ABC CREATE
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • Overview
    • Educators
    • Advisory Board
    • CREATE Lab
    • Partners
    • Nextovation
  • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • STEAM Showcase
    • Trainings
    • Regional Gatherings
    • Teacher Summer Camps
    • Fall Convening
  • RESOURCES
    • Pathways
    • Resource Library
    • Sample Lessons
    • Media
  • SPECIAL PROJECTS
    • Connecting Classrooms
    • PASmartGrant
    • STEAM Summer Camps
    • Pre-Service
    • PD Studies with Sevenzo
    • Special Ed Cohort
  • Updates
  • Contact

July's Five Opportunities for ABC CREATE

7/16/2018

 
Picture
Remake Learning July Gatherings

Lunch & Learn at CMU's CREATE Lab
 
ABC CREATE is a member of the CREATE Lab Satellite Network! This Lunch and Learn is an easily accessible opportunity to learn more about the CREATE Lab
- a place where creative ideas, technology, and a powerful driver like CMU meet with communities, teachers, and individuals passionate about developing a world we can all live in peacefully together? The CREATE Lab enables a new form of local change: one that empowers the citizens to chart their technology future and, most important of all, their community's prospects for quality of life.
Location:
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue Robotics Institute, NSH 3105
Pittsburgh, PA 15213 View Map

Date and Time: Tue, July 24, 2018 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EDT

Overview: Visit the lab that brought us Hear Me, BirdBrain Technologies, and the Fluency Project. Bring all your questions for this Free and Open lunch & learn.
Lunch will be served, so please email Ani (ani@remakelearning.org) with any dietary restrictions or requests.
Registration is important to the lunch count. Space is limited, so please register ASAP!


Register
Picture
Allied Media Conference Follow-up: Remake Learning Delegation 
Location: Capital Cathedral
200 Lincoln Ave
Millvale, PA 15209
View Map
Date and Time:Thu, July 26, 2018 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Overview: In June, Remake Learning network members had the privilege to attend the 20th annual Allied Media Conference. In community with almost 20 different individuals from the Pittsburgh Region, we learned from some of the country's most rigorous and joyous media makers and organizers. Jess Gold, long-time teaching artist and mentor, leads a free and open debrief conversation about what we heard, learned, and felt.
Read more about AMC by clicking here.
Coffee and bagels will be served, so please email Ani (ani@remakelearning.org) with any dietary restrictions or requests.


Register

Picture
ABC CREATE @ STEMathon
Great work happening in ABC CREATE.  Let’s get the word out! stemathon.org/Looking for some folks interested in presenting at STEMathon in October 2018.  Deadline for proposals is July 31. ABC CREATE may be able to help with conference registration for a limited number of ABC CREATE educators, so please contact Colleen if you are submitting a proposal and want to inquire about possible registration.



Picture
ABC CREATE trainings with Birdbrain Technologies in August

Picture
Hummingbird with Micro:bit
Location: Penn State New Kensington
3550 7th Street Road
New Kensington, PA 15068
Date and Time: Monday, August 6, 2018
8:30-3:30, Lunch will be provided

Overview: For both NEW and EXPERIENCED users of Hummingbird Robotics kits.  Come explore use of Hummingbirds with the new to us micro:bit. See the flier for more information!


Register NOW
Micro:bit Workshop.pdf
File Size: 911 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture

Picture
Finch Robots
Location: Penn State New Kensington
3550 7th Street Road
New Kensington, PA 15068
Date and Time: Thursday, August 9, 2018
AM – Finch Robots using Snap! level 1 -3
PM – Finch Robots using Snap! level 4 and/or Scratch
Overview: See flier below.

Special Note: School -aged children of teachers attending this Finch Robot workshop are welcome to attend, too!



Register NOW
Finch Training.pdf
File Size: 772 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture

June's Five Opportunities for ABC CREATE

6/12/2018

 
Picture
In Celebration of Remake Learning Days,
ABC CREATE Announced the winning logo! 


