STEM is EVERYTHING

by CATHY BROWN No:243 24 08 2019
Hello Everyone,
STEM is a current Buzz Word/Acronym in Education.
It is more than anything a way of thinking critically, and creatively, a way to explore and engage with the world, a mindset that uses logic, reason, inquiry and research to develop understanding and draw new conclusions.

AND it is more than just Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

IT EMBRACES EVERYTHING

1. Without writing there can be no STEM.
You need writing to explain your Brilliant Idea.
STEM is a group endeavour, and the group members need to be able to contribute in writing, they need to write convincingly and persuasively if they are going to get STEM projects funded.
Schools need a lot of convincing to install a HADRON COLLIDER on the school oval so you can go back in time(TIME TRAVEL) and study the origins of the universe.

2. Without reading there can be no STEM.
You will need to research ideas and gather information.
If you are inventing a TIME TRAVELLING machine, you will need to find out what is already known.
3. Without speaking well and listening there can be no STEM.
You have to be able to communicate your ideas and listen to the ideas of others.
You need to be able to clearly explain your ideas in a way the others can understand, add clarity and explain how you have arrived at your conclusions. TIME TRAVEL might be clear to you but who else really understands.

4. Without Critical Thinking Skills there can be no STEM.
You need to interpret, analyse and be able to draw conclusions.
A fixed mindset will be counter-productive. As the famous Audrey Hepburn said
“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!’
So don't discount the TIME MACHINE.
5. Without emotional intelligence there can be no STEM.
You will need to get along with a diverse range of people.
You will need to manage your own emotions in an effective and positive manner, defuse conflicts, empathise, ensure your group members feel included and encourage and assist others. And if you do invent one, a TIME MACHINE that is, be empathetic enough to let me know.
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And send in your Impossible ideas.

MIND CANDY
It has always seemed strange to me that in our endless discussions about education so little stress is laid on the pleasure of becoming an educated person, the enormous interest it adds to life. To be able to be caught up into the world of thought -- that is to be educated. -Edith Hamilton, educator and writer (12 Aug 1867-1963)

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!’ -Audrey Hepburn

VirtualTEACHER

YOUTUBE

I've been adding some great videos to my VirtualTeacher YouTube Channel
Check out the OzoBot Videos, the HexBug Videos, the Sphero Videos and the Stop Motion Videos.
These are great to get a lesson started and inspire creativity without many words. Sometimes when I use them the kids seem to jump start their own learning. They boost student engagement and increase learning.
FLOW, The Secret to Happiness - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
What contributes to a life worth living? Watch this Great Video
Mihaly looks to those who find pleasure and lasting satisfaction in activities that bring about a state of "flow."
What does this mean for students? Watch the Video
Also check out the Virtual Teacher page on FLOW
Comments like
I don't know how much longer I can take this"
I love teaching but 80% of the time you are doing something else and not teaching."
I need a break
Teachers are leaving the profession in significant numbers — the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics suggest 53 percent of people who hold a teaching degree, do not currently work in education.
Although the figure varies by locality, about 40 to 50 percent of our newest teachers leave within their first five years on the job.
Why are they leaving
These graduates are leaving for various reasons, but similar themes recur: they feel burnt out, unsupported, frustrated and disillusioned.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-04/why-do-teachers-leave/8234054
There must be a better way.
1. The International Baccalaureate Curriculum is a fully developed curriculum supplied to teachers, they do not program, they implement an existing program. A huge amount of teacher time could be reduced by implementing this system in Australian schools.
2. Testing should be drastically reduced and if required should be conducted online and automatically marked with results feeding into individual student reports.
3. Report writing should be streamlined, all data entry should be automated directly from existing programs students are working on, eg Mathletics, Reading Eggs etc. REport categories should be reduced. Reporting on individual outcomes removed.
4. Reduction of administrative task undertaken by teachers from the current 80% to say 20% by using automation and administrative staff.
Get back time to be creative and inspiring and collegial, and let teachers do the job they love - teaching

The Travelling OZOBOTS
Ozobot Journeys are great fun. Kids can plan a world tour, an explorer journey with their OZOBot traveller.

