Brain Brigade
557 Followers
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, United States
About the store
As an educator for the past 40 years and as Wisconsin’s 2003 Teacher of the Year I have languished over the lack of hands-on learning in our schools. In 2008, my daughter and I started Brain Brigade with the idea of bringing hands-on learning to every child particularly in the area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
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Diaper Dissection Activity | Chemistry, metric measurement, volume, math
Diaper Dissection is a hands-on activity to understanding how sodium polyacrylate works in a diaper. Your students will use scales, measuring and solving equations building upon basic science and math concepts in relation to finding the mass. Students will explore metric measurement, volume, math, and chemistry.
Included in this guide:
-Materials list
-Step-by-step instructions with color photos
-Diaper dissection equation worksheet
-Teachers notes
My students have so much fun doing this exper
3rd - 8th
Basic Operations, General Science, Science
Roller Coaster Challenge | Potential & Kinetic Energy, STEM Activity, Budgeting
Help your students get creative with this STEM activity. Rev up their imaginations by creating classroom roller coasters that demonstrate the concepts of potential energy, kinetic energy, motion, friction and momentum using inexpensive materials. Take it up a notch and give your students a budget to manage when creating their coasters. Strengthen math concepts of addition, subtraction and budgeting. Will your passengers make it off your roller coaster alive?
Included in this activity:
-Material
2nd - 8th
Basic Operations, Engineering, Science
21 Chips | Beginning of the Year Classroom Activity
21 Chips is a fun classroom game where players alternate turns using strategy to be the last to take chips.
I use 21 Chips it at the end of the day or end of the class as a challenge.
I, of course, claim that I’m just lucky when I win every time, but the kids don’t believe it and are motivated to look for the solution.
Play this game with students while waiting in line for the bus or at recess. Your students will be looking for the pattern but it will take some time, days, maybe even weeks
3rd - 8th
Applied Math, Basic Operations, Math
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About the store
Experience
As an educator for the past 40 years and as Wisconsin’s 2003 Teacher of the Year I have languished over the lack of hands-on learning in our schools. In 2008, my daughter and I started Brain Brigade with the idea of bringing hands-on learning to every child particularly in the area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
Teaching style
I believe that we need to get children and teachers out of their comfort zones by providing novel learning activities that challenge them and are applicable to real life. As teachers we need to awaken a child’s curiosity by providing dynamic learning experiences. There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing the eyes of a child sparkle after launching a rocket. This is what all learning should be about; children, who having a spark ignite a fire within, seek to discover more on their own.
Awards & shining teacher moments
2003 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year
2002 Herb Kohl Fellowship Recipient
2001 Teacher of the Year, Neosho School, Neosho, WI
1993 Taught a graduate course, Lego® Logo, University of Wisconsin, Madison
1990 Developed and taught a graduate course, Integrating Environmental
Education into the Curriculum, Aurora University
1988 Safari Club International Award Awarded tuition grant for outdoor education seminar,
Jackson Hole, WY
1980 Developed and coordinated Outdoor Education Program-Neosho Middle School, Neosho, WI
My own education history
Master of Education - National College of Education Evanston, IL
B.A. Elementary Education – 1973 Concordia Teacher’s College Seward, NE
A.A. - Concordia College Milwaukee, WI
Additional biographical information
As a newly retired teacher I have been cataloging my classroom resources designed to bring hands-on learning to every student and sharing them here with you. I also lead after school programs, tutoring and summer camps. We blog at BrainBrigade.org.
I spend my spare time with my wonderful wife, four daughters, three sons-in-law, five grandchildren, and even more grand-dogs. I love gardening and traveling. My wife and I are always up for an adventure! Whether walking 70 miles in a weekend or piling our grandkids into our car and taking them for a road trip – we are up for the challenge!
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