Andy Larmand

This week, for our Rising Resources feature, we explored the Screencastify screen recording platform and how it helps K–12 educators boost student learning. Since it takes only seconds for students to create, edit, and share original videos by using the software to capture the content from their own screens, Screencastify is a legitimate favorite among K–12 digital teachers.

With a reputation that’s always improving, the entire MakerBot line is highly regarded within both STEM and MakerEd. Joining these are their METHOD and METHOD X Carbon Fiber Edition printers, which allow kids to 3D print carbon fiber reinforced nylon and other composite pieces with 3D strength and accuracy. And, of course, they’re great in STEM and CTE programs.

For up to nine weeks this fall, Liz and other educators will be working with hundreds of different elementary students to introduce them to new STEM opportunities, projects, and interactive assignments. The end goal involves inspiring these kids to utilize their new insights as inspiration for potentially pursuing different STEM opportunities in various industries in the future.

Though each is effective with the proper student age groups, they do have a few large differences. Starting with each one’s coding options, the Cue is a bit more advanced and it is programmable in JavaScript. Conversely, the Dash Robot is perfect for CS introductions thanks to its connections to the Blockly language and its unique options for digital programming.

If you are excited but stressing just a little bit about your plans for including STEM instruction in the classroom this school year and, also potentially, on a district-wide scale, we’d encourage all to share any ideas with us. We are happy to set up a consultative call to help us better understand your STEM goals with an eye on

Karim’s a kindergarten teacher who’s committed to leading STEM learning opportunities for early education students in the core classroom. Realizing the importance and value of STEM in early education, he’ll also be leading a new afterschool program beginning this fall to help introduce children to EarlyEd coding while also aiming to reduce inequities in STEM access.

Cynthia will combine different STEAM and real–world elements using PBL, including having kids do research on organisms, underwater environments, the importance of ecosystems, and more. Besides initial research, kids will also read nonfiction books, explore the geography in this environment, and collectively design an oceanic ecosystem mural to cap things off.

For the bulk of 2020 and 2021, learning—and STEAM lessons—happened largely online and, though many children are digital natives, navigating this era of education created plenty of new and unique challenges. Now, as we strive to ensure hands-on STEAM experiences are always accessible, kids can code almost anywhere with these tools, which is key for the summer.

We love highlighting how teachers in all grades use STEM tools in robotics, coding, engineering, 3D printing, or even classroom VR lessons to redefine readiness and boost students’ development. If you’re a classroom teacher, librarian, administrator, makerspace facilitator, SEL specialist, or have any other title, we’d love to highlight your work across our digital channels.

Jennifer works mostly with middle school kids and helps them boost many STEAM skills through real-world experiences. Whether in introducing them to computer science and robotics or digital design experiences using CAD platforms like TinkerCAD, she’s helped them to build new problem-solving competencies and increased the interest many have in computer science.