Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Did You Know?

I can't verify the accuracy of the data provided in this video, but some of the numbers are staggering - and quite a few toward the beginning demonstrate just how important it is to be teaching technological skills to today's students.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Commemorating Earth Day


To commemorate Earth Day, today I'm providing two links that I hope you'll find relevant. The first, http://earthday.envirolink.org/history.html, provides an interesting history of Earth Day, authored by Senator Gaylord Nelson, the founder of Earth Day. 

The second link is to the Earth Day Network, accessible at: http://www.earthday.net/
This resource provides information on Earth Day events, activities, and actions. 

Earth Day 2009 marks the beginning of a two-year push called "The Green Generation Campaign," which will also be the focus of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010.


Friday, April 17, 2009

Technology's Rising Profile

In my personal life, I am the mother of four children, ages 20 to 6. I've had a lot of experience with our local school system (Fairfax County, VA), having had at least one child in attendance for the past 15 years. Overall, I am quite happy with our public schools and particularly with its enthusiastic and dedicated teachers. I have to admit, however, to being VERY pleasantly surprised when my first graders brought home a flyer last week announcing their school's first-ever, "Math, Science, and Technology Night." 

After a bit of research, I discovered that not only had the school system implemented "MS&T Nights" at most of the elementary schools, but it had also incorporated the curriculum areas into recently held "Career Days." Here's a link with more information:

I am thrilled to see the school system stepping up to provide our youngest students with these additional learning opportunities, as well as the opportuny to see and speak with people who are in MS&T-related occupations. 

I give a "thumbs up" to Fairfax County Public Schools and I hope this is a trend that will gain momentum around the country.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Science Fails to Inspire

Below please find a link to an interesting article from the Houston Chronicle, which concludes that students learn other subject areas, including science, better when they are infused with the type of learning that takes place in technology education.