Collaboration

Getting Prepped for ISTE 2016

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ISTE colleengraves.org

ISTE is next week! I can’t wait to tour Sparkfun, meet my educator friends/tweeps face to face, and talk about my passion for making school makerspaces accessible for ALL STUDENTS.

Girls In STEM

Monday afternoon, Bev Ball, Diana Rendina, and I will be chatting about getting Girls in Stem and how an inclusive makerspace is more than just pink power tools. Diana, Aaron, and I are also working on a chapter dedicated to getting girls involved in maker education in our ABC Clio book. This will be a quick snapshot offering our 3 different perspectives!

Maker Education Challenge

Tuesday, I’ve been invited to be a “Master Maker” for the Maker Education Challenge. I’ll be paired up with a “Novice Maker” and have two hours to complete a challenge on the spot. Remember that in Maker Ed, we are all beginners at something. So don’t let those epithets deter you from entering or attending!

From the Eventbrite:

“Join us to observe the first Maker Education Challenge at ISTE 2016 hosted by Nick Provenzano! Master Makers David Saunders, Diana Rendina, Colleen Graves, Bill Selak, and Jeff Branson will join novice makers for the ultimate maker challenge. Starting with a challenge prompt, each team led by Master Makers will use the same materials to create an effective solution to the prompt. Join us to discover what creations lie ahead and be inspired. Refreshments will be provided for both Maker Teams and observers.”

Knights of Make-A-Lot

Lastly, Wednesday am, I’m excited to be a part of the Knights of Make-A-Lot 2 session with Diana Rendina, Nathan Stevens, and Dr. Lisa Abel-Palmieri. I’ll still be talking about inclusive makerspaces but also discussing how to reach underserved populations like minorities and students at lower socioeconomic schools. I’m honored that SLJ mentioned our session as one of the top ten things to do at ISTE! Check out the article here.

From the conference registration:

“Learn how to create makerspaces to reach underserved populations and find out how to broaden the idea of maker education.”

Session Recap

  • ISTE – Monday-  Girls in STEM June 27th at 4:15pm with Bev Ball and Diana Rendina
  • ISTE – Tuesday- (Conference Registration not required) Maker Challenge with The Nerdy Teacher – RSVP: Eventbrite Info
  • ISTE – Wednesday-  Knights of Make-A Lot Part 2- June 29th at 10:15am.

 

CTE Makeover Challenge, Capitol Hill Maker Faire and Panels

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CTE Makeover Challenge Review Panel

I was honored this last month to be a part of the review panel for the CTE Makeover Challenge before submissions headed on over to the final judges. If you haven’t heard of this amazing opportunity, be sure to head on over to CTE Makeover Challenge to read more about the details. I’m hoping the US Dept. of Education will offer this challenge again next year.

I can’t wait to hear which schools will receive the final awards! It should be announced next week during the National Week of Making!

Making and Education- Capitol Hill Maker Faire Panels

I’m also excited and honored to announce that I’ve been invited to speak on a panel for the Congressional Maker Caucus before the Capitol Hill Maker Faire in DC on June 21st. (Hosted by the Institute of Museum and Library Services). Registration is free and open to the public! If you are in the DC area, just register through this link to attend! This very distinguished panel will be answering questions regarding “Making and Education K-12.” I’m overjoyed at this opportunity to share my passion for school library makerspaces alongside this panel of experts.

 

makercaucus pic

Capitol Hill Maker Faire

Aaron and I will also be featured makers at the evening Capitol Hill Maker Faire where we will be sharing paper circuit activities from our upcoming book the Big Book of Makerspace Projects. We believe everyone is a maker, so we think you’ll enjoy making these beginner maker activities with us!

Here is more info on the evening faire as provided by IMLS:

“The Capitol Hill Maker Faire will be held on June 21, during the Week of Making in the Nation’s Capital.  It will be a fun and interactive event for members of the public, including members of Congress and their staff.  The National Maker Faire will be held on June 18-19.

Hosted by the Institute of Museum and Library Services in collaboration with the Congressional Maker Caucus, the event explores the movement driven by hobbyists, tinkerers, crafters, and innovators that is changing the face of informal learning at community institutions and is breathing new life and innovation into American manufacturing.”

Hope to see you in DC!

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