Explore all i-STEM Workshops
i-STEM takes place at 6 locations throughout Idaho.
Each location features a unique lineup of workshops, or strands, tailored to the region.
i-STEM has travel and lodging stipends available!
Seeing a workshop that interests you but it’s not near you? We may be able to help! Please reach out to Idaho STEM Action Center at istem@stem.idaho.gov.
Strand Provider: Heather Cunningham
Strand Description: Code the Future: Empowering Idaho’s Next Generation with Micro:bits is four days of hands-on professional development designed to introduce 3rd-5th grade educators to foundational coding and computational thinking skills through the use of Micro:bits, versatile and programmable microcontrollers. This training connects coding activities to Idaho’s local industries, such as agriculture, logistics, and environmental monitoring, providing educators with engaging, real-world contexts for teaching STEM concepts. Participants will learn to design classroom or after-school program lessons that align with state standards, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration in students. By integrating industry-relevant scenarios, such as automating irrigation systems or optimizing supply chain routes, this training equips teachers to inspire students with meaningful, localized applications of technology and coding.
Your kits will/may include: Each kit includes a classroom set of 10 Micro:bits, along with comprehensive lesson plans and printable resources to support seamless implementation in the classroom. This kit equips educators with the tools and guidance needed to integrate hands-on coding and computational thinking activities into their curriculum, fostering student engagement and skill development.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Scott Rogers
Strand Description: The Bridging Concepts: Practice 3D Printing empowers educators to integrate cutting-edge technology into their classrooms by leveraging 3D printing as a tool to enhance STEM-based learning across all disciplines. This strand focuses on training educators to design scalable lesson plans that incorporate 3D printing, enabling hands-on, project-based learning experiences that engage students and foster creativity. Whether prototyping engineering solutions, modeling scientific concepts, or visualizing historical artifacts, educators will be equipped with the tools and skills needed to bring these innovative ideas to life.
Your kit includes; The kit equips educators to effectively apply their training in practical and impactful ways. The kit empowers educators to seamlessly integrate technology into their teaching, enhancing student learning outcomes across disciplines. It includes a Flash Forge 5m 3D Printer, high-speed filament, a flash drive, and a tool kit for cleaning and maintenance. These resources provide hands-on opportunities for educators to practice creating and printing 3D models, reinforcing the skills learned during training. The scalable nature of 3D printing allows educators to design engaging STEM lesson plans applicable across various subjects, such as engineering, life sciences, and social studies. The maintenance tools ensure consistent use of the printer, minimizing classroom disruptions. Additionally, the flash drive facilitates easy storage and sharing of 3D printing files and lesson plans, promoting collaboration among educators. By integrating 3D printing into their teaching, educators can create hands-on, experiential learning experiences that make STEM concepts tangible, exciting, and relevant for students.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Amber McVey
Strand Description: Do you struggle to incorporate STEM into your daily lessons? Is coming up with low-cost, high-interest activities challenging? This strand will walk you through ways to reuse and re-purpose low-cost items to get the maximum output. You will build, create, and innovate as you explore STEM in activities and lessons focused on providing students with engaging, collaborative STEM opportunities.
Your Kit will/may include: Each educator receives a kit with small, medium, and large activity materials. For make and take activities, participants receive a small sample kit of each activity along with the pricing involved in creating the kits as a small center activity or large, multi-classroom activity. They will also receive items that will allow them to run activities in centers, supporting students in completing challenges on a rotating schedule. In the kit, they will have Lego, planks, makey-makey, 3D printers and pens, paper circuits, and more.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Todd Anderson
Strand Description: The Experimenting with Electronics strand is geared towards teachers who would like to introduce hands-on science to their students. Participants will have the opportunity to build, troubleshoot, and test a variety of electrical circuits. Emphasis will be placed on learning the basics of electronic components, how circuits work, and being able to recognize and use a variety of different components. A simulated circuit environment will be utilized as well in order to verify circuits before physically building them. We will turn on LED lights, use sensors, run motors, and make sound. Practical math is utilized in calculating resistance, current, and voltage. Exposure to how electronics work, the various components, and running their own tests, will benefit students’ concrete understanding of the science of electronics.
Your Kit will/may include: This kit contains materials for creating paper circuits as well as breadboards and components for building prototype circuits. Included is a digital multimeter for measuring resistance, current, and voltage. There are enough components for a whole class to engage in electronic circuits. All of these items will enable an educator to guide their students to build a physical circuit and be hands-on with their curriculum. The materials provided in this kit can be implemented in both classroom as well as after school programs. It can be adapted to the needs of individual teachers and their curriculum. Educators will be able to engage students in both formal and informal educational settings.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Kelsey Margulieux
Strand Description: This strand will introduce new users to LEGO SPIKE Primes and prepare them for implementing SPIKE Primes in the classrooms. The SPIKE Prime kit includes an assortment of LEGO technic bricks, motors, programmable brick, sensors and LED display. All pieces are officially LEGO and are fully compatible with traditional LEGO sets. Educators will be introduced to FIRST LEGO League as an opportunity to further engage students with STEM, but strand focus will be on building and programming with LEGO SPIKE in a classroom or non-traditional classroom setting. Educators will gain experience with motors and all sensors (gyroscope, ultrasonic, light/color, and touch) as well as the LED display. Topics will include programming challenges, troubleshooting and classroom management with LEGO pieces and storage and an emphasis on hands-on experience with their kits.
Your Kit will/may include: Strand participants receive a kit that includes the LEGO SPIKE Prime kit (LEGO part number 45678) and 3×3 LED display (LEGO part number 45608). The SPIKE Prime kit is reusable and easily shared by a group of students to build and program LEGO robots. The kit includes an assortment of LEGO technic components, 3 LEGO technic motors, sensors (including 3 gyroscopes, ultrasonic, light/color, and touch/force) and a programmable control unit.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Melissa Stroupe
Strand Description: In this strand we will be using Lego bricks in a variety of stations and activities in different subjects and piecing them all together. We will be learning about how you can use these creations, stations, and challenges to not only meet your standards, but develop deeper conversations.
