most events are free. This year’s events will run nationally from April 22 – May 23, 2021, and from May 6 – 16, 2021 in Southwestern Pennsylvania. To view all dates and activities, visit the Remake Learning Days webpage. RLDAA Kickoff Event If you are an event host or educational stakeholder who is interested in learning more about RLDAA 2021 and celebrating family-engaged learning, join Remake Learning on Tuesday, October 13 from 7 – 8 p.m. EST for the National Launch! The event will feature special guests, hands-on activities, and national and regional partners. To register, visit the event webpage. More Information For more information on RLDAA 2021, visit the Remake Learning Days webpage.
September 8, 2020 STEMIEFest 2020: Virtual Conference STEMIE is partnering with the Boston Children’s Museum and Bridge Multimedia for the inaugural STEMIEFest and MakerFest. Join them from September 14 – 18, 2020 for a series of STEM-focused virtual events! About STEMIEFest will: convene experts to engage early childhood practitioners in learning about and applying evidence-based practices in STEM and inclusion; excite families, practitioners, and young children in exploring, making, and tinkering through MakerFest; connect participants with authors of STEM-focused books through Storybook Conversations; and showcase STEM activities, STEM games from museums, and organizations from around the nation through Media Cubbies. Registration To register and learn more, visit the conference Eventbrite page.
September 2, 2020 Helping Parents & Caregivers Navigate a School Year Like No Other Are you interested in hearing from the country’s leading experts about topics such as social-emotional wellness, mental health, learning resources, tech safety, and more? Join Remake Learning and other presenting organizations for the “So Now What?” virtual series! About The series will bring the country’s leading experts in education and childhood development, including PBS Kids, Common Sense Media, Learning Heroes, and UPMC Children’s Hospital, together with parents and caregivers to share and learn from one another. Presenters will cover a range of topics specific to this moment in time, including: social-emotional wellness, mental health, learning resources, communication, tech safety, and much more. Available Sessions The series includes the following sessions: COVID-19 and Kids Health: An Evidence-Based Practical Guide & FAQ Wednesday, September 2 from 7 – 7:30 p.m. Supporting Young Children’s Social and Emotional Wellness as We Return to School Wednesday, September 9 from 7 – 7:30 p.m. Tweens, Teens, and Mental Health Wednesday, September 9 from 8 – 8:30 p.m. Ready to Partner: 5 Steps for a Different Kind of School Year for Families and Schools Wednesday, September 16 from 7 – 7:30 p.m. How to be Safe Online and Balance Tech Usage in a World of Virtual Learning Wednesday, September 23 from 7 – 7:30 p.m. Learning Resources for Families Wednesday, September 30 from 7 – 7:30 p.m. Registration To register, complete the online registration form. Share this flyer with your network.
August 21, 2020 Building a Pipeline for African American Students in Technology Join the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans (WHIEEAA) on August 25 for their webinar, “Building a Pipeline for African American Students in Technology.” About WHIEEAA established the African American Education (AfAmEd) Connector Roundtable Series in June 2020 to address gaps and opportunities for African Americans students and families, and to highlight programs, policies, and practices that accelerate the learning and development of Black students of all ages. This discussion, moderated by newly appointed Executive Director Terris Todd, will enable participants to have access to information, resources, best and promising practices from ED, other federal agencies, and the field. WHIEEAA will highlight ways to successfully engage and systematically support Black students through access to technology and exposure to career opportunities. Registration To register, visit the event webpage. Share this flyer with your network.
