News From TechTerra
August 2017
Explore the Heavens from Earth
By: Susan Wells, Founder
As the solar eclipse crossed the US on August 21, TechTerra took our technology outdoors to be a part of this rare event. We tried out our solar eclipse glasses with great success, even sharing our glasses with passersby. We were stunned with the view.
On Tuesday, we hosted STEM sessions at the Rowan-Salisbury School System Back to School Conference. Because this event coincided with the week of the solar eclipse we featured space-themed digital tools. Those attending tried out Octagon Studios Space 4D+ Augmented Reality Flashcards. The cards show the planets, asteroids, stars, the International Space Station and more cosmic elements and effects.
If you caught any photos of the eclipse please share with us. We’d love to see views from across the country. If you are in the United States and missed out this time don’t worry. The next total solar eclipse can be seen in the US on April 8, 2024.
Favorite Back to School Tools
This year we looked for tools you can fit into your day at school or at home. There is a lot on the market at the start of the school year. We are pleased to be able to recommend a few new tools and some old favorites to you.
Coding with tangible tools is one of the STEM activities that we think is an educational fit for ages starting as young as 3 and going up to young adults (and beyond). Osmo Coding Awbie is well-suited for ages 5-12, but also it can be challenging for adults. This is one of our favorite tools and it's been a part of our repertoire for awhile.
Osmo Coding Jam, also for ages 5-12 and up, is a new addition to the Osmo line. Coding Jam became available in-market at the beginning of this summer and extends block coding to music. Both tools are highly engaging. Osmo embeds computational thinking, quantifiers, sequencing, subroutines and loops into Coding Jam.
Primo Toys Cubetto combines tactile coding and robotics. Cubetto is suited for early childhood, ages 3 and up. Older kids enjoy coding this tool too. We’ve used Cubetto for some time and always find it rewarding. This summer Primo toys launched new coding blocks for Cubetto. These blocks, backward, negation, and random, add an advanced level of options.
Robolink Codrone is a programmable and educational arduino-based drone. Coding to fly the Codrone is yet another layer of engaging computational thinking. Merging learning to code with learning to fly and operate a drone is a compelling fun and authentic activity for ages 10-18 (and above).
Chibitronics Love to Code Chibi Chip & Cables System combines coding and circuitry. With add-ons like the Chibi Clip and Chibi Scope and Alligator Clips, the Love to Code system from Chibitronics allows users to get started on coding without downloading software. The Chibi Chip works on just about every mobile and desktop device. Once users get familiar with the basics, they can create all kinds of STEAM projects with drag and drop or Arduino code. This extremely expansive system is appropriate for many ages. Kids (and adults) ages 13 and up can use it independently.
Finally, our favorite coding game company for many years, Lightbot, has just introduced a new game, SpriteBox Coding. This game allows users to move from using icons to using real programming language. The game is made for all ages and is a truly enjoyable approach to coding. Both Lightbot and SpriteBox are available in a Hour of Code free version to get started.
We work with all of these companies and have spent time checking out each of these tools. We feel confident in recommending them to you.
Camp TechTerra Offers Site Licenses; After School Camps open for Registration
This year Camp TechTerra is offering schools, districts, and organizations the opportunity to bring Camp TechTerra to kids by means of a Camp TechTerra Site License©. We want to make sure that Camp TechTerra is available in every state and this is a new and exciting way to reach that goal. Our Site License is available in flexible forms to fit your needs.
We offer a Camp TechTerra Annual Site License© that includes our Camp TechTerra Curriculum with lesson plans, TechTerra Tool Kit, and weekly online synchronous training from one of our TechTerra Teachers. We also offer Camp TechTerra Annual Refresh Site Licenses© in one, three, or five year blocks. These licenses include hours of new lessons for each year of your renewed license, added lesson plans for your existing TechTerra Tool Kit tools, and weekly online synchronous training. And we offer a Camp TechTerra Site License Refurbish© option. This option includes new tools for your TechTerra Tool Kit, new lesson plans for those new tools, refresh lesson plans, and weekly synchronous training.
After School Camps are open for registration. This year Camp TechTerra also offers an embedded-school-day option for fall and spring camp sessions. Find a camp to fit your needs this school year. Our embedded and Site License options align with our desire to ensure STEM equity for all. Bring Camp TechTerra to your kids in 2017 and 2018. Give us a call at (919) 519-9097, email us at info@techterraeducation.com , or fill out our online Interest in Camp TechTerra form here or on our website at our Camp TechTerra page.
Our TechTerra Shop is open and ready for you right now. You can use our Shop to pay for camps and more. Use our online Registration Form to register your camper. It’s an easy two-step process. Go to Camp TechTerra on our website and fill out the registration form, then go to our store and pay for the camp you want. You can still pay by check by mailing your tuition check to: TechTerra Education, 104R Highway 54 Bypass, #351, Carrboro, NC 27510 (Please make your check payable to: TechTerra Education).
For our schools, districts, institutions of higher education, and organizations, our TechTerra Training and Camp TechTerra are founded on project-based learning and computational thinking. We integrate hands-on experiences with critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. We want to make STEM an everyday reality for kids and adults all over the globe. For help in funding program development training and camps for your school, district, institution of higher education, or organization, take a look at DonorsChoose and Adopt-A-Classroom. Bring camp and program development to your location with TechTerra Education.
IN THE NEWS
► Exploravision Competition – This STEM competition that challenges students to make a difference in their everyday lives is looking for entries. Take a look, think of a project and get going.
► Elon Musk AI Bot Overcomes Human Gamers – Many think AI is “the” technology we need to embrace.
► African Story Telling and Virtual Reality - Unlimited potential for the future.
About TechTerra Education
The TechTerra Education curriculum, inspired and informed by Maker Education and Project Based Learning, was developed by Susan Wells, a national leader in mobile-integrated education and a former public school educator who made ground-breaking advances integrating digital technology into the classroom.
TechTerra Education offers professional development training, school solutions, and tool solutions. We bring our training to you to meet your needs for 21st century learners from ages 5 to young adults. We offer Camp TechTerra through these venues: after school fall and spring sessions, integrated into the school day sessions, and summer camps, for students ages 5 to 14.
Bring STEM equity to your school and help young people better understand the natural world through coding, storytelling, and digital devices.
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