H.B. Fuller’s Post

Seasons of STEM, Engaging Young Minds through the Calendar Year Play-based learning projects that tie into real-world events can boost children's engagement and understanding, by blending their learning with personal experiences and interests. A prime example of this approach is our project inspired by "Allie's Basketball Dream," a book that follows Allie's journey of passion and perseverance in basketball, aligning perfectly with March Madness and Women's History Month celebrations. This story not only champions the dreams and determination of young girls but also serves as a gateway to literacy and STEM learning. In our project, children get the opportunity to dive into engineering and creativity by building a basketball machine. Using 3Dux Design's versatile cardboard modeling system, they're not only learning about mechanics and design but are also actively connecting with Allie's story. This hands-on activity encourages problem-solving, teamwork, and imaginative play, all while celebrating important events and themes. You can access the project and download the worksheets for use in your class, enrichment program or with your kids at home! https://lnkd.in/eyUkqMQN We've seen how this project, inspired by a narrative of determination and dreams, can engage kids deeply, linking literature, history, and STEM in a meaningful way. I'm curious to hear about your seasonal projects. What engaging, themed projects have you explored with your learners?

𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌, 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞. For the past 15 years, LET'S GO has made this a reality for over 23,000 youth and their families in underserved Baltimore communities. We recognize that systemic barriers limit access to quality education and resources based on zip codes and income levels. Throughout our time doing this work we've realized: There is no us without US. Our programs give students the essential skills they need for today's technology-focused world. Through hands-on STEM activities, we spark curiosity and open doors to success. Partnering with community-based youth programs, we bring resources directly to those who need them most. We couldn't do this without our incredible community partners and supporters like you. Our hands-on courses for K-12 students encourage early interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. High school students benefit from integrated STEM and workforce development programs that promote academic and career readiness. We also support college students and early career individuals to prepare them for success. Meet Wayland: When talking about the impact of LET'S GO programming, Wayland shares with us, "While I was involved in the LET'S GO robotics program in high school it motivated me to be a leader and get involved. I joined the robotics club in high school and then became the captain of the team. From there I knew that I fell in love with science and technology." Stories like Wayland's are why we exist-- to foster early interest and turn it into achievement. We've launched a capital campaign to expand our space and help more students and families. This isn't just about moving to a new office but amplifying our impact. With this space, we'll: • Increase our program capacity. • Enhance our direct program delivery. • Provide an environment for students to learn and grow together. But we can't do it alone. Let’s make an impact together—because 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘓𝘌𝘛'𝘚 𝘎𝘖 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘠𝘖𝘜! We invite all our supporters, partners, and community members to join us in reaching our goal. Your contribution, no matter the size, will play a vital role in helping LET'S GO continue and expand our important work in Baltimore. You can donate by heading to: https://lnkd.in/ezEw5Ph3.

🌟 Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators! 🌟 “When I grow up, I want to build things.” “When I grow up, I want to fly in space.” 🚀✨ When do children’s dreams start to fade, and how can we support them in pursuing their aspirations, especially in STEM careers? In the U.S., too many students are underprepared, underrepresented, and overlooked in STEM fields. Our latest article presents a case study on how an informal STEM education program in Philadelphia is changing that narrative. University City Science Center’s FirstHand program leverages cross-sector collaborations to provide high-quality, engaging learning experiences for students from underserved schools. FirstHand offers free, multi-week STEM programming for middle and high school students, fostering deep partnerships with schools and STEM professionals. These authentic, mentored learning experiences give students the support they need to explore and plan for a STEM-focused future. 📚🔬 Learn how FirstHand’s collaborative model is making a sustained impact and how it can be implemented in other regions to inspire more young minds. 🚀 Read the full article now! 👉

Reimagining STEM Education: Learning on the Go 🚐 🚐 At ibrick, One of our main goals was making STEM education more flexible and accessible. Recently, we saw the fruition of our dream A homeschooling family who integrated our subscription into their RV trip across the country, showcasing the potential of mobile learning! - Kids accessed STEM projects when it fit their travel schedule⏲ - Hands-on experiences brought STEM concepts to life on the road 🛣 - The whole family is engaged in learning together 👨👩👧 - Educational momentum continued throughout the journey 📚 This real-world example shows how portable education can open new possibilities for how and where children learn. By making STEM accessible outside traditional classrooms, we're seeing exciting new ways for families to engage with these important subjects. The future of education isn't confined to classrooms or to the home – it's wherever curiosity leads us. Learn more at ibrick.online. #STEMEducation #EdTech #LearningAnywhere

🚀 Dream Space Netherlands open for enrolments for the new School Year!   As the school year almost comes to an end, I thought of highlighting some initial results about our Dream Space initiative. The past school year has been an unprecedented success! We had the pleasure of hosting 186 sessions and welcoming 2455 enthusiastic students who broadened their horizons by exploring the world of STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Math). Our mission, to inspire children and teachers to embrace the possibilities of science and technology, has borne fruit. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with countless stories about how both students and teachers have been inspired. They not only learned new skills but also developed a passion for innovation and creativity within beta technology. An impressive 88% of the students expressed a desire to code more and delve deeper into the world of programming after the workshop. Furthermore, 70% of the participants are now considering a future job role in technology, thanks to the inspiration and insights gained from our sessions. A key ambition for us was to get more girls interested in STEM, and I'm happy to report that 71% of girls who attended the workshop say they are now more interested in technology and 86% of girls who attended the workshop are now more interested in programming thanks to the inspiration and insights gained from our sessions. The year kicked off with a fantastic opening of Dream Space in January, which set the tone for an exciting and transformative year. You can read more about this in the blog post: https://ap.lc/UxZRj     🌱 Growing Ambitions for the New School Year We are determined to triple this success in the coming school year! That’s why we invite primary schools, secondary schools, and special education to sign up for a free workshop. This is your chance to be part of a movement that is transforming the future of education.    Next Frontier: Teacher Training! Our teacher gave us stellar feedback: they’re craving some know-how to prep their classes with the basics of programming. So, we’re gearing up to send them a special kit for some post-mission learning.     Join us and let’s shape the future together!   For more information and registrations, visit our website aka.ms/DreamSpaceNL.  Let’s work together to inspire the next generation of innovators and thinkers!   #DreamSpaceNetherlands #BetaTechnology #Education #Inspiration #FutureMakers   

Start the School Year Building Inclusive Communities: A STEM and SEL Approach The first week of school is more than just a fresh start—it's a powerful opportunity to set the tone for the entire year. Imagine a classroom where every student feels seen, heard, and valued from day one. By integrating STEM and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into your opening activities, you can create an environment where collaboration, empathy, and respect become the norm, laying the groundwork for a thriving, inclusive learning environment. One effective way to achieve this is through the "A Place for Everyone" project by 3DuxDesign. This activity begins with students creating a "Character Cube," where they identify and artistically represent their unique traits—such as talents, interests, challenges, and dreams. This SEL-focused task encourages self-awareness, identity, and sharing. Part two progresses into the team-based STEM aspect, where students use traits from each individual to design and build a community structure that supports the diverse needs of the group members. For example, how might a public space accommodate one resident who loves vibrant colors, another who excels in math, one facing language challenges, and a future veterinarian? This highly engaging collaborative design challenge fosters critical thinking, self-awareness, empathy, and teamwork. It sets the class culture and tone for the entire year. This project is ideal for any class and any age (try it with teachers at your next Professional Development day). How do you build community and inclusivity in your classroom during the first week? Share your strategies and favorite activities in the comments!

Stemlabs’ DICE (Design-thinking, Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship) for Speech and Hearing-Impaired Kids through STEM: A Nationwide Summer Program in partnership with Vaani Deaf Children’s Foundation. Under the umbrella of Design Thinking, Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship (DICE) with our ground-breaking approach using Technic Bricks to bring concepts to life, these “SPECIAL YOUNG INNOVATORS” through tactile learning experiences are not only grasping innovative ideas but also transforming them into tangible prototypes. What's even more inspiring is the integration of sign language into their presentations, ensuring that communication is barrier-free and inclusive for all Join us in celebrating our kids where their talents are speaking louder than words in their special journey of experiencing STEM education. Few goose bump moments for all of us. #InnovationForAll #EmpowermentThroughEducation #DesignThinking #CreativityUnleashed #STEMeducation #DiversityInTech #InclusiveLearning #EntrepreneurialSpirit #SpeechAndHearingImpaired #BreakingBarriers #STEMlabs #FutureLeaders #EducationForAll #InclusiveEducation #STEMeducation #Empowerment #InclusionMatters #SignLanguage #SummerProgram #EmpoweringChildren #DiversityandInclusion

This is my personal highlight of the week so far, the combination of STEM learning and Fiber arts! This week during the day 3 activities of STEM Passport for Inclusion in Dream Space at W5 LIFE, a group of students following the design thinking process developed the idea of a net which collects rubbish from our oceans, when creating their prototype, they knit this net using string and two pencils! Did you know that fibre arts like crochet and knitting share a deep connection with STEM skills? 🧶✖️📐 While these crafts have historically been perceived as female-led and sometimes dismissed as "old-fashioned" due to the rise of fast fashion, they’re actually rich in complexity. Crochet and knitting involve intricate problem-solving, spatial awareness, and understanding of patterns and algorithms – skills essential in coding, engineering, and mathematics. For educators in STEM and Arts fields, fibre arts offer a unique, hands-on way to cultivate growth in critical thinking, dexterity, and resilience. By weaving these skills into the curriculum, we’re fostering a well-rounded, adaptable approach to learning and problem-solving. As we build a future that merges creativity with technical skill, let’s encourage our students to discover the synergy between these fields – where art meets STEM for growth and innovation.

Just wanted to shamelessly promote my presentation this week at Closing the Gap #CTG2024, an A.T. conference in Minneapolis, so that I’m not the only one in the room lol. I’m presenting on an idea I’ve been kicking around for years, sparked by so many conversations with colleagues. The premise is that we augment our UDL path in classrooms with STEM classes to teach all students about the value of assistive technologies that create accessible learning environments for all. The goal would be to foster greater assistive technology acceptance and consideration in the ed community (via student adoption), while initiating student-guided implementation in a more proactive way (as opposed to our current IEP driven reactive way) by creating grade-based STEM lessons for all students preK-12, even if they do not have accessibility challenges—for exploring, understanding, and celebrating the value of and the right to an accessible education. Here’s the link to the session: https://lnkd.in/ee7-YKJx

𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬' 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐬 Research has established that youth participation in science-focused afterschool clubs leads to a higher science identity—or seeing oneself as a science kind of person or as a scientist—and that peers exert influence over interests, even in academics, such as taking classes in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. To help build out the future STEM workforce, science-focused afterschool clubs, camps and other programs have been launched to encourage youth to pursue STEM interests, but those efforts can't reach every child. Based on findings from research on peer influence, it's possible that tangential benefits may exist within adolescent friendship networks. https://lnkd.in/dtHknbqZ