2018 SAVE THE DATE
Be sure to SAVE THE DATE and find Readiness Learning at one of these upcoming events or hosted by us--
please keep checking for updates
January 29, 2018
Stratford School, Spotlight on STEAM for Preschool Educators, Webinar-Invitation Only (www.stratfordschools.com)
January 31, 2018
Stratford School, Spotlight on STEAM for K-2 Educators, Webinar- Invitation Only (www.stratfordschools.com)
February 2-3, 2018
ECSTEM 2018, Anaheim, CA (www.ecstem.org)
February 3, 2018
Skills USA, Los Angeles Trade Technical Community College, Los Angeles, CA (www.skillsusa.org)
February 6, 2018
Stratford School, Spotlight on STEAM for Grades 3-5 Educators, Webinar-Invitation Only (www.stratfordschools.com)
February 10, 2018
University of Pittsburgh, PA, 4th Annual Women in STEM
February 20-21, 2018
Stratford School, Saratoga, CA, School Leaders Event- Invitation Only (www.stratfordschools.com)
February 22-24, 2018
AAAS, Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM, Washington, DC
February 27, 2018
Stratford School, Spotlight on STEAM for Middle School Educators, Webinar-Invitation Only (www.stratfordschools.com)
March 9, 2018
Keynote Speaker, SoCal area Preschool Directors luncheon, hosted by Stratford School, Melrose Campus, Los Angeles, CA
March 15-18, 2018
NSTA, National Conference, Atlanta, Georgia
April 12-14, 2018
ITEEA 80th Annual Conference, Atlanta, Georgia
May 8, 2018
Region 9 Headstart STEM Institute, North Hollywood, CA
May 18-20, 2018
Girls in STEM Student Conference, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
June 5-7, 2018
Tufts University STEM Education Conference, Boston, MA
June 23-29, 2018
Virginia Earth System Science Scholars Summer Academy, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
July 12-14, 2018
East Tennessee State University Early Childhood Conference ( https://www.etsu.edu/coe/child/programs/conference/ )
July 14-20, 2018
VESSS Academy, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
On going presenting and training for Buzz Aldrin's Destination MARS MAP, Curriculum, robotic rovers & more! https://sharespace.org/
Readiness Learning Associates is proud to recommend Discovery Science Foundation located at Discovery Cube OC, Los Angeles & Ocean Quest! As a national award-winning science center and a champion of STEM education, they strive to educate young minds and create partnerships with schools. They are the third largest science center delivering outreach programs in the nation seeing over 350,000 students!
Preschool Gardens Provide Opportunities for STEM Learning
Southern California Preschool Directors joined Carrie Lynne Draper and Head of School, Rebecca Coen, Stratford School Los Angeles, at a recent Lunch & Learn to find out How to Bring STEM to Life in Preschool. Using life science, participants learned a variety of ways to engage young children. Take old potatoes and discover how we can grow more potatoes. Engage children with what they know and we know young children love eating potatoes in a variety of ways. Do they understand what exactly grows from potato eyes..eoooww..gross, says four year olds! To find out more about this presentation and hands-on training, contact our offices.
Share the Science at ECSTEM 2018
Thank you to all of our STEM colleagues and partners for joining us at ECSTEM 2018. Hosted by The Childrens Center at Caltech, this year we were able to experience VR (virtual reality) using Share the Science to experience how a young child view's a garden and why we must all advocate for science, technology, engineering and math learning for our youngest citizens. Pictured below (left to right) Susan Nall Bales, Chair, Frameworks Institute and Chair of the Bales Family Foundation; Jenne Ring, Faculty, Pasadena City College; Dr. Judy Cameron, University of Pittsburgh; Susan Wood, Chair, ECSTEM, Dr. Jean Barbre, Orange County Department of Education, Lauren Kaye, Chief Officer of Learning Environments, Kidspace Children's Museum; Jayanti Tambe, Author, The Art of Math & Science; Susan Nall Bales; Carrie Lynne Draper, Executive Director, Readiness Learning Associates.
Growing children's learning processes using STEM from Birth to College
Readiness Learning Associates is a STEM readiness organization that focuses on the development of scientific dispositions using STEM and pedagogical design to promote equity-oriented STEM learning for children from Birth through College. Since its inception, more than thirty years ago, we have recruited associates that are classroom teachers, program administrators, university faculty and former center directors serving as our experiential-based trainers. Using the principles of constructivism, we are known for our research based, high quality programs and training. We partner with experts in STEM Module curriculum to customize STEM learning to work with your existing program. We are proud to support your school, and science center! The world needs educators and researchers who can inspire students! We invite you to join our community!
Just as students respond to various instructional approaches, teachers respond to a variety of professional learning delivery models. A differentiated approach to professional learning delivery may include analysis, job coaching, demonstrations, mentoring, and workshops that are innovative in meeting the needs of ALL teachers. We build the pipeline of STEM educators, so they can successfully reach ALL students. 
Be sure to visit our Early Childhood STEM page to get the latest on our coding, programming and robot workshops for our youngest learners! 
Massachusetts STEM Summit
SAVE the DATE! The 2018 Massachusetts STEM Summit will be held on November 14, 2018 at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA.
2017 Summit was amazing and thank you to all our STEM colleagues! We enjoyed spending time in Boston after the conference ended, visiting some favorite science centers and STEM schools! Boston's Science Park teamed up with Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox for STEM learning! https://www.mos.org/red-sox The annual Massachusetts STEM Summit promotes Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education and workforce development from early childhood through adulthood. The theme for the 2017 Summit – Progress Through Partnership – celebrated the rich tradition of creative collaboration that has been the hallmark of the Commonwealth’s powerful STEM movement since its earliest inception. Over the years, the Summit has presented countless examples of initiatives in which partners from diverse sectors have come together to leverage each other’s complementary strengths, expertise, and resources. These cooperative efforts have yielded innovative, dynamic, and effective STEM programs for in-school and out-of-school education, and workforce development. Whether large or small, statewide or local, public or private, partnerships of diverse stakeholders remain crucial to the state’s continued STEM success. The Summit continues to be hosted by the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council, and the UMass Donahue Institute and supported by generous contributions from a broad array of public and private organizations invested in the economic vitality of the state, including businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, and non-profit entities. |
Finding STEM in
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Fun in the FAB LAB
Message from our Executive Director
The holiday season is a time to exchange cards and messages. It got me thinking about STEM Messaging and how important it is when teaching STEM to PS-12. In a holiday card, a colleague sent me an article that said there are lots of stereotypes in STEM that need to be discussed, Consider the career of engineering.
“Engineering is collaborative, meaningful, and can make direct and positive impact on people's lives. These themes need to be introduced to young people early, and reinforced throughout their early educational years," says Professor Gina Svarovsky,
" When working with young kids on engineering projects, adds Svarovsky, it's important to remember that they are “not mini-adults.” Most of them will not be able to fully integrate STEM concepts and practices the same way professional engineers do.
Even the youngest kids can start to develop engineering ways of thinking, such as generating multiple solution ideas, testing to experience failure and using that feedback for the next model. We find such joy working with young students—even preschool age as they begin to engage in these types of practices and ideas."
Many of us travel to schools and centers right up to the holidays to participate in fun STEM events and fairs. As I came down to the hotel lobby, the staff was struggling to assemble the artificial tree. I stopped and asked if I could join in the fun of problem solving how to put it together. Great collaboration and fun! Then we worked on getting strings of lights working, the decorations on. Later, I returned to have my holiday photo by the tree and I wondered, "What will holiday decorations be like twenty years from now?". Today's students are working with LEDs, drones, robotics, VR, and the list keeps growing. They will be the designers and inventors of holiday trimmings and so much more!
During this season, please don't forget the simple ways of celebrating by popping and stringing popcorn with cranberries, making paper chains and snowflakes and spending time together playing games, building, making hot chocolate and marvel at all of natures changes this season and...
STAY STEM INSPIRED with your families, friends and colleagues!
Happy Holidays to all and wishing you STEM filled days in 2018!
Warmest Regards, Carrie
“Engineering is collaborative, meaningful, and can make direct and positive impact on people's lives. These themes need to be introduced to young people early, and reinforced throughout their early educational years," says Professor Gina Svarovsky,
" When working with young kids on engineering projects, adds Svarovsky, it's important to remember that they are “not mini-adults.” Most of them will not be able to fully integrate STEM concepts and practices the same way professional engineers do.
Even the youngest kids can start to develop engineering ways of thinking, such as generating multiple solution ideas, testing to experience failure and using that feedback for the next model. We find such joy working with young students—even preschool age as they begin to engage in these types of practices and ideas."
Many of us travel to schools and centers right up to the holidays to participate in fun STEM events and fairs. As I came down to the hotel lobby, the staff was struggling to assemble the artificial tree. I stopped and asked if I could join in the fun of problem solving how to put it together. Great collaboration and fun! Then we worked on getting strings of lights working, the decorations on. Later, I returned to have my holiday photo by the tree and I wondered, "What will holiday decorations be like twenty years from now?". Today's students are working with LEDs, drones, robotics, VR, and the list keeps growing. They will be the designers and inventors of holiday trimmings and so much more!
