8 Ways Parents Can Help Children During COVID-19 Distance Learning

1. Get to know the “how” – Get to know how your school is doing their distance learning. Reread messages from the school and get to know the structures for learning and support. Many schools are online, many are sending paper home, many are mixed. Be responsible to know what’s been made available and how it’s structured. Expect to see different things than you are used to seeing in terms of how school is now happening.

2. Organize home workspace for learning – Give quiet comfortable space and privacy, just as you do for homework, but also recognize this is very different from homework. Dedicate each child if you have more than one affected his or her own workspace. No older or younger siblings if possible, no pets.

3. Know how they are using tech – If technology is involved, make sure they stay on task.  If you don’t have enough computers in the house and more of your kids need to use a shared computer, communicate this with the school and also check to see if the school is making provisions to issue tech during this time. Monitor but trust your children in doing their work. Continue to use parental controls if you are used to using them, but don’t feel the need to implement new controls.

4. Check in about workload – Be prepared for changing workloads as teachers generally aren’t used to teaching this way. Some might give too much work for the expected time, some too little, and the tendency might be toward too much as teachers post material. Communicate with your child and your child’s teachers if you have concerns. If you have concerns about the work, approach teachers with empathy.  Ask your children if they are getting breaks – not all of school is uptime everyday and kids and adolescents need time to decompress even during school time.

5. Be intimate about school – If you have to work, check in with kids at home frequently. Ask questions beyond “how is it going?”

6. Check grades – Follow grades and standards progress more closely to see if there are changes that might be unexpected. Again, communicate with your child and their teachers if you have concerns.

7. Use school based supports – Continue to rely on school supports including counselors, nurses, child study team, administrators and others.

8. Check in emotionally – Perhaps most importantly, kids will be missing the social and emotional aspect of school during this time. Be aware of this and supportive. Expect them to miss their friends and daily routine, so make sure to give them time to connect with friends virtually even if they normally aren’t allowed to use FaceTime, texting, and other apps.

FacebookShare

STEM Toys that Inspire Ingenuity

games-2801332_1920

Here’s my 2018 list of toys that inspire ingenuity, creativity, tinkering, STEM learning, building, and making for kids of all ages.

Price Ranges:
$ – under $25
$$ – $25-49.99
$$$ – $50-74.99
$$$$ – $75-99.99
$$$$$ – over $100

Makedo Cardboard Construction Tools
Ages – 6+
Price – $
Description – Makedo is one of my favorite STEM construction toys out there on the market and it’s super low cost to get into it. Everyone knows that kids can have as much fun with empty cardboard boxes that the gifts that came inside them and this takes the fun to the next level. With the basic Toolkit that comes with plastic screws, safety cutter, and screw driver kids can construct anything they can imagine with leftover cardboard from holiday shipping boxes, so be sure to save them!
Link – https://www.make.do/collections/all-products

Circuit Scribe
Ages – 8+
Price – $$
Description – Circuit Scribe is a fun conductive ink pen that allows you to draw your own circuits for use with other included components, such as lights and switches. Mini and Basic kits are very reasonably priced at $14.99 and $34.99 respectively.
Link – https://shop.circuitscribe.com/

blink blink
Ages – 8+
Price – $$$
Description – blink blink has found a niche in wearables, allowing kids to make fun wearable technology. The Wearable Tech Kit provides the necessary tools to engineer sewable circuits into DIY arts, crafts and fashion tech projects – from LED light up scarfs and leggings to pressure sensors for other wearables.
Link – http://www.blinkblink.cc/kit/

Dash and Dot – Wonder Workshop
Ages – good for all ages, 8+ for programming tools
Price – $$$$$
Description – Dash and Dot are programmable robots that can follow lines, play music, and other interactive tasks.
Link – https://store.makewonder.com/#/robots

LEGO
Ages – 4+
Price – $$$
Description – LEGO offers a range of products for budding young engineers and tinkerers. Even though all can appreciate the value of the simple brick, the “Technic” and “Power Funtions” lines of product that include gears, axles, and motors can be used to build machines and learn about energy and power.
Link – https://shop.lego.com/en-US/

LEGO Mindstorms
Ages – 7+
Price – $$$$$
Description – For an all in one, albeit expensive, box of versatile parts, take a look at LEGO Mindstorms EV3. The basic robotics kit includes the programmable brick that kids can learn to program as well as a range of motors and sensors to make magic. Check the website for free apps to do the programming as well as a series of challenges.
Link – https://www.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms

Water Rockets
Ages – 14+
Price – $$
Description – Supply your own two liter bottle and bicycle pump to use with this launcher and kids can create their own rockets that will launch up to 100 feet in the air.
Link – https://tinkersphere.com/novelties/2430-water-propelled-rocket-085761143319.html

Model Rockets
Ages – 8+
Price – $
Description – Aerospace projects are a very fun way to engage young people. The Estes brand offers a range of kits from those that are ready to fly to those with assembly and some design required. They’re available in a variety of stores, but be aware that you will need to purchase motors separately. The A type motor is the least powerful, but important if you want to launch the rocket multiple times. To start, you’ll need a rocket, launch pad, ignition system, and motors, which usually come with igniters and recovery wadding.
Link – http://www.estesrockets.com/

littleBits
Ages – 8+
Price – $$$$
Description – littleBits is a platform of easy to use electronic building blocks that kids can use to create inventions. The Base Kit includes ten modules including a DC Motor, buzzer, dimmer, and light sensor. A way to have fun and learn about electronics and logic all at the same time.
Link – https://shop.littlebits.com/

