Waffle Bytes

Save the Children has launched its inaugural summer reading campaign in the United States – Read a Story, Change Their Story – in celebration of the global nonprofit’s 100 th  anniversary. The 100-day campaign, which will conclude on September 8, World Literacy Day, encourages all children, parents, teachers, librarians, caregivers and adults to log their summer reading minutes at  SavetheChildren.org/READ .  Participants can positively impact the lives of children growing up in rural America who do not have adequate access to early education or children’s books, while also promoting literacy in all communities. Every minute logged helps raise awareness and supports Save the Children’s work to improve literacy and change lives. For more information, go to: https://www.savethechildren. org/us/about-us/media-and- news/2019-press-releases/100- days-of-reading

The REMC12E STEM/Maker CHALLENGE 2018 - 2019 School Year Are you interested in implementing STEM but not sure where to start? Do you need some fresh ideas to expand on the STEM activities you are already doing?   Would you like to try out using Maker materials that are new to you?   If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should participate in our STEM/Maker Challenge this year!  To participate, your students will complete STEM activities as part of your curriculum. You choose which ones and how many you would like to complete - and there is a “bonus” if you complete 4 or more! General Information Who: ANY classroom teacher in Branch or Calhoun County (even those that don’t know what STEM is!) When : 2018-2019 School Year What : Integration of STEM activities in your classroom activities Cost : FREE to participate! Why : STEM activities are most effective when included in classroom learning activities, and can expose students to new M...

I'm looking for some teachers in Branch or Calhoun county (Michigan) that would like to participate in an end of the year challenge! Challenge Title:  Why We Celebrate Memorial Day Challenge/Problem to Solve :  Challenge your students to explore why we celebrate Memorial Day.   Type: Multimedia Challenge Challenge Parameters : Challenge is limited to 10 teams Students must create all elements for the challenge The student product must meet the following criteria: Utilize the green screen to support the project Be equivalent to a G or PG movie rating (for instance, in use of language and dress) Possible Ideas: Historical news cast about Memorial Day Reenactment of historical event related to Memorial Day Public Service Announcement related to Memorial Day Interview of vetern(s) - what Memorial Day means personally Opposing Viewpoints panel - should we celebrate Memorial Day Time Frame : approximately 4-5 weeks April 30: Deadline to sign up...

There is a new challenge being put on by Google, Girls Make Games and ESA Foundation called Change the Game. Submissions are due by May 16, 2018.  It's worth checking out! From the site - Are You Ready to Change The Game? Change The Game’s mission is to make mobile gaming truly for everyone by celebrating and empowering women as creators and players. We’re calling on the next generation of game-makers to share their mobile game design ideas and what they want to see for the future of gaming. We’ve joined forces with Girls Make Games and ESA Foundation to challenge teens to use their creativity and skills to develop a game idea, and to take their first step towards change. The top 5 finalists will win a VIP trip to an exclusive experience at E3 in Los Angeles. There, they can showcase their game ideas and join a celebration of women in gaming. The Grand Prize Winner will also receive a $10,000 college scholarship, a $15,000 technology contribution to their school, and...

I am looking for teachers that are willing to participate in a classroom challenge with their students! This challenge is open to all K-12 classrooms and student clubs in participating REMC12E districts. (This is nearly all school districts in Branch and Calhoun county.  Not sure if your district is included?  Email me to ask! Title: Build Model Test Course for New Vehicles Type : Engineering and Programming Challenge Challenge/Problem to Solve : You have been asked to develop a model test course for new vehicles. This course will test the controllability and speed of the vehicles as they move through the course. Challenge Parameters : Challenge is limited to 8-10 teams  Students must create all elements for the challenge  The designed course must contain the following:  An incline and decline of at least 24”  At least 4 turns, 2 each left and right  Tests for the model going slow, medium, and fast speeds  Time Frame : approximately...

There is a free webinar on Feb 20 where you can learn tips & tricks for integrating the @USCIWitness Challenge into your classroom.  It would be great to see some local teachers participate in this! From the website : Make the World Stronger Than Hate. Educators have a powerful opportunity to educate and inspire students to make change now. The 2018 IWitness Video Challenge, created by USC Shoah Foundation and in partnership with Discovery Education , provides an actionable way to promote equality, challenge bias, discuss tolerance, and engage students in a service-learning project that inspires action. Teachers and students can be part of a movement that counters hatred in all its forms, from racism to antisemitism to xenophobia. Prizes This important opportunity for youth to be Stronger Than Hate—and inspire their friends, school, and community to join them—also comes with the chance to win scholarships and grants totaling $10,000. FOR STUDENTS: First...

Novel Engineering looks like a great way to collaboratively teach Literature with Engineering! From the website: An integrated approach to teaching Engineering and Literacy "Inspired by kids and grounded in research, Novel Engineering is an innovative approach to integrate engineering and literacy in elementary and middle school. Students use existing classroom literature - stories, novels, and expository texts - as the basis for engineering design challenges that help them identify problems, design realistic solutions, and engage in the Engineering Design Process while reinforcing their literacy skills.... [S]tudents develop projects based on texts they read in English Language Arts or other content classes, such as history. The characters become their clients and students pull from the text to scope problems and set constraints as they engage in engineering design. Teachers play a pivotal role in supporting their students' engagement by providing a supportive,...

