This month, we're excited to highlight the efforts of another committed and creative educator. Our newest Eduporium Featured Educator is Patti Andreolas, an elementary teacher from Queens, NY. Patti has become involved in a variety of innovative projects with her students, helping them develop both hard and soft skills in the classroom. Whether it's with physical EdTech tools or those of the digital variety, she's seen how opportunities for hands-on learning can impact the ways in which students develop. Especially when it comes to how young students learn and grow, Patti has truly helped her students build a creative foundation in the classroom!
Patti Andreolas
Elementary Educator, PS 251Q, Queens, NY
Q&A:
Please share any innovative technology project(s) you've completed with your students or plan to complete soon.
In our first grade class, we created flexible seating using recycled bags and bottles as eco-brick stools. In my eyes, this project truly taught my students so much. First, they learned that there is so much we can do with recycled materials. More importantly, they learned that, by working together, we can further our ultimate goal of making plastic waste a thing of the past. By reusing plastics as well as other materials, they've seen how we can save on production and energy costs while producing less garbage that winds up in landfills. It was definitely a fun project and great to see each student group using their creativity to design the flexible seating options. All of the students participated and recycled bottles and plastic bags in school and at home.
What is a challenge you have faced or are facing with your technology use as a STEM educator?
What STEM resources have you used in your instruction or are in need of?
Our school is definitely limited when it comes to technology in the classroom. Almost all of our educators would benefit from access to instructional technology devices like iPads to use throughout the day. We currently use two Dash and Dot Robots to help students learn a bit about coding. We have just one iPad, however, that we use with the robots and for students to use to create videos.
What are some of the real-world or STEM skills you've seen your students develop through regular technology use?
How can students apply them in the future?
Students love to record themselves and, as a result, they have become much more confident in speaking. We use Flipgrid a lot and students have made numerous class videos to feature their innovative accomplishments, which range from design projects and inventions to integrated art projects. Having more iPads to use would allow each of them to create their own projects simultaneously rather than waiting to share the one iPad we have right now. We are part of a Title 1 school, so we know the importance of making every dollar count.
What interests you most about Eduporium's educator offerings?
I've seen how makerspace materials really help students use the design process to create and invent. In addition, their virtual reality offerings are something I believe really allow kids to explore and see things they are not able to do on their own. We've realized the value of this technology as the pandemic has led to many students being unable to go places. Since, as I said, I understand the importance of making every dollar and resource count, their grant program is another valuable service. Since it's offered every month, it's great to see how their team is impacting an educator's instruction regularly.
We thank Patti for taking the time to share her story and accomplishments with our community. As always, we hope her words can inspire other educators with similar goals. We also hope these features continue to provide value for educators and enlighten you about some of the amazing projects you could try with the resources you have. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more of the great things educators are doing with technology. If you'd like to apply for a chance at being an Eduporium Featured Educator, we’d love for you to fill out the application! Whether they're a STEM educator or not, we'd also encourage sharing the application with other teachers in your networks.