During this season, please don't forget the simple ways of celebrating by popping and stringing popcorn with cranberries, making paper chains and snowflakes and spending time together playing games, building, making hot chocolate and marvel at all of natures changes this season and...
STAY STEM INSPIRED with your families, friends and colleagues!
Happy Holidays to all and wishing you STEM filled days in 2018!
Warmest Regards, Carrie
Wishing all of our STEM partners & clients a holiday season filled with awe & wonder and
stay STEM inspired!
Our Executive Director, Carrie Lynne Draper with a California
snow person and it's 80 degrees outside!
(Thank you to the Chase-Wright family for letting us come play)
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Our gift to you, check out these great resources
Science Learning in the Early Years: Activities for Pre-K-2 by Peggy Ashbrook
http://www.nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9781941316337
STEM Road Map for Elementary: Wind Energy by Dr.. Carla C. Johnson
http://www.nsta.org/publications/press/extras/roadmap-wind.aspx
stay STEM inspired!
Our Executive Director, Carrie Lynne Draper with a California
snow person and it's 80 degrees outside!
(Thank you to the Chase-Wright family for letting us come play)
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Our gift to you, check out these great resources
Science Learning in the Early Years: Activities for Pre-K-2 by Peggy Ashbrook
http://www.nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9781941316337
STEM Road Map for Elementary: Wind Energy by Dr.. Carla C. Johnson
http://www.nsta.org/publications/press/extras/roadmap-wind.aspx
As a teacher of science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM), you are in a perfect position to encourage more students to take up STEM studies and careers. But what are the best ways to inspire students and achieve this goal? Finding your way, which path to take, can be a challenge.
Professional Development, Conferences and other face-to-face events are good opportunities to meet the innovators of new teaching practices, and also to network with other teachers. Attending a professional training course can have a long-lasting impact on your STEM teaching and help you to become more confident about using new approaches in class. You can share opportunities and have a chance to be inspired.
Having a STEM Mentor is incredibly valuable. Someone that is available to answer questions, direct you towards proven research and has tried & tested classroom lessons and activities. We are fortunate at Readiness Learning to have many mentors supporting our work from PS-University.
To Infinity & Beyond! Today's children Birth to Age 8 can do it all with a strong beginning and foundation in STEM learning!
Join us at ECSTEM 2018, 'Imagine, Question & Innovate' in Anaheim, CA
Feb. 2-3, 2018 www.ecstem.org
We are thankful for all of our STEM clients and partners and wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Our offices will be closed the week of Nov. 20-24, 2017 so we may spend time with our loved ones!
Implementing STEM Across School District
Purdue University National STEM Education Research & Practice Summit, October 16 & 17, 2017, will showcase the four person team responsible for this district-wide STEM adoption and implementation for 23 campus locations in California. Carrie Lynne Draper, Executive Director, Readiness Learning Associates will share the strategic plan and resources used and will be joined by Chief Academic Officer and Founder of Stratford School, Sherry Adams.
When school districts face a paradigm shift in education and want to implement STEM, administrators face challenges in providing professional learning, aligning curriculum and implementing NGSS and 21st Century standards, join us and learn how this California school district serving students Preschool through Middle School uses innovative resources to advance STEM cross-curricular education. Additional panel members will be Monisha Gupta and Allison Wilson as we share our journey.
In addition, visit our Early Childhood STEM page to learn about Carrie's other presentation at Purdue. To register for the conference, go to: http://www.cvent.com/events/national-stem-education-research-and-practice-summit/event-summary-f666e56740cb478aa7963f7728df20d5.aspx
Stratford School STEAM Lead teacher, Michael Rosenberg, presenting at Purdue National STEM Education Research Summit.
Association Constructiveness Teaching Conference, October 20-21, 2017 at Fullerton College, Fullerton, CA
Teachers can nurture curiosity by creating an open space to ponder, wonder, and question. By honoring students' questions, teachers facilitate learning, which is relevant and motivates students to question further and seek out possibilities pertaining to any subject. To be curious and to question is intrinsic to learning. Warren Berger in his book, A More Beautiful Question, quotes research scientist John Seely Brown who explains that "..if you're comfortable questioning, experimenting, connecting things - then change is something that becomes an adventure. And if you can see it as an adventure, then you're off and running." (Berger, 2014, p.28). Join us to learn multiple avenues for learning! For more information visit: http://acteducators.com/act-conference/
International Day of the Girl is October 11, 2017, a day that aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls' empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights. Declared by the United Nations, we support EmPOWER Girls! Visit our Girls & Engineering page to learn how Readiness Learning Associates works to reach girls with personalized learning as young women are a great source of power, energy and creativity! (Thank you to L. Zyelto (age 11) for sharing her photograph of these amazing orchids! Lea, you are an amazing photographer!)
Pilibos School, Los Angeles, CA, Launches STEM Integration
Kristina Movessian, Director, Pilibos Preschool, invited Carrie Lynne Draper, to present at their Fall Professional Learning Day, "How to Integrate STEM in to the Early Childhood Classroom". Participants learned how to Find the STEM Story; How to Engineer Using Commonly Found Classroom Materials; How to Foster STEM Excellence Across the School & Community and using NGSS to foster STEM Thinking. The school is NAEYC accredited and uses science, technology and math to foster an environment rich with inquiry-based learning. Teachers learned how to teach robotics and considered how they can foster more problem-based learning in an EC setting beginning with two year old students! For more information about the school visit: www.pilibos.org
Purdue University K-2 STEM Integrated Modules Launched
at Stratford School 2017-2018 Professional Learning Conference
200+ educators from grades K-2, were in Santa Clara, CA Friday, for a Professional Learning Day with Carrie Lynne Draper, Executive Director, Readiness Learning Associates and Dr. Carla C. Johnson, Purdue University, participating in training on how to use the new Purdue STEM Integrated Modules, Stratford School will launch and use these custom designed modules across their 23 California schools, beginning the start of school. Kindergarten teachers experienced PBL and Engineering Design Process as they participated in the Magnificent Magnet Swap Meet as they dived in to better understanding of magnets and laws of attraction. First Grade teachers learned how to teach the States of Matter by participating in a unit titled 'Mystery at Dogland'. Using detective skills they solved a mystery with dog food disappearing at a pet store. Second Grade teachers constructed arcade games and demonstrated their knowledge of simple machines by building working arcade games that required players to use two or more simple machines, a part of a unit Arcade Challenge. All PBL and EDP activities use commonly found classroom materials and kits are not needed. For more information about Purdue K-2 STEM Integrated Modules, cross-curricular units (science, math, history and language arts) contact us at Readiness Learning Associates (readinesslearning@gmail.com).
Finding the STEM Story at #BetterTogetherCA 3rd Annual Summit at California State University Northridge, CA Friday, July 28, 2017
CSU Northridge is minutes from Hollywood where many celebrities have found their passion and know how to tell stories to entertain us. What does STEM learning and Hollywood have in common? Ashton Kutcher and Mayim Bailik are just a few celebrities that use their science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and training to pursue their passion. Ashton Kutcher, once a biochemical engineering major, at the University of Iowa, was looking to find ways to cure his brother’s heart ailment and is still fascinated with technology. Mayim Bailik from the TV show, The Big Bang Theory, plays a neuroscientist and actually has a degree in neurosciences. Today's students need teachers to help them discover their STEM story and find what they are passionate about. How do we create opportunities in the classroom that will engage students and facilitate lifelong learning? What are students curious about and what can we do to capture what interests them? Carrie Lynne Draper, shared successful strategies at the Better Together California Teachers Summit held at California State University Northridge. 250 teachers, school leaders representing Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles County Office of Education, and area independent and faith based schools joined in the fun and conversation.
Rudo Kashiri to Speak October 26, 2017, Buffalo, NY STEM Conference
Rudo Kashiri, Readiness Learning Associates STEM Director and Virginia Space Grant Consortium Education Manager, has been invited to present at the upcoming STEM Education and Diverse Language Learners Conference, October 26, 2017, in Buffalo, NY. The conference is for diverse urban educators and leaders passionate to inspire the next generation of STEM innovators! Rudo will be presenting two talks, NASA Treasure Hunt: Resources to Engage Underserved and Under-Represented Students in STEM. Drawing upon her rich NASA experience and her own skills in resource and professional development, Ms. Kashiri will provide a Grand Tour through NASA tools we can use in the classroom to engage all students in STEM! Her second talk will be Hidden Figures: NASA Teaching Tools (designed around this hit film). Given the power of the film "Hidden Figures," it is no wonder that NASA has created a toolkit to provide your students with insight and challenge, and your fellow teachers with cross-disciplinary resources as you facilitate STEM learning in your classroom. To register for the conference visit (https://terraed.org/ ) or if you wish to have Rudo speak, please contact her at our offices by using the contact form on our website or call 626.602.4444.
