ways to make math learning FUN! (& Kindle giveaway!)

For some kiddos, math IS fun.

Adding is awesome.  Subtracting is super-cool.  Practicing multiplication or division facts in their little heads is the stuff of dreams.  Contests and quizzes–Mad Minutes especially–make kids happier than happy.

For these children, even flashcards are a rockin’ good time.

But for others, we’ve got to sprinkle math learning creatively–through sneaky ways like cooking, assessing, organizing, experimenting, matching, sorting, moving, making it special, and playing games.  And playing even more games.

It’s not always easy.

But many of us are determined, and many of us will find ways to do it.

Thankfully, PBS Kids is also doing what they can to make STEM–Science, Technology, Engineering and Math–learning fun and cool for all learners. And this week, I’m so excited to be working with them to share news about how PBS Kids is helping with the STEM Video Game Challenge.

Here’s the skinny. . .

• PBS Kids Stream of the STEM Video Game Challenge: PBS Kids has long done what it could to promote learning–any kind of learning–for kiddos. Recently, though, PBS Kids has partnered with the 2012 National STEM Video Game Challenge—an annual competition to motivate interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning among America’s youth by tapping into students’ natural passion for playing and making video games.

The contest is open to four different categories: Middle School students (5th grade – 8th grade), High School Students, College students and Teachers/Educators.  Though the age range is above my own kiddos’, I am betting that there are hundreds–if not thousands–of parents out there of kids for whom this contest will be an absolute dream.

My boy. He needs: food. He wants: a computer.

 

Personally, with one budding video game champion under our roof, and possibly more, I love the idea of a contest that encourages kids to create video games in the name of some learning.  Particularly some serious STEM learning.

Contest participants who want to enter along the PBS KIDS stream are encouraged to develop games for children ages 4-8 that focus on early math skills (yay!!).  Early math skills are simple–think counting, number recognition, and the like. For more specifics, see the Math Framework.  Winners will rock some fab prizes, including having their game featured on PBS Kids Lab and PBS Kids LearningMedia, along with some serious cash and goodies.

The PBS Kids Stream is part of the Ready To Learn Initiative, and funded by a grant from the U.S Department of Education, and PBS Kids has created an incredible site designed to provide information and resources to help guide game production. It’s worth checking out.

 

 

• PBS Kids Stream of the STEM Video Game Challenge Twitter Event: In order to celebrate and spread the word about the PBS Stream of the STEM National Video Game Challenge, we’ve got something totally cool in store for you.

Please join me and co-host Leticia Barr from TechSavvyMama.com on Thursday, January 19 from 9-10:30 pm for an exciting Twitter party where we will be talking about games, learning, and the PBS STEM Challenge.

Here’s the skinny:

What: PBSKids Stem Challenge Twitter Party

When: Thursday, January 19 from 9-10:30 pm EST

Where: #PBSKidsSC

Who:

• Hosts: Amy Mascott @teachmama, Leticia Barr @TechSavvyMama, @PBSKids, @PBSTeachers

• Panelists: Andrew Gardner from BrainPop Educators @agardnahh , Brian Alspach from E-Line Media @STEMChallenge, Caitlin Skopac from the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop @CooneyCenter, Erica Branch-Ridley from Content Innovation Lab and The Electric Company Digital @branchridley3, Melissa Taylor from Imagination Soup @ImaginationSoup, Michelle Bourgeous from Thoughts are Free @milobo, Candace Lindemann from Naturally Educational @candaceapril

Why: For fun conversation about games, learning, and the PBS STEM Challenge and the chance to win prizes that include two $25 iTunes gift cards, two PBS Kids prize packs, and a Kindle!

RSVP: http://eepurl.com/isLpM

OR scan the QR code above!

Looking forward to chatting with you on Thursday night!

 

fyi: This party is being sponsored by PBS.