Rachel Simcic is now a very recent graduate from Springdale Jr/Sr High School in the Allegheny Valley School District. We received over 20 submissions from ABC CREATE district students and teachers.

See some of the other finalists' designs and find out about the legacy Rachel left for her school with the prize money! LEARN MORE


Download Logo .jpg
Download Logo .png

Picture
ABC CREATE@Plum registration now open beyond ABC CREATE districts
Location: Plum Senior High School, 900 Elicker Road, Plum, PA 15239


A FEW SPOTS OPEN:
Teacher STEAM Camp for educators who want to feel more comfortable integrating STEAM and for those who want to learn more! Over 30 teachers registered!
Date and Time: June 25-28, 2018   8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
FREE, includes lunch + supplies. ACT 48



Picture
SAVE THE DATES:
Upcoming Trainings from BirdBrain Technologies - details to come

August 6 - Hummingbird Training
August 9 - Finch Robots

October 8th – ABC CREATE @Armstrong - Hummingbird Basics with Micro:bit


Picture
Earn chances to enter Teacher Appreciation Raffle by engaging in ABC CREATE:
  • 1 for attending a training or showcase during the school year
  • 2 for attending a training or showcase in the evening, on a weekend, or during the summer
  • 3 for Showcase or other short presentation or activity that requires outside prep work
  • 5 for leading a training, writing a pathway or in some way taking on a leadership role
SPRING DRAWING WINNERS:
1st Prize: Ed Bearer, Leechburg

2nd Prize: Stephanie Reilly, Plum
3rd Prize: Kim Ord, Franklin Regional
4th Prize: Wendi Lincoln, Freeport


Picture
Picture
Picture

May's Five Opportunities for ABC CREATE

5/4/2018

 
Picture
Invitation to ABC CREATE COMMUNITY: RSVP by May 7th
hAPPY Hour
Location:
Conny Creek Brewing Company
4323 Shearsburg Rd. Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania 15068
Overview: We’d like to celebrate you and your work with ABC CREATE this school year with a hAppy Hour on May 10th!
Special Note: Revised hours. Now from 4 - 7 pm. Please see the attached flier!  We hope you’ll be our guest for appetizers and drinks!

Appetizers from Oakmont BBQ!
 
We’ll also be launching our ABC CREATE Appreciation Raffle and drawing our prize!

RSVP NOW
hAPPY HOUR Poster
File Size: 3415 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Picture
Submissions open to ALL ABC CREATE COMMUNITY: Due May 8th
LOGO CONTEST: PRIZES + RECOGNITION
Overview: 
Students, Teachers, Administrators + Partners. 
10 MB or less. .jpg, .png or .pdf digital or picture or scan of hand drawn logo. Please retain original drawing.
LEARN MORE


Picture
Open to Middle + High School Students: Due May 14th
Attention student gamers. G4C Student Challenge: Design a digital game relating to Kindness & Empathy, News Literacy or Wildlife Conservation. Recognition + awards including $1000 grand prize.

For the right middle + high students — this opportunity could be really meaningful.
LEARN MORE + Submission Details

G4C Promo Poster
File Size: 4431 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


ABC CREATE@Plum registration now open beyond ABC CREATE districts
Location:
Plum Senior High School, 900 Elicker Road, Plum, PA 15239

Picture
Teacher STEAM Camp for educators who want to feel more comfortable integrating STEAM and for those who want to learn more!
Date and Time: June 25-28, 2018   8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
FREE, includes lunch + supplies. ACT 48
Registration open. Space available.


Over a dozen school district AR/VR enthusiasts attended ABC CREATE@Plum peer-led training this week.  Preview of the energy and expertise expected for the Teacher STEAM Camp in June!

