
Finch 2.0 Training
Classroom Sets: Classroom sets of 15 Finch 2.0's are now available for borrowing from the ABC CREATE Resource Library.
Workshops: We want to be sure you are ready to roll with the Finch 2.0's, so we’re offering FREE, online Finch 2.0 workshops in early 2021. You need only register for one session. Priority registration reserved for ABC CREATE partner districts; all others will be welcomed as space allows. You will need to have a Finch 2.0 with you during the workshop; if you do not already have one, please reach out to Colleen Smith to borrow one from the ABC CREATE Resource Library.
Dates (Register for one session only)
Classroom Sets: Classroom sets of 15 Finch 2.0's are now available for borrowing from the ABC CREATE Resource Library.
Workshops: We want to be sure you are ready to roll with the Finch 2.0's, so we’re offering FREE, online Finch 2.0 workshops in early 2021. You need only register for one session. Priority registration reserved for ABC CREATE partner districts; all others will be welcomed as space allows. You will need to have a Finch 2.0 with you during the workshop; if you do not already have one, please reach out to Colleen Smith to borrow one from the ABC CREATE Resource Library.
Dates (Register for one session only)

WLU Connected Classroom Connected Learning Series
The Connected Classroom Series is focused on approaches, resources and tools for teaching and
learning in K-16+ classrooms. In the fifty-minute sessions, educators will learn new ways to use
engaging and relevant methods and technologies.
Date/Time:
Connected Classroom Virtual Learning Series 2.0 sessions - February 2, 2021 through March 11, 2021
Connected Classroom Virtual Learning Series 2.1 sessions - March 16, 2021 through April 29, 2021
Location: Virtual, on Zoom
(https://westliberty.zoom.us/j/99153946185?pwd=bmNIYkFTTW9zU1U1Q3pWTXVXUU1odz09)
Registration: Please click on the registration link below for series 2.0 and 2.1 sessions.
Please contact Lou Karas, Director of the Center for Arts & Education, at
lkaras@westliberty.edu or 304-336-8162 if you have any questions or need any additional
information about The Connected Classroom Virtual Learning Series 2.0 and 2.1 sessions.
Educators have the option of receiving graduate credit through West Liberty University by
participating in six of The Connected Classroom sessions and completing several assignments.
The fee is $180 for three graduate credits. There are two three credit graduate classes available
during West Liberty University’s Spring 2021 Semester. For additional information or to register
for the graduate credit option, please contact Vincent Sirianni, Graduate Program
Coordinator at vincent.sirianni@westliberty.edu or 304-336-8156.
For information about the required assignments for the graduate credit, please contact Dr.
Nicole Ennis, Director of the Masters of Arts in Education Program at
nicole.ennis@westliberty.edu, 304-336-8486 (office) or 304-830-1777 (cell).
The Connected Classroom Series is focused on approaches, resources and tools for teaching and
learning in K-16+ classrooms. In the fifty-minute sessions, educators will learn new ways to use
engaging and relevant methods and technologies.
Date/Time:
Connected Classroom Virtual Learning Series 2.0 sessions - February 2, 2021 through March 11, 2021
Connected Classroom Virtual Learning Series 2.1 sessions - March 16, 2021 through April 29, 2021
Location: Virtual, on Zoom
(https://westliberty.zoom.us/j/99153946185?pwd=bmNIYkFTTW9zU1U1Q3pWTXVXUU1odz09)
Registration: Please click on the registration link below for series 2.0 and 2.1 sessions.
Please contact Lou Karas, Director of the Center for Arts & Education, at
lkaras@westliberty.edu or 304-336-8162 if you have any questions or need any additional
information about The Connected Classroom Virtual Learning Series 2.0 and 2.1 sessions.
Educators have the option of receiving graduate credit through West Liberty University by
participating in six of The Connected Classroom sessions and completing several assignments.
The fee is $180 for three graduate credits. There are two three credit graduate classes available
during West Liberty University’s Spring 2021 Semester. For additional information or to register
for the graduate credit option, please contact Vincent Sirianni, Graduate Program
Coordinator at vincent.sirianni@westliberty.edu or 304-336-8156.
For information about the required assignments for the graduate credit, please contact Dr.
Nicole Ennis, Director of the Masters of Arts in Education Program at
nicole.ennis@westliberty.edu, 304-336-8486 (office) or 304-830-1777 (cell).

