Today, I introduced the concept of an electric circuit and led students through an activity where they built a paper circuit using copper foil tape, coin cell batteries, and LEDs.  I covered most of the concepts found in this YouTube video.  Students used their iPads to scan a QR code they had added to their journals in order to visit this blog.  In the IDEA Lab tab at the top of this blog, there is a link to the Paper Circuits Instructable I created for students to follow if they had difficulty with any of the steps I demonstrated.

After completing these practice paper circuits, students will have the opportunity to add a paper circuit to their journal covers in order to make them light up when a switch is pressed.

— Tatian Greenleaf

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of watching If You Build It, an inspiring documentary about Kent Middle School graduate Emily Pilloton's (and her partner, Matthew Miller's) work to teach design and building skills to high school students in rural Windsor, NC.  I won't give away the ending which is quite stunning but the students design something to help support their community and learn much from the process.  Emily answered questions from the audience after the screening.  She and Matthew are now working at Realm Charter School in Berkeley teaching 275 students these same skills as part of Studio H.

If you can't catch the film, check out Emily's Ted Talk:

And tonight I attended the Lawrence Hall of Science's Educator Night.  Growing up in Berkeley, I loved going to the Lawrence Hall of Science as a kid and now enjoy taking my sons there as a parent.  Tonight was a chance for teachers to experience hands-on exhibits that allow for design and testing of everything from marble runs to automata to hydraulic machines.  I definitely came away with some great ideas for student projects at Mark Day School. 

— Tatian Greenleaf