Listen to the buzz in that room! https://t.co/zTkYMOmCAS

— abccreate (@abc_create) May 1, 2018

ABC Create Virtual Reality training at PBHS. Thanks @reilly1041 and @kdhuthrowe and @teachme124 for leading the training!! #plumlearns #plumproud pic.twitter.com/sU0de66U3F

— PBSDSuperintendent (@pbsdsupt) May 1, 2018

Picture
Girls' STEAM Camp for rising 6th – 9th grade girls
Date and Time: June 18-21, 2018   8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
$25 - includes lunch + supplies.
Few spots remaining.  Register now!


April's Five Opportunities for ABC CREATE

4/18/2018

 
Picture
Submissions open to ALL ABC CREATE COMMUNITY: Due May 8th
LOGO CONTEST: PRIZES + RECOGNITION
Overview: 
Students, Teachers, Administrators + Partners. 
10 MB or less. .jpg, .png or .pdf digital or picture or scan of hand drawn logo. Please retain original drawing.
LEARN MORE


Picture
ABC CREATE @Plum
Location: Plum Senior High School, 900 Elicker Road, Plum, PA 15239

Girls' STEAM Camp for rising 6th – 9th grade girls
Date and Time: June 18-21, 2018   8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
$25, includes lunch + supplies.
Spots remaining: 23 (as of 4/19/18)
ABC CREATE Priority Registration Deadline: May 1st

Teacher STEAM Camp for educators who want to feel more comfortable integrating STEAM
Date and Time: June 25-28, 2018   8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
FREE, includes lunch + supplies. ACT 48
Spots remaining: 46 (as of 4/19/18)
ABC CREATE Priority Registration Deadline: May 1st

Flyers + Registration

Picture
Date and Time: Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018   6 PM
Join Remake Learning and NEXT Pittsburgh for this FREE event.Ted Dintersmith, author of What School Could Be, co-Author of Most Likely to Succeed, and producer of the award-winning film Most Likely to Succeed is stopping by Pittsburgh in May!

Location: O’Reilly Theater (Pittsburgh Public Theater) at 612 Penn Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh.

Register

Picture
Date and Time: Wednesday, May 8th, 2018   8:30am - 3:30pm
Hummingbird + Micro:Bit Workshop

Join the team from BirdBrain and Allegheny Intermediate Unit to learn how to build and program with the Hummingbird and micro:bit together! We’ll use the MakeCode programming language to get hands-on, diving deep into the expanded features of these two tools used together!

Location: transformED WEST @ Montour HS 223 Clever Rd
McKees Rocks, 15136 United States


Register

Picture
Date and Time: Thursday, May 17, 2018 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Remake Learning Days Kickoff Breakfast
Kick off Remake Learning Days with Intel and the Society for Science & the Public!
Location: David L. Lawrence Convention Center

Register

Picture
ABC CREATE Schools Participating in Remake Learning Days

Check out the ABC CREATE Remake Learning Days events (at least 12 that we’ve discovered so far!)
 



Regional Summer PD opportunities including the Personalized Learning Leadership Conference
Picture


March's Five Opportunities for ABC CREATE

3/14/2018

 
Picture
Act Soon! Register by March 31.
On April 1, registration will open beyond ABC CREATE.
Date and Time: Tuesday, May 1, 2018 8:30 AM - 2:30PM
Plum High School

ABC CREATE TRAINING SESSION:
VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE CLASSROOM

Overview: Your students can experience the amazing technology of virtual reality using only an inexpensive viewer or iPad. Take your students on a virtual field trip to Egypt! The International Space Station! The 9/11 Museum! The Grand Canyon! Under the ocean!
All grade levels.
ACT 48. Lunch provided.
Location: Plum High School
LEARN MORE


Register

Picture
Date and Time: June 25-28, 2018   8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Teacher STEAM Camp
Overview:
ABC CREATE in partnership with Plum Borough School District is hosting a summer STEAM Camp for Teachers!  This camp is designed specifically for ABC CREATE educators who want to feel more comfortable integrating STEAM in to their classrooms. No experience required! Guided and supported by fellow teachers, we’ll have tracks for elementary and for secondary teachers where you will be able to play around with technologies and ideas.
Location: Plum Senior High School, 900 Elicker Road, Plum, PA 15239

Register
Flyer

Picture
Date and Time: June 18-21, 2018   8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Girls' STEAM Camp
Overview:
Recognizing the need for girls to explore and to develop a STEAM identity in order to persist against the current culture of underrepresentation, ABC CREATE in partnership with Plum Borough School District is hosting a Girls’ STEAM Camp for rising 6th – 9th grade girls.