Education Collaboration Opportunity
CREATE Lab + AirViz + ABC CREATE with Speckles
Airviz + CREATE Lab are partnering with ABC CREATE to explore elements of maker practices, environmental education, and community engaged design through the use of the Speckle. If you are interested in exploring how to use the Speckle in your classroom, please click on the link below and fill out the form.
The Speckle, a small DIY air quality monitor, will be shipped to your school district for free.
If you are interested in collaborating with us on the design of a lesson on air quality involving the Speckle as a measurement tool, please indicate this on the form. A small stipend is available. (You do not need to develop a lesson plan/learning pathway to receive a free Speckle.)
CREATE Lab + AirViz + ABC CREATE with Speckles
Airviz + CREATE Lab are partnering with ABC CREATE to explore elements of maker practices, environmental education, and community engaged design through the use of the Speckle. If you are interested in exploring how to use the Speckle in your classroom, please click on the link below and fill out the form.
The Speckle, a small DIY air quality monitor, will be shipped to your school district for free.
If you are interested in collaborating with us on the design of a lesson on air quality involving the Speckle as a measurement tool, please indicate this on the form. A small stipend is available. (You do not need to develop a lesson plan/learning pathway to receive a free Speckle.)

CEISMC@Georgia Tech 2021 STEAM Leadership Conference
Discover solutions and innovative ways of leveraging immersive technology, community partnerships, citizenship, and diversity to improve your STEAM education. This year's conference seeks to build leaders through educational pathfinder engagement. Changing the way people think by fostering and designing authentic STEAM learning experiences through remote, blended, informal, or hybrid learning.
Conference Theme: The Path Forward: Leveraging STEAM Education in an Evolving World
Audience: STEAM decision-makers – school leadership, curriculum and after school coordinators, informal educators, principals, teacher leaders, and artists.
Registration: Registration starts February 15, 2021
Date/Time: Thursday, April 15, 2021 - Friday, April 16, 2021
Location: Atlanta, GA - Hosted Virtually
Funding for registration may be available for educators in ABC CREATE partner districts who are interested in attending; please contact Colleen Smith if you're interested. #steamleadership2021
Discover solutions and innovative ways of leveraging immersive technology, community partnerships, citizenship, and diversity to improve your STEAM education. This year's conference seeks to build leaders through educational pathfinder engagement. Changing the way people think by fostering and designing authentic STEAM learning experiences through remote, blended, informal, or hybrid learning.
Conference Theme: The Path Forward: Leveraging STEAM Education in an Evolving World
Audience: STEAM decision-makers – school leadership, curriculum and after school coordinators, informal educators, principals, teacher leaders, and artists.
Registration: Registration starts February 15, 2021
Date/Time: Thursday, April 15, 2021 - Friday, April 16, 2021
Location: Atlanta, GA - Hosted Virtually
Funding for registration may be available for educators in ABC CREATE partner districts who are interested in attending; please contact Colleen Smith if you're interested. #steamleadership2021

Penn State New Kensington STEAM Outreach Club and Women in STEM@PSNK Presentation
Please share with your high school juniors and seniors, particularly those interested in exploring careers in STEM, who may be interested. We’d like them and YOU to join Penn State New Kensington students, faculty, staff, recent graduates, and STEM professionals as we create a personal vision and mission statement during this interactive session. Excellent opportunity for personal career development as well as for networking within our STEM community.
Topic: Creating a Personal/Professional Vision and Mission Statement to Guide Your Career
Presenter: Sherri McCleary, Executive Director of the Penn State New Kensington and Westmoreland County’s Digital Foundry at New Kensington
Audience: High School and College students, faculty, staff, recent graduates, and STEM professionals.
Registration: Online registration preferred, but not required.
Date/Time: Monday, February 8 from 4:30 - 6 PM
Location: Penn State New Kensington - Online Offering through Zoom
Please share with your high school juniors and seniors, particularly those interested in exploring careers in STEM, who may be interested. We’d like them and YOU to join Penn State New Kensington students, faculty, staff, recent graduates, and STEM professionals as we create a personal vision and mission statement during this interactive session. Excellent opportunity for personal career development as well as for networking within our STEM community.
Topic: Creating a Personal/Professional Vision and Mission Statement to Guide Your Career
Presenter: Sherri McCleary, Executive Director of the Penn State New Kensington and Westmoreland County’s Digital Foundry at New Kensington
Audience: High School and College students, faculty, staff, recent graduates, and STEM professionals.
Registration: Online registration preferred, but not required.
Date/Time: Monday, February 8 from 4:30 - 6 PM
Location: Penn State New Kensington - Online Offering through Zoom

2020 ABC CREATE Report for the Collaborative Published
Future-Ready Learning in a Year of Disruption and Change identifies seven key findings and provides recommendations and opportunities for ABC CREATE’s future. Take a look!
Thank you to all the ABC CREATE educators and administrators who completed our annual survey and/or participated in the interviews; your participation was critical to developing our annual assessment.
Future-Ready Learning in a Year of Disruption and Change identifies seven key findings and provides recommendations and opportunities for ABC CREATE’s future. Take a look!
Thank you to all the ABC CREATE educators and administrators who completed our annual survey and/or participated in the interviews; your participation was critical to developing our annual assessment.

