Making a Model

Today, Andrew was making a model for his Exo Suit, the NEW Suit. Sometimes in class, we go high-tech with devices, apps and websites. Sometimes, it's just tongue-depressors and a hot glue gun. Andrew is making a scale model of the suit that he and his partner, Noah, want to build beginning this weekend. The suit they want to build will be life-size and be able to fit either one of them in it. We are excited by their progress and hope to see more soon. You can visit Andrew's blog at http://thenewsuitandrews.blogspot.com/ and Noah's blog at http://thenewsuitsample.blogspot.com/

Podcast: Harmonized Learning Episode 50

In this episode, we talk about the Idea Showcase and some upcoming  20% Time events. We also give a shout out to our Avery Elementary colleagues who ran their own 20% Time Pitch Day this week. Kudos to them! You can subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and follow us on Twitter @dayankee and @melissahellwig4

Photos from the Idea Showcase

Podcast: Harmonized Learning - Episode 49

In this episode, we talk about EdCampSTL, the METC Conference and our upcoming Idea Showcase. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and follow us on Twitter (@dayankee and @melissahellwig4)

Pitch Presentation Videos

When we talk about Pitch Day, teachers often ask, "What does it look like?" We take photos of pitches, write descriptive posts about pitches and yet we still have not provided a good enough idea of what the pitch is like. We asked three of our students if we could videotape their pitches to provide some of our colleagues with a much better idea of what a pitch presentation is like. Below, you will see the pitch presentations of Ian, Mason and Linsey.

Ian's Pitch Presentation


Mason's Pitch Presentation


Linsey's Pitch Presentation

Photos of our Donors Choose 20% Time Grant

A few weeks ago, donorschoose.org sent us an e-mail telling us of a funding opportunity from Merck Pharmaceuticals. Merck was funding 100% of any science-related grants in the St. Louis area that were submitted to Donors Choose by January 15. Well, we never turn down free money so we asked the kids if any of them were doing any science projects for 20% Time. Many were. We opened a spreadsheet and kids added the items that they needed for their projects. We submitted those products on our grant and a few weeks later, Merck funded us. Two days after Merck funded our grant, our kids had their tools in their hands. It was an amazing, seamless transaction and the kids are huge beneficiaries of this company's generosity and the awesomeness of the people at Donors Choose. We are incredibly appreciative.