💡 How do we turn classrooms into innovation hubs? Liz Gallo, founder of Whymaker, joins us to share how she’s transforming education by making hands-on, minds-on learning the norm—and how schools can partner with businesses to better prepare students for the future.

In This Episode:

• ✅ How Whymaker helps teachers bring playful, project-based learning to every classroom
  ✅ The power of school-business partnerships in shaping career-ready students
  ✅ Real-world workforce development projects that connect education with industry
  ✅ Why CTE & STEM programs are more than just technical skills—they teach essential workplace skills
  ✅ How any educator can start collaborating with local businesses today

Game Changing Takeaways

• 💡 Hands-on learning isn’t optional—it’s essential for real-world success.
• 💡 Workplace skills (like collaboration & problem-solving) are just as critical as technical skills.
• 💡 Local businesses WANT to support education—you just need to ask!

Resouces and Links

🌐 Visit Whymaker:Whymaker.com

Check out the NYS Clean Energy for Educators Workshops. Sign up for one near you!!!

📢 Follow Liz & Whymaker: @Whymaker on all social platforms

🎯 Your Challenge:
What’s one way you can bring real-world industry connections into your classroom? 💬 Tag us with #TechEdClubhouse & share your ideas!

Episode Summary:

In this episode ofThe TechEd Clubhouse Podcast, I sit down with Larisa Black, a seasoned virtual educator and AI Literacy Coordinator, to discuss the evolving role of AI in education, building an AI club for teachers and students, and the power of community in professional learning. As one of the founding members of the EduGuardians, Larisa shares insights on the accidental origins of the movement and how it has grown into a thriving global network of educators.

✅ Larisa’s background in virtual education and AI literacy✅ The development of the AI Club for educators and students✅ How AI tools like ChatGPT and SchoolAI support personalized learning✅ Overcoming AI skepticism among educators✅ The power of community-driven professional learning with EduGuardians✅ Reflections on FETC and upcoming events like MACUL 2025✅ How educators can get involved with AI in the classroom

🗨️“AI isn’t replacing teachers—it’s a thought partner.” – Larisa Black

🗨️“When students engage with AI chatbots, it provides valuable insights into their learning gaps.” – Larisa Black

🗨️“The EduGuardians started as an accident, but it turned into a global community.” – Larisa Black

🔗Connect with Larisa Black

🔗https://www.teachwiseai.com/📧 Email:teachwiseai@gmail.com
🔗 LinkedIn:Larisa Black

🔗EduGuardians: A group of educators who connect, share ideas, and engage in community building. All educators are invited to become a member! Sign up here: https://www.eduguardian5.com/

🔗South Carolina Connections Academy: A virtual charter school (K-12th grades) available to students in the state of South Carolina. Larisa has been a Science teacher here for the past 9 years. https://learn.connectionsacademy.com/south-carolina-combo/

🔗Recommended AI Tools for Educators:
🛠️SchoolAI – AI-powered chatbots for student engagement
🛠️Curipod – Interactive learning with AI feedback
🛠️Diffit – AI for differentiation in instruction

🎤MACUL 2025 – March 19-21, Detroit, MI
📅 EduGuardians will be hosting multiple sessions, including the closing keynote!
📌 Interested in meeting up? Sign up atEduGuardians5.com to join the community.

LEGO isn’t just for STEM—it’s a powerful tool for math, history, English, and even the arts! In this episode of The TechEd Clubhouse, we explore how LEGO can transform learning across every subject, making lessons more engaging, hands-on, and fun.

From using LEGO for fractions and bar graphs in math to recreating historical events in social studies, storytelling in ELA, and even stop-motion animation in art, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can use in your classroom tomorrow!

💡 What You’ll Learn:
✅ Creative ways to integrate LEGO into every subject
✅ Quick lesson ideas to spark engagement
✅ Free resources to bring LEGO learning to life

🔗 Get the full lesson plans and student worksheets here: coachthomastech.com

Overview of the Episode:
In this episode,I sit down with Katharina and Ksenia from Fobizz.com, a forward-thinking AI and professional development company based in Germany. They discuss how Fobizz empowers educators with AI-driven tools, professional development courses, and a commitment to data privacy. From practical resources like STEM GPT to innovative teaching materials, Katharina and Ksenia explain how Fobizz is revolutionizing the way educators integrate technology into their classrooms.

