As we wind down into the holidays I our team wanted to share a brief update on where we stand moving into the New Year. As our last communication outlined we are working on reformatting the integral training for schools to an option in the summer. To that end we created a survey for the eligible district staff (k-8 teachers) to gather feedback on the timing and frequency of this training. This survey is important as data collected will drive our planning and delivery of the grant provide professional development. The direct link to the survey is https://forms.gle/3AGW3iDnrJHdVauy9. Please be sure to encourage your K-8 staff to complete the brief survey.
We are steadily seeing equipment makerspace equipment coming in, and hope to have amassed enough to begin making initial deliveries in February. Right now we have all of the Apple iPads, Sphero Bolt Power Packs, Little Bits STEAM kits, Lego Spike Prime, Strabeees, and several of the Dremel 3D45 3D Printers. We are hoping to get the Hummingbird kits and Ozobots in before we deliver these to the schools.
We are planning to offer modules 1 and 2 virtually on two more instances for participating schools that have yet to send staff to these workshops. Schools are still being reimbursed for any substitute teacher costs they incur as a result of teacher participation in each module – up to $100 per teacher per module per school district. Please send out this registration form to your participating staff and encourage their attendance. (https://forms.gle/yomJ1ftpkpAPyXL26).
Module 1 (January 19, 2022): Creating a Roadmap for K-8 Makerspaces
Module 2 (February 23, 2022): An Introduction to Computer Science in the Makerspace
Module 1 (April 21, 2022): Creating a Roadmap for K-8 Makerspaces
Module 2 (May 5, 2022): An Introduction to Computer Science in the Makerspace
For more information about PAsmart you can visit PDE's website.