Inspire

Our world is filled with technology and our students are growing up with access to information on a 24 hour a day, seven day a week basis. They can find an app to identify a leaf, listen to a podcast, or even watch a live video of history happening. They can text, take selfies, and find sports scores in split seconds. While technology offers a world of learning and connecting, we also need to be thoughtful about the times when it doesn't. Sometimes the biggest shortage in our classrooms is in the simple stuff.
 

Raw materials for students to build prototypes, create inventions, and embrace their wonders. Cardboard. Masking tape. Straws. Paper clips. Wood blocks. Things to build with. Because in building while we learn, we end up building something way bigger than just knowledge. We build our ability to collaborate, think flexibly, create solutions, and think critically. Building skills that provide our learners a strong foundation at every level.

Sometimes powering down the devices means powering up the imagination … and the learning.

Krissy Venosdale is the Innovation Coordinator at The Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas. You can see all her work at http://krissyvenosdale.com and @krissyvenosdale on Twitter and Instagram.

If you have an inspiring story or piece of wisdom that you’ve picked up through your experiences in the FIRST community, please reach out to us at inspire@firstinspires.org and inquire about becoming a guest contributor for Inspire.