1. The Origins of Fobizz:

   • A women-led company, Fobizz started as a provider of professional development courses for German educators and has since expanded globally, offering tools and resources for modern classrooms.

2. AI Tools for Educators:

   • Fobizz offers specialized AI tools, such as STEM GPT and customizable chatbots, that support lesson planning, worksheet creation, and language learning.

3. Data Security and GDPR Compliance:

   • Fobizz ensures user data is anonymized, securely stored, and not used for AI model training, meeting stringent European data protection standards.

4. Practical, Hands-On Learning:

   • Courses are designed with practical applications in mind, allowing educators to implement what they learn immediately in their classrooms.

5. Free AI Certification Training:

   • Fobizz offers a free six-week AI certification program for educators, providing valuable insights into AI integration, free premium access to the platform, and a certificate of completion.

• AI in Education: Katharina and Ksenia share how Fobizz integrates AI into its tools and courses, making advanced technologies accessible and relevant for educators.
• STEM GPT Spotlight: Dan discusses his collaboration with Fobizz to create STEM GPT, a tool designed to make STEM education practical and adaptable for various subjects.
• To Teach AI Partnership: Learn about how this partnership expands Fobizz’s offerings with adaptable teaching materials and customizable worksheets tailored to classroom needs.
• Future Directions: Sneak peek into Fobizz’s upcoming collaborative features designed to enhance teacher-to-teacher sharing and innovation on the platform.

• Website: fobizz.com/en
• LinkedIn: Fobizz
• Email:
• • Katharina: katherina@fobizz.com
  • Ksenia: ksenia@fobizz.com
• Free AI Certification Registration (March 18, 2025): Details available on the Fobizz website.

For more episodes of The Tech Ed Clubhouse Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Dan Thomas on all social meda channels: @CoachThomasTech.

In this insightful episode of The TechEd Clubhouse, I sit down with Kurtis Hewson, co-founder of Jigsaw Learning, to discuss the transformative framework of Collaborative Response. Kurtis shares his experiences in education, from teaching to leadership, and how Jigsaw Learning has grown to support schools across Canada, the United States, and even Iceland and Australia. Discover how collaborative structures can help educators leverage their collective expertise to address student needs, foster professional growth, and build a supportive culture in schools.

Key Takeaways

1. What is Collaborative Response?

   • A framework to support schools in creating robust, intentional structures for collaboration.
   • Focused on leveraging the expertise of educators to maximize student success.

2. Four Layers of Team Collaboration:

   • Collaborative Planning Teams: Teachers strategize instructional practices to address trends.
   • Collaborative Team Meetings: Regular meetings to identify and solve key classroom issues.
   • School Support Teams: Cross-disciplinary teams focused on broader student needs.
   • Case Consults: Specific, student-centered discussions involving all key stakeholders.

3. Breaking Down Silos:

   • How informal conversations (like sitting at a table in the hallway) can lead to impactful, school-wide collaboration when formalized.
   • Creating a mindset shift from individual practice to collective growth.

4. Strategies for Success:

   • Building a culture of trust and curiosity where everyone is both a learner and an expert.
   • Encouraging teachers to try new practices, reflect on challenges, and adapt over time.
   • Using collaborative frameworks to make impactful practices sustainable, even as staff changes.

5. Challenges & Solutions:

   • Addressing resistance from reluctant teachers by fostering a safe and non-judgmental environment.
   • Moving beyond "one-and-done" PD sessions to sustained, systemic change.

6. Resources from Jigsaw Learning:

   • Visit jigsawlearning.ca for free resources, including an overview article, videos, and the introductory chapter of their book.
   • Explore professional development opportunities, including the annual Collaborative Response Retreat in Lacombe, Alberta.
   • Subscribe to their JL Insiders list for bi-weekly videos and insights on collaboration and school improvement.

Notable Quotes

• "Every child deserves a team." – Kurtis Hewson
• "Collaboration requires a healthy and safe level of discomfort to truly grow and learn together."
• "We’re not adding one more thing to the plate; we’re reshaping how we approach the plate itself."

Connect with Jigsaw Learning

• Website: jigsawlearning.ca
• Social Media: Links available on the website to LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Podcast: Leading Collaborative Response – Stories and strategies from schools implementing the framework.