Submit your Event for Remake Learning Days 2021
Will you be designing an in-person or virtual STEAM activity anytime between May 6 - 16, 2020? Might this be created in a way that engages young people and their adults in arts, making, science, technology, outdoor learning, and youth voice? If so, make it part of Remake Learning Days!
Amplify your students' work by offering a great way for parents and caregivers to learn alongside their children and to have hands-on experience with the future of learning!
Remake Learning Days Across America is a learning festival that celebrates innovative experiences and opportunities for youth to develop creativity, perseverance and curiosity. Schools, after-school organizations, nonprofits, museums, and more are invited to submit an innovative, family-friendly learning event for inclusion in the festival. Local Remake Learning Days returns to southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia May 6 - 16, 2021, and event submissions are now open. #RemakeDaysSWPA
Will you be designing an in-person or virtual STEAM activity anytime between May 6 - 16, 2020? Might this be created in a way that engages young people and their adults in arts, making, science, technology, outdoor learning, and youth voice? If so, make it part of Remake Learning Days!
Amplify your students' work by offering a great way for parents and caregivers to learn alongside their children and to have hands-on experience with the future of learning!
Remake Learning Days Across America is a learning festival that celebrates innovative experiences and opportunities for youth to develop creativity, perseverance and curiosity. Schools, after-school organizations, nonprofits, museums, and more are invited to submit an innovative, family-friendly learning event for inclusion in the festival. Local Remake Learning Days returns to southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia May 6 - 16, 2021, and event submissions are now open. #RemakeDaysSWPA

Everyday Engineering for Students in Grades 6 - 8
The CMU College of Engineering would like to invite students in grades 6-8 to Everyday Engineering -- a virtual event with the intent to demonstrate that engineering is all around us. Our goal is to get middle school students thinking about their environments with more curious eyes. This event will take place via Zoom on Saturday, February 27, between 12:30 – 2:00 pm.
We will have an introductory presentation about the wide range of engineering disciplines followed by a series of virtual exhibits led by CMU undergraduate and graduate students.
WHO: Students in the 6-8 grades
*if you know middle schoolers who would enjoy this event, please feel free forward this invitation to them.
WHEN: Saturday, February 27, 2021; 12:30 - 2:00 PM
WHERE: Zoom.
*All Participants must be registered to attend. The Zoom link will be provided in the confirmation email you receive following your registration.
The CMU College of Engineering would like to invite students in grades 6-8 to Everyday Engineering -- a virtual event with the intent to demonstrate that engineering is all around us. Our goal is to get middle school students thinking about their environments with more curious eyes. This event will take place via Zoom on Saturday, February 27, between 12:30 – 2:00 pm.
- "What problem does this solve?"
- "Who has the problem?"
- "Why is it important to solve the problem?"
- "What types of engineering were used to solve the problem?"
We will have an introductory presentation about the wide range of engineering disciplines followed by a series of virtual exhibits led by CMU undergraduate and graduate students.
WHO: Students in the 6-8 grades
*if you know middle schoolers who would enjoy this event, please feel free forward this invitation to them.
WHEN: Saturday, February 27, 2021; 12:30 - 2:00 PM
WHERE: Zoom.
*All Participants must be registered to attend. The Zoom link will be provided in the confirmation email you receive following your registration.

Engineering is Everywhere
The Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Concrete Institute is accepting applications for a pilot program using the Engineering is Everywhere curriculum to introduce 4th through 6th graders to engineering. Engineering is Everywhere is an evidence-based training for upper-elementary teachers who want to teach their students about what engineering is, what engineers do, and how the math and science they learn in school is used by engineers.
The selected schools for the pilot program will receive the full curriculum, which includes:
Interested educators may apply by contacting Brian Lucarelli at Lucarelli.ACI@gmail.com. Please provide the educator's name, contact information (email or phone), grade level, and school name.
The Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Concrete Institute is accepting applications for a pilot program using the Engineering is Everywhere curriculum to introduce 4th through 6th graders to engineering. Engineering is Everywhere is an evidence-based training for upper-elementary teachers who want to teach their students about what engineering is, what engineers do, and how the math and science they learn in school is used by engineers.
The selected schools for the pilot program will receive the full curriculum, which includes:
- Three video lessons to present to the classroom
- Online training for elementary educators to facilitate lesson planning and class discussion
- A kit that supplies the materials used to teach the hands-on activities, which can be used year after year
Interested educators may apply by contacting Brian Lucarelli at Lucarelli.ACI@gmail.com. Please provide the educator's name, contact information (email or phone), grade level, and school name.