Your Kit will/may include: We will share a file of resources for you to start using day one in your classroom. The kit is different Lego Classic bricks that allows for the most bricks and being able to use them in different ways in your classroom.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Marci Reddish
Strand Description: Calling All Idaho Math Teachers! Join the Idaho Standards Academy for an engaging and impactful professional learning experience designed specifically for your grade level. This strand dives deep into the big ideas of Algebraic Reasoning and Operations and Algebraic Thinking, helping teachers strengthen their understanding of math content standards and research-aligned teaching practices. Participants will explore concepts such as equivalence, generalizations, and properties of operations while collaborating to design standards-aligned curricula and evaluate classroom resources. Equipped with hands-on manipulatives, professional memberships, and practical tools, participants will leave empowered to create dynamic math experiences for learners and foster student success in algebraic reasoning. Teachers will also learn how to incorporate math badging into their classrooms by using rich tasks and fostering high levels of student engagement, learning, and self-assessment.
Your Kit will/may include: As part of the Idaho Standards Academy strand, participants will receive a thoughtfully curated kit designed to empower 5th-grade educators with research-aligned strategies to enhance their teaching practices. The kit includes reusable Wipebooks, perfect for fostering problem-solving collaborations in alignment with the Building Thinking Classrooms model, encouraging active engagement and teamwork in mathematical thinking. Educators will gain access to professional growth opportunities through memberships to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Idaho Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM), providing cutting-edge resources and communities dedicated to high-quality mathematics education. A selection of reference books is included to support a deep understanding of standards, the creation of impactful mathematical tasks, and the development of number sense activities. Additionally, hands-on manipulatives such as scales and base ten sets enable educators to provide concrete representations of mathematical concepts, supporting foundational understandings of number relationships, equivalence, and operations. This comprehensive kit equips educators with tools and resources to inspire and engage their students effectively.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Terra Feast
Strand Description: Tap into the power of art to spark student curiosity and cultivate creative thinking in STEM learning! During this strand, participants will discover how art making can deepen student understanding, strengthen problem solving skills, help students visualize and communicate complex concepts, and encourage collaboration with peers. This course will guide educators through a series of activities that integrate art into the STEM curriculum with intentionality. Participants will experience projects firsthand as learners, then explore strategies to adapt projects for various grade levels and learner needs. This strand gives participants opportunities to make meaningful connections between creative art activities drawing parallels between the scientific method and the creative process in order to increase learner engagement and confidence. Art to Engage STEM Learners is a highly interactive experience focused on blending hands-on science activities, math concepts, digital technologies, visual art, music, animation and more!
Your kits will/may include: Participants will receive a kit packed full of supplies for art projects, science experiments, and design challenges to explore color, light, nature, chemistry, circuits, and motion. When possible, items will come in sets/quantities that can be used again in the classroom. A list of alternative materials will be provided to participants along with resources for additional lessons, extensions, and adaptations.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Ben Fuqua
Strand Description: Dive into the world of Python programming with our four-day intensive strand designed for educators of all experience levels. Beginning with the basics of print statements and culminating in the creation of the classic Asteroids game, participants will explore hands-on, engaging coding projects. The provided Educator Kit features a rubber ducky for debugging, a Python coding book, and preloaded resources, empowering teachers to bring programming into their classrooms or afterschool programs seamlessly. Perfect for fostering computational thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, this strand prepares educators to inspire the next generation of coders.
Your kit includes; Participants will receive a Python Boot Camp Educator Kit designed to enhance teaching and learning experiences in Python programming. The kit includes a rubber ducky to introduce the “rubber duck debugging” technique, a creative approach that encourages problem-solving and self-explanation during coding challenges. Additionally, a comprehensive book on Python coding is provided to serve as a valuable reference, deepen understanding, and offer exercises that reinforce concepts covered during the strand. By blending fun, hands-on elements with practical resources, this kit empowers educators to confidently engage students in Python programming.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Camille Platts-McPharlin
Strand Description: coming soon
Your Kit will/may include: coming soon
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Jessica Gronniger
Strand Description: Microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, inhabit nearly every environment on Earth. These microscopic communities not only harbor a staggering amount of biodiversity but also play a critical role in maintaining our global ecosystems. However, due to their microscopic nature, it can be challenging to study and engage with these fascinating hidden worlds. In this strand, educators will learn to implement a teaching module that will not only allow students to explore these microscopic worlds but will also guide them through the scientific process from ideation to data analysis and synthesis. Through their engagement with the scientific process, students will learn to design and evaluate experiments that will allow them to explore the drivers responsible for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services, construct arguments supported by evidence about how biotic and abiotic factors shape natural microbial populations, and analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability and interactions on microbial populations. These educational goals will be achieved by establishing safe and effective laboratory skills, including (1) how to make sterile media and petri dishes in a classroom setting, (2) proper aseptic sample collecting techniques, (3) how to inoculate media with environmental microorganisms, and (4) microbe identification and enumeration techniques. Beyond these lab-based skills, this module also integrates components from math, computer science and even art as students will learn to estimate population sizes and growth rates from colony counts, analyze and visualize data using basic computational tools like R, and engage with their creativity as they create artistic representations of their microbial cultures. By using a combination of literature review, hands-on laboratory techniques and data synthesis, students will not only get to experience, visualize and understand some of the critical microbial communities that sustain our ecosystems, but will also be exposed to the scientific process as they design, implement and analyze a research project from start to finish!
Your Kit will/may include: Kits will be comprised of all the materials needed for students to engage with and implement laboratory-based experiments to collect, cultivate and visualize natural environmental microbial communities. This includes two types of microbial media, petri dishes, dropper pipettes, and all materials required for aseptic lab techniques (i.e. sterile water and collection tubes, ethanol lamps, forceps, etc.). Kits will also include art supplies such as acrylic disks, paints and paintbrushes so that students can create their own microbe art!
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Gina Kwid
Strand Description: The micro:bit Extending Code to Support 3-5 Educators iSTEM 2025 strand is designed to integrate computer science, coding, and computational thinking into every classroom. The activities in this strand align with Idaho Content Standards. Participants will gain practical skills and develop lessons that can be immediately implemented in the classroom, enhancing the curriculum. By the end of the strand, participants will be proficient in using micro: bits and feel confident in incorporating these devices across various subjects. This strand includes a class set of micro: bits, cases for storage, additional allegator clips and wires, speakers for the micro: bits, micro:bit servos, a micro:bit book with ready to implement lessons, and a computer science-based book to increase computational thinking skills and computer science attitudes. This strand is designed for classroom teachers, librarians, maker space teachers, computer science teachers, after school programs, and summer camp programs.