Join the Conversation!
Have questions or thoughts about this episode? Share them using #TechEdClubhouse and tag @coachthomastech.

In this engaging episode, I sat down with Ryan Stuer, the visionary behind Magnify Learning, to discuss Project-Based Learning (PBL) and its transformative power in classrooms worldwide. They explore the essence of PBL, its impact on students and teachers, and practical strategies for implementation. Ryan shares inspiring stories, actionable insights, and Magnify Learning’s ambitious goal to make PBL the norm in education by 2051.

Key Takeaways:

1. What Is Project-Based Learning?

   • Real-world problem-solving that engages students in meaningful, authentic tasks.
   • Combines academic standards with critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.
   • Focuses on student-centered learning driven by inquiry and creativity.

2. Why PBL Works:

   • Boosts student engagement by answering the "Why do we need to learn this?" question.
   • Provides opportunities to develop critical employability skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability.
   • Connects learning to real-world applications through community partnerships.

3. Steps to Start PBL:

   • Begin with a real-world entry event to spark curiosity.
   • Incorporate workshops and lessons aligned with academic standards.
   • Involve community partners to bring authenticity to projects.
   • Conclude with public presentations to an authentic audience.

4. Practical Tips for Teachers:

   • Start small: Modify existing lessons by adding real-world context.
   • Overcome the fear of reaching out to community partners by starting with warm calls.
   • Engage reluctant students and honor students alike by fostering productive struggle.

5. Magnify Learning’s Mission:

   • "51 by 51": Ensure 51% of schools adopt PBL by 2051.
   • Provide grassroots, teacher-led training to build sustainable PBL ecosystems.
   • Launch the PBL Movement Online Community for ongoing collaboration and support.

Resources Mentioned:

• Magnify Learning Website: magnifypbl.com
• Ryan Stuer’s Book: PBL Simplified: 6 Steps to Take PBL from Idea to Reality (Available wherever books are sold).
• PBL Simplified Podcasts:

Notable Quotes:

• “The real world doesn’t have a single right answer. PBL prepares students for life by helping them navigate ambiguity and solve authentic problems.” – Ryan Stuer
• “It’s not about great teaching; it’s about great learning. What can we get our learners to do?” – Ryan Stuer
• “Community partners bring authenticity to the classroom. They inspire students and show them why their learning matters.” – Dan Thomas

Connect with Ryan Stuer:

• Website: magnifypbl.com
• Social Media: @MagnifyPBL
• Podcast: PBL Simplified (available on all major platforms).

Connect with Dan Thomas:

• Website: coachthomastech.com
• Twitter: @coachthomastech

Next Steps:

• Interested in PBL? Explore Magnify Learning’s free resources or join their PBL Movement Online Community.
• Subscribe to The TechEd Clubhouse Podcast for more inspiring conversations about STEM, education, and innovation.

Produced by The TechEd Clubhouse Podcast. Subscribe and leave a review to help us grow the movement!

In this episode of The TechEd Clubhouse Podcast, we dive into the world of Engineering Challenges with LEGO Bricks where creativity meets STEM education. Discover five engaging activities that bring the engineering design process to life, from building the tallest freestanding tower to designing snowplows and Rube Goldberg machines. These hands-on challenges foster critical thinking, teamwork, and resilience while making learning fun and memorable.

Whether you’re a seasoned STEM educator or just looking for new ways to inspire your students, this episode is packed with ideas and tips to help you integrate play and problem-solving into your classroom. Get ready to build, create, and innovate—brick by brick!

https://wakelet.com/wake/RpyU_2k8pcv23VZujhbjs

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to look back, celebrate, and set the stage for the year ahead. In this special wrap-up episode of The Tech Ed Clubhouse, we reflect on the highlights, lessons learned, and favorite moments that made this year one to remember. From playful learning strategies and AI in the classroom to exciting PBL projects and a sprinkle of golf inspiration, we’ll revisit it all. Plus, a sneak peek at what’s coming your way in 2025!

So grab your notebook—or maybe just your favorite cup of coffee—and join us as we wrap up 2024 and toast to a bright, playful, and innovative new year. See you back here on January 6!

🎧 Listen, reflect, and recharge for 2025