Location: Plum Senior High School, 900 Elicker Road, Plum, PA 15239

Register

Picture
Date and Time: DUE Friday, March 23, 2018,
The Great Remake Micro-Grants

Remake Learning works to ignite engaging, relevant, and equitable learning opportunities that help young people thrive in a time of remarkable change.
Overview: With catalytic grants of $2,500 and $7,500, we aim to support learning practices, projects, and environments that advance our common vision.
Sponsor: Remake Learning

Learn More

Picture
Date and Time: April 6, 2018   6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Youth Innovate PGH
Come Hang Out, Mess Around, and Geek Out!
Seeking Participants: Youth Showcase
Overview:
In addition to organizations and initiatives engaging youth, the event is inviting schools to showcase youth created works...
Media, Music, Magazines, Maker stuff, whatever your students would be proud to share with others.

Planning Partners include: All Star Code, Alloy26, City of Pittsburgh, Office of Innovation and Performance, CoLab18, Games for Change, Google, Nova Place
Location: Nova Place on the North Side
100 S Commons Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Submit to Youth Showcase

February's Five Opportunities for ABC CREATE

2/12/2018

 
Picture
 
Date and Time: Tue, Mar 6, 2018   8 AM - 3 PM
STEAM for ALL: ABC CREATE SHOWCASE 2018
Overview:
Explore classroom integration of creative technologies. Glimpse emerging technologies and classroom pilots. Connect with colleagues. No registration fee. Lunch included.  ACT 48 eligible.
Location: Penn State New Kensington
3550 7th Street Road
New Kensington, PA 15068

REGISTER

Picture
Date and Time: Tue, Feb 13 + Thur, Mar 22, 2018
Computer Science Teacher's Association
Formed in Pittsburgh Fall 2017.
As part of its commitment to meeting the needs of  members and developing a strong community of computer science educators, CSTA supports the development of regional CSTA chapters. A CSTA chapter is a local branch of CSTA designed to facilitate discussion of local issues, provision of member services at the local level, and to promote CSTA membership on the national level.

2/13 EVENT
3/22 EVENT

Picture
Date and Time: Applications due Wed, Feb 28, 2018
History Quest

Developed with the Institute of Play in New York City, the Woodrow Wilson HistoryQuest Fellowship offers professional development for middle and high school American history teachers in CT, MA, NJ, NYC, and PA.The program aims to use the power of games, play, and digital tools to transform both teacher practice and student engagement.
Overview: HistoryQuest Fellows attend free of charge a five-day workshop during the week of July 22, 2018, in the Princeton, New Jersey area, including single-occupancy housing and meals, with expenses paid.
Sponsor: Woodrow Wilson Foundation

LEARN MORE

Picture

Act Soon! Register by March 31.
On April 1, registration will open beyond ABC CREATE.
Date and Time: Tuesday, May 1, 2018 8:30 AM - 2:30PM
Plum High School

ABC CREATE TRAINING SESSION:
VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE CLASSROOM

Overview: Your students can experience the amazing technology of virtual reality using only an inexpensive viewer or iPad. Take your students on a virtual field trip to Egypt! The International Space Station! The 9/11 Museum! The Grand Canyon! Under the ocean!
All grade levels.
ACT 48. Lunch provided.
Location: Plum High School
LEARN MORE