Your Kit will/may include: The strand kit includes 20 micro:bit computer kits, complete with storage cases to house and protect the devices. Additional accessories such as alligator clips, a micro:bit speaker, and micro:bit servos are also provided to enhance functionality and support diverse projects. To inspire creative learning, the kit features two engaging books: Micro:Bit for Mad Scientists, offering innovative experiments and activities, and How to Code a Sandcastle, a fun introduction to coding concepts for students. Together, these resources equip educators with the tools needed to bring hands-on coding and STEM exploration to their classrooms.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Morgan Gifford
Strand Description: Discover how to bring STEM learning to life in your classroom with “PBL: STEM in Action,” a hands-on professional development strand designed to make STEM learning engaging and accessible for students. Through interactive tools like Merge Cubes, GIS mapping, and weather sensors, you’ll learn how to create exciting, project-based lessons that connect science to everyday life and future career paths. This strand is perfect for educators looking to inspire curiosity, foster critical thinking, and tackle real-world problems with their students. Walk away with ready-to-use materials, practical strategies, and a plan to transform your classroom!
Your Kit will/may include: Participants will receive a kit filled with hands-on tools and resources such as Merge Cubes for augmented reality exploration, data collection tools like mini weather stations or soil test kits, access to curated digital resources, and other tools to support PBL. These materials are designed to help educators implement interactive, PBL lessons that connect science to everyday life and inspire curiosity.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Erin Downey
Strand Description: This workshop equips educators with the tools and strategies to integrate STEM content into their classrooms through a dynamic podcasting curriculum focused on science journalism. Participants will explore how mass and social media shape our understanding of science, develop skills in research, storytelling, and audio production, and learn how to empower students to create research-based science podcasts. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have the resources to guide their students in producing engaging podcasts that connect STEM topics to real-world issues while promoting critical thinking, creativity, and media literacy.
Your Kit will/may include: The Podcasting kit includes PCS Discover Podcasting curriculum for teachers of students in grades 6-12, as well as materials to equip 5 student groups with high-quality microphones and isolation shields for crisp, clear voice recording; headphone splitters for each group to play back their podcasts; student notebooks for tracking daily progress, and a 90-day subscription to Soundtrap for Education, a powerful and easy to use sound mixing program.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Heather Cunningham
Strand Description: Trailblazing with BeeBots: Idaho’s Path to Early CS Learning is four days of hands-on professional development designed to introduce K-2 educators to foundational coding and computational thinking skills through the use of BeeBots, simple programmable robots. This training connects coding activities to Idaho’s local industries, such as agriculture, logistics, and environmental monitoring, providing educators with engaging, real-world contexts for teaching STEM concepts. Participants will learn to design classroom or after-school program lessons that align with state standards, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration in young learners. By integrating industry-relevant scenarios, such as simulating crop patterns or navigating delivery routes, this training equips teachers to inspire students with meaningful, localized applications of coding.
Your Kit will/may include: Each kit includes six BeeBots and a charging hive, providing ample resources to support individual student engagement at a center or facilitate collaborative group activities for up to six groups in a whole-class setting. Additionally, the kit features lesson plans and printable resources designed to support seamless implementation, empowering educators to integrate coding and problem-solving activities into their classroom with ease.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Rick Stoddard
Strand Description: This hands-on training is designed to empower educators with practical tools and strategies to integrate data collection (using the plethora of built in sensors of Databot) as well as coding in their teaching practices. Over four days, participants will engage in interactive activities, explore cutting-edge technology, and collaborate on lesson plans that inspire inquiry-based learning. By the end of this training, educators will leave equipped with new skills, ready-to-use lesson plans, and the confidence to bring these exciting concepts to their classrooms.
Your kit will/may include: Participants in the “Databots Can Do A Lot Strand” will receive a comprehensive kit designed to support seamless integration of STEM concepts into their classrooms. The kit includes a Databot, a versatile sensor-based device for data collection and programming activities, equipped with tools like temperature probes, accelerometers, and gesture sensors. Additionally, educators will receive laminated graph paper, Vis-à-Vis markers, sheet music, and other activity materials to facilitate interactive lessons. A small greenhouse kit is also included, allowing teachers to create a micro-ecosystem for data collection and exploration. This strand is tailored for late elementary, middle school, and high school educators from any discipline, ensuring they have the resources and confidence to deliver engaging, hands-on STEM experiences to their students.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Tammie Schrader
Strand Description: The four-day STEM workshop immerses participants in the dynamic world of game-based learning, demonstrating how games can transform STEM education into an engaging, interactive experience. Each day focuses on a specific aspect of STEM—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—using a mix of board games, digital simulations, and hands-on game design activities tailored to enhance conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills. Participants will explore how thoughtfully selected games can foster collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, while also addressing diverse learning needs. Guided by experienced educators and game designers, attendees will engage in breakout sessions where they’ll adapt and create games aligned with STEM curriculum goals, test their designs, and reflect on their impact. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave equipped with practical strategies and customizable game-based tools to inspire curiosity and deepen learning in their classrooms or educational programs.
Your kit will/may include: The Game-Based Workshop Kit is a comprehensive resource designed to bring creativity and engagement to a week-long game-based learning experience. This kit includes versatile tools such as dice, customizable cards, and a variety of game pieces, enabling participants to design, play, and adapt games for educational purposes. Each component is crafted for flexibility, supporting activities that span multiple subjects and skill levels. The dice can be used for probability exercises, storytelling prompts, or randomizing gameplay events, while the cards serve as versatile tools for creating question decks, challenges, or scenarios. The game pieces provide tactile elements to foster hands-on exploration and enhance immersion in board game setups or simulation activities. Ideal for educators, students, and facilitators, this kit encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and strategic thinking, equipping participants with the resources to design meaningful, curriculum-aligned games by the workshop’s conclusion.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Angela Reece
Strand Description: Calling all Idaho math teachers! Elevate your impact with the Idaho Standards Academy—a 5th grade level focused professional learning opportunity designed to enhance your understanding of standards, math content and teaching moves all while using best practices! This framework focuses on providing authentic mathematical experiences that are project-based and STEM connected. Backed by transformative research-aligned strategies, this academy is your gateway to enhancing your mathematical knowledge for teaching. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and grow with your Regional Math Center specialists.