Teachers Gather at Opal School Summer Symposium 2017, Portland, OR
Every summer, hundreds of educators committed to recognizing, celebrating, and extending the creative and cognitive capacities of children join Opal School teacher-researchers for three full days of renewal through synthesis, dialogue, materials exploration, and reflection. This year, we focus on the role of the aesthetic dimension in supporting inquiry, transdisciplinary thinking, and participatory democracy. June 21-23, 2017, at the Portland Children's' Museum, The Opal School has invited Judy Graves and Melinda Hayward http://www.teachingpreschoolpartners.org/) Bill Fullbrecht and Rachel Schwartzman (The Brooklyn New School http://www.bns146.org/ ) and Rob van Nood (Tinker Camp http://www.tinkercamp.org/ ) to present ways to use narrative to increase student engagement and to work with educators so their students may embrace the unknown, learn to accept challenges, creatively solve problems and to be motivated to find out how something works!
Thank you NSTA National Conference on Science Education Participants!
It was my pleasure to present our EC Workshop on why NGSS, using 5 E Lessons, PBL and EDP are changing the way children are learning from PS through Grade 2! With attendees in our workshop from as far away as Hawaii and New York, we considered what is needed to ENGAGE students and to 'dive deeper' in their understanding of science, math and engineering! How do we assess, what inquiry-methods work in allowing children to process and spend time to consider other possibilities as they problem solve. For more information on how to transform your classroom to foster 21st century learning, please contact RLA.
Will you be joining us at NSTA National Conference on Science Education?
NSTA National Conference on Science Education March 30-April 2, 2017
Los Angeles Convention Center, Join Us!
Join Readiness Learning Associates as we kick off the Conference, Thursday, March 30, focusing on STEM in Early Childhood. Carrie Lynne Draper will speak at 3:30pm, Kentia Hall B, NGSS Connections for TK and Preschool STEM Learning.Many of RLA partners in STEM will be presenting. Friday, March 31, Dr. Beth Van Meeteren,University of Northern Iowa and Peggy Ashbrook, author and NSTA Columnist, Science & Children Journal, will each have a table at the Elementary Extravaganza, 8-10AM, West Hall B-1. 3:30PM in Room 501C. Dr. Van Meeteren will be presenting Every Day STEM for Every First Grader. Saturday, April 1st, NSTA Press Session: Bringing the STEM Together in Early Childhood Using Science and Engineering Practices will be presented by Peggy Ashbrook, 12:30PM, Exhibit Hall G-K. Dr. Carla C. Johnson, Purdue University, author of STEM ROAD MAP: A Framework for Integrated STEM Education will all be at the NSTA Press Session. This is just a partial list of the many workshops these individuals will be speaking at. For more information or to register please go to: https://www.nsta.org/conferences/registration/
Carnegie Science Center Teaching Excellence Academy
Spring 2017 Courses
We are often asked what STEM training is available for our East Coast colleagues and partners looking to advance STEM learning for their schools. We are pleased to share with you a variety of courses that Carnegie Science Center will be offering beginning this month.
- Teaching Content through Games
- Subtle Shifts to Get Your Students Devising Questions & Generating Conclusions
- Narrative Puzzle Solving
- Designing your PBL Experience
- Making a MakerSpace
- Hello Robo
Thank you Peggy Ashbrook for your wonderful re-cap of our ECSTEM Conference! Visit http://nstacommunities.org/blog/2017/02/08/an-ecstem-conference-experience/
NGSS Connections for TK and Preschool STEM Learning at NSTA National Conference on Science Education, Los Angeles Convention Center, March 30
Let's continue the conservation started at ECSTEM 2017 (www.ecstem.org) How do we use real science, problem based learning, and the engineering design process with Preschool students? Early Childhood educators learned the ways we explore Mars and using commonly found materials created robotic arms capable of lifting objects at ECSTEM. Please Join Carrie Lynne Draper, presenter, at our upcoming workshop, Los Angeles Convention Center, Kentia Hall, B at 3:30-4:30pm and join the fun! www.nsta.org/confreg
Nature Nurtures STEM In Early Childhood
Which would you prefer, to spend time searching for a cell signal or digging in the dirt? This year, Carrie Lynne Draper, Executive Director, RLA, will present a workshop at the 6th Annual ECSTEM Conference in Pasadena, CA on the importance of Outdoor STEM Learning and Botany/Life Science basics in EC. Join us as we tap in to NGSS and use the 5 E lesson template to ENGAGE young learners to dig and discover more than seeds, stems and roots. How do we use 'inquiry' to foster curiosity and make cross-curricular connections? Registration is still open at www.ecstem.org #ecstem
ECSTEM 2017 Curious About Mars?
Join us at the 6th Annual Early Childhood Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics Conference to be held February 3-4, 2017, at the Pasadena Hilton, Pasadena, CA. Hosted by The Childrens Center at Caltech (www.ecstem.org) brings educators, practioners, researchers together to present the latest research, workshops and experts on STEM in Early Childhood. Registration is still open. Carrie Lynne Draper, Executive Director, RLA, will be moderating the panel of experts and presenting 2 workshops at this year's conference. Panel experts include: Dr. Chip Donohue, Peggy Ashbrook, Susan Nall Bales, Elisabeth McClure and Keynote Speaker: Konstantin Batygin. Ms. Draper's workshops will be focusing on integrating Planetary Science in to the Early Childhood curriculum and a second workshop on integrating NGSS and Life Science.
Workshop on Designing an Innovation Lab for Middle School
STEAM Teams made up of middle school students and teachers meet with Readiness Learning STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper, to brainstorm and design Innovation Labs for their schools. The full-day workshop allows students to share their interests which often include electronics and electrical engineering, materials science engineering and robotics. Most students want STEM experts to join them in the LAB and will coordinate schedules to invite professionals from the community to join them in designing and building in the LAB. Below is an example of an amplifier/speaker, part of a stereo-system built by students. A robot made from parts found at a thrift shop. Students learn to work with tools, use soldering irons and receive career-related advice to help them plan their pathway to a possible STEM career. RLA works with a number of Maker Design organizations and can recommend what works!
Thank you College of the Desert & Stan and Carolyn Little Conference
We had an amazing turn out with more than 300 Early Childhood educators, practitioners, researchers and policymakers at the 20th Annual conference focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) education for our youngest learners (Ages Birth to Age 5). Thank you again for inviting me to be this year's keynote speaker and for asking me to lead the ENGINEERING workshop. We learned how to use commonly found classroom materials and engineer farm equipment; robots; wind turbines and so much more! Finding ways to explore and engage children to engineer, including coding and programming! Here is just a glimpse of some of the fun we had! A special thanks to Carolyn Little who began this conference 20 years ago! Thank you Jackie Lacey for serving as Chair of the Steering Committee.
20th Anniversary of the Stan & Carolyn Little Early Childhood Conference at
College of the Desert, Palm Desert, CA, October 1, 2016
Carrie Lynne Draper, Readiness Learning Associates, Executive Director, is this year's Keynote Speaker at the Stan & Carolyn Little Early Childhood Conference, Saturday, October 1, 2016, at the College of the Desert, 43500 Monterey Avenue, Palm Desert, CA. The Conference is committed to meet the learning needs and interests of early childhood teachers and directors in the Coachella Valley. The conference strives to instill passion, knowledge and skills in the attendees by providing training workshops to help them implement high quality programs for children. This year's theme focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education for our youngest learners. Ms. Draper will share the 10 Steps for STEM integration in the Early Childhood setting and following the keynote will lead an in-depth workshop on the E in STEM. Participants will learn how to engineer with students from ages 18months to six years! Registration is now open. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stan-carolyn-little-conference-2016-registration-25956306010
Stratford School Launches STEM Roadmap with Dr. Carla C. Johnson
A Framework for Integrated STEM Education
Readiness Learning Associates client, Stratford School, headquartered in the Silicon Valley area, kicked off their 2016 Professional Development Week with a deeper dive on the "HOW" of STEM Implementation. Inviting Dr. Carla C. Johnson, author of STEM ROAD MAP: A FRAMEWORK FOR INTEGRATED STEM EDUCATION, to be this year's keynote speaker. More than one thousand teachers and staff received training in how to engage students in solving real world problems and connecting students to learning that is collaboratory. Carrie Lynne Draper, Executive Director, RLA, worked with Stratford Sr. Leadership in designing this year's PD week. While attending key sessions with Curriculum Leads and School Leaders and Senior District staff, RLA, Purdue University will continue to work with Stratford School in providing the BEST STEM Integrated Roadmap, benefiting close to six thousand students, Preschool through Grade 8,
Stratford School Los Angeles at Melrose & Altadena Commit to STEM Excellence Providing STEM Training for their Early Childhood Educators!
