The Shenandoah Valley Connection January 29, 2021

February 2-4, 2021 | $40 | Virtual

The Children's Engineering Convention has three major components:

Staff development for K-5 teachers focusing on ways to help children create, use and control technology
Teacher demonstrations of ways to infuse technology activities into the Standards of Learning
A showcase of technology-based educational resources. In addition to the special interest sessions/workshops, other opportunities will include education vendor exhibits and an international keynote speaker during each general session.

Workshop highlights will focus on experiences that enable children to

explore how people create use, and control technology;
apply knowledge in mathematics, science, English, and History and Social Studies in solving problems associated with technology;
use tools and materials to explore personal interest with technology; and
exhibit self-confidence through the use of technology.

Come and participate in this invaluable professional development program.

Explore teaching strategies for integrating Children's Engineering into your existing curriculum
Reinforce the Virginia Standards of Learning and Profile of a Virginia Graduate through hands-on designing, building, and problem solving activities
Attend workshops conducted by experienced K-5 classroom teachers
Network with teachers who share your interest in the need for every child to study and use technology
Visit educational exhibits and examine available materials from technology vendors

Learn how Children's Engineering promotes

the five "Cs" in the Profile of a Virginia Graduate;
Virginia Standards of Learning best practices;
national standards (Mathematics, Science, Technology, etc.);
critical and creative thinking;
problem-solving;
hands-on learning;
decision-making;
cooperative learning skills;
differentiated instruction;
motivated and self-confident learners; and
mastery of individual learning styles of children, including the needs of gifted and special needs populations.

Virginia Children's Engineering Council (VCEC) Mission

Promote design, engineering, and technology in elementary schools. Provide in-service workshops for PreK-5 teachers and administrators. Sponsor award recognition programs for teachers and schools across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Registration and additional information for the Children's Engineering Convention

Looking for a grant to help start up your FLL team? Each year, the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council sponsors up to three new FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams from the Shenandoah Valley. Approximately half of the start-up cost of a new team is reimbursed, up to $350.

To be eligible, teams must be located in the footprint of the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council's area of operation. Applicants must also intend participate in the FLL competition within one year of receiving the grant. This grant can be used towards any equipment required for competition in FIRST LEGO League, including one or more LEGO robotics kits, a competition practice table, and an FLL field setup kit.

If you are interested in applying for the FLL Start-Up Grant, start on our FLL page and fill out, and send, the PDF linked on that page. Information and application for FLL Startup Grant

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About FIRST LEGO League (FLL), https://www.firstlegoleague.org

FLL was created through a partnership between FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and the LEGO company and inspires future scientists and engineers. it is an international competition that challenges young participants to think like scientists and engineers. Every year FLL introduces kids to a real-world scientific topic, and teams are challenged to find a solution. They also build a robot and compete in a friendly, FIRST-style robotics event specially designed for their age group.

This year's challenge, called Replay: https://info.firstinspires.org/2021season/replay

FIRST LEGO League Challenge RePLAY | Season Launch Video

About the local / Virginia league: Your state and local -Virginia and Shen. Valley- connection to FLL is VA-DC FLL (https://va-dcfll.org/), located in Harrisonburg. Virginia is one of the largest leagues in the world with over 600 teams. Start a conversation with Kaitlin and crew and see how you can get involved, right here in the Shen. Valley. (https://va-dcfll.org/who-we-are/)

Science and technology leaders are made, not born.