Your kit will/may include: As part of the Idaho Standards Academy strand, participants will receive a thoughtfully curated kit designed to empower 5th-grade educators with research-aligned strategies to enhance their teaching practices. The kit includes reusable Wipebooks, perfect for fostering problem-solving collaborations in alignment with the Building Thinking Classrooms model, encouraging active engagement and teamwork in mathematical thinking. Educators will gain access to professional growth opportunities through memberships to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Idaho Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM), providing cutting-edge resources and communities dedicated to high-quality mathematics education. A selection of reference books is included to support a deep understanding of standards, the creation of impactful mathematical tasks, and the development of number sense activities. Additionally, hands-on manipulatives such as scales and base ten sets enable educators to provide concrete representations of mathematical concepts, supporting foundational understandings of number relationships, equivalence, and operations. This comprehensive kit equips educators with tools and resources to inspire and engage their students effectively.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Carol Hicks
Strand Description: Calling All Idaho Math Teachers! Join the Idaho Standards Academy for an engaging and impactful professional learning experience designed specifically for 6-8 educators. This strand dives deep into the big ideas of Early Algebraic Reasoning and Operations and Algebraic Thinking (equivalence, generalizations, and properties of operations) and the Math Teaching Practices. We will gain knowledge through the lens of connected learning, big ideas, conceptual understanding, rich tasks, and active learning. Equipped with hands-on manipulatives, professional memberships, units/lessons and activities, participants will leave empowered to create dynamic math experiences for young learners and foster student success in algebraic reasoning.
Your kit will/may include: As part of the Idaho Standards Academy strand, participants will receive a comprehensive kit designed to equip K-2 educators with tools and resources for implementing research-based strategies and enhancing teaching practices. The kit includes Wipebooks, reusable write-and-wipe tools that foster student collaboration and problem-solving in alignment with the Building Thinking Classrooms model. Participants will also receive memberships to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Idaho Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM), granting access to valuable resources, articles, and professional learning communities. Additionally, the kit features reference books that provide insights into understanding standards, creating engaging mathematical tasks, and strengthening number sense activities. To further support hands-on learning, the kit includes manipulatives such as rekenreks and Cuisenaire rods, enabling students to explore foundational mathematical concepts through concrete representations.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Veronica Blackham
Strand Description: Join the Idaho Standards Academy for an engaging and impactful professional learning experience designed specifically for your grade level. This strand dives deep into the big ideas of Algebraic Reasoning and Operations and Algebraic Thinking, helping teachers strengthen their understanding of math content standards and research-aligned teaching practices. Participants will explore concepts such as equivalence, generalizations, and properties of operations while collaborating to design standards-aligned curricula and evaluate classroom resources. Equipped with hands-on manipulatives, professional memberships, and practical tools, participants will leave empowered to create dynamic math experiences for learners and foster student success in algebraic reasoning. Teachers will also learn how to incorporate badging into their classrooms by using rich tasks and fostering high levels of student engagement, learning, and self-assessment.
Your kit will/may include: As part of the Idaho Standards Academy strand, participants will receive a thoughtfully curated kit designed to empower educators at their specific grade levels to implement research-aligned strategies and strengthen their teaching practices. This comprehensive kit includes Wipebooks, which foster problem-solving collaborations and active engagement through reusable, write-and-wipe tools aligned with the Building Thinking Classrooms model. Participants will also receive memberships to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and/or the Idaho Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM), offering access to professional growth opportunities, cutting-edge resources, and a supportive community dedicated to high-quality mathematics education. A selection of reference books is provided to deepen educators’ understanding of standards, inspire the creation of high-quality mathematical tasks, and enhance number sense and algebraic activities. Additionally, hands-on manipulatives tailored to the grade level enable educators to offer concrete representations of mathematical concepts, supporting student comprehension of number relationships, equivalence, and properties of operations.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Colton Walker
Strand Description: Have you ever wanted to incorporate STEM into your classroom, but aren’t sure you have the time or the understanding how? This class will show you multiple hands on activities that can be altered or adapted to fit your content and grade level without the stress and hours spent trying to incorporate STEM!
Your kit will/may include: Their kits would include, a Sphero Bolt which cost 179, plus shipping, A sphero indi which is 150 plus shipping, then I would also include a raft kit classroom set, and then the the other money would supply the funding to provide raft kits that we would do in the classroom. The kits support educators by giving them STEM activities that can be implemented at any grade level and curriculum with alterations that we will teach during the strand. These materials can be implemented at all times. Whether it’s as a STEM corner, whole class participation, After school programs and activities.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Julie Anderson
Strand Description: The Artemis III Challenge is a step-by-step Project Based Learning unit that will take you and your students on a journey to the moon! Some of the activities in your mission will involve creating a mission patch unique to our area, designing and blasting off a rocket, constructing a habitat with a water system, and building and coding a LEGO rover to explore the moon. The mission will include keeping a digital journal with pictures of research, delving into issues related to each challenge and giving evidence of ideas for each of the 10 activities in the mission. Teachers can use the extensions to make the unit longer or shorter depending on time constraints. This course has been used successfully in the classroom, during afterschool programs and for summer camps.
Your kits will/may include: Your kit will include a Lego Spike Prime kit from which you will build a rover and learn how to code it through numerous challenges. Your kit will also include a launcher for a 2 liter bottle rocket that you can reuse with your class, a 3D pen to design your habitat, and Brown Dog Gadgets solar powered pack of paper rovers. These tools will help you learn about the challenges of your mission as we explore this PBL unit of design.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Heather Cunningham
Strand Description: Trailblazing with BeeBots: Idaho’s Path to Early CS Learning is four days of hands-on professional development designed to introduce K-2 educators to foundational coding and computational thinking skills through the use of BeeBots, simple programmable robots. This training connects coding activities to Idaho’s local industries, such as agriculture, logistics, and environmental monitoring, providing educators with engaging, real-world contexts for teaching STEM concepts. Participants will learn to design classroom or after-school program lessons that align with state standards, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration in young learners. By integrating industry-relevant scenarios, such as simulating crop patterns or navigating delivery routes, this training equips teachers to inspire students with meaningful, localized applications of coding.
Your kit will/may include: Each kit includes six BeeBots and a charging hive, providing ample resources to support individual student engagement at a center or facilitate collaborative group activities for up to six groups in a whole-class setting. Additionally, the kit features lesson plans and printable resources designed to support seamless implementation, empowering educators to integrate coding and problem-solving activities into their classroom with ease.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Lynette Leonard
Strand Description: This hands-on workshop helps educators integrate 3D printing into their classrooms, fostering creativity and innovation in student projects. Teachers will learn the basics of 3D printing, design prototypes, and gain experience with printing tools and software. Focusing on project-based learning (PBL), participants will align 3D printing with curriculum standards to create real-world learning opportunities. Educators will develop 3-4 PBLs they can implement right away, encouraging students to solve problems through design and technology. Participants will have lesson plans, strategies, and a 3D printer to bring back to their classrooms, incorporating design and printing with Idaho content standards and cross-cutting concepts.
