STEM Playful Learning Workshop
Calling all educators! Are you looking for innovative ways to engage your students in STEM learning? Join us for the Maryville STEM Playful Learning Workshop! This exciting event will explore new and interactive methods for teaching science, technology, engineering, and math to students of all ages. Led by experienced educators and industry experts, this workshop will provide you with practical tips and tools to make STEM learning fun and engaging for your students. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your teaching skills and inspire your students to become the next generation of STEM leaders.
Date: August 1, 2024
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Maryville University Campus in St. Louis, MO
Cost: $25 Includes a light breakfast, lunch, and attendance prizes for ALL!
To Register, Visit: https://maryvilleenterprise.tfaforms.net/4652360
8:30-9:00 Welcome
Light breakfast and Resource Gallery
9:00-10:20 KEYNOTE Robert Powell III
Join us as expert gamer Robert Powell III from the BGG Foundation reveals how winning requires the perfect blend of belief, behaviors, and mindset in "The Game of Life."
10:30-11:25 BREAKOUT SESSION 1
Playful Learning and Early Literacy Games: Come engage in active experiences that explore the relationship between early literacy development, play, and STEM. In the session you will learn developmentally appropriate strategies to integrate playful learning as a means to help students develop early literacy standards. -Lisa Meredith
Geospatial Activities in the Classroom: How can geographic and geospatial topics connect to other subject areas and curriculum needs? We will explore some exercises and ways to tie in those subject areas to your existing learning goals with some interactive brief and longer projects that can be adjusted as needed! -Nathanael Bassett
Maker Mania! In this session, we will explore the ideas and philosophies of the makerspace movement, as well as give insight and inspiration for designing your own makerspace. Participants will also have the opportunity to get hands-on with the design thinking process and spend time exploring a wide variety of maker activities. -Karen Czaciki
Hands-on STEAM Learning with LEGO® Education: In this session, we will use LEGO® bricks to complete a career and technical education lesson and build that you can take back and have fun doing with your students. See how you can use our STEAM sets to make learning come to life in your classroom! -Ally Siwa
11:30-12:25 BREAKOUT SESSION 2
MAP MATS - Adventures in Math and Science : Find out how this Playful Engineering Based Learning project can support and enhance many of your learning objectives throughout the year. Experience the hands-on activities that use LEGO DUPLO bricks. -Karen Engelkenjohn
STEM Challenges and Storybooks: In this session, we will explore how novel engineering is an engaging approach to integrate children’s literacy with engineering practices that can be used at any grade level or content area. Participants will explore a variety of children's literacy with hands-on activities that promote problem solving, the 5 C’s, teamwork, and the engineering design process. -Miracle Jones and Sara Tehan
STEM in PreK-2: Where the Magic Happens
Find out more about our partnerships with Maryville University, Legos & The Magic House. Learn how we implemented science, technology, engineering, art & math into our once a week after school program. We were able to implement some of this curriculum into our day to day curriculum with math & science for all of the students that we serve. -Kimberly Berry and Vivi Young
Moving beyond busy: Reimagining engagement in learning through play: In this session, we will guide participants in evaluating play experiences to better understand both the intended and actual engagement of children. Attendees will be introduced to the Engagement Continuum, learning how to effectively incorporate it into their practices to foster deeper and more meaningful interactions with children. Discover strategies to move beyond participating in teacher-directed play experiences and towards learners who are empowered to use play to drive their learning forward. -Dr Amy Berry and Dr Kellie Picker
AI & Education Research and Tools: This session will provide an overview of research on how AI is being used to support STEM education as well as a summary of ongoing efforts to support the teaching of K-12 AI. Several engaging classroom activities will be reviewed. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about emerging technologies and learn about ways to get involved in (paid) research opportunities with our NSF-funded AI Institute (http://invite.illinois.edu). -Prof. H. Chad Lane, NSF AI INVITE Institute
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-2:25 BREAKOUT SESSION 3
Game On: Crafting Educational Board Games in the Classroom: This exciting session will guide educators through the process of developing board games tailored to their curriculum. Participants will learn how to integrate educational content into game design, fostering a fun and interactive learning environment. Discover strategies for encouraging student collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking as you bring your own classroom board game to life. -Kelly Smith
Deep Dive: Machine Learning and Robots: In our hands-on workshop we will explore the concepts and tools needed to introduce young students to the exciting world of AI and robotics. Sensors are all around us, embedded in everyday objects from smartphones and home appliances to traffic lights and wearable fitness devices, constantly collecting data to enhance our lives. Come see how you can harness the power of sensors in your classroom! -Patrick Crangle and Laura Holt
ACER-LEGO Foundation Roadmap for Deeper Learning through Play: Participants will have the opportunity to share their own experiences of playful classroom practices, which will then be organized into meaningful categories. Our skilled facilitators will guide educators in brainstorming ways to extend these activities, promoting deeper learning and engagement. You’ll also learn effective teaching strategies such as open-ended questioning and loose parts play, and discover methods for supporting your students. -Rachel Parker, Dr Amy Berry and Dr Kellie Picker
6 Bricks Activities: Six Bricks (6 Lego bricks) activities are short, simple exercises, activities, or games designed to wake up the brain and get the student moving. Six Bricks fosters curiosity, creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking at all grade levels from early childhood to high school. Six Bricks is tons of fun. -Ashley McGhaw