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The Problem with Prepackaged STEM Products

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The Problem with Prepackaged STEM Products

This post was originally published on Tom Murray's (@thomascmurray) blog. 

Over the last handful of years we have seen an explosion in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. And, coinciding with this movement has been an influx of new STEM-related products that are school friendly. Some of the more popular merchandise includes littleBits, Snap Circuits, and Spheros.

The Problem

While there is no doubt in my mind many of our students will benefit from these products, and I do wish they had been invented while I was still teaching fourth grade…something is missing if we’re not doing much than placing these items in the hands of our students and teachers, crossing our fingers, and hoping for change.

At the end of the day, these are tools or resources that can help in shifting mindsets and culture, but I do believe an overreliance on them means too much time and energy is being spent in the wrong place.

[Read more…]

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Ross Cooper
I’m an administrator in the Chappaqua Central School District in Chappaqua, New York, and the coauthor of Hacking Project Based Learning.
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I’m an administrator in the Chappaqua Central School District in Chappaqua, New York, and the coauthor of Hacking Project Based Learning.
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