UA-27757076-1 - http://www.ellencavanaugh.com

Category: 21st century skills

Three Electric Cars for under $100: A STEM NOVA Project

I had the great honor of working with the boys of Troop 414, about thirty of them ages 11 to 18. The night had been set aside to introduce the boys to new STEM Nova program the boy scouts of America have rolled out.  The award program enables scouts to “Be Prepared” in a world …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://growageneration.com/2012/11/30/three-electric-cars-for-under-100-a-stem-nova-project/

Kindergarten and Circuit Boards: The Children’s Innovation Project

It was amazing to see students at the end of 1st grade, only 2 years into the program, drawing electrical diagrams and cannibalizing circuitry from   one toy to create something completely new. I attended the November 5 workshop by the Children’s Innovation Project at the CREATE LAB at Carnegie Mellon University.  Melissa Butler and Jeremy Boyle presented the …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://growageneration.com/2012/11/20/kindergarten-and-circuit-boards-the-childrens-innovation-project/

Film making in a Library? Carnegie Library’s New Media Lab

I enjoyed a SPARK hosted lunch and presentation at the Carnegie Library in Oakland with Jean Barsotti, Director of the Beaver Falls Library. We have been discussing ways in which BC STEM and the Beaver Falls library can work together to make opportunities for students to master skills in digital media, robotics, video game design …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://growageneration.com/2012/11/14/film-making-in-a-library-carnegie-libraries-new-media-lab/

Turning Point in US Engineering

Announcing Engineers Week – You’re Invited to Celebrate If you are a student – visit http://www.discoverengineering.org/ or form a Future Cities Team! If you are an engineer – volunteer.  Visit http://www.eweek.org for a list of places you are needed! For parents – review the Grand Challenges of Engineering with your child and discover what ignites …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://growageneration.com/2012/10/30/turning-point-in-us-engineering/

Assigning Wikipedia Entries for a College Classroom

Grow a Generation advocates active learning, engaging young people in meaningful projects, and tapping into a person’s intrinsic motivation to learn.  I’ve challenged parents and teachers to see technology as a tool to help develop a generation of innovators, critical thinkers, collaborators, young people able to take criticism, to fail and rise, who are empowered …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://growageneration.com/2012/10/28/assigning-wikipedia-entries-for-a-college-classroom/

Childhood Dreams

Children can and do change the world.  They recognize injustice, they experience fear and anger.  The father of the Buddha tried to protect him from all suffering, injustice, and anguish. He created a beautiful bubble for him, a bubble of plenty of sweet food, no harsh words, no sickness, no poverty, and no loss. The …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://growageneration.com/2012/10/23/childhood-dreams/

What is a Media Lab?

I am thrilled to announce that I have accepted the job as director of the new Baden Academy Charter School Media Lab!  I will continue to build my company, Grow a Generation (and finish the book!), teach part time at Duquesne, and volunteer in various roles such as Beaver County STEM.  I now embark on …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://growageneration.com/2012/10/16/what-is-a-media-lab/

The Biggest Story Problem – A New Documentary

I was given a chance to preview a new documentary film on the state of math education in the United States, The Biggest Story Problem: Why America’s Students are Failing at Math. The film opens with stories of Middle School students struggling in math and quotes some alarming statistics. Three quarters of US students fail …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://growageneration.com/2012/10/07/the-biggest-story-problem-a-new-documentary/

Robots: A Fun Context for Learning

I am so excited about the recent Beaver County STEM Education Advocacy Coalition (long name – but it explains what we do) meeting. The meeting focused on assembling the numerous people in the county using robotics to share ideas and inspire those that have yet to foray into this technological jungle gym. As you read …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://growageneration.com/2012/09/28/robots-a-fun-context-for-learning/

Neil Armstrong, Bill Nye and the War on Math and Physics

The news came a few weeks ago that Neil Armstrong had died.  He is a personal hero and I mourn his loss, especially coming so soon after Sally Ride. I went into my computer and resurrected the slides from a presentation I did at the Western PA Montessori school, Neil and Buzz Go to the …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://growageneration.com/2012/09/19/neil-armstrong-bill-nye-and-the-war-on-math-and-physics/