Sounds of summer were explored at the Stratford Melrose and Altadena teacher workshop, Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016! Carrie Lynne Draper worked with Preschool and Kindergarten teachers to design STEM centers for their classrooms integrating STEM across-the curriculum; writing NGSS & 5E lesson plans. Investigations included understanding sound; engineering musical instruments; exploring wetlands and properties of soil and water and much more! Next the teachers will go on a field trip to the Discovery Cube Los Angeles to experience more STEM learning. Next week, they travel to San Jose, CA to join Stratford's 1000 STEM educators for 3 days of STEM training. For more information about Stratford School visit: www.stratfordschool.com
Summer is the time for STEM PD!
Readiness Learning Associates are busy conducting a number of STEM PD workshops across the nation! Research says that a minimum of 80 hours of professional development help a teacher go from per-emerging to a leader in STEM education. Many of RLA clients have worked with us for years to continue to bring the latest STEM research, best practices to their educators. We work with schools, science centers, informal STEM organizations. We look forward to upcoming workshops we will be conducting for Stratford School, Los Angeles region and their two new campuses; Stratford School, San Jose area and their twenty+ campuses; Stan Little Conference, Rancho Mirage, CA; College of the Desert, Palm Desert, CA; just to name a few! We look forward to joining Discovery Cube Los Angeles for a special STEM workshop!
Working to Meet the Needs of Rural School Districts STEM Needs
Readiness Learning Associates just completed a needs analysis on behalf of the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network to better learn the needs of Tennessee's rural school districts. Looking to bring STEM learning opportunities to all learners is a priority!
National Community College Aerospace Scholars 2016
Rudo Kashiri, Readiness Learninng STEM Director, VA Beach Virginia and NASA Langley/Virginia Space Grant Consortium, led a National Community Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) workshop that was a partnership between the Virginia Space Grant Consortium and NASA Langley Research Center's Office of Education. 43 students from mostly minority-serving community colleges attended the NCAS workshop. These talented, motivated students were selected from not only Langley's 5-state region (Virginia, West Virginia, North Caroline, South Carolina and Kentucky), but included students from across the country. The NCAS is an exciting, hands-on robotic design, programming and performance challenge created by NASA Johnson Space Center. Students enjoyed the opportunity to engage with one another as well as experience Langley's unique facilities and assets by tours and subject matter expert presentations. View it on YouTube https://youtu.be/Y6gbWbAl7ew and https://www.flickr.com/photos/100507224@N04/albums/72157669410447356
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NAEYC Professional Development Institute, Baltimore, MD, June 5-8, 2016
Join Wendy Brenneman, Carnegie Science Center Early Childhood Education Manager at NAEYC's Professional Development Institute, as she shares A connected city: How collaboration, not competition strengthens a community of learners, featuring Tanya Baronti, Fred Rogers Center; Sue Polojac, Pittsburgh AEYC; Samantha Ellwood, Providence Connections, Inc.; Wendy Brenneman, Carnegie Science Center; Gina Masciola, WQED; Will Tolliver, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. In ECE there are so many resources available for both professional and student growth, sometimes the numbers of options can be daunting. This session will focus on a model of collaboration in Pittsburgh, where early childhood experts, organizations, and resources have come together to work as a team to complement one another, in order to provide unique, in-depth experiences to their audience. Wendy is a friend of #ECSTEM and committed to our youngest STEM learners!
FULL S.T.E.A.M. Ahead: Los Angeles County Office of Education Hosts TK Conference, May 11, 2016
Executive Director, Carrie Lynne Draper, was the Keynote Speaker at the LACOE STEAM Conference today. With more than 300 attendees from 18 school districts in Los Angeles County, participants learned about the skills that scientists, engineers use, and how we can teach our youngest learners to use these skills for problem solving, growing math and science identity. In addition to LACOE, Early Childhood Education Professional Learning Communities (www.lacoe.edu/EarlyLearning/TransitionalKindergarten and LAUP, The Los Angeles County Early Care and Education Workforce Consortium, First 5 LA and Los Angeles Universal Preschool hosted today's event.
Readiness Learning client, Stratford Schools leads in STEM learning and will be hosting an Engineering morning, for 2-5 year old children and their parents, at their Melrose/Hollywood school, beginning 9AM, at 1200 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. For more information: Call 323.988-9505 or visit melrose@stratfordschools.com
Stratford School, Melrose Campus, Holds Engineering Play Date! May 9, 2016!
The Children's Center at Caltech to Host Light & Shadow Workshop
Join Retha Jones and Paige Hanzy, CCC Educators as they present a workshop for Preschool teachers on the properties of color, sources of light and shadow, May 21, 2016 at 1200 E. California St., Pasadena CA. Take an in depth look into illumination, reflection, pigments and exploring sources of light and light's relationships. For more information: call Veronica Dayag, CCC STEM Curriculum Coordinator at 626.395.6860.
Full STEAM AHEAD! LACOE Presents Transitional Kindergarten Conference
Los Angeles County Office of Education and Early Childhood Professional Learning Communities are hosting FULL STEAM AHEAD, May 11, 2016, at the Hilton Pasadena, CA. Readiness Learning Associates Executive Director, Carrie Lynne Draper, is this year's Keynote Speaker. Creating partnerships between various agencies and innovative systems to address the learning needs of students in early childhood, using STEM, is a goal of this year's conference. Participating districts include: ABC USD, Alhambra USD, Baldwin Park USD, Charter Oak USD, Covina Valley USD, Glendale USD, Hacienda La Puente USD, Lancaster USD, Los Angeles USD, Lynwood USD, Monrovia USD, Mountain View USD, Rowland USD, Walnut Valley USD and Whittier City USD.
NSTA NASHVILLE 2016!
Nashville really hit it out of the park this year with important STEM strands! Building the Band: Involving Community Stakeholders turned out to be VERY popular. Many shared that reaching outside a school's walls to form strategic partnerships with informal science education (museums), Economic and Community Development, Chambers of Commerce, Post-Secondary schools and after-school programs is key in order to leverage opportunities. Especially for grants, and providing real-world collaboration for students.
Highlights from ECSTEM 2016!
Once again, we SOLD OUT the conference with attendees from more than 30 States! We are still growing! This year we took a closer look at the T in STEM. Many presenters demonstrated ways for those in Early Childhood to consider how to include and foster technology use. Highlights included, Carnegie Science Center, Early Childhood Programs Manager, Wendy Brenneman, leading us in robotics; Dr. Laurie Sullivan & Andrea Donovan, KW Barrett Elementary School, Arlington, VA leading us in iPad and STEM integration learning; Sherry Adams, Chief Curriculum Officer & Founder, Stratford School, leading the conversation in how to implement STEM programming in schools and using interactive technology with participants; Courtney E. Allen, The Huntington Botanical Education Manager, working with educators to explore the outdoors and all its learning opportunities, and showcasing state-of-the-art on-line curriculum; Caltech Center for Teaching Learning & Outreach, James Maloney and Julius Su worked with Early Childhood educators using physics, sign language and technology; Dr. Chip Donohue, Saturday, Keynote Speaker, challenged us to think of the co-learning opportunities we can have with children; Laura Schmidl, Discovery Cube Los Angeles, leading the NGSS training for K-2.
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Thank you Cal State University Los Angeles!
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Pre-Service Teachers (Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School and Secondary) participated today in Using Technology in the Classroom, with RLA STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper. Designing code, programming robots and inventing future technology was a part of the fun! 5 CSULA students received scholarships to attend ECSTEM 2016. Thank you to faculty Kheng Ly-Hoang for providing students this incredible learning opportunity by inviting Carrie to come speak to her class!
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Ask, imagine, design, create, test and be able to collaborate, communicate are the skills needed for 21st century learners. Juniors and Seniors studying to be the next generation of STEM educators, participated in a fun, hands-on engineering and technology infused workshop today with Carrie Lynne Draper, Readiness Learning Associates STEM Director.
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Dr. Russell Shilling, US Department of Education, Executive Director, STEM, will be the Kick Off Keynote Speaker at the 5th Annual ECSTEM (www.ecstem.org) Conference. In 2014, Russ retired from the US Navy as a Captain and was appointed by President Obama to be the 1st STEM Director. In his office are 60 programs and he is an advocate for under represented students in STEM education. That includes Early Childhood and students of color. His area of expertise is games, and how they can be used like virtual reality, digital games and apps with children who have experienced trauma. His work with Sesame Street Workshop Television, earned him an Emmy nomination. Today, he continues to look for ways to improve technology for students with special needs. Readiness Learning Associates, Carrie Lynne Draper, will be introducing Dr. Shilling at the conference and will be giving him a tour of The Childrens Center at Caltech and a tour of Caltech and their STEM Outreach programs.
ECSTEM 2016 is Almost Here!
