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Resources for STEM

Please find the following links for STEM/STEAM resources: http://www.theatlantic.com/ sponsored/chevron-stem- education/the-jobs-of-today/ 196/#   https://www.nsf.gov/ attachments/117803/public/Xc-- Linking_Evidence--Fairweather. pdf http://www.aaai.org/Papers/ Symposia/Spring/2007/SS-07-09/ SS07-09-022.pdf http://opas.ous.edu/Work2009- 2011/InClass/Bybee-Integrated% 20STEM%20Plan.pdf http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ ejournals/JOTS/v36/v36n1/ rockland http://youtu.be/5GWhwUN9iaY . STEM? http://youtu.be/biWQZlUl-vE   Tools for Change  http://youtu.be/Ldf01YYtImY   Why STEM Education http://www.youtube.com/ playlist?list=PL7ck4NnpyNff_ F653mGHRf4EDwuS6IQfJ . Great videos about STEM ed http://youtu.be/SA3EPf9tsI8   Gaming Challenge.  http://www.stemedcoalition.org  Coalition http://www.pbs.org/teachers/ stem/  Teachers Organization on PBS http://mobile.nytimes.com/ 2013/12/08/opinion/sunday/who- says-math-has-to-be-boring. html?pa

True Meaning of Christmas!

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out next to the fireplace. "What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement . . . "TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled. What did he mean?  As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now- a-days Christmas has forgotten. "Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed  it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning to

Think: Erector Set meets Minecraft!

Piper : Building in the Real World while Creating in the Virtual...   The Madeleine has once again opened the door to another 21st Century Learning Event and the students have been invited to participate as part of the Piper-Beta Team Member, or as an alternate. Piper is currently in development as t he first hacker toolbox that shows how to   build electronics by playing Minecraft. Piper is designed for kids and adults ages 8 and up and will be l aunching soon on Kickstarter!  They with be bring seven prototype kits tomorrow and the students will be working in pairs.   Here's the  Schedule of Events for Friday, November 21, 2014 11:00-11:30 The Madeleine Welcomes Piper: Mark Pavlyukovskyy & Associates Piper Executives, Mr. Willers, Student Hospitality, and available staff 11:35-11:55 Piper Product Introduction and Lunch with Beta Students above plus PiperBeta students outside near Garden or in ECP Noon - 12:50 Piper Hands-on with Piper

What Questions do you ask Teachers when designing 21st Century Classrooms?

Here's what we are asking our Teachers at the Madeleine.... Name(s)   ____________________________________                   _____________________________________ 1.      Introductions 2.      How long have you been here?                    3.      And why here?   (What brought you here?) 4.      What values does this school uphold and promote that overlap most directly with yours?   5.      Walk us through the day in the life of your class. 6.      What are the aspects of teaching, learning and using the room that could stand improvement?   -     Where are the issues, pinch points, places where you and students experience stress. -      Furniture – tables and chairs, daily and occasionally, for collaborative & individual work. -      Dedicated breakout space -      Floor Space -      Whiteboards/ teaching wall locations -      Noise -      Temperature   (ever too cold?) -      Ventilation (fresh air) -   

The Glass is Already Broken

Once Upon a Time, ...a man went to get himself a glass of water and as he picked up the glass, the glass said, "Stop, look at me. Don't you see I am already broken?" "What?" the man said, "You are in perfect condition." "Regardless," answered back the glass, "I will be of no use to you--I am already broken." Nonsense, the man thought and he filled up the glass with water and said, "See, you hold the water wonderfully -- not one drop leaks out." "Take a better look," said the glass, "and you will see I am already broken." Holding the glass to the light the man said, "Ridiculous, see how the light shines through your glass and water--it sparkles and shines. You're beautiful and your glass possesses no cracks." "But, don't you see, sir," repeated the glass, "I am already broken." "No, you're not," barked the man and he drank the water from the glass. &

Don't Just Lay Bricks--Build Something!

The Three Bricklayers Three men were putting up a building on a wide and spacious lot. A stranger passing by stopped awhile to watch. The worker nearest him was doggedly placing brick on brick.  “Warm day”, said the stranger. “What are you doing?”  Without glancing up the man replied, “I’m laying bricks”.  The stranger strolled on. A little farther he stopped again beside another bricklayer and repeated his question. “Fine day, “ he said. “What are you doing?” The second man slapped on some more mortar, glanced at the stranger and said, “I’m earning twenty dollars a day”.  Around the corner of the building, the stranger found a third bricklayer, who whistled as he worked. Again he asked what the man was doing. With careful precision the workman finished laying a brick. He straightened up, stepped back and slowly surveyed the unfinished building. With pride in his voice he replied, “I’m building a cathedral”. . Dear Colleagues, There are so many times when I reduce what I’m doing

Seven Attributes of Successful Diocesan Educational Leadership

Leadership and Strategic Vision An outline of a Diocesan Catholic Schools based on 21st Century Leadership Expectations. Only with the conviction that it is God’s work being done with the assistance of Divine Providence can we as Catholic educators see the future of Catholic schools: a future, filled with hope and a mission filled with purpose.  1) Leadership that is strategic, visionary and collaborates with: Mission-Centric Stakeholders Board Members Teachers/Principal/Pastors Educational Trends/Experts  2) Leadership develops 3-year initiatives that are: Communicated/Planned Supported and Tracked Implemented and Revised Evaluated and updated 3) Leadership that is inspirational and intentional… Focuses on Mission Focuses on Solutions Focuses on Success   4) Leadership that is collaborative… Develops communication with teachers Encourages partnerships with principals Relies on the influence and expertise of board members Fosters partners

The To-Do List for Successful Diocesan School Leaders

Diocesan Educational Leadership & Service Four services every Diocesan School Office must offer: Offer Consultative advice regarding personnel matters Offer Consultative advice regarding diocesan policies and guidelines Offer Consultative advice regarding best Catholic educational practices Be present at local events/celebrations Four requirements for every Diocesan School Leader: Availability Expertise Collaborative Leadership-style Credibility from Colleagues in the field  Eight Opportunities/Necessities • The Diocesan Leader of Education should: Create a Vital/Meaningful Board of Education with by-laws that reflect best practices; with meetings that result in actionable and measurable goals; and is comprised of committed/Catholic members that possess the following areas of expertise: Building and Construction Finance Technology Real Estate and Property Management Marketing / Advertising Education Publishing/Media Communications Parent/Civic Leaders

Cohort Superintendency: A New Model of Catholic Educational Leadership

Leadership and Strategic Vision Diocesan leadership must inspire confidence and be Mission Driven.   “A family once rented a small room. The family went to the owners of the small room and complained that the room was too small. The owner, angered by the comment, asked the family to leave the small room. Now, the room is empty but it’s still too small.”   by Kenneth Willers How does diocesan leadership transform an educational institution or system? Today, those involved in Catholic Educational Leadership must listen, reflect and inspire the entire educational community to effect change by living their mission.  In partnership with the Church and those dedicated to Catholic education, the main ministry or role of the Catholic educational leaders is to unify the voices and the vision of those being served. To achieve unity the educational leaders must inspire students, families, colleagues and the greater community about the mission and dream of Catholic Education at