This post is sponsored by Sylvan Learning. The opinions are completely my own. Did you catch my September column about STEM in the Classroom on the Sylvan Learning Blog? Hands-on STEM in the classroom means discovery in the classroom. It means problem-solving, active learning and engaged students. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, collectively known as STEM, are key 21st century skills. Integrated STEM programming combines at least ... [ Read More ]
Disney Animation’s New Movie and the Big Hero 6 XPrize Challenge
A handful of bloggers will soon be going to a red carpet premiere of Disney's latest film, Big Hero 6. I won't be among them. However, last week I got the chance to talk with two top executives at Disney Animation, Andy Hendrickson and Hank Driskill, from the comfort of home, wearing jeans and, likely, the t-shirt I slept in the night before. Clearly, I'm winning. The interviews were lively and interesting. I didn't actually ask a lot about ... [ Read More ]
National Chemistry Week is Coming October 18-24, 2014!
This year's National Chemistry Week is going to be pretty sweet. In 2014, NCW's theme is all about candy and the role of chemistry in the confections industry. Yum! Here's a homemade gummy candy kit that I did with my Food Science team a while back. Homemade gummy candies, FTW Get a jump start on the week by finding a candy recipe at Instructables or go more upscale with these ideas from Saveur. ... [ Read More ]
Carnegie Science Center Disses Girls?
Last night my friend Sherry shared a photo from the Carnegie Science Center on Facebook. It was a picture first shared by Tishka Miller of a museum flyer noting the Center's workshops for Boy Scouts: Chemistry Engineering Astronomy Weather Scientist Robotics And Carnegie Science Center's workshops for Girl Scouts Science with a Sparkle "Egad!" I commented. And then I thought, maybe this is a photo from 2001 or something ... [ Read More ]
Back to School STEM: #STEMchat Recap
Thanks to our sponsor, Texas Instruments, we had one of the best STEMchats ever with more than 150 participants resulting in 12.8 million impressions! What a great discussion full of ideas and resources for STEM education for middle school students and beyond! I appreciate the help of panelists Kelly Kutach, Emily Calandrelli, Kris Cain, Leticia Barr, and Shelly Kramer for keeping the conversation moving and props to Brandie Langer for helping ... [ Read More ]
Try This! Fun Science from National Geographic
Through my involvement with the National Geographic Kids Insider program, I got the chance to see their new science book hot off the press and now I'm giving you a chance to win a copy of your own. The book, Try This!: 50 Fun Experiments for the Mad Scientist in You (affiliate link), By Karen Romano Young is described as an invitation to play around, make a mess, and spring surprises on others. Sounds right up my alley. Try This! is filled ... [ Read More ]
Back to School #STEMchat with Texas Instruments
It's back to school and back to STEM, as if we ever left it behind. On Tuesday, we'll be partnering once again with sponsor Texas Instruments to talk STEM inspiration! Join us on Twitter Sept. 16 from 9-10 PM Eastern. What's new with Texas Instruments? Or should I say, what is TI giving away to STEMchatters this year? The answer to both of those questions is the colorful new TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition! No worries if you've already ... [ Read More ]