Thank you to the more than 650 people who registered and will be attending the 5th Annual ECSTEM Conference in Pasadena, CA, February 4-6, 2016! We have sold out and we thank you for caring to come and learn from the experts about the T in STEM! We will have more than a 100 presenters, 3 Keynote Speakers and 5 outstanding panelists as well as the top exhibitors in STEM at the conference. Carrie Lynne Draper, Executive Director, Readiness Learning Associates, looks forward to presenting Use of Digital Technology: Is It Effecting Our Kids Brains.
Kennedy Space Center, Atlantis Center, Florida
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Thank you to all the great STEM docents and educators at Kennedy Space Center for taking us behind the scenes to see the Atlantis and Saturn V Centers! As we get ready for the next launch, February 3, 2016, we were thrilled to meet the next generation of explorers! We thank you for taking us out to the launch pad and giving us the science behind the missions!
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Happy Holidays from All of Us at Readiness Learning Associates!
2015 was a year filled with great STEM opportunities for all of us at Readiness Learning Associates! We worked with STEM organizations, schools, centers, and policymakers in more than 33 states! We continue to work together to find ways to inspire our future STEM innovators! As this year comes to a close, we look forward to continuing to work with you and for those that would like to learn more about us, please reach out when our offices reopen, Monday, January 4, 2016! May you find the beauty of this season wherever you are!
Please join us at the 5th Annual ECSTEM Conference (details below). As a member of the Executive Steering Committee, we are pleased to bring you the very best experts and researchers in the area of TECHNOLOGY, focusing on the T in STEM for 2016! Registration has now opened. This conference is sure to sell out! Visit www.ecstem.org to register!
Here is a partial listing of the training we offer:
Framework for Integrated STEM Learning: A spiraled approach building conceptual understanding, participants will create a STEM Roadmap organized around five major STEM themes. Topics derived from academic standards will help participants to implement STEM learning without extensive resources. (Audience: PS-12)
Using Scientific Inquiry in K-5 STEM Learning: Teachers will learn about teaching science content using NGSS & inquiry-based learning. Once mastered, K-5 teachers design their own inquiry based, 5 E Lessons. Incorporates understanding about scientific inquiry, nature of science in K-5 classrooms. Builds knowledge in variety of sciences (i.e.) Earth/Space Systems; Earth Patterns, Cycles and Change, Earth Resources. (Audience: K-Middle School)
Nature of STEM: Using Nature of Science (NOS): This series-of workshops is designed to build fundamentals of STEM curriculum design and teaching using technology to investigate nature of STEM & nature of science. Using Real-World Scenarios to foster STEM, teachers will have the opportunity to analyze current ideas in STEM teaching, then design, modify, evaluate their own curriculum, using driving questions, 5 E lessons and inquiry-based lessons. (Audience: K-5)
Facilitating Teacher Inquiry for STEM Learning: This workshop focuses on enhancing teachers’ ability to provide instruction that builds students sense of engagement. What are students curious about? How do we guide students to purposefully engage, explore and explain their thinking? Working in teams to experience the synergy of group dynamics, teachers will use PBL (Problem-based Learning) and EDP (Engineering Design Process) collaborate and cross-grade-plan with colleagues.
(Audience: K-Middle School)
Framework for Integrated STEM Learning: A spiraled approach building conceptual understanding, participants will create a STEM Roadmap organized around five major STEM themes. Topics derived from academic standards will help participants to implement STEM learning without extensive resources. (Audience: PS-12)
Using Scientific Inquiry in K-5 STEM Learning: Teachers will learn about teaching science content using NGSS & inquiry-based learning. Once mastered, K-5 teachers design their own inquiry based, 5 E Lessons. Incorporates understanding about scientific inquiry, nature of science in K-5 classrooms. Builds knowledge in variety of sciences (i.e.) Earth/Space Systems; Earth Patterns, Cycles and Change, Earth Resources. (Audience: K-Middle School)
Nature of STEM: Using Nature of Science (NOS): This series-of workshops is designed to build fundamentals of STEM curriculum design and teaching using technology to investigate nature of STEM & nature of science. Using Real-World Scenarios to foster STEM, teachers will have the opportunity to analyze current ideas in STEM teaching, then design, modify, evaluate their own curriculum, using driving questions, 5 E lessons and inquiry-based lessons. (Audience: K-5)
Facilitating Teacher Inquiry for STEM Learning: This workshop focuses on enhancing teachers’ ability to provide instruction that builds students sense of engagement. What are students curious about? How do we guide students to purposefully engage, explore and explain their thinking? Working in teams to experience the synergy of group dynamics, teachers will use PBL (Problem-based Learning) and EDP (Engineering Design Process) collaborate and cross-grade-plan with colleagues.
(Audience: K-Middle School)
Sample of our PD & Curriculum Work:
Please contact us to learn more about these workshops
STEM
*Engineering Encounters: Born to Engineer
*Focus on the E in STEM: Why Teach Engineering to Children
*Imagineering Possibilities with STEM
*Engineering 101 & 201 for Preschool, Elementary & Middle School Students
*What is STEM: History & Implications for PK-12 Students of the 21st Century
*Habits of Inquiry: Cognitive & Developmental Process in STEM
*Successful STEM Programming
*Robotics in Early Childhood Education
*Use of Digital Technology in Early Childhood Education
*Use of Digital Technology from Birth through Adolesence
*Use of Digital Technology: Does It Effect Kids Brains?
Literacy & STEM Focus Workshops
----“Story Time & STEAM”
----“Phonemic Awareness Via Engineering”
----“Comparing Texts, Making Connections with STEM”
----“Informational Text & Childrens Engineering”
----“Integrating Science & Reading”
----“Novel Study & Engineering Infusion”
----Cause & Effect/ Compare & Contrast: Literature and STEAM
----“Environmental Science & Engineering Literacy"
---- "Science in Non-Fiction Reading & Engineering"
STEM: Building Cultural Communities & Empowering Students
+Planting Seeds: Growing Confident Problem Solvers, Focusing on the E in STEM
+Science Teachers Recipe for Success in Urban Classrooms
+Recruiting African American Future Science Educators
+Science Educators Ethical Obligation to Reach Urban Students
+Finding Community Cultural Wealth in Urban STEM Classrooms
+Middle Matters: Understanding Gifted Middle School Girls & STEM
+Latino & Latina Cultural Phenomenon in the STEM Classroom
+Gifted Services and Differentiation in the STEM Classroom
+Utilization of Technology to Differentiate Science Curriculum
STEM
*Engineering Encounters: Born to Engineer
*Focus on the E in STEM: Why Teach Engineering to Children
*Imagineering Possibilities with STEM
*Engineering 101 & 201 for Preschool, Elementary & Middle School Students
*What is STEM: History & Implications for PK-12 Students of the 21st Century
*Habits of Inquiry: Cognitive & Developmental Process in STEM
*Successful STEM Programming
*Robotics in Early Childhood Education
*Use of Digital Technology in Early Childhood Education
*Use of Digital Technology from Birth through Adolesence
*Use of Digital Technology: Does It Effect Kids Brains?
Literacy & STEM Focus Workshops
----“Story Time & STEAM”
----“Phonemic Awareness Via Engineering”
----“Comparing Texts, Making Connections with STEM”
----“Informational Text & Childrens Engineering”
----“Integrating Science & Reading”
----“Novel Study & Engineering Infusion”
----Cause & Effect/ Compare & Contrast: Literature and STEAM
----“Environmental Science & Engineering Literacy"
---- "Science in Non-Fiction Reading & Engineering"
STEM: Building Cultural Communities & Empowering Students
+Planting Seeds: Growing Confident Problem Solvers, Focusing on the E in STEM
+Science Teachers Recipe for Success in Urban Classrooms
+Recruiting African American Future Science Educators
+Science Educators Ethical Obligation to Reach Urban Students
+Finding Community Cultural Wealth in Urban STEM Classrooms
+Middle Matters: Understanding Gifted Middle School Girls & STEM
+Latino & Latina Cultural Phenomenon in the STEM Classroom
+Gifted Services and Differentiation in the STEM Classroom
+Utilization of Technology to Differentiate Science Curriculum
CSUN, Michael D. Eisner College of Education CTL PD
The Center for Teaching & Learning partners CSUN faculty with local schools to provide professional (PD) development and mentorship. Creating long-term relationships, the CTL and partner schools collaborate over the course of three to four years to present engaging, interactive, and practical PD that is responsive to the changing needs of each individual school. Dr. Wendy Murawski, is the Executive Director, and Mr. Steve Holle, Professional Development Coordinator, work hard to focus on What Really Works in Education! Readiness Learning Associates looks forward to partnering and supporting this nationally recognized College of Education's Center for Teaching & Learning.
Coding & Programming in Early Childhood Classrooms!
