Leprechaun Trap Challenge (STEM): St. Patrick's Day

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Leprechaun Trap Challenge (STEM) Instructions: Build a trap to catch a leprechaun using everyday materials. Follow the design process below! Objective: Encourage creativity, engineering skills, and problem-solving by designing a functional trap that could catch a mischievous leprechaun. Planning Sheet: Materials List: What will you use? (e.g., paper, string, tape, cardboard, LEGOs, pipe cleaners, cups, paper towel rolls, craft sticks, aluminum foil, etc.) Sketch Your Design: Draw how your trap will work, labeling key parts and mechanisms. Trap Mechanism: How will your trap trigger when the leprechaun enters? Will it use a pulley, lever, or hidden entrance? Will you include bait like gold coins, glitter, or candy? Building Phase: Work on assembling your trap using the selected materials. Testing & Improvements: Try triggering the trap multiple times. Identify any weaknesses and refine the design. Reflection Questions: What was the most challenging part of building the trap? What ...
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Using Social Media to Engage Students and Spice up your Lessons

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Hey there, fellow teachers and educators!

Are you looking for new ways to engage your students and spice up your lessons? Well, look no further than social media!

In today's digital age, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are becoming increasingly popular among students of all ages. And as educators, it's important that we meet our students where they are and use these platforms to enhance their learning experience.

So, how can you incorporate social media into your classroom? Here are a few ideas:

Create a class Instagram account

Start an Instagram account for your class and encourage your students to follow it. Use it to share photos and videos of class projects, field trips, and other fun classroom activities. This not only gives students a fun way to stay connected with their classmates, but it also provides a window into your classroom for parents and other stakeholders.

Use Twitter to promote class discussions

Twitter can be a great tool for facilitating class discussions. Assign a hashtag to your class and have students tweet their thoughts and questions during class discussions. This not only allows for real-time feedback, but it also helps students develop their writing and critical thinking skills.

Utilize Facebook groups

Facebook groups are a great way to keep students and parents up-to-date on class announcements, assignments, and upcoming events. Create a private group for your class and invite parents and students to join. This provides a safe and easy way to communicate with your class and keep everyone on the same page.

Collaborate with other educators

Social media is a great way to connect with other educators and collaborate on lesson plans and projects. Join Facebook groups or Twitter chats related to your subject area or grade level and share your ideas and resources with others. This not only helps you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices, but it also helps you build a professional network of like-minded educators.

Use social media for professional development

There are a ton of great resources on social media for teachers and educators. Follow education experts and thought leaders on Twitter or Instagram and stay up-to-date on the latest research and trends. You can also participate in Twitter chats or attend virtual conferences to connect with other educators and learn new strategies for teaching.

Overall, social media can be a powerful tool for educators looking to enhance their classroom experience and engage their students in new and exciting ways. So don't be afraid to give it a try! Just remember to use social media responsibly and always prioritize the safety and privacy of your students. Happy teaching!

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