This year's Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) took place in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 14–17, 2025, bringing together more than 9,000 people.
RSVP for this Thursday's 2-3 pm ET PBS News Hour Classroom Educator Chat featuring Chris Woods hosted by Doug Scott, invention ed teacher. All welcome! See below for details.
At this year's Future of Education and Technology Conference (FETC), PBS News Hour Classroom had the opportunity to speak with Chris Woods, Michigan educator and founder of DailySTEM.com, about how STEM education, both in school and at home, helps students expand their curiosity, creativity and problem-solving skills.
"So often, what really helps education click for a kid is a family, somebody behind that kid who shows them the value of education," said Woods. "Parents sometimes are hesitant about STEM because they've heard the acronym and they think, 'Oh, that's high-tech stuff,' but STEM at home can be as simple as making dinner together, baking bread or even changing the ingredients slightly in a cookie recipe and seeing how that affects things."
Woods also discusses how the challenge of making something better through invention and innovation motivates students to continue creating until the problem is solved.
"That's the simplest definition of engineering: when you make something and then you make it better," said Woods. "Engineers and scientists and people all around the world, even small-business start-ups, people are doing that each and every day. I want my kids to say 'I see a need, I can fill a need.'"
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
To learn more about FETC and to see how you can participate in next year's conference, you can visit their website.
Lesson plan: Exploring environmental impacts of coral reef pollution using robotics
Lesson Plan: Charting a course to healthy eating habits using robotics
Read: Educator Voice: What robotics teaches students about working together and advocating for yourself
Read: Educator Voice: Reducing barriers to computer science for students and educators
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.
Produced by Gianfranco Beran, News Hour Classroom's production assistant, and Victoria Pasquantonio.
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Don't forget to RSVP to Thursday's event at 2pm-3pm ET here:
https://bit.ly/PBSNewsZoom7-10