How old do children have to be to be able to learn how to code & program? Teachers at The Childrens Center at Caltech had fun participating in a variety of activities to be able to experience what it is like to be a programmer, a robot, and explored binary code with Readiness Learning STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper, Wednesday, November 18, 2015. Teachers are researching and studying the best ways to integrate coding & programming in to their early childhood STEM curriculum.
The Use of Digital Technology, Programmer Mixer & More Workshop
Carrie Lynne Draper, RLA Executive Director, will lead an all center professional development workshop at The Childrens Center at Caltech, Wednesday, November 18, 2015. Faculty & Staff will participate in coding, programming, robotic activities and then will learn about the latest research on Digital Technology use in Early Childhood Education.. Early by Early Childhood Educators will BYOD and explore recommended Apps that promote STEM learning for children ages Birth through 6.
Next time you are in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, be sure to check out The Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Academy STEM, is designed for students interested in the field of Engineering. Everything in society is linked to Engineering. Engineers are innovators that continually strive to improve the quality of life of all people. The curriculum is delivered in a comprehensive project-based approach, that allows students to investigate and experience applications in practical problem-solving. The STEM Academy is a new way of “doing school”. For more information, contact Casey Helmick at chelmick@nisdtx.org (http://www.nisdtx.org/Page/37898).
Readiness Learning Founder and STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper, with Rick Ghazy, Vice President & Board Member, The Goldwin Foundation, at MOMS of Orange County, Celebrating Healthy Beginnings, Bright Futures. Carrie Lynne was Keynote Speaker and more than $58,000 was raised to provide monthly in-home health screenings, infant health and developmental screenings and education to 350 mothers and babies!
Readiness Learning Associates congratulates New York State STEM Education Collaborative's 2015 Summer Institute at Alfred State College of Applied Technology! This past week, Institute participants shared successful and innovative classroom practices, and Co-Chairs Drs. Craig Clark and Charles Goodwin, were honored by NY State Senator Catharine Young and the Senator proclaimed STEM Education Week in New York State! RLA travels to New York in August to conduct training and STEM leadership meetings!
Stratford School (www.stratfordschools.com) Middle School, Elementary, and Preschool Principals came together July 9 & 10, at the school's district office, for 2 days of training in ADVANCING THE E IN STEM, with Carrie Lynne Draper, RLA STEM Director. Using strategies to strengthen STEM Literacy; Robotics; and STEM Integration Across the Curriculum, were just some of the workshop strands using NGSS Standards.
The Oregon Coast STEM Hub is committed to connecting educators with professional development opportunities that will engage, inspire, and strengthen STEM education. Explore the many workshops available this summer, offered directly by the Oregon Coast STEM Hub. GROWING UP WILD: Connecting Young Learners to the Outdoors is offered July 21 & 22, 2015. The workshop features the Growing up WILD Early Childhood Education Program, building on children's sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Lunch is included and lodging for those coming more than 75 miles. Where: Toledo Elementary, Toledo, OR. Space is limited and preregistration is required at http://bit.ly/1GzdtFi Questions? Contact rachael.bashor@aquarium.orgFor more information about the Oregon Coast STEM Hub, visit http://oregoncoaststem.oregonstate.edu/
We are asked, can Virtual Modeling, computer programming to create models helping children understand their world, be used with children as young as 1st grade? The answer is YES! Building models about natural phenomena (NGSS Lead States 2013, p.6) allows children to build on their growing knowledge and helps them design solutions. Etoys and Etoys Go Version by Squeak are easy-to-learn and suitable for children ages Grade 1-12. Stratford School (www.stratfordschools.com), Saratoga, CA and Bay Area, invites Readiness Learning Associates, STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper to lead Professional Development workshops, July 9-10, for principals & lead teachers, to learn and add innovative strategies to advance STEM learning in their schools.
The Childrens Center at Caltech teachers know the importance of woodworking, using REAL tools with children ages 2-6 to promote engineering habits of mind! Constructing boats, bridges, rovers and stairs allow children to explore angles, lines, shapes in three-dimensional ways. Planting seeds for understanding the principles of geometry and architecture. Readiness Learning Associates arranged Stu Scolnik, New Roads School, Santa Monica to train CCC teachers in construction engineering!
It was with great pleasure, that I had the opportunity to speak to all of the MOMS of Orange County and to their many sponsors and supporters! Thank you for providing Healthy Beginnings and Bright Futures for all children! We want 'real orange' learning opportunities for children and we appreciate you helping RLA to plant STEM seeds!
Engineering Encounters in Early Childhood Professional Development Workshop was held at The Childrens Center at Caltech, Saturday, May 16, 2015. RLA STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper presented to school administrators, teachers, & curriculum specialists representing Annie Wright Schools, Tacoma, WA; Brea & Olinda Unified School District; California State University, Bakersfield, CA; Pasadena City College, Child Development Center; Inglewood Unified and CCC. Activities focusing on Design Theory; Engineering Design Process; Promoting Higher Order Thinking Skills using Engineering followed by a tour of The Children's Center.
Readiness Learning Associates will be participating in EDUCATION AIR (https://educationair.withgoogle.com) May 8-9, 2015. Hear ways of creating innovation in our schools with Jennie Magiera (www.teachinglikeits2999.com)) is a favorite place for RLA to recommend to schools focusing on the T in STEM. She is the Digital Learning Coordinator at Academy for Urban School Leadership in Chicago, IL. Jennie is a White House Champion of Change! Go Jennie!
CLICK, SWIPE, SCROLL: TEACHING IN THE DIGITAL AGE. The Fred Rogers Center and PAEYC are sponsoring a mini conference, Monday, March 16, 2015, where educators can learn more about the NAEYC-Fred Rogers Center position statement. The Statement, is intended to help advance quality in early childhood programs by encouraging and supporting openness to technology and interactive media as valuable resources for teaching and learning. The Conference will be held at the Fred M. Rogers Center, at Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA 15650. For more information, contact theresa.noel@stvincent.edu
Join Readiness Learning Associates on Monday, April 20, 2015, at the 2015 STEM SUMMIT, at the Carnegie Science Center, 1 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, where we will be bridging the gap between education, innovation, and industry-led solutions! You will see successful examples of school and community partnerships with businesses, universities, and non-profits. 7:00AM-3:45PM. For additional information, contact Lindsey@lbradley@pghtech.org
This email was shared with Carrie Lynne Draper. Last year, Candi Schreuders, Sr. Director of Operations, Stratford School, attended 2014 ECSTEM and participated in Ms. Draper’s workshop. She was inspired to create and implement engineering curriculum/programming for all Stratford pre-schools. Additionally, Sherry Adams, Chief Curriculum Officer, directed all schools, K-8, to focus on the E in STEM. Please read this powerful testimonial from one of Stratford’s teachers.
"I am sharing the video that I talked to you about. This group of children decided to build an ice cream machine and worked for a good part of a half hour on constructing it. The way that they planned it was that there would be an input point , then a processor where the ice cream was actually made and then of course the point of exit where the ice cream would come out. There was also an option of choosing
from three different favors. The wonder of this project is that these 4 year olds planned the entire project among themselves sharing their ideas and using those that they thought would work best. The fact that the machine has a beginning, a middle and an end shows how much their critical thinking skills are being developed by working on engineering projects. What I found very interesting was that most of the time they would add a piece to the machine, they would think and discuss it before adding it. Nothing was random. Watching those little ones ponder over each and every piece before placing it in the machine was a joy to watch.
Lastly, I was amazed at the group effort. As I said earlier, they worked for the longer part of a half hour, discussing, suggesting and challenging each other's ideas. But, never for a moment did that process turn into a confrontation. It was amazing. It was like they were all working towards a common end and enjoying every moment of it.
Over the last few months, I have seen many children work on and make projects. As they work, they are focused and fully engaged. Once the product is created, the sense of accomplishment that it brings, makes
their eyes shine with pride, joy and ownership. No picture or video can capture that moment. It is something that needs to be experienced.
In my opinion the introduction of engineering has been a very successful venture. Teachers and students alike are enjoying and benefitting from it. The parent response has been amazing as well. We asked for recycling materials and in no time we had so much stuff that we started to run out of storage space. Every morning we see the little ones coming in with all kinds of materials and putting them in
the boxes placed in the hallway.
Overall it has been an exciting experience for me too. I have loved every minute of it. "---asaiyed@stratfordschools.com
"I am sharing the video that I talked to you about. This group of children decided to build an ice cream machine and worked for a good part of a half hour on constructing it. The way that they planned it was that there would be an input point , then a processor where the ice cream was actually made and then of course the point of exit where the ice cream would come out. There was also an option of choosing
from three different favors. The wonder of this project is that these 4 year olds planned the entire project among themselves sharing their ideas and using those that they thought would work best. The fact that the machine has a beginning, a middle and an end shows how much their critical thinking skills are being developed by working on engineering projects. What I found very interesting was that most of the time they would add a piece to the machine, they would think and discuss it before adding it. Nothing was random. Watching those little ones ponder over each and every piece before placing it in the machine was a joy to watch.