Your Kit will/may include: Participants will receive a comprehensive kit designed to support 3D printing integration in the classroom, including a 3D pen for students to explore design concepts and a 3D printer with several rolls of filament for hands-on creation. The kit also includes a Pro Grade 3D Printer Tool Kit, equipped with all the necessary tools for removing, cleaning, and finishing 3D prints, ensuring seamless maintenance. Additionally, educators will receive books and project-based learning (PBL) lessons that align 3D printing with curriculum standards, helping them foster student creativity and problem-solving through meaningful projects. This kit equips educators with the tools and resources to bring innovative design and prototyping experiences into their classrooms.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Rick Stoddard
Strand Description: This hands-on training is designed to empower educators with practical tools and strategies to integrate data collection (using the plethora of built in sensors of Databot) as well as coding in their teaching practices. Over four days, participants will engage in interactive activities, explore cutting-edge technology, and collaborate on lesson plans that inspire inquiry-based learning. By the end of this training, educators will leave equipped with new skills, ready-to-use lesson plans, and the confidence to bring these exciting concepts to their classrooms.
Your Kit will/may include: Participants in the “Databots Can Do A Lot Strand” will receive a comprehensive kit designed to support seamless integration of STEM concepts into their classrooms. The kit includes a Databot, a versatile sensor-based device for data collection and programming activities, equipped with tools like temperature probes, accelerometers, and gesture sensors. Additionally, educators will receive laminated graph paper, Vis-à-Vis markers, sheet music, and other activity materials to facilitate interactive lessons. A small greenhouse kit is also included, allowing teachers to create a micro-ecosystem for data collection and exploration. This strand is tailored for late elementary, middle school, and high school educators from any discipline, ensuring they have the resources and confidence to deliver engaging, hands-on STEM experiences to their students.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Penni Aufderheide Keck
Strand Description: In the “Exploring STEM with Adobe Express” strand, students will engage in a dynamic learning experience that combines creativity with scientific inquiry. This strand emphasizes the integration of technology into the classroom, enabling students to create digital posters that illustrate complex scientific concepts related to ecosystems. Through hands-on activities, students will utilize Adobe Express to enhance their visual communication skills while exploring the interdependence of living organisms. Students will develop critical thinking and presentation skills by participating in collaborative brainstorming sessions, guided practice, and a gallery walk presentation. This innovative approach makes learning more engaging and promotes a deeper understanding of ecological relationships, ultimately preparing students for future challenges in science and technology.
Your Kit will/may include: The kit could include a color printer with printer paper, access to Brain Buffet and Adobe Express, and a couple of books to help with teaching design to students.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Tammie Schrader
Strand Description: The four-day STEM workshop immerses participants in the dynamic world of game-based learning, demonstrating how games can transform STEM education into an engaging, interactive experience. Each day focuses on a specific aspect of STEM—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—using a mix of board games, digital simulations, and hands-on game design activities tailored to enhance conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills. Participants will explore how thoughtfully selected games can foster collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, while also addressing diverse learning needs. Guided by experienced educators and game designers, attendees will engage in breakout sessions where they’ll adapt and create games aligned with STEM curriculum goals, test their designs, and reflect on their impact. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave equipped with practical strategies and customizable game-based tools to inspire curiosity and deepen learning in their classrooms or educational programs.
Your Kit will/may include: The Game-Based Workshop Kit is a comprehensive resource designed to bring creativity and engagement to a week-long game-based learning experience. This kit includes versatile tools such as dice, customizable cards, and a variety of game pieces, enabling participants to design, play, and adapt games for educational purposes. Each component is crafted for flexibility, supporting activities that span multiple subjects and skill levels. The dice can be used for probability exercises, storytelling prompts, or randomizing gameplay events, while the cards serve as versatile tools for creating question decks, challenges, or scenarios. The game pieces provide tactile elements to foster hands-on exploration and enhance immersion in board game setups or simulation activities. Ideal for educators, students, and facilitators, this kit encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and strategic thinking, equipping participants with the resources to design meaningful, curriculum-aligned games by the workshop’s conclusion.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Courtney Greene
Strand Description: The arts, social studies, science, and physical education all have engaging mathematics within them. In this session teachers will learn how to use children’s literature and games to deepen student’s content knowledge through the promotion of mathematical discourse.
Your Kit will/may include: Participants will receive professional books, children’s literature, games, and supplies for students to create math masterpieces. These materials will help teachers provide activities for students across content areas that support math content and promote discourse.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Sonia Galaviz
Strand Description: Educators participating in the Ready, Set, Drone! iSTEM training will learn how to use drones to teach STEM in an exciting, real-world context. By engaging with the curriculum first as learners, educators gain the content knowledge necessary to teach their students, including what drones are, how drones work, piloting skills, regulations and real-world applications. We will engage in a student-centered, learn-by-doing approach. While guiding educators through the curriculum, we will model how to engage learners in the real-world practices of scientists and engineers. These practices include generating questions, engaging in scientific inquiry, recording ideas in interactive science notebooks, testing solutions using the iterative design process, working as a team to solve problems and reflecting to learn from past mistakes. Discussions highlight the pedagogy employed and are designed to help educators facilitate these experiences competently and confidently with various age groups.
Your Kit will/may include: Participants in the “Ready, Set, Drone!” iSTEM training will receive both digital and hard copies of classroom-ready materials, including lesson plans, slide decks, and drone flight challenges, all shared via a Google folder for easy customization. Educators will learn to use drones to teach STEM in a real-world context, gaining essential knowledge about drones, their functions, piloting skills, regulations, and applications.
The provided kit includes:
- 6 CoDrone Mini Drones and Controllers
- 24 CoDrone Mini Batteries and 6 Chargers
- 1 LiPo Safe Storage Bag
- 6 BrickLAB Brick Packs
- 30 Safety Glasses
- 1 print copy of the Ready, Set, Drone! 3rd Edition Instructor Guide
- A set of Ready, Set, Drone! posters
- Digital access to the Ready, Set, Drone! 3rd Edition curriculum
These resources empower educators to bring engaging, hands-on STEM learning experiences to their classrooms.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Jennifer Rude
Strand Description: Go outside with STEM! The Nature of STEM is a fun, hands-on learning experience giving educators the knowledge and confidence to take learners outside to enhance learning in all content areas. Using “Wild Learning: A Practical Guide to Bring Teaching Outdoors” and the Project Learning Tree Teacher’s Guide, we will explore how to meet Idaho state standards with outdoor STEM activities. Educators will gain a new perspective on the benefits of outdoor learning and leave with strategies and tools to enjoy successful outdoor learning experiences with their students.