GoldieBlox
Ages – 4+
Price – $$
Description – Designed and marketed primarily to young girls, GoldieBlox offers a series of kits and sets that allow kids to play and learn about mechanical and other systems.
Link – https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/6EC51CBE-A1F4-43D7-9E45-37D67E6C9836

Tools, just tools
Ages – 4+
Price – $$
Description – Imagine being a kid that likes to build and tinker and hearing a grownup say “get your tools so you can help.” Not plastic toys, but real tools sized for little hands. Consider a basic set with some degree of good quality that includes a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, and a wrench.
Link – https://www.amazon.com/Grip-96009-Childrens-Tool-Kit/dp/B001AIU2UO

Makey Makey
Ages – 7+
Price – $$
Description – Use Makey Makey to connect to virtually anything that will conduct even a little electricity to make fun inventions. Use bananas to make a keyboard. Use play dough buttons as a game controller. Great for beginners and fun even for expert makers.
Link – https://shop.makeymakey.com

fischertechnik
Ages – 7+
Price – $$
Description – A classic German-designed series of component parts to create a variety of machines and structures. Mechanical models can be made from gears, basic building blocks, static parts, wheels and many other parts. Available from many retailers, this construction set helps children to understand everyday technology by playing.
Link – http://www.studica.com/us/en/fischertechnik/fischertechnik-universal-starter/536618.html

Vex
Ages – 8+
Price – $$$$$
Description – Used in school based programs and robotics competitions, the VEX Robotics Design System offers students an exciting platform for learning about STEM.
Link – http://www.vexrobotics.com/find-a-reseller

Meccano
Ages – 5+
Price – $$
Description – A fairly widely available building platform that uses modular parts. Build vehicles, robotics, buildings, and other items limited only by imagination.
Link – http://www.meccano.com/where-to-buy

Disruptus
Ages – 10+
Price – $
Description – Disruptus is a game that asks players to look at objects and ideas and use different approaches — as determined by the roll of a die — to innovate. Disruptus draws inspiration from the practice of “disruptive thinking,” one of the most powerful ways to innovate. Disruptive thinking has been used to create ideas and objects like digital music, and car sharing programs.
Link – https://www.funnybonetoys.com/product/disruptus/

Rokenbok
Ages – 3+
Price – $$$$
Description – Rokenbok is a construction toy system that promotes STEM learning through hands-on exploration and play. Children build their own Rokenbok cities and then use remote control vehicles, conveyor belts, and chute systems to interact with their creations.
Link – https://rokenbokeducation.org/toys

FacebookShare

Future City Competition NJ Regional 2018 Videos

Videos from the Future City Competition New Jersey Regional held at Rutgers University on January 13, 2018 are now posted!

Congratulations to the First Place Team “Raramai” from Harding Public School!

2018 Future City NJ Regional Highlights

Third Place Team Presentation

Second Place Team Presentation

First Place Team Presentation

FacebookShare

Future City Competition NJ Regional 2018 Photos

Photos from the Future City Competition New Jersey Regional held at Rutgers University on January 13, 2018 are now posted.

Below are a few favorites. For the complete albums, please click to:

Photos courtesy of Dave Janosz, click to:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskrNCgoi

Photos courtesy of Rita Esposito, click to:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1vYchIEpathSkHAECjqYfTriqnFw940wn

Future City Competition NJ Regional 2018

FacebookShare

NSTA 2017 Baltimore Area Conference

NSTA 2017 Baltimore Area Conference

“Designing STEM Career Pathways for Student Success: A Step-by-Step Approach”

FacebookShare

Future City Competition NJ Regional 2017 Videos

Videos from the Future City Competition New Jersey Regional held at Rutgers University on January 14, 2017 are now posted!

Congratulations to the First Place Team “Novus Initium” from Iselin Middle School!

2017 Future City NJ Regional Highlights

Third Place Team Presentation

Second Place Team Presentation

First Place Team Presentation

FacebookShare

Future City Competition NJ Regional 2017 Photos

Photos from the Future City Competition New Jersey Regional held at Rutgers University on January 14, 2017 are now posted.

Below are a few favorites. For the complete album, please click to:

https://flic.kr/s/aHskRreKcQ

 
Future City Competition NJ Regional 2017

FacebookShare

STEM League NVD - November 3, 2016

Photos from the STEM League meet held at Northern Valley Regional High School – Demarest on November 3, 2016 are now posted.

Below are a few favorites. For the complete album, please click to:

https://flic.kr/s/aHskMbPJGz

STEM League NV Demarest - November 3, 2016
 

Below is a link to brief video highlights from the competition.

Congratulations to the First Place Team from Paramus High School!

STEM League NVD – November 3, 2016 – Video Highlights

 

FacebookShare

Inspire Students with STEM Career Pathways

NJ School Boards Association and NJ Science Convention

“Inspire Students with STEM Career Pathways: A Step-by-step Approach”

FacebookShare

NJ Science Convention Presentation

NJ School Boards Association and NJ Science Convention

“Inspire Students with STEM Career Pathways: A Step-by-step Approach”

FacebookShare