“We incorporate a lot of NASA lessons and incorporate space into science, math and social studies,” Gina Kwid said.
Eagle, Idaho — Editor's note: This content is CapEd Credit Union.
Problem Solving with Technology – This week's Innovative Educator harnesses students' love of technology to learn any subject.
“There were a lot of tears on the last day of school. This is a safe place,” said Gina Kwid, a second-grade teacher at Galileo STEM Academy in Eagle.
While school is out for Galileo students, Ms. Kwid's students will not forget the lessons they learned in her classroom this year.
“The students love it. We are literally learning every second that we are in the classroom,” Kwid said. “They really are developing a growth mindset.”
A growth mindset involves problem solving with encouragement and perspective from Ms. Kwid.
“Even if it doesn't work the first time, you can go back and try again, so it's not a failure,” Kwid says. “You just found one way that doesn't work.”
With a subject that touches on almost everything, it can sometimes seem otherworldly.
“We incorporate a lot of NASA lessons and incorporate space into science, math and social studies,” Kwid said.
Her second-grade classroom also incorporates technology. Kwid said she “loves incorporating technology and educational technology into every subject,” and she literally incorporates it into every subject.
“Kids are programming robots and writing stories. Kids are making videos to evaluate the stories we read,” Kwid said. “Kids are using the robots to learn math and they're learning social studies in science. We're integrating a lot of space science and history through the use of educational technology tools.”
“They love it,” Kwid said of Galileo STEM Academy students.
“It's always been controlled chaos here,” Kwid said.
Innovative educators said using robots for any purpose is a fairly familiar concept to students.
“They're really born into programming and technology,” Kwid said. “They don't know or fear a world without it.”
It's a common trend that Kwid has seen in his 20 years as a teacher.
“When they come back and graduate from college and have been doing this for 20-plus years and making more than me, I say, 'Yes! That was the goal, you achieved it.'”
As her students graduate from their second-grade class, Kwid hopes to continue to inspire future generations.
Educators, to learn how to submit a classroom grant application through the Idaho CapEd Foundation, please visit www.capedfoundation.org . If you would like to nominate an innovative educator, please email innovativeeducator@ktvb.com .
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