REGISTER

Picture
Date and Time: DUE Friday, March 23, 2018,
The Great Remake Micro-Grants
Remake Learning works to ignite engaging, relevant, and equitable learning opportunities that help young people thrive in a time of remarkable change.
Overview:
With catalytic grants of $2,500 and $7,500, we aim to support learning practices, projects, and environments that advance our common vision.
Sponsor: Remake Learning

LEARN MORE

STEAM for ALL SHOWCASE RFP

1/29/2018

 
SAVE THE DATE: STEAM for ALL SHOWCASE: Tuesday, March 6, 2018
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: February 5th

Picture

SUBMIT PROPOSAL
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: February 5, 2018
Particularly seeking proposals for Showcase presentations that will demonstrate the following:
  • Integrating STEAM into the classroom through use of creative technologies and/and or project-based learning
  • Reflecting our focus of STEAM for All
  • Highlighting key values of inclusivity, equity, empowerment, collaboration, authentic learning, and meaningful engagement.
Educators and/or students from all grade levels and subject areas are encouraged to submit proposals.  Any student presentations need to be submitted with a faculty sponsor.

Presentations should be 30 – 40 minutes with time for questions included.  Sessions are 45 minutes.

Five Opportunities for ABC CREATE in January (+ 1 in early February)

1/11/2018

 
Picture
Date and Time: Wed, Jan 17, 2018, 8:30 AM – Thu, Jan 18, 2018, 4:00 PM EST
Remake Learning Professional Development Workshop
Community Learning Exchange: Embedding Equity within Professional Development
Overview:
A two-day workshop about how to infuse equity mindsets and cultural relevance into innovative professional development experiences. 

Location: Alloy 26 at NOVA Place
SPACE IS LIMITED (Email Colleen if you register)


REGISTER

Picture
Date and Time: Wed, Jan 17, 2018, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM EST
"We the People - Math Literacy For All Alliance"
A workshop with Maisha Moses

Executive Director, The Young People's Project
Location:
Carnegie Mellon University, Newell Simon Hall
Overview: Learn about The Young People's Project, it's background including The Algebra Project, and the Flagway™ Games as an example of a bottom up organizing approach to math literacy. The YPP and the Algebra Project create a cultural context in which mathematics emerges naturally from students’ experience by creating mathematically rich games and experiences. Light Dinner Provided.
SPACE IS LIMITED


CONTACT COLLEEN

Picture
Date and Time: Mon, Jan 22, 2018, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST
Racism, Recovery, and Social Justice Symposium - Live Webinar
Overview:

1-1:50 PM - Framing conversation
2-2:50 PM -Stocktaking and sensemaking of racist incidents on campus
3-3:50 PM – Self-care and healing in periods of racial stress and recovery from racial battle fatigue
4-4:50 PM – Collective impact and coalition-building for racial justice
Location: Penn State New Kensington - OPEN to ABC CREATE districts

CONTACT COLLEEN

Picture
Deadline: Fri, Jan 19, 2018
Submit Your Remake Learning Days Event

You're invited to participate in the region's largest open house for hands-on learning, May 17 - 25, 2018. Submit your event to get in on the fun!
Overview: Remake Learning Days is back May 17-25, 2018 bringing hands-on, engaging, and relevant learning experiences to youth and families in neighborhoods across southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Submit Your Event

Picture
Date and Time: Wed, Jan 24, 2018, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM EST
ABC CREATE GigaPan Workshop
A workshop with Lou Karas
Director, Center for Arts and Education, West Liberty University
Location: Franklin Regional Middle School
Overview: Appropriate for new or wanna-be GigaPan users as well as for those who want to enhance their use of GigaPan images or technology in their classrooms or with cross-district projects. Lunch provided.

REGISTER

Picture
Date and Time: February 1, 2018  8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Hummingbird Robotics Advanced Topics: Construct an Autonomous Vehicle
With BirdBrain Technology's Matt Chilbert
Location: TransformED West at Montour High School
Overview: Design, build and program an autonomous vehicle with the Hummingbird Robotics Kit! Use recyclable material to construct a vehicle that will respond to light and shadows and avoid obstacles. This workshop is for educators who already use the Hummingbird or have attended a Hummingbird workshop in the past. Participants will use Ardublock and Arduino programming in the workshop. No experience with either Ardublock or Arduino is necessary prior to this workshop. FYI - There is a cost to attend this session (varying between $99 - $799) depending on whether you will need to purchase a Robotics Kit and on the number of participants with you.


