STEMpower

2019 Idaho TSA Drone Challenge

Apr 16, 2019

On March 8th, 2019, seven student teams gathered in Twin Falls, Idaho, for the ultimate test of drone knowledge and flying prowess. At the 2019 TSA Drone Challenge, the pre-competition atmosphere was buzzing. Teams were working laps in the practice tent, making last-minute adjustments to their drone as they rehearsed the critical lift-and-drop for the relay test, while others practiced reciting their presentations, ready to give it their all — with a title on the line, the excitement was palpable.

The Best Drone for STEM Education

Apr 02, 2019

So, you want to bring cutting-edge STEM solutions to your students. You’ve leafed through pamphlets and sales catalogs, weighed the pros and cons of different programs and finally decided that this is the semester you bring the people what they want — drones.

Student Grouping Strategies to Maximize Engagement

Mar 21, 2019

If you've ever studied probability, odds are, you’ve calculated some combinations. Let’s see if you can put your skills to the test in this real-world problem: In a class of 30 students, how many ways can you group them if you want five per group? (Answer: 142,506 possible groups.) In other words, a ridiculous amount of possibilities even before considering the decisions still to come. Do you change groups for every project or keep them the same for an entire semester? Do you vary ability levels or group learners with similar aptitudes? Do you let students create their groups or assign them into carefully selected teams? It’s a tough cookie, we know — so let’s take a closer look at some of these grouping options and analyze when they would be most effective.

Growth vs. Fixed Mindset: How to Create an Engaging Learning Environment

Mar 06, 2019

In late 2007, world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D., shook the psychology world with her publication of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. In the book, Dweck details her simple, yet groundbreaking discovery of the power of one’s mindset. From education and sports to work and the arts, nearly every area of our lives, at its core, is dramatically influenced by how we perceive our own abilities and skills.

The How Would You Drone? Drones for Good Video Contest Results

Mar 04, 2019

To highlight precisely how UAVs are helping students engage with the world, PCS Edventures introduced the How would you drone? Drones for Good Video Contest. Challenging 13-18-year-old students to submit a 60-90 second video detailing how they would use drones to solve global issues, this contest had over $15,000 worth of prizes up for grabs for both the student and their school.

Top 10 STEAM Picks for 2019

Jan 25, 2019

Every year, hundreds of educational products are released into the world. While this new technology is exciting and innovative, it also means hours of research for the educators who want to bring fresh STEAM programs to their students. To help make their jobs a little easier, we’ve created this one-stop shop for the learning solutions we’re most excited for this year. Buckle up, and get ready for a year of STEAMventures!

Discover How Student-Led Exploration Transforms STEM Learning

Jan 16, 2019

The Discover Series allows students to get their hands on today’s relevant technologies, approaching modern topics through hands-on, self-guided exploration. Promoting an atmosphere of creativity and innovation through exciting lessons in robotics, engineering, drones and video production, students explore topics they are actively interested in, all the while developing soft skills including communication, critical thinking and persistence.

Bolster Student Learning with STEM Enrichment Camps

Jan 09, 2019

Enrichment Camps are all-in-one learning solutions developed to bridge the gap between the classroom and after-school or summer activities. Designed around 12 individual lessons which can be strung together or taught throughout a semester, Enrichment Camps spotlight a particular STEAM subject through fun, interactive, hands-on learning activities, all in an effort to develop personal passions and to help mitigate summer learning loss.

Capturing Imaginations with STEM: Behind the Scenes at PCS Edventures

Jan 04, 2019

How does an idea turn into a STEM Solution? This week we sat down with Michelle Fisher, PCS Edventures Director of STEM Development, to talk about the STEM product creation process and everything that goes into creating a engaging student experience and an easy to implement teaching tool.

Building with BrickLAB Makes Learning Fun

Dec 19, 2018

BrickLAB is a gateway into spectacular STEMventures! As a learning solution capable of invigorating any educational environment, BrickLAB is manipulative-based learning at its finest. Comprised of plastic blocks that combine and interlock paired with curriculum and educator resources, these sets empower students ages 5 to 95 to build anything they can imagine.