Bust the Winter Blues!

As the shortest month of the year, February sure can feel like it lasts forever. This month's newsletter includes ideas to help break up the winter doldrums. We look forward to supporting you and your learning communities!

~ REMC 2 Central Team

Tech Toolbox

Sphero Robots

Our Sphero coding robots now have durable two-sided mats and challenge cards that can be sent to your classroom! Students learn to block code with the Sphero Robots. Code using Draw, Blocks, or Javascript. Access 1000's of activities and manage your classroom. Chrome, Mac, PC, iOS, Android, Kindle. Learn more here!

Check them out from REMC2c.

DNR for Educators

The Department of Natural Resources has an amazing website full of tons of resources! You can find virtual lessons, arrange field trips, in-person and virtual, join the Salmon in the Classroom project, and more!

Visit the DNR website to see all they have to offer!

DNR for Education

Board Games for the classroom

Board games are SEL educational-fueled activities for the classroom. REMC2c has a selection of board games ready for checkout from our library. We are planning a Playdate in May on board games to demonstrate the 21st century skills they bring to the classroom.

See what board games are available here: rem2.c.follettdestiny.com

Upcoming Events

Dino-mite Tech Challenge

REMC is returning for another "byte"! Feb. 15-24 be a Try-ceratops, not a Nervous Rex, and learn about tech tools for your classroom. Complete the eight-day challenge and be entered to win one of eight gift baskets of office supplies!

Join us!

February Tech Challenge

PLAYDATE: MARCH

PLAYDATE is an acronym for People Learning and Asking "Y"

Digital Age Teacher Exploration.

NO presenters. NO agenda. Just PLAYing! Earn SCECHS while getting hands-on experience with materials that can be used in your classroom.

All educators are welcome to attend!

Rube Goldberg Contest

The Rube Goldberg Institute is holding a contest. Students can create a Rube Goldberg Machine using Minecraft for Education, Drawing or building a working machine!

A Rube Goldberg Machine® is made from found or discarded household items. These contraptions are essentially green machines! The Institute is proud to offer the only STEM competition in the world that requires zero cost to build and participate. Anyone, anywhere, with nothing more than a pile of junk and a great imagination, can build an award-winning Rube Goldberg Machine®.

All ages may enter, for free
Compete as an individual or a team
Machines can be any size, small or large
All machines must complete the task
Rolling submissions until midnight March 23, 2023
Judged by an RGI panel of experts
Prizes include Visa gift cards, Rube swag and trophies
Winning machines will be showcased on social media.

To find out more information or to enter, follow the links below:

REMC (statewide)

Student-Centered Learning Across Michigan Cohort 3 - April 10, 2023 - May 21, 2023

Student-Centered Learning Across Michigan is a six-week, mostly asynchronous series to build a blended learning framework to help educators meet the needs of all students - even when they are absent. Participants will learn skills to gain a clearer picture of student learning and a blended learning model that allows teachers to work with small groups while learning continues in the classroom.

This series will train teachers in any subject area, grade level or school to implement three core research-based practices that have been proven to impact student and teacher outcomes.

The next cohort starts on April 10, 2023. Want to know more?

Follow this link: Student-Centered Learning Across Michigan.

Professional Development

Registration is open for MACUL 2023! Don’t miss out on your opportunity to access cutting-edge tools, classroom resources and learning strategies for today’s technology-driven schools. Join MACUL in Detroit, March 15-18. Register now: https://macul.configio.com/

Speaking of MACUL... did you know you can apply for a grant for your classroom? MACUL has a grant of up to a $1,000. You can find more information here. The MiSTEM network offers Teacher Scholarships to attend STEM Professional Learning events like MACUL. You can apply here.

Did you know that all REMC courses and workshops are aligned with at least one Microcredential Pathway? Check out all REMC pathways that provide digital, shareable acknowledgment of professional learning.

Click here: https://bit.ly/328SgWk.