REGISTER

Beyond the Stars: Hidden Figures Shine!

11/21/2017

 
Over 200 middle school girls attended the first ever ABC CREATE Girls' STEM Day on Tuesday November 21, 2018. STEM professionals from Toshiba American Medical Systems, Arconic, Matthew International, and IQ Inc. shared their perspective, experiences and insights about working in STEM.
The girls watched the movie Hidden Figures, an inspirational movie about three African-American female mathematicians who overcame hurdles and challenges to help NASA's space program in the 1960s when NASA (and the country) was still segregated. Finally, the attendees had time to explore many STEM topics and activities in an afternoon of "STEM Playground". The STEM Playground included stations such as drones, 3D printing, light-up circuits, Hour of Code, Coding in 3D, Virtual Reality, Spectroscopy, and even Oobleck.

The feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. It was a great day of exploration and inspiration for these middle school girls. EVENT LISTING

Picture
READ FULL ARTICLE
Kiski Area Upper Elementary student Sophia Peltier, 11, said she gets to do STEAM activities at her school, but enjoyed getting to try all of the different activities.

Peltier gave a thumbs-up and an “awesome” to the all-girls event.
Emily Marchlewski, 13, who attends Charles Houston Middle School in the Burrell School District, got to fly a drone.
“It's pretty fun,” she said. “I like how it can just hover without cords and just in the air.”
Marchlewski said she's interested in engineering, architecture and orthopedic medicine.
Plum High School science and math teacher Stephanie Reilly said she often sees girls take a secondary role in her classes while the boys take the lead.
She said having an all-girls event allows girls to experiment and learn on their own.
“We have pushed really hard to get females in our classes,” Reilly said.

Forward>>

    Thursday, October 17          ABC CREATE
    Leadership Session
    BY INVITATION

    Tuesday, October 29th
    12 - 1:30PM
    Lunch & Learn:
    ABC CREATE and
    Pre-service Ed

    REGISTER

    Wednesday, October 30
    11:30AM - 3:00PM

    Femininity, Girls, and STEM: Led by TrueChild
    at the YWCA Pittsburgh

    REGISTER

    Thursday, October 31

    8:30AM–3:30 PM     
    Digital Bridge Conference DoubleTree Hilton Pittsburgh-Cranberry
    CONTACT COLLEEN


    Wednesday, November 6th
    ABC CREATE CS Discoveries Cohort Training
    BY INVITATION

    Thursday, November 7th
    8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

    Hummingbird Bit & the Digital Age
    Penn State New Kensington
    REGISTER


    Tuesday, November 12
    Learning Pathways Writing Session
    REGISTER

    Monday, November 18 
    ABC CREATE Ambassador Inaugural Event
    STAY TUNED

    Tuesday, November 26th
    ABC CREATE Fall Convening – SAVE the DATE – Focus of our fall work session will be on K-12 Coding and CS alignment.  TBD

    Tuesday, December 3
    Learning Pathways Writing Session
    REGISTER

    Thursday, December 12th
    ABC CREATE After Hours: Happy Hour - Finch 2.0   
    REGISTER  


    COMING SOON               ABC CREATE After Hours: Dash & Dot with Puzzlets

    2020 PLAN AHEAD
    Tuesday, February 11, 2020 

    Birdbrain Workshop: Finch 2.0 and Hummingbird Bit - Elementary

    Thursday, February 13, 2020
    Birdbrain Workshop: Finch 2.0 and Hummingbird Bit - Secondary

    Tuesday, March 10, 2020  ABC CREATE STEAM Showcase - Penn State New Kensington