EXPLORER JOURNEY
Plot an EXPLORERS journey on the world map, using lines and colours coding.
1. HOOK Example - Ferdinand Magellan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylwiOLab5AA

3. DECIDE Select your explorer.

4. RESEARCH the explorer’s journey. Pay attention to details of places he visited, oceans he crossed and countries he sailed passed, as well as details of the journey- a storm, strange sightings etc.

5. MARK Label the map with at least 3 places your explorer the Explorer visited, sailed passed, label the oceans.

6. DRAW THE ROUTE – On one map draw the route, remember to include 4 OzoBot codes including 2 speed changes, a cool move and a win/exit at the end. Remember not to have the OzoBot black line and colour code route close to the labels.

7. Film your OzoBot journey and provide a voice over narration. Check out some on the YOUTube Virtual Teacher Channel
Comments like
I don't know how much longer I can take this"
I love teaching but 80% of the time you are doing something else and not teaching."
I need a break
Teachers are leaving the profession in significant numbers — the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics suggest 53 percent of people who hold a teaching degree, do not currently work in education.
Although the figure varies by locality, about 40 to 50 percent of our newest teachers leave within their first five years on the job.
Why are they leaving
These graduates are leaving for various reasons, but similar themes recur: they feel burnt out, unsupported, frustrated and disillusioned.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-04/why-do-teachers-leave/8234054
There must be a better way.
1. The International Baccalaureate Curriculum is a fully developed curriculum supplied to teachers, they do not program, they implement an existing program. A huge amount of teacher time could be reduced by implementing this system in Australian schools.
2. Testing should be drastically reduced and if required should be conducted online and automatically marked with results feeding into individual student reports.
3. Report writing should be streamlined, all data entry should be automated directly from existing programs students are working on, eg Mathletics, Reading Eggs etc. REport categories should be reduced. Reporting on individual outcomes removed.
4. Reduction of administrative task undertaken by teachers from the current 80% to say 20% by using automation and administrative staff.
Get back time to be creative and inspiring and collegial, and let teachers do the job they love - teaching

If you are looking for audio tracks to go with your School videos or YOUTube videos there are a number of great resources.
Generally you will need to ADD an end clip acknowledging the TITLE - ARTIST and the WEBSITE. Check out the VirtualTEACHER videos on YOUTube as an example.
Some great sites for this are
BENSOUND - great range of music and easy to navigate. CC Music can be used for self produced videos but not remixed. Please read the License athttps://www.bensound.com/licensing
Audiotronix - by Jason Shaw, again a great range of music.
* All music in this online collection created by Jason Shaw. Released under Creative Commons License 3.0. You are free to use the music (even for commercial purposes) as long as you provide a link to this website from yours OR credit us with, "music by audionautix.com". Must be part some other created works. No further permission is required. If you need a signed release form, click link below.
OurMUSICBox Easily searchable site with some great music. Watch the video for creative Commons info
FREEMusicArchive This site can be a bit buggy, but they are sorting it out. The attribution is in the side bar.
I like these sites because the licensing is clear and the downloading is easy. Happy editing.
I do answer all emails, so send them along with your questions ideas and great sites.
Hi
I'm sure you get a lot of content submissions, but I wanted to bring to your attention a super-helpful list of 26 Best Drawing Tutorials Online that I published. Here's the link https://www.whataportrait.com/blog/best-drawing-tutorials/
This list details broadly the unique practical features and forte of 26 drawing tutorial available today, as well as the price category. It's a very handy resource for anyone who is looking to learn drawing online
Shameless #humblebrag here -- our 15693 blog subscribers found it super-helpful -- so I wanted to make sure you had a chance to check it out.
I also noticed that you have referenced a similar piece on your page http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/art.html. Do you think it would be a good fit for the readers at virtualteacher.com.au? I'd love to get your thoughts.
Best,
Nitin Kaku

Hi Nitin,
I will put the email in my next newsletter, if you would like to subscribe it will be delivered to your inbox. the site looks interesting particularly for teenagers and adults.
ciao Cathy
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The opinions expressed here are purely those of the editor, Cathy Brown. All other small print clauses apply. Such as: Use at your own risk. Nothing in life is guaranteed. If it doesn't work for you send an email or tweet me.
Editor: Cathy Brown cathy@virtualteacher.com.au
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