August 11, 2020 Free Virtual PD Sessions Available Are you interested in hearing guidance from child development experts? Join Trying Together on August 19 and September 2 for our free virtual professional development sessions! Each session will offer one PQAS credit hour. Both sessions are a part of our interactive Connections and Conversations Virtual Check-In series that features guidance from child development experts, information on the highlighted topic, and opportunities for early learning professionals to share questions, experiences, and expertise. Available Sessions Magda Gerber’s Philosophy of Care for Infants & Toddlers Wednesday, August 19, 2020 | 6 – 7 p.m. Join Trying Together on August 19 to explore the core principles of Magda Gerber’s RIE philosophical approach to educaring for infants and toddlers in the early childhood setting. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in conversations around developmentally appropriate practice for infants and toddlers while reflecting on how to best create a safe, challenging, predictable environment for all children. Supporting Children’s Emotional Wellness with Digital Technologies Wednesday, September 2, 2020 | 6 – 7 p.m. More than ever before, early childhood practitioners play a critical role in supporting children’s social and emotional wellness. Join Trying Together on September 2 for a conversation on promoting children’s communication skills and emotional development through the use of technology and media. Participants will engage in discussion and reflection on their current practice and the impact of COVID-19. More Information For questions or more information, please contact Rosie Hogan at rosie@tryingtogether.org.
August 4, 2020 Supporting Children’s Emotional Wellness with Digital Technologies More than ever before, early childhood practitioners play a critical role in supporting children’s social and emotional wellness. When used intentionally, digital technologies can serve as tools to help children navigate emotions and express thoughts and feelings. Join Trying Together on September 2 for a conversation on promoting children’s communication skills and emotional development through the use of technology and media. Participants will engage in discussion and reflection on their current practice and the impact of COVID-19. About Connections and Conversations Virtual Check-Ins are interactive sessions that highlight topics of interest to the field of early childhood education. Participants will engage in virtual discussions via Zoom with child development experts while interacting with early learning practitioners to share questions, experiences, and expertise about the highlighted topic. Participants will receive the course Zoom link via email within 24 hours before the start date for the course. For questions, contact Rosie Hogan at rosie@tryingtogether.org. Session Details Session Date: Wednesday, September 2 | 6 – 7 p.m. Instructor: Katie Gullone CKC: K1.4 C2 Registrations must be submitted by Monday, August 31. Space is limited. Sessions will be offered biweekly and will offer one hour of PQAS credit. Act 48 credit will not be offered. Learning Objectives Identify strategies to address children’s social and emotional development through the use of technology and media. Reflect on current practice and the role of technology tools in early childhood environments. Registration To register for this session, complete our online registration form. Session Rules and Guidelines These virtual discussions are designed to provide educators the opportunity to grow professionally and share knowledge on early childhood topics. During the meeting, participants should follow the guidelines below to ensure a successful virtual meeting for all participants. Please allow all participants a chance to speak. Listen respectfully and actively. Commit to learning about each other, not to debating the topic. Embrace differences of opinion as healthy and support each person’s authentic self-expression. Participants will be muted for the beginning portion of the session. Participants may use the “Raise Hand” feature in Zoom to request an opportunity to comment or ask a question. Individuals will be temporarily unmuted by the moderator. Participants may type a comment or question in the Chat or may send comments or questions directly to the moderator for them to share. To receive PQAS credit, you must complete an evaluation at the end of the session and include your PD Registry number. Have fun, make connections, and engage in the conversations! More Information For questions or more information, please contact Rosie Hogan at rosie@tryingtogether.org.
July 8, 2020 Remake Learning Days Across America to Return in Spring 2021 Remake Learning Days Across America (RLDAA) will return to 15+ regions across the country from April 22 – May 23, 2021. In Southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia, the local Remake Learning Days festival will return from May 6 – 16, 2021. What is Remake Learning Days Across America? Remake Learning Days Across America is an innovative learning festival for families and youth. Hosted in 15+ regions across the United States, RLDAA features hands-on and engaging events designed for kids of all ages at libraries, schools, tech centers, museums, play spaces, and more. RLDAA is presented by Remake Learning with national partnerships with PBS Kids for Parents, Digital Promise, and Common Sense Media, along with many nationwide partners and host organizations. More Information For more information, visit the RLDAA website to view recent updates or read the recap of the inaugural 2019 festival.
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. May 1, 2020 | 2 – 4 p.m. | Event ID: 312719 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
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
