Engadget | Technology News, Advice and Features

http://www.engadget.com/gallery/6-world-changing-innovations-by-teenage-geniuses/#slide=3690327 This collection of 6 astonishing inventions all came from young people who saw real problems in the world around them and decided it was up to them to find a solution. Each invention is not only technically, but financially and environmentally innovative.

Strategies to Build Intrinsic Motivation | Edutopia

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/classroom-self-persuasion-david-palank?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow%20&utm_campaign=RSS Some interesting ideas here, particularly around intrinsic/extrinsic motivation. I can imagine this would be entertaining: 1. Two Lines Dan Pink, in his show Crowd Control, got people to stop double dipping their chips in guacamole by setting up bowls for double dippers and single dippers. Before class, form two lines called “Ready to Learn” […]

Back-to-School Products Designed by Students for Students | Edutopia

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/back-school-products-designed-students-students-suzie-boss Expert support for design thinking: “To scaffold the design-thinking process, the Tools at Schools team has students produce three boards en route to their proposed solution. Here’s how Aruh describes these deliverables: Board One: What inspires you? You might pull pictures from magazines, use color swatches, or words — whatever gets you excited about […]

Substitute Tips, Ideas, Lessons, and Activities

http://www.weareteachers.com/blogs/post/2015/08/18/50-tips-tricks-and-ideas-for-substitute-teachers 50 quick tips for subs, thanks to We are teachers!

Morning Meetings: Creating a Safe Space for Learning | Edutopia

http://www.edutopia.org/practice/morning-meetings-creating-safe-space-learning?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow%20&utm_campaign=RSS Using structured morning meetings to start every day in a context of support and respect. The key elements of the meeting are: Greeting: Students and teachers greet and welcome each other. Sharing: Students share something about themselves or their lives, and the rest of their peers listen, then ask follow-up questions or offer comments. […]

Nurturing Intrinsic Motivation and Growth Mindset in Writing | Edutopia

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/intrinsic-motivation-growth-mindset-writing-amy-conley?utm_campaign=RSS&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow A great piece on helping students take ownership of their writing, and in their growth. The focus is on high school, but the principles would also apply in the early years. Conley writes of her own change in focus: “My goal is not a good essay from Student A, but rather for Student A […]

Traveling to Another Planet? Just Add Water! – Scientific American Blog Network

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/traveling-to-another-planet-just-add-water/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ScientificAmerican-Twitter+%28Content%3A+Global+Twitter+Feed%29 A fantastic look at how the Solar system’s water reserves could be used to make long distance space flight possible. The key is using water for propulsion, which would make life support far easier and more efficient than chemical propulsion.