Your Kit will/may include: Participants will receive kits that include “Wild Learning: A Practical Guide to Bring Teaching Outdoors, “the Project Learning Tree Teacher’s Guide, “Awesome Outdoor Experiments For Kids”, a backpack with supplies to get started with outdoor learning, a classroom set of tree cookies, nature guides, and supplies for a variety of outdoor activities.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Amy Post
Strand Description: With 73% of Idaho’s schools moving to a 4-day week last year, elementary STEM is one of the first things to go. A STEM afterschool program can help counteract this learning loss by teaching kids essential STEM skills. Afterschool is the perfect setting for hands-on, inquiry-based, experiential STEM learning. Best of all, teaching STEM in an afterschool program is FUN for both kids and adults! In this workshop, participants will gain confidence as a STEM educator, learn how to hand over (some) control to kids, and walk away with a plan to start a program at their school or organization.
Your kits will/may include: Developed in partnership with STEMfinity, the “Afterschool STEM Fills the Gap” contains easy-to-use, low-tech, low-cost materials for 3 hands-on, STEM activities. The selected activities teach basic concepts in circuitry, engineering and physics through inquiry and experiential learning.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Heather Cunningham
Strand Description: Code the Future: Empowering Idaho’s Next Generation with Micro:bits is four days of hands-on professional development designed to introduce 3rd-5th grade educators to foundational coding and computational thinking skills through the use of Micro:bits, versatile and programmable microcontrollers. This training connects coding activities to Idaho’s local industries, such as agriculture, logistics, and environmental monitoring, providing educators with engaging, real-world contexts for teaching STEM concepts. Participants will learn to design classroom or after-school program lessons that align with state standards, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration in students. By integrating industry-relevant scenarios, such as automating irrigation systems or optimizing supply chain routes, this training equips teachers to inspire students with meaningful, localized applications of technology and coding.
Your kit will/may include: Each kit includes a classroom set of 10 Micro:bits, along with comprehensive lesson plans and printable resources to support seamless implementation in the classroom. This kit equips educators with the tools and guidance needed to integrate hands-on coding and computational thinking activities into their curriculum, fostering student engagement and skill development.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Lynette Leonard
Strand Description: This hands-on workshop helps educators integrate 3D printing into their classrooms, fostering creativity and innovation in student projects. Teachers will learn the basics of 3D printing, design prototypes, and gain experience with printing tools and software. Focusing on project-based learning (PBL), participants will align 3D printing with curriculum standards to create real-world learning opportunities. Educators will develop 3-4 PBLs they can implement right away, encouraging students to solve problems through design and technology. Participants will have lesson plans, strategies, and a 3D printer to bring back to their classrooms, incorporating design and printing with Idaho content standards and cross-cutting concepts.
Your Kit will/may include: Participants will receive a comprehensive kit designed to support 3D printing integration in the classroom, including a 3D pen for students to explore design concepts and a 3D printer with several rolls of filament for hands-on creation. The kit also includes a Pro Grade 3D Printer Tool Kit, equipped with all the necessary tools for removing, cleaning, and finishing 3D prints, ensuring seamless maintenance. Additionally, educators will receive books and project-based learning (PBL) lessons that align 3D printing with curriculum standards, helping them foster student creativity and problem-solving through meaningful projects. This kit equips educators with the tools and resources to bring innovative design and prototyping experiences into their classrooms.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Amanda Harris
Strand Description: “Engineering Your Path” is a dynamic, hands-on strand designed to equip educators with the tools and strategies to inspire students through real-world engineering and prototyping projects. Participants will explore the engineering design process using practical tools like the ChompSaw, hot glue guns, and other essential materials to create engaging prototypes and models. The strand focuses on fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving while highlighting how these skills connect to future STEM careers. Each participant will receive a comprehensive kit, including precision tools and prototyping supplies, enabling them to implement these activities in classrooms, libraries, afterschool programs, or community settings. This strand empowers educators to integrate engineering principles across various content areas, helping students develop essential 21st-century skills while making learning exciting and relevant.
Your Kit will/may include: Participants in the “Engineering Your Path” strand will receive a thoughtfully curated kit to facilitate hands-on engineering and prototyping for up to 30 students. The kit includes a ChompSaw with versatile accessories, enabling precision straight cuts, circle cutting, and angle cutting to support innovative design. Mini hot glue guns and sticks are provided for quick and efficient prototype assembly, while masking tape and cordless electric scissors offer practical solutions for connecting and shaping materials during the creative process. To further expand project possibilities, optional supplemental supplies such as Makedo screws, Canary cardboard cutters, and additional resources are also included, empowering educators to inspire creativity and innovation in their classrooms.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Kelsey Wright
Strand Description: The “Empowering Creativity Through Design” strand is designed to inspire educators by integrating graphic design and creative technology into the classroom. Throughout the training, educators will explore graphic design projects and cross-curricular applications, learning how to use these tools to bring student ideas to life through hands-on projects. These projects can be implemented in a variety of educational settings, including classrooms, afterschool programs, and extracurricular activities in alternate learning locations such as libraries. The strand emphasizes innovation, creativity, and design principles that enhance student engagement and learning. Participants will also gain practical skills for integrating design into their existing curriculum, creating a graphic design course for any level and learn about the Create Idaho project using Adobe. Participants will need to bring a laptop to connect to the circuit joy and color printer.
Your Kit will/may include: Participants in the i-STEM strand, “Empowering Creativity Through Design,” will receive a practical kit designed to inspire creativity and innovation in their classrooms. Each kit includes a Cricut Joy, a color printer, and essential supplies like vinyl and premium printing materials. During the training, participants will learn to use these tools to help students bring their ideas to life through hands-on projects that can be implemented in classrooms, afterschool programs, or other educational settings. In addition to the kit, participants will engage in hands-on activities that demonstrate cross-curricular applications and creative design strategies, providing inspiration and practical ideas to integrate into their teaching.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Andrea Roderick
Strand Description: This engaging strand is designed for K-5 teachers, and after-school program leaders, offering a variety of lesson plans and activities. We will blend online and offline learning opportunities using many free resources. Over four exciting days, participants will dive into Minecraft Education, exploring lesson plans that align with educational standards while enjoying a beloved game. We’ll also utilize free software from Code.org, ensuring lessons meet ISTE standards and more. Additionally, AI software will simplify lesson creation, allowing educators to focus on teaching. By partnering with local community members, we aim to build connections that prepare our youth for success. Join us for this exciting journey!
