Apr 27
Your mission: To design an unmanned aerial search vehicle to locate a scout lost in the two mile radius of the Philmont recreation area. That was the challenge given to hundreds of teams across the country. I had a chance to sit down with the 2nd place national winners, the CCA Innovators, and learn more …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.ellencavanaugh.com/2013/04/27/1314/
Dec 26
The below comments are written for parents and grandparents of children over ten. The funerals at Newtown have come to an end, the days of mourning have (for those of us not directly affected by the tragedy) given way to Christmas celebrations. Group prayers have turned to other concerns. And yet the shadow of …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.ellencavanaugh.com/2012/12/26/conversations-with-kids-in-the-wake-of-violent-tragedies/
Dec 12
I was so excited to get my hands on Jonah Lehrer’s book Imagine: How Creativity Works. I had read reviews when it first came out and put it on my request list at the library. The audio book came in and I couldn’t wait for each small trip in the car to hear more. His storytelling was extraordinary and …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.ellencavanaugh.com/2012/12/12/the-lies-we-tell-a-review-of-imagine-how-creativity-works/
Nov 30
I had the great honor of working with the boys of Troop 414, about thirty of them ages 11 to 18. The night had been set aside to introduce the boys to new STEM Nova program the boy scouts of America have rolled out. The award program enables scouts to “Be Prepared” in a world …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.ellencavanaugh.com/2012/11/30/three-electric-cars-for-under-100-a-stem-nova-project/
Nov 20
It was amazing to see students at the end of 1st grade, only 2 years into the program, drawing electrical diagrams and cannibalizing circuitry from one toy to create something completely new. I attended the November 5 workshop by the Children’s Innovation Project at the CREATE LAB at Carnegie Mellon University. Melissa Butler and Jeremy Boyle presented the …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.ellencavanaugh.com/2012/11/20/kindergarten-and-circuit-boards-the-childrens-innovation-project/
Nov 14
I enjoyed a SPARK hosted lunch and presentation at the Carnegie Library in Oakland with Jean Barsotti, Director of the Beaver Falls Library. We have been discussing ways in which BC STEM and the Beaver Falls library can work together to make opportunities for students to master skills in digital media, robotics, video game design …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.ellencavanaugh.com/2012/11/14/film-making-in-a-library-carnegie-libraries-new-media-lab/
Oct 30
Announcing Engineers Week – You’re Invited to Celebrate If you are a student – visit http://www.discoverengineering.org/ or form a Future Cities Team! If you are an engineer – volunteer. Visit http://www.eweek.org for a list of places you are needed! For parents – review the Grand Challenges of Engineering with your child and discover what ignites …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.ellencavanaugh.com/2012/10/30/turning-point-in-us-engineering/
Oct 28
Grow a Generation advocates active learning, engaging young people in meaningful projects, and tapping into a person’s intrinsic motivation to learn. I’ve challenged parents and teachers to see technology as a tool to help develop a generation of innovators, critical thinkers, collaborators, young people able to take criticism, to fail and rise, who are empowered …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.ellencavanaugh.com/2012/10/28/assigning-wikipedia-entries-for-a-college-classroom/
Oct 23
Children can and do change the world. They recognize injustice, they experience fear and anger. The father of the Buddha tried to protect him from all suffering, injustice, and anguish. He created a beautiful bubble for him, a bubble of plenty of sweet food, no harsh words, no sickness, no poverty, and no loss. The …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.ellencavanaugh.com/2012/10/23/childhood-dreams/
Oct 16
I am thrilled to announce that I have accepted the job as director of the new Baden Academy Charter School Media Lab! I will continue to build my company, Grow a Generation (and finish the book!), teach part time at Duquesne, and volunteer in various roles such as Beaver County STEM. I now embark on …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.ellencavanaugh.com/2012/10/16/what-is-a-media-lab/
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