Lastly, I was amazed at the group effort. As I said earlier, they worked for the longer part of a half hour, discussing, suggesting and challenging each other's ideas. But, never for a moment did that process turn into a confrontation. It was amazing. It was like they were all working towards a common end and enjoying every moment of it.
Over the last few months, I have seen many children work on and make projects. As they work, they are focused and fully engaged. Once the product is created, the sense of accomplishment that it brings, makes
their eyes shine with pride, joy and ownership. No picture or video can capture that moment. It is something that needs to be experienced.
In my opinion the introduction of engineering has been a very successful venture. Teachers and students alike are enjoying and benefitting from it. The parent response has been amazing as well. We asked for recycling materials and in no time we had so much stuff that we started to run out of storage space. Every morning we see the little ones coming in with all kinds of materials and putting them in
the boxes placed in the hallway.
Overall it has been an exciting experience for me too. I have loved every minute of it. "---asaiyed@stratfordschools.com
In approximately a month, we will all be together at the 4th Annual Early Childhood STEM ECSTEM Conference (www.ecstem.org) to be held at the Hilton, Costa Mesa, CA, February 5, 6, &7. We are excited to offer more than 25 workshops a day; 2 keynote speakers, and a panel of experts on Early Childhood STEM education. Readiness Learning STEM Directors, Carrie Lynne Draper & Rudo Kashiri will be presenting. Ms. Draper will be on the panel, Thursday, February 5, 2015, along with Dr. Greg Duncan, Dr. Lilian Katz and other nationally known panelists. Friday, February 6, 2015, Ms. Draper and Ms. Kashiri, along with Stuart Scolnick (New Roads School, Santa Monica, CA) will be leading a workshop titled 'M.A.R.S. Launching Early Childhood Explorers (using curricular connections Math, Art, Reading, Science), all STEM based learning. Registration is still open. More than 500 participants will be in attendance, representing more than 23 states.
Happy Holidays to ALL of Readiness Learning Associates clients and if you are considering STEM opportunities in 2015, we look forward to hearing from you! Please join our list of clients that are looking for innovative ways to bring the BEST of STEM to your program!
The Children's Center at Caltech continues to ENGINEER! CCC Lead teachers and administrative staff, worked with Readiness Learning Associates STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper, to engineer three-dimensional structures. Using materials that were provided, teachers used the Engineering Design Process, to create a variety of structures. Questions like, "Should I build a single story or two-story structure?"; "What width or length should the structure be?"; "How much weight could the roof support?" Lots of testing, improving, re-design work and fun was had at this event. CCC students will benefit from their teachers understanding 'how to engineer' and will continue to bring engineering opportunities to their students.
Before you engineer, you have to ASK, IMAGINE, PLAN
SEE YOU AT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (NSTA) CONVENTION, LONG BEACH, CA THIS WEEKEND!
Engineering Encounters: Growing Confident Problem Solvers
Saturday, December 6, 2014 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Long Beach, Regency Ballroom B
Learn the ABCs for improving engineering in your school/science center. A teacher's participation with Sally Ride Science, NASA Explorer Schools, and the MickelsonTeachers Academy and lessons learned bringing measurable success and innovation for your school/center engineering program preK–8.
Presenter(s): Carrie Lynne Draper (Readiness Learning Associates: Pasadena, CA)
FORMAT: Presentation
GRADE LEVEL: PreK, K, 1 - 8
SUBJECT: General Science Education, Informal Science Education
CONFERENCE STRAND: STEM Classrooms: Anytime/Anyplace/Anywhere
Engineering Encounters: Growing Confident Problem Solvers
Saturday, December 6, 2014 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Long Beach, Regency Ballroom B
Learn the ABCs for improving engineering in your school/science center. A teacher's participation with Sally Ride Science, NASA Explorer Schools, and the MickelsonTeachers Academy and lessons learned bringing measurable success and innovation for your school/center engineering program preK–8.
Presenter(s): Carrie Lynne Draper (Readiness Learning Associates: Pasadena, CA)
FORMAT: Presentation
GRADE LEVEL: PreK, K, 1 - 8
SUBJECT: General Science Education, Informal Science Education
CONFERENCE STRAND: STEM Classrooms: Anytime/Anyplace/Anywhere
Readiness Learning Associates appreciates all of you working in centers, museums, schools, and for giving us the opportunity to work with you this year! We look forward to continuing to provide the very best programming and services to meet all your educational needs!
YMCA Child Development Center, Burbank, CA teachers and staff face their 'engineering challenge' with great enthusiasm, imagination and are ready to take the next step! Veterans Day, November 11, 2014, while their students had the day off from school, YMCA CDC held their STEM in-service training with Readiness Learning STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper, leading them through the history of STEM; Why Teach Engineering to Children; The Cognitive and Developmental process of EDP (Engineering Design Process) and closing with Imagineering the Possibilities.
Early Childhood Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (ECSTEM) Conference February 5-7, 2015, REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! www.ECSTEM.com Join educators, policymakers, business leaders and other community stakeholders for the 4th Annual conference. Participate in a teaching laboratory where you will learn new ideas about STEM instruction and how to integrate STEM-related activities into your indoor and outdoor classroom. Visit the ECSTEM Hall of Inquiry with various related to Early Childhood curriculum, materials and tools needed to grow confident learners! Nationally known experts in Early Childhood education will lead the panel conversation on the foundations of STEM, including Dr. Greg Duncan, Dr. Lillian Katz, and Readiness Learning Associates STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper.
Rhode Island School of Design and RISD's Museum, will have tots and preschoolers exploring the A in STEAM, Tuesday, October 14, 2014. Providing a strong grounding in the Arts and encouraging creative and personal growth through self-expression, RISD understands that technical skills need to be taught to the very youngest students. Claymation, Cryptozoology, Toy Design, Digital Design and more happen here! Visit http://ce.risd.edu to learn more! RLA STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper will be seeing STEAM in action in Providence, RI, early October.
- YMCA Child Development Center, Burbank, CA, is working to grow confident problem solvers, using STEM curriculum & best practices designed for them by RLA STEM DIRECTOR, Carrie Lynne Draper. More than forty staff will gather with Carrie Lynne on November 11, 2014, to participate in Imagineering STEM Possibilities workshop, with numerous 'hands-on' activities to understand the cognitive and developmental processes children Birth to 14 years encounter in STEM. Angela Buck, Preschool Director for the Burbank YMCA Child Development Center, gave RLA a tour of the campus recently where students were busy engineering with Kodo Kids Outdoor engineering equipment. Stay tuned for more updates!
Childrens Center at Caltech (CCC) teachers and staff used their imaginations to engineer devices needed in space! RLA STEM Director Carrie Lynne Draper, used real life applications and Nature of Science (NOS) to encourage teachers to imagine, plan, create, test and improve their designs! 2014-2015, CCC will be focusing on the E in STEM with students from Infants to age 5.
Celebrating 15 Years of Excellence, the #1 independent and private school district, in the Bay Area , STRATFORD, held their Professional Development Week for more than 700 administrators and teachers, at the San Jose Doubletree by Hilton (August 11-15, 2014). With great enthusiasm, Stratford 'STEAMs' ahead ramping up their commitment to STEAM in the 2014-2015 school year. RLA STEM DIrector, Carrie Lynne Draper, kicked off the event speaking about STEAM in Education and conducted training to effectively incorporate STEAM concepts into daily lessons. Sherry Adams, Founder and Chief Academic and School Culture Officer and Candi Schreuders, Senior Director of Operations, at Stratford, worked with RLA to create a specific curriculum and program for Stratford School. Stay tuned throughout the year to see the best innovative teaching at Stratford!
The Children’s Center at Caltech is a non-profit organization providing quality early education and care for children ages six months through six years since 1972. The CCC is a science based program that utilizes a constructivist approach to plan, develop, and implement an inquiry based curriculum. RLA, STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper, will lead STEM PD for CCC staff, August 2014, focusing on the E in STEM. Using the Engineering Design Process (EDP), to advance critical thinking, creativity and exploration of concepts; focusing on understanding rather than rote instruction. CONGRATULATIONS CCC on your new state-of-the-art STEM facility!
Stratford School, (Headquarters,Saratoga, CA) Early Childhood Programs have taken Imaginative Play Time and have changed it to 'Tinker & STEAM Time'. Beginning, 2014-2015 academic school year, teachers will provide daily science and engineering activities, in order to foster pre-school aged children's 'higher order thinking skills'. RLA, STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper, will be leading STEM Teacher Professional Development for Stratford School (PreK-8), August 2014, at the Doubletree by Hilton, San Jose, CA. (http://www.stratfordschools.com)
'BLENDED LEARNING' GAINING MORE ATTENTION! RLA Executive Director, Carrie Lynne Draper, is asked by schools that are adopting blended learning platforms, to conduct professional development workshops for teachers. These workshops include the benefits and applications and how the combination of the physical and virtual classroom is changing education. Draper was asked, how can teachers feel more confident in becoming 'blended instructors'? "Its about time management, and should be used as a tool, there are so many more options. You get to know your students better, and it gives teachers more opportunities for creativity in a virtual classroom", said Draper. "Most teachers combine content and pedagogy, but leave out technology. With blended learning, time, location, content using technology makes learning more purposeful.