Your Kit will/may include: The kit is an exciting resource designed to immerse participates in the world of Minecraft and No Fear Coding with key subjects like computer science, math, science, and ELA. It features interactive books, coding activities, and AI integration strategies, along with a board game on Digital Citizenship and crafting activities. Plus, it includes a classroom set of 30 headphones and mice to enhance online learning. Join us and unlock the wonders of learning through play!
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Jim Ekins
Strand Description: Join experienced educators to combine four impactful, interrelated investigative science learning programs. Participants will earn four certifications: IDAH2O Master Water Stewards, TRM Crayfish and Freshwater Ecosystems, Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), and 4-H Wildlife and Water Habitats Curriculums; the first two being citizen science programs. Entirely interactive classroom sessions each morning will build to daily afternoon hands-on, place-based investigation of water quality and freshwater ecosystems within the Tammany Creek ecological restoration and outdoor classroom project at Hells Gate State Park.
Your Kit will/may include: Participants will bring home a complete official IDAH2O Master Water Stewards Water Monitoring Kit, including the equipment and supplies to conduct habitat, physical and chemical, and biological assessments on local streams or ponds. A crayfish trap and a crayfish measuring board are also included. We also include the brand new Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) Foundations Guide, and the Crayfish and Freshwater Ecosystems Curriculum Guidebook. Both of these are directly connected to NGSS (ISSS) and Common Core standards.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Ashley Schaffner
Strand Description: This strand equips educators with the knowledge and tools they need to integrate coding and computer science concepts into the early elementary classroom. Educators will gain the confidence and skills to facilitate year-long coding and computer science lessons with their students, guided by educators who have implemented the same content in their own classrooms to build critical thinking. An important component of this course will be empowering Cracking the Code: Computer Science for K-2 teachers to lead unplugged activities (no computer needed!) to naturally solicit computational thinking from their students. While this course is geared toward teachers working with students in grades PreK-2, it will also be a great resource for teachers of all grades looking to introduce their students to basic coding and computer science concepts. The course is founded on the Idaho Content Standards for Computer Science to prepare educators as they introduce students to concepts including, but not limited to parts of a computer, hardware and software, troubleshooting, typing skills, problem solving, teamwork, and of course coding! Teachers will also explore how introducing their students to these concepts at an early age will better prepare them for the future. Educators will leave with resources and knowledge to integrate and implement their own coding and computer science programs and lessons in their classrooms and schools.
Your kits will/may include: The kit includes resources designed to empower educators in creating a cross-curricular, offline coding and computer science curriculum. Items may include access to a Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) gift card, a laminator with supplies, Code and Go Robot Mice, and a curated collection of coding and computer science books. These tools provide comprehensive support for integrating coding and computational thinking into the classroom effectively.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Brandi Milliron
Strand Description: Coding for the Skies! is a strand that brings engagement to new heights for students. You will be provided with materials to learn how to safely and ethically pilot a drone and teach students about drones. You will also be trained to code a drone to fly autonomously, applying STEM various concepts. Materials in the kit provided include the following: mini drone, controller, batteries, lipo battery storage bag, instructor guide, classroom poster pack, digital resource license key, and Droneology Jr user guide & digital course. With these items you will be able to implement hands-on activities in your classroom or in an after-school program. The sky is truly the limit with drones!
Your kits will/may include: coming soon
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Courtney Lamb
Strand Description: Calling All Idaho Math Teachers! Join the Idaho Standards Academy for an engaging and impactful professional learning experience designed specifically for 3-4 educators. This strand dives deep into the big ideas of Numbers and Operations-Base-10 and Algebraic Thinking helping teachers strengthen their understanding of math content standards and research-aligned teaching practices. Participants will explore concepts such as operations, factors, place value, decoding word problems, and to think algebraically while collaborating to design standards-aligned curricula and evaluate classroom resources. Equipped with hands-on manipulatives, professional memberships, and practical tools, participants will leave empowered to create dynamic math experiences for young learners and foster student success in numbers and operations and algebraic reasoning.
Your kits will/may include: As part of the Idaho Standards Academy strand, participants will receive a thoughtfully curated kit designed to empower grade 3-4 educators with research-aligned strategies and tools to enhance teaching practices. The kit includes hands-on manipulatives such as Magnetic Arrays, Unifix Cubes, and Base 10 Blocks, providing concrete representations of mathematical concepts to deepen student understanding of foundational ideas like number relationships, equivalence, and properties of operations. Wipebooks are also included to encourage collaborative problem-solving and active engagement, aligning with the Building Thinking Classrooms model. Additionally, participants will gain memberships to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Idaho Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM), offering access to professional resources, articles, and communities for ongoing growth. To support instructional planning, the kit features reference books that guide educators in understanding standards, crafting effective mathematical tasks, and fostering number sense activities.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Sarah May Clarkson
Strand Description: People – children – are situated in their places: homes, schools, work, neighborhoods, community spaces. Children benefit from knowing their place in the world, from relational thinking, from experiencing place IN place, and from understanding the characteristics and identifiers of the places that matter to them. Such learning is fundamentally STEM-oriented (analysis, built environments, geology / geography / weather, quantitative reasoning, observation, hands-on and experiential) and human-centered (collaboration, art and expression, sensitivity to culture and tradition). Place-based education is child centered and community focused. Through it, learners develop their sense of space, place, and connection; build / design / recreate locations; draw and generate reproductions of people and place in maps and sketches; strengthen mathematical and numeracy skills; and investigate the features, figures, and characteristics of home, town, and school. This strand will focus each day on four STEM / STEAM competencies: 1. Creativity, 2. Awareness of spaces and community components, 3. Curiosity and wonder, 4. Research, analysis, and investigation (which includes communication and collaboration). Finally, place-based learning offers a mutual benefit to learner and educator because it brings new types of learning and teaching perspectives.
Your kits will/may include: Kit materials will allow educators to reflect on the strand experience and take away from it the ideas, plans, and outlines they can deliver in the new school year. There are books for reference, journals, mapmaking materials, and lots of Legos. Binoculars and magnifying glasses will be used to support their use in the development of observation skills (for both educators and learners).
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: April Taylor
Strand Description: Calling All Idaho Math Teachers! Join the Idaho Standards Academy for an engaging and impactful professional learning experience designed specifically for K-2 educators. This strand dives deep into the big ideas of Early Algebraic Reasoning and Operations and Algebraic Thinking (equivalence, generalizations, and properties of operations) and the Math Teaching Practices. We will gain knowledge through the lens of connected learning, big ideas, conceptual understanding, rich tasks, and active learning. Equipped with hands-on manipulatives, professional memberships, units/lessons and activities, participants will leave empowered to create dynamic math experiences for young learners and foster student success in algebraic reasoning.
