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A Reggio-inspired tinker box is a learning tool inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to education. This approach emphasizes the importance of hands-on, experiential learning and encourages children to explore, tinker, and discover for themselves. A Reggio-inspired tinker box is filled with various materials and tools that children can use to explore and create. The box's contents might include craft supplies, beads, buttons, scissors, paper, tape, and more. The purpose of the tinker box is to allow children to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to create and explore on their own. It is a way to encourage open-ended, imaginative play and promote learning through hands-on exploration and discovery. In addition, some Tinker boxes are tech-enhanced or STEM educational kits that contain materials and instructions for children to engage in hands-on, creative problem-solving activities. They are designed to encourage children to explore and experiment with different materia

Virtual field trips are an exciting way for middle school students to experience new places and concepts without ever leaving the classroom. Using technology, students can visit locations and learn about subjects in a interactive and engaging way. One great example of a virtual field trip is the American Museum of Natural History's Hall of North American Mammals (Grades 3-5) You can do a virtual hall tour with a student worksheet that is designed to span about one class period, or you can assign additional activities to extend the exploration over two or more class periods. Their tour allows students to explore habitat dioramas to learn how animals must be adapted to an environment in order to survive in it. Another excellent virtual field trip is the "Virtual Youth Docent Tours" tour offered by the National Air and Space Museum. Each interactive Virtual Youth Docent Tour presentation for 3rd - 5th grades lasts approximately 45 minutes and will be hosted on Zoom. Links: A

STEM challenges are important in the classroom because they help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills. These skills are essential for success in the 21st century and will serve students well throughout their lives. One way to make STEM challenges even more fun and engaging is to pair them with a holiday such as Valentine's Day. This can help shake off the winter doldrums and add an element of fun and excitement to the activity. For example, you might have students design and build a structure using candy hearts or create Valentine's Day-themed robots using recycled materials. There are many ways to incorporate STEM challenges into the classroom, and they can be tailored to fit the interests and abilities of your students. Whether you're using them to teach specific concepts or just looking for a fun and engaging activity, STEM challenges are a great way to get kids excited about learning. Plus, they're a lot of fun! So don't be