Classroom engineering can help meet your goals for ELA instruction!

Reading is a clear priority in elementary classrooms across the nation. The average
K- 3 elementary student gets nearly an hour and a half of reading/language arts instruction each day, according to the 2012 National Survey of Science and Mathematics Education. Science and engineering instruction are a much smaller part of the school day in most schools. But here at EiE, we’ve found that reading and engineering are natural partners.

New EiE PD offerings will include both on-demand and live, interactive sessions.

We know that elementary teachers value high-quality STEM professional development (PD). We also know that funding for PD can be limited, and even when there is plenty of funding, it can be hard to get release time from class, or find a sub to cover. What’s the solution? Engineering is Elementary is developing a suite of online professional development resources for K-8 engineering educators. We’re pleased to share that our first offering, "Introduction to Engineering for Out-of-School-Time Programs," is now available.

Every Thursday on the EiE Blog we provide teaching tips and resources for your engineering classroom.

Reading the storybook? Download the illustrations!

When Brittney Armstrong taught her first Engineering is Elementary unit to second graders at Slaughter Elementary in Louisville, KY, she was concerned. "It took us two entire class periods to complete the storybook and discuss it," she says. "That was too long for second graders."

When she shared her concern with another EiE teacher, Brittney got a helpful tip: You can download the illustrations for each of the 20 EiE storybooks from the project website!

What features would YOU like to see in a digital storybook?

When teachers talk, we listen. You told us you love the storybooks that introduce each Engineering is Elementary unit . . . but you’ve also shared ideas for enhancements. So we’re pleased to announce a new project here at EiE: the Digital Storybook Initiative. Digital storybooks are books you read on a tablet or computer; we’re creating digital versions of all 20 EiE storybooks that will have a host of flexible features to support every learning style.

Now we need your help! Please share your thoughts on the most useful features for this new kind of book by taking a brief online survey.

See you at the NSTA STEM Forum!

The National Science Teachers Association holds its annual STEM Forum and Expo later this week in Denver. A team from Engineering is Elementary will be there, and we’d love to see you. Find us at booth #527 in the exhibit hall, and check out five sessions featuring hands-on EiE in-school and afterschool activities. Review the list below and mark your calendar today!