Your Kit will/may include: As part of the Idaho Standards Academy strand, participants will receive a comprehensive kit designed to equip K-2 educators with tools and resources for implementing research-based strategies and enhancing teaching practices. The kit includes Wipebooks, reusable write-and-wipe tools that foster student collaboration and problem-solving in alignment with the Building Thinking Classrooms model. Participants will also receive memberships to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Idaho Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM), granting access to valuable resources, articles, and professional learning communities. Additionally, the kit features reference books that provide insights into understanding standards, creating engaging mathematical tasks, and strengthening number sense activities. To further support hands-on learning, the kit includes manipulatives such as rekenreks and Cuisenaire rods, enabling students to explore foundational mathematical concepts through concrete representations.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Amelia Crespo
Strand Description: In this strand, K-5 educators will get hands-on with LEGO Education SPIKE Prime sets to practice implementing inquiry-based computer science lessons in the core classroom. Educators will have the opportunity to explore Idaho’s computer science standards, experience lessons as both a student and a teacher, and even develop their own lesson(s) to implement with their students! This strand will provide a solid foundation for educators to feel competent and confident engaging all students in collaborative, hands-on, and cross-curricular computer science learning experiences. Join us in building something powerful together!
Your kits will/may include: Each attendee will receive a minimum of five LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential sets, with each set serving two students working in pairs to solve real-world problems. LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential is an elementary STEAM solution that engages students in hands-on investigation of STEAM concepts, while boosting literacy, math, and social-emotional development. These materials offer opportunities to:
- Bring STEAM concepts to life using simple hardware with icon- and word-based block coding;
- Explore everyday themes through 100+ hours of standards-aligned learning units;
- Solve problems through storytelling using familiar LEGO® minifigures and building elements;
- Access non-consumable, hands-on STEAM materials supported by an app, classroom activities, professional resources, and technical support when you need them!
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Tyler Colling
Strand Description: The strand materials will be an essential asset for the teachers to help show their students how to measure electricity and electrical components. The kit would be used in the classroom/lab settings as well as any after school activities they develop.
Your kits will/may include: Participants will receive a Fluke 115 Multimeter and a 10 pcs. back probe kit. With this kit educators will be able to return to the classroom and teach their students how to use a multimeter to check voltage, resistance, amperage, and capacitance.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Mackenzie Gorham
Strand Description: The strand will also utilize equipment inside the Nuclear Operations program mobile demonstration lab. While teachers could recreate these materials also, the purpose of demonstrating the functionality of the trailer is to encourage teachers to schedule a time for ISU staff to bring the trailer to their classrooms, and show the additional equipment and expertise we can provide through collaboration.
Your kits will/may include: The kit for the Nuclear Careers and Information Strand equips educators with resources to explore nuclear science and energy concepts in the classroom. It includes a Cloud Chamber kit from the American Nuclear Society, Pipe Variation Kits from the Energy Systems Technology Education Center, and bulk dice for conducting radioactive decay experiments. Additionally, the kit features handouts tailored for use with the cloud chamber, PVC kit, and radioactive decay activities. These tools provide hands-on learning opportunities to engage students in understanding nuclear science and its real-world applications.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Tim Leishman
Strand Description: Step into the world of robotics and hands-on learning with the Useless Box ISTEM strand, where fun meets foundational electronics and engineering concepts! This dynamic program introduces participants to servo, DC, and stepper motors, as well as multivibrator and motor control circuits, through engaging, project-based activities. Explore the principles of circuit design, prototyping, and troubleshooting with hands-on experiences in breadboarding, PCB soldering, and circuit construction, as well as using an oscilloscope to measure and analyze performance. Covering a variety of discrete motor control circuits and microcontroller-driven systems, this strand offers a comprehensive introduction to the world of robotics. Educators will gain innovative pedagogical strategies to teach math and electronics concepts, empowering students to create, innovate, and problem-solve. By building and customizing their own “useless box,” participants will leave with practical skills and resources to inspire curiosity and creativity in their classrooms.
Your kits will/may include:
The provided kit is designed to equip educators with essential tools and components to effectively implement hands-on electronics and programming lessons. By utilizing these materials, educators can reinforce the concepts learned during training, fostering a practical and engaging learning environment for students.
Kit Components:
- Toolbox: A durable storage solution to organize and transport all included components.
- Prototyping and Soldering Tools: Essential instruments for assembling and testing electronic circuits, enabling educators to demonstrate and guide students through practical electronics projects.
- Useless Box PCB Assembly Kit: A fun and interactive project that teaches basic electronics assembly and soldering skills.
- Arduino Nano: A compact microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P, ideal for introducing microcontroller programming and interfacing with various sensors and actuators.
- ESP32: A powerful, low-cost microcontroller with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, allowing educators to explore advanced topics such as IoT applications and wireless communication.
- Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040): A low-cost, high-performance microcontroller board featuring the RP2040 chip. It includes a dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ processor running up to 133 MHz, 264kB on-chip SRAM, and flexible digital interfaces. This board is ideal for introducing educators and students to microcontroller programming and embedded systems.
- Sensor Kits: A collection of sensors compatible with Arduino, ESP32, and Raspberry Pi platforms, enabling the exploration of environmental monitoring, motion detection, and other sensor-based projects.
- Servo Motor: A rotary actuator that allows for precise control of angular position, useful in projects requiring controlled movement, such as robotics and animatronics.
- Stepper Motor: A motor that moves in discrete steps, providing precise control over rotation, essential for applications like 3D printing and CNC machines.
- DC Motor: A simple electric motor that converts direct current electrical energy into mechanical energy, suitable for basic motor control experiments and projects.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment
Strand Provider: Spencer Christensen
Strand Description: Dive into a transformative week-long workshop designed to equip educators with the skills and confidence to integrate Adobe’s powerful creative tools into their classrooms. Explore Adobe Express, Illustrator, and Photoshop to empower students to create stunning, real-world projects. Engage in hands-on sessions, including sublimation printing and vinyl design with a Silhouette machine, bringing your creative ideas to life. By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with practical project ideas, lesson plans, and the skills to foster creativity and innovation in your classroom. No prior experience is necessary—just bring your imagination (and a digital copy of your school’s logo)!
Your kits will/may include: Participants will receive a Silhouette Cameo 5 with a starter bundle of supplies to begin doing projects at their school. Participants will also be taking home completed dye sublimation products. Bring a copy of your school’s logo to use in the design process.
Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment