Electrical phenomena have been studied since antiquity, but we’re still finding out new facts. Electricity is in the air—and in the news! This selection of noteworthy articles is bound to “spark” some ideas for classroom discussion. Read the rest of this entry »
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College level, electricity, Elementary level, energy, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: Educational Innovations, electricity, energy, homeschool, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science | 
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Posted by Donna Giachetti
By: Donna Giachetti
Even babies understand the difference between ON and OFF. After mastering peek-a-boo, turning a switch on and off is one of a toddler’s favorite games. What will happen if I press here? Where did that light come from? Who made that noise? Something nearly always happens when a button is pushed, and it leaves children wanting to know more. At least that’s how it went in my house. My son wasn’t satisfied squeezing Tickle Me Elmo’s belly to hear the little guy giggle. He soon figured out how to switch Elmo on-off-on-off so rapidly that the poor fuzzball appeared to have a bad case of the hiccups.
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Posted by Donna Giachetti
By: Donna Giachetti
Heading to LaGuardia airport for my first science convention, I was reminded of my first day of kindergarten. Instead of a shiny new lunchbox, I toted a battered old suitcase but otherwise, it felt much the same. My first convention! Would I make friends? Would there be name tags? Bathroom breaks? Worst of all, would I get lost?
When I joined Educational Innovations in September 2014, my new colleagues tried to describe the magic and mayhem that occurs at science conventions. “You’ll see,” I heard more than once. They tossed around terms like “regionals” and “nationals” as if they were talking about March Madness.
I listened to their stories wondering when I would get my turn to become part of the larger-than-life Educational Innovations convention crew. And then, in mid-November, my moment arrived. CAST—the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching—would be my initiation into the world of science teachers.
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Posted by Donna Giachetti
by: Donna Giachetti
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a teacher.
If you spend more than an hour a day with kids—from 1 to 100 (in age and quantity)—chances are you’re a teacher.
If you’ve grinned at our Facebook comics or said “I need that!” while clicking through our website, chances are you’re a teacher.
Here’s what the dictionary says:
Source: Merriam-Webster dictionary online
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Posted by Donna Giachetti
by: Donna Giachetti
“In the spring
a young man’s fancy
lightly turns to thoughts of love.”
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Alfred may have a point, but these days our thoughts turn to darker, spookier things—zombies, ghouls, witches, monsters and ghosts (more about them later, scroll down to the end of the blog).
Let us count the ways:
But best of all, there’s the anticipation of HALLOWEEN! What a wonderful time to be a mad scientist! Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by Tami O'Connor
