This year's Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) took place in Orlando, Fla., on January 14–7, 2025, bringing together more than 9,000 people.
At this year's Future of Education and Technology Conference (FETC), News Hour Classroom got the chance to speak with Lori Colangelo, a longtime STEM educator and teacher collaborator with VEX Robotics, about her experience bringing technology into the classroom and how it helps prepare students for careers in the constantly changing world of tech. Colangelo also discusses how the versatility of robotics and invention education provides opportunities for kids to develop important life skills.
"I want to prepare them for the jobs they're going to have, which probably haven't even been developed yet, with AI — the job market is going to be changing," says Colangelo. "There are so many things you can do with robotics kits. You can do stuff that deals with science and math, and even English and language. That's the beauty of robotics. Engineering is making life better, and so again, that can fit in any class subject."
Colangelo offers insight on the importance of equity in the classroom and how teachers can make sure that every student has an equal opportunity to contribute in their own way.
"We never know who's going to be the next person to cure cancer or create some device that could save climate change or save the world, we just never know," says Colangelo. "A lot of it is just being aware of it yourself, so when you are planning your lessons . . . thinking about am I reaching everyone in my class, what changes may I need to do to help a student ahead of time, because you want all your students to succeed."
To learn more about FETC and to see how you can participate in next year's conference, you can visit their website.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Be sure to check out PBS News Hour Classroom's Invention Education collection full of lessons and video stories featuring student inventors and their teachers.
We also have an Invention Educator Network (no experience necessary!), which brings together teachers from various subjects and grade levels to discuss all things invention & innovation. Sign up here to learn more.
Lori Colangelo has also written the following lesson plans for News Hour Classroom, which you can check out at the links below:
Lesson plan: Exploring environmental impacts of coral reef pollution using robotics
Lesson plan: Charting a course to healthy eating habits using robotics
Lesson plan: Starry creations—exploring constellations with art and robotics
Lesson Plan: Using robotics to support high-speed internet in rural communities
Produced by Victoria Pasquantonio and Gianfranco Beran, News Hour Classroom's production assistant.
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