Updated 06/01/2012 05:00 AM
State of Education: STEM workshop for teachers
Teachers gather together at the Schenectady Museum for a free workshop on science, technology, engineering, and math, also known as STEM. Vince Gallagher reports.
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Teachers gather together at the Schenectady Museum for a free workshop on science, technology, engineering, and math, also known as STEM. One thing that’s clear is that educators appreciate this.
"Because I think it's important to look for new ideas to incorporate into my classroom and I never know what might inspire a student to learn more about math and science," said MaryAnn Pekalski, a science teacher.
This workshop is made possible the Connect a Million Minds Program, an initiative of Time Warner Cable, parent company of YNN.
In one example, teachers use Google Earth to compare features on Mars and Earth. Then, we learned something else - what's missing from education today: good old fashioned fun.
"I think we need to make science fun by making it hands on, by making it something they want to learn about, by putting it in an environment that's outside the classroom," said Allison Williams, Summer STEM Camp Coordinator.
That’s what Allison Williams does with her STEM Summer Camp at the Schenectady Inner City Ministry. It's all about connecting with the world.
"We'll bring in some animals, we also work with roots and wisdom on the edible playground project which is about planting food and eating food," said Williams.
And when it comes to the learning at the workshop, it's really about the teachers, not just the students. Especially in this high tech age, because you really just can't have the same old lesson plan.
"And I think as educators we are lifelong learners and we have to continue to learn good things and new things and that's why I think these workshops are excellent," said Williams.
Or to sum up...
"We have to continue to be trained if we're going to teach children," said Williams.
Similar workshops include a science Olympiad and robotics competition, as lesson plans for both sides of the classroom continue.
Time Warner Cable is the parent company of YNN and we are committed to the Connect a Million Minds program, inspiring youth to develop science, technology, engineering and math skills. For more information on the initiative, go to connectamillionminds.com.