RLA will be at NAESP (National Association of Elementary School Principals) Convention, Nashville, TN, July 10-12. 2014. The NAESP 2014 Conference is the one place where all the most dynamic leaders - principals, superintendents, teachers, and decision-makers from around the country - gather to learn about the latest ideas and best practices. NAESP attracts high-performance leaders that want to combine technology, strategy, to maximize their impact on student learning. RLA works with clients on how to build systems for instructional leadership using high-tech tools for efficiency, low-tech habits for consistency, and culture-shaping expectations for strategic influence.
Thank you InfoComm2014 for an amazing convention! RLA STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper, was with Doceri (doceri.com), the leader in Classroom Presentation Management Systems; and multiple companies, ready to bring the best technology to STEM learning! Filling the North & Central Convention Center Halls in Las Vegas (this week), showcasing the best in audio and visual technology from around the world, truly will rock STEM Learning and support flip classrooms!
Science Museum of Boston, EiE, Engineering is Elementary, hosts Teacher Institutes for teachers and for Professional Development Trainers. RLA, STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper, had the chance to see how Shannon McManus and the staff of EiE, establish and maintain an active network of professionals committed to Childrens Engineering. EiE supports educators and children with curricula and professional development that develop engineering literacy. Learn where you can attend a Teacher Institute at www.eie.org
RLA loves working with formal and informal educators, in bringing the latest technology to their schools & centers! Each year, we attend infoCOMM, the best technology, audio/visual conference, to see the latest innovations! We find the ways, working with educators so they can take these tools in order to enhance learning. Two of our recent favorites, NEARPOD, allows teachers to easily synchronize iPads. Hiperwall, out of Irvine, CA, transforms a wall in your classroom or multi-purpose room, allowing students to virtually travel anywhere and can be used as a reporting tool with tablets and iPads!
Join RLA STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper, at this AMAZING conference, June 14-20, 2014, in Las Vegas, NV. She will be working with clients to assist them in selecting the best audio-visual technology for STEM learning. Contact Carrie Lynne if you would like to transform your classrooms, center and school.
RLA STEM DIrector, Carrie Lynne Draper will go to GREAT HEIGHTS to bring the BEST OPPORTUNITIES for STEM LEARNING to teachers! Carrie Lynne was invited to Scottsdale, AZ to work with educators in understanding how weather can be taught in more adventuresome ways! Why not get teachers thinking vertically? Research says that when we teach 'vertically' and not 'horizontally' learning becomes more meaningful. NGSS will require teachers to help students grow 'vertically'. With this in mind, 13 learners met on the airfield at 4:45AM to experience their first hot air balloon ride. This was followed by 'refueling' on the Sonoran desert and great discussion followed as to the 'science' behind flight and atmosphere/climate/weather. RLA enjoys creating learning experiences for teachers so they may bring the excitement back to their students!
Thank you to Skyler and staff at Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West for arranging Readiness Learning Associates, to go behind the scenes and learn about architecture and design, April 10, 2014. Frank Lloyd Wright began building this desert masterpiece in 1937 as his personal winter home, studio and architectural campus. Located on the beautiful Sonoran desert in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains in northeast Scottsdale, the site offers a range of programs and experiences that showcase Wright's brilliant ability to integrate indoor and outdoor spaces.The School of Architecture's Masters Degree program, continues to produce some of the world's top architects. With only 25 in the program, class size matters! Carrie Lynne Draper, RLA STEM Director, works with educators to see how the principles of architecture and design can be incorporated in to early and elementary school programs. Terms like 'compression and expansion' are investigated and participants are able to experience how emotional and physical connections enhance one's understanding of the world around them. Building blocks, use of natural materials, understanding balance, principals of light/shadow are all explored. If you are interested in bringing the uniqueness of Frank Lloyd Wright's work to your teachers, so they may use with their students, contact us.
RLA was honored to participate as volunteers and judges in the Los Angeles County Science & Engineering Fair! Big thanks to Annie Maben, Vice President, Los Angeles County Science Fair (www.lascifair.org), for coordinating such a well attended event! This year 21 parochial, 48 private and 49 public schools participated, representing Los Angeles County schools and we had 433 male and 476 female students, GO GIRLS!! The most entries were in General Physics, Plant Biology and General Chemistry for the Middle School participants! For the High School students, Chemistry and Microbiology were the top categories.
Readiness Learning Associates will be judging and providing volunteer assistance at the 64th Annual Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair, March 27-March 29, 2014, at the Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA. We look forward to supporting and working to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals! Many of the teachers we have worked with, have now provided opportunities for their students to participate in this awesome event! Look for STEM Director, Carrie Lynne Draper and join her in encouraging our middle school and high school students! If you are a teacher in need of assistance in preparing your students for next year's Science and Engineering Fair, please contact us.
March 17, 2014, formal and informal educators from across the nation participated in a webinar (hosted by the National Wildlife Federation), to hear from education experts on how the Next Generation Science Standards (released in May 2013) offer a pivotal opportunity for increasing environmental literacy among 50 million young people across America. The newly created Science Standards will mean a whole new approach to teaching science and environmental education in America’s classrooms. The standards, which have already been adopted in some states and are being considered in many others, provide a rich backdrop for increasing how much environmental learning takes place in America’s 130,000 K-12 schools. Carrie Lynne Draper, Director of STEM Programs, RLA, participated along with Dr. Gerald Lieberman, Director, State Education and Environment Roundtable (SEER). SEER developed and supports implementation of the EIC Model, an educational system that interconnects "best practices" into an instructional tapestry that improves student achievement by using local natural and community surroundings as a context for learning.
Maker Guilds partner with schools, libraries, community centers and are an integral part of making Los Angeles a powerful leader in Innovative Education. Jean Kaneko, Founder, The Exploratory (www.theexploratory.com) with volunteers from Maker Ed, Maker Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, work together to create a sustainable future where children will be prepared to solve problems that we don't even know are problems yet. Readiness Learning Director of STEM Programs, Carrie Lynne Draper, met with this dedicated team, and joined other professionals representing our community. Together we are working on ways to change teacher professional development, pre-service teaching training, and bringing imagination and innovation to all in education.
See pictures above from The Exploratory, in Culver City, California. An Imagination Lab for Kids. An Innovation Lab for Adults. A Community Space for All.
Environmental Charter Schools (ESC) is a growing network of free public schools in underserved communities of South Los Angeles. Today, their Middle & High School teachers, came together for Teacher Professional Development at TRASH4TEACHING and working collaboratively, built extraordinary inventions in order to better understand 'cause and effect'. Check out the incredible STEM learning at ECS. Visit www.ecsonline.org
Readiness Learning Associates Founder, Carrie Lynne Draper, meets with Jenne Ring, Faculty, Early Childhood, Pasadena City College, to discuss trends in STEM communication and documentation in understanding what our students are learning and experiencing. Jenne presented at ECSTEM. For more information, contact jlring@pasadena.edu
The 2014 ECSTEM Conference, hosted by Caltech, Orange County Commission for Children, THINK Together, in Costa Mesa, CA, Febraury 6-8, 2014 was a tremendous success and we had 'standing room only' at Readiness Learning Associates Presentation: Planting Seeds" Growing Confident Problem Solvers. Carrie Lynne Draper, Director of STEM Programs, focused on the E in STEM and provided participants 90 minutes of hands-on opportunities; investigating the latest in Children's Engineering Programs and discussion of Best Practices in developing Habits of Inquiry, Moving Children from 2D-3D; Which STEM Model is best for your school?; and How to increase Family Involvement & Funding for your STEM program. Participants learned how to turn their STEM program in to a Signature program and toured Signature Schools 'virtually'. Great work at: New Roads, Santa Monica, CA; KW Barrett, Arlington, VA and Children's Center at Caltech, Pasadena, CA.
Kennedy Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Learning and Professor, Dr. Douglas Clements, University of Denver and Neuroscientist Dr. Kenneth Wesson shared their research. Gregory Washington, Dean Henry Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine, gave participants a chance to think about 'smart materials' and multi-domain research.
Kennedy Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Learning and Professor, Dr. Douglas Clements, University of Denver and Neuroscientist Dr. Kenneth Wesson shared their research. Gregory Washington, Dean Henry Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine, gave participants a chance to think about 'smart materials' and multi-domain research.
Readiness Learning Associate, Rudo Kashiri published an article on Professional Development Workshops in Science Education for Teacher Capacity Building in the Electronic Journal of Literacy through Science. See some of RLA's list of presentations & advisory work.