One of the few blogs I read with regularity is A.J. Juliani's Blog - it's one of only a couple I get delivered to my inbox! His newest blog post poses a challenge - one that is open to ANY teacher!  I encourage you to check it out and think about stepping up to the challenge with a group of your students.  I've included some highlights below - if you would like full details, check out the original blog post here: Creating a School (on Mars) from Scratch . The hashtag #MARSchallenge with be used to share out what students are designing, making, and building this month.  If nothing else - follow along to see what others are creating! Image from A.J. Juliani Blog - used with permission. From A.J. Juliani's blog: This challenge is open to any teacher and group of students in a K-12 education setting. We provide lesson plans, student notebooks, power point presentation for each lesson, and a framework (the LAUNCH Cycle) for your students to tackle this e...

For 6-12 th grade math, science, or civics teachers in Michigan. (from MDOT_TRAC) What : 1 day free MDOT-TRAC (Transportation and Civil Engineering) Training  When: Thursday November 17 Time: 8:00am-3:30 pm   Where: MDOT Transportation Service Center                   15300 West Michigan Avenue                   Marshall, MI  49068 Registration : Contact information provided at end of page For this FREE training and hands-on tools provided by MDOT:   Educators will learn to use (and will receive) hands-on math and science tools/exercises. Supplies are replenished as used.   Six SCECH hours are also available for the training. At least 1200 Michigan teachers have been trained to use these tools.  The program is used in 26 of the 50 states and is available for use in grades 6-12.  Training covers civil engineering r...

USAGE DRIVE:  ANNOUNCING DISCOVERY EDUCATION’S SPRING TRAINING!   Spring Into Digital Hit it out of the park with  Discovery Education's Spring Training . Bring new instructional ideas into your everyday practice with this series of exercises to use with Discovery Education. We all need a little workout every now and again to hone our skills and develop our practice and that's what Discovery Education's Spring Training is all about. You're invited to participate in a weekly challenge where, over the next five weeks, you will be given a new instructional strategy to practice and discover ways to use Discovery Education to be an ace pitcher in your classroom. Start Conditioning Sign Up  to receive your weekly challenge and get started with the week one challenge below.  You can join Spring Training anytime throughout the challenge. Each Wednesday during Spring Training, you will receive your training plan. You can also go to thi...

From the site Drive Smart Now : START MAKING A DIFFERENCE TODAY:  CREATE A DIGITAL SHORT TO HELP COMBAT DISTRACTED DRIVING You can help save lives. Accept the challenge and create a digital short to convince your peers not to drive distracted. Scholarships and grants will be awarded to students and teachers.  From MACUL's Big Deal Media: " The Wireless Foundation has launched the second year of its Drive Smart: No Distractions, No Excuses Teen Digital Short Contest . The competition challenges students aged 13–18 to create a digital short to persuade their peers not to drive while distracted.... The Wireless Foundation partnered with By Kids For Kids (BKFK) to create the Drive Smart campaign. The program’s website provides teachers, parents, students, and community leaders with free downloadable activities and information on the dangers of driving while distracted." Deadline: December 15, 2015 Prizes: Grand Prize: $5,000 scholarship (teacher/men...

  Cricket Media and Global Learning Network have launched the Second Annual Global Folklorist Challenge , produced in partnership with the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage . About the challenge: Who : open to youth aged 8 to 18 worldwide, Task: participants explore a local or regional tradition through the eyes of a community tradition bearer Product: participants create a video or slideshow to share the story Deadline : November 30, 2015 More Information: Challenge Website From the site: "Cultural traditions that students might explore include dance, games, handicrafts, cooking, storytelling, customs, distinctive jobs, and more. Comprehensive supporting materials reinforce real-world folklorist skills by defining terms; providing examples, tips, and organizational tools; and walking students through professional interview and story-shaping processes. In addition, students can have their questions answered by Smithsonian experts. Ac...

 From Discovery Education & Toyota: Learning to drive is one of the coolest times for a teen. But facts have shown it can also be extremely dangerous. In fact, the first year after a teen gets their license will be one of the most dangerous years of their life. (Source: National Safety Council). Actions such as talking on the phone or just talking to your friends in the car, not wearing a seatbelt, driving at night, texting, and just plain inexperience all result in car crashes being the leading cause ofteenage death in the U.S. But we believe that you have the power to inspire your fellow teens, maybe better than a teacher or a parent can, because you know what messages will be the most powerful. That’s why the TeenDrive365 Video Challenge empowers teens to put that vision on camera and save teen lives! Approach your video submission as your chance to find a message that would resonate with you and your peers. If your friends—and teens throughout the United States—were goi...