S.T.E.M.agination Station is the brainchild passion project that my #teachingtwin, Jenna Weinstein, and I created a year ago. It is hands-down the best move I’ve ever made as an educator and continues to amaze me every time we engage in an engineering challenge. Learn more about S.T.E.M.agination Station on our web page .
This year we added an after school club component to our S.T.E.M.agination Station endeavors. Because we’re both Potter dorks, we host “Hogwarts Academy” every Monday after school through our PTO enrichment program. Students engage in Harry Potter-themed STEM projects each week and create a fun Potter-inspired snack, that usually involves STEM skills as well. IT.IS.SO.MUCH.FUN. I wouldn’t lie.
Call me a dork if you want…I’m in Hogwarts heaven, and the kids are, too. They have so much fun that they don’t even realize they are engaging in complex science, math, technology, and engineering challenges. Stay tuned for more S.T.E.M.agination Station fun!
On a weekly basis, we participate in STEM challenges with our Kindergarten buddy class. In our school, older classes pair with younger ones to build leadership and other skills. Each week we start with a classic tale and then create STEM challenges based on that tale. This week, we engaged in our first buddies STEM challenge: RAPUNZEL
After reading/watching the story, students had to build the tallest, free-standing Rapunzel tower using only dried spaghetti and marshmallows (both large and mini) to help the witch make a tower tall enough that no prince could rescue poor Rapunzel. The kiddos did SUCH a great job! I can’t wait for next week……when we’ll be building the strongest Rapunzel hair using only Pull-n-Peel Twizzlers! Stay tuned for more S.T.E.M.agination Station fun!
As you may have seen on Instagram or my Wordless Wednesday post, 10/1 was our 10 year anniversary! We took a glorious trip this summer to celebrate, but last weekend continued the celebration with a trip to downtown Chicago for the Black Keys concert. Let me tell you, the concert ROCKED. I mean, it rocked HARD. I could NOT believe how amazing these guys from Ohio were live. If you EVER get the chance to see The Black Keys…TAKE IT!
As you can already tell, I’m ALL ABOUT FOOD. Seriously, I adore good food. Before the concert, we took the plunge and experienced all that Eataly has to offer….and then some. We will have to go back for sure…at least 2, or 3, or more times. Eataly is my food Mecca. Just check out the photos below. From restaurant goodies, to their Italian market, it was beyond delish and made us feel like we were legit in Italy!
I’m THRILLED that my salads-in-jars were so incredibly tasty and stayed fresh and crispy ALL.WEEK.LONG. That’s 5 days, peeps! I made them on Sunday evening and today at lunch my salad was still fresh as a daisy! I’ll be writing a post on how to make them and my fave recipes soon. Also….drumroll {b/c it’s taken forever}….my make-ahead freezer meal post should be up either Saturday or Sunday!! YIPPEE!
If you already follow me on TPT, THANK YOU…& you’re about to receive a special treat! If you don’t yet follow me on TPT, please do & then YOU can receive a special treat, too….and that’s no trick! We can only send out 1 email per month, so follow me on TPT by Sunday @ midnight {technically Monday a.m.}. On Monday I’ll blast out an email to all of my TPT followers with this custom designed owl silhouette Halloween notecard/art print. Just download, cut, and use as a card or frame and use for ghoulish decor! THANKS & ENJOY! |
Click on the image below to see the product preview and details in my TPT store.