Get Ready for Some FUN!!! PARTY!!!!

Put this on your calendar! On Saturday November 7 from 4pm to 7pm EST* we will have a Biome4Kids party. There will be meeting others, learning, a building exhibit (kind of like a competition but not), and other fun activities. I plan on having some new avatars available then - it's a secret - not telling you what. If you are a teacher in B4K find some kids to bring in! Make sure to fill out an application so I know who is who.

* be sure to convert to your timezone.

Kids Learning about Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources

Amy Pihlainen's (Elsie Ocello) 8th graders of the Au Train-Onota school built demonstrations of renewable and non-renewable resources on Imaginaria the did live presentations. Laura Briggs (Cyndyl Enyo) and I were able to be online just at the right time and watch the presentations. The building was impressive and the students' knowledge even more so.

I gave a Webinar yesterday for the ISTE (International Society for Technology Education) Mobile Learning Network Mondays Mini-Conference about Biome4Kids. It went well and there are more people interested now from across the US. I am hoping to get more people involved so kids can meet kids and the collaboration can lead to more learning and interaction. You can see the recording HERE.

I am changing the subtitle from "Learning Science..." to "Learning..." since we now have a social studies island (Werowocomoco) and hope to soon have a literacy island created by a teacher in Wisconsin with help from any other teachers interested (and kids of course).

The Deerton kids have been building projects concerning on renewable and non-renewable resources on Imaginaria. I was trying to move the food web to Biosphere but kind of messed it up. I have to work on it.

On another note I am converting Seaborgia to an additional building island since that seems to be what we need.

I am also updating my times online so you can count on me being there. I hope to see you soon. Clowey :)

I'm at NSTA in Chicago. There have been quite a few teachers visiting Biome4Kids. I realized I have to do something to make getting an avatar easier. So I made "Magical Invisible Eyes" to put on first. Then you can just put on the avatar folder. There's instructions in the log cabin.

Also, I am scheduling some welcoming tutorials for people who might be hesitant to try it on your own. Check the calendar for dates and time. The tutorials include a How-to-get-started one-on-one session and a tour (if so desired). Be sure to contact me via email or fill out the application in here so I can meet you and invite you to the group. Remember, Biome4Kids is for kids (in or out of school) and teachers only.

Finally I need some kids to volunteer to meet me after school or on a Saturday as part of a "Think Tank". I want a variety of ages, a variety of geographic areas, and a variety of interests to create ideas for teaching science (or other topics) in Biome4Kids. Have the kids email me at clowe@nmu.edu if they are interested.

The Deerton kids (7th and 8th graders) are building a food web! Below are some pictures of the animals they have built so far. The red cones are parts of arrows that will show the flow within the food web. For now it is on Imaginaria but will eventually be moved to Biosphere to be shared. The open-sided building it is in is called the Life Science Museum and was the idea of one of the students.

Wow, great presentation at the Michigan Science Teachers Association conference in Grand Rapids on Saturday! There was standing room only for Real Kids, Virtual Critters & Amazing Science. I am excited to see some of you teachers come visit! Also, get your own kids in and let them tell you what they think.

If you are here from the conference, please contact me or just log in. I am in Biome4Kids now and have several times scheduled this week while I am on break. The calendar is on this page. You can contact me via email clowe@nmu.edu, twitter CloweyGreenwood, or post a comment here.

You can also find me on Facebook as Carolyn Crouse Lowe and/or join our Facebook VIBE group of virtual world educators.

I'm working on updating the instructional Prezi - the link will work the same. It is very simple to get started. There are three steps - make an account, fill out an application on this website, download and setup the program interface (Singularity Viewer) and log in. Then you get to play with it. You can't break it and it won't break your computer. And it is fun AND educational. NOTE: it works on PCs, Linux or Mac but does not run on iPads or Android. There is an Android app (Lumiya) that works for a low-tech approach - no real interaction with the environment or building - but you can chat and see somewhat. It works great for meetings when you cannot get to a computer.

Finally I will be in Chicago for the National Science Teachers Association next week. Let me know and we can meet up there.

Lots of news right now. Lots of new teachers and preservice teachers (people just finishing up their college education to be certified as teachers). Lots of new kids too. Lots of building going on.

I have set up some times when I will be logged in and you can come visit with me. If you haven't been invited to the group you will need to be sure I do that.

The volcano has been enlarged and upgraded - must be some very strong plate tectonics going on.

Hope to see you soon!