When you think of Professional Development, you probably think of being stuck in a computer lab listening to some trainer drone on and on about some topic that probably doesn’t interest you. (Unless it’s a PD from NWOCA, right?)

We’ve got three FREE upcoming professional development opportunities that are different than anything you’ve experienced before! Whether you want to talk about student makers, and explore the latest tools and technology for making… or you want to learn more about digital literacy and how students can use digital skills in everyday life… or you’re curious about the jobs that are out there for our students… these are for you!

If you have questions about any of these opportunities, please contact John Mansel-Pleydell.

Friday, April 20, 2018 – 8:30 am-4:00 pm – Liberty Center School
(Lunch Provided)

This event is to expose administrators and teachers to the rapidly expanding technology tools used in a modern makerspace including hands-on access to 3D Printers, 3D Carving, Subtractive Prototyping Machines, Vinyl Printer/Cutters, Laser Engravers/Cutters. BES will host sessions to see demonstrations of these technologies with plenty of time for participants to make something themselves.

There will also be sessions covering a wide variety of topics for engaging student makers. Here is a list of topics and descriptions:

• Industry Credentials that count for the new graduation requirements including Solidworks CSWA Exam, MSSC Certified Production Technician and others will be discussed.
• Design Technology PBL Program that is approved and being used for the new Middle School CTE requirement. This is a STEM based career program that exposes the students to up to 20 pathways in a series of 3-week courses for grades 6-10. It also includes a full digital content of K-12 science actively linked to the Ohio Science Learning Standards.
• InventorCloud is a K-12 cloud-based content that includes full semesters courses, mini projects, camps, competitions and much more that even gives you virtual access to a state of the art makerspace called Edison’s Digital Workplace in Youngstown, Ohio. Students complete projects and then make them on the devices in Youngtown and then they are shipped free of charge to your school.

Schedule for the Day:

• 9 am – 11 am – Curriculum Discussion (Administrators and Curriculum coordinators)
• 9 am – 11 am – Ohio Tech Leaders Meeting (Tech Coordinators and Tech Integration Specialists monthly meeting)
• 11 am – 1 pm – Lunch and Learn
• 1 pm – 4 pm – Hands-on for STEAM and Ag Educators

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 – 9:00 am-3:00 pm – NWOCA (Archbold)

Want to learn more about Google’s Applied Digital Skills curriculum?

This no-cost digital literacy curriculum, which is part of the Grow with Google initiative, helps middle school, high school, and adult learners obtain new digital skills using G Suite so that they can prepare for job and life situations. Key features of the curriculum include:

• Video-based – Engaging videos allow instructors to facilitate and provide individualized support where needed.
• Practical life applications – Digital skills in the lessons focus on accomplishing a task and solving problems that relate to everyday lives, like budgeting for a purchase or planning an event.
• Easy to use – Detailed lesson plans and learner progress tracking is provided. The units can be taught in any order, or used collectively as a full-semester curriculum.

The training is intended to get you up and running with the online program and all we ask is that you bring it back to use with your students by having them engage in some of the units or the whole course! This event is to help technology teachers, school administrators, media specialists, and others get comfortable with the curriculum and tailor it to their specific learners’ needs.

Space is limited, so use the registration links below for more info or to sign up!

Registration link: https://goo.gl/nqhZh9
Event Flyer: https://goo.gl/JZr4vu
Applied Digital Skills Website: https://applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com

Friday, April 27, 2018 – 9:00 am-2:00 pm – Delta, Ohio
(Lunch Provided)

The STEAM Coalition of NW Ohio has been working with employers to showcase available jobs and skills needed for the future through a series of workplace tours for educators.

Please join us for what will be a memorable visit to North Star Blue Scope Steel in Delta (please note safety gear including steel toe boots will be provided). We will tour the facility on a walking tour. We will be up in some high places so fear of heights might be an issue for some. At the end of the tour, North Star will be providing lunch.

In the afternoon we will head over to Nature Fresh Farms which is a 45-acre greenhouse located across the road from the Steel Mill. Nature Fresh farms have limited parking so we will be arranging to transport people from North Star to the Greenhouse.

This tour is for anyone that is associated with the STEAM Coalition. Our members who are industry or college affiliates are welcome as are all teachers.

A big thank you to Matt Gilroy, Executive Director or the Fulton County Economic Development Corporation for all his assistance in putting this together.