2013 SIG-IS Summer Reading Selection – Invent to Learn

2013 SIG-IS Summer Reading Selection – Invent to Learn

The executive committee of the Independent School Special Interest Group (SIG-IS) of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) are pleased to announce that we have chosen the book, Invent to Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom by Sylvia Martinez and Gary Stager as our selection for our Summer Reading program.

Invent to Learn is a timely exploration of the Maker movement, the integration of STEM, STEM + Arts, computer programming, and rapid prototyping using devices such as 3d printers which many schools are currently investigating. Sylvia and Gary provide both the philosophical and pedagogical argument as to why this type of learning is essential for our students to experience as part of learning in the 21st Century. Additionally, they a blue print of how schools can begin to incorporate this into the classrooms, labs, and libraries using low cost materials, such as cardboard and duct tape through the use of programmable micro-controllers such as the Arduino family, Makey Makeys, or Raspberry Pi. They provide links to a variety of programming languages so that you can begin to evaluate and determine which fits the educational goals at your school.

SIG-IS will also be sponsoring several activities to coincide with the book to celebrate your “making”  which we hope you will consider participating in throughout the summer through September. They will include:

  • Moderating an #isedchat twitter chat in July
  • Hosting a series of Google Hangouts, What Are You Making so that can share what you have made
  • The chance to share your project and reflections on your process on the SIG-IS blog
  • A webinar in September featuring a conversation with Sylvia Martinez and Gary Stager about the book.

We are proud and excited to be participating in this long term professional development opportunity for ISTE SIG-IS members!