Stars, Stripes, and Sustainable Strides

July 4th, 2026 marks a memorable day: 

America's 250th birthday. 

We've all seen the snippets coming our way regarding this semiquincentennial birthday & American anniversary: patriotic parades ahead, firework events, festivals & celebrations.... and even down to sales galore at all the stores, with decor red ♥️, white 🤍, and blue 💙, and discount signs everywhere!  

I've been around long enough to lightly remember the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial. "Lightly" because I was not quite 7 years old. And now here we are.... 50 years later. 😱 If 50 is a lot, what about 1/4 of a millennium?!

Yes, 250 years is a big deal! 

Imagining back to 1776 and the era of quills, cannons, and candlelight, we've come a long way, baby! Can you imagine our forefathers even trying to fathom televisions, computers or live-streamed shows on smartphones? Then think about all that goes with all of that: from microchips to electricity to Google (or Amazon or Best Buy) to drones to satellites to AI. They wouldn't even be able to wrap their head around a fraction of all that. 

250 years of inventions and innovations have carried us far! A LOT has changed since that very first Independence Day.

Since the very beginning, we have been a nation that "shoots for the stars ⭐️." In 1776, that looked like freedom and the birth of a nation. It was centered around ordinary people breaking free from a king (or other ruler), with the idea of equality and voting for folks to shape their own future. From its inception, democracy has counted on the dynamic balance of the the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of the government. 

From there, our country soared by the way of life-changing innovations: railroads and telegraphs, light bulbs and airplanes, radios and televisions, rockets and moon landings, computers and the internet. Each invention launched us into a brighter, shinier future of possibility. 

Much like the stripes on our national flag, with each decade we see the stripes of history and the timeline of change progressing us forward. Advances in agriculture, transportation, energy, production, communication, and more moved us forward in a multitude of ways. 

Not surprisingly, along with these new solutions came some environmental and social issues that needed to be solved. Air/water/land pollution, overcrowded cities, climate challenges, and other issues became the next problems to solve. Yet again, we made strides to solve those new problems. A sweeping stripe of environmental stewardship took place with the first Earth Day in 1970 and other environmental and health protections getting put into practice, policy, and law. We see these layering stripes of progress, advancement, enlightenment, and future success sometimes layered with the dark stripes of history where we aren't always proud of our past choices. This right here is in part the philosophy backing why I became a teacher: we need to learn from our past mistakes in history in order to not repeat it. 

So as we go forward with our democracy, our nation, and all the inevitable inventions and innovations ahead, we need to make sure our future strides are sustainable ones. I tell my students all the time: we are problem solvers. So it is part of our jobs as American citizens, global citizens, digital citizens and decision makers, and future changemakers to factor in forward thinking as we go. Maybe that is in the future of hybrid or electric cars. Perhaps it is in alternative energy such as wind, solar, hydropower, or geothermal. Maybe our throwaway-culture will grab hold of a model more focused around circular design to reuse and reinvest materials. Perhaps communities could be designed with the climate in mind to help create flood-resistant cities and build in protections to help offset our warming planet in areas that are prone to heat-waves and droughts.

I'm a big proponent of small acts making a big impact. As we think about new shining star innovations as we continue to move forward in the stripes of the future, let's factor in those sustainable strides. In doing so, we can truly celebrate the longevity of our history and the distance we have traveled as a nation. Likewise, we can proudly take on an inspiring future. In doing so, it will set the precedent for our kids to watch our country grow stronger each step of the way, where one day they will take on that same challenge as adults! Let's create a fireworks-worthy celebration as we craft the best possible answer to the question: Where do we want our country to be in 50, 100, 250 years from now?

For more information about America's 250th birthday, click the first link above or go to: https://america250.org/

Images from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:America250_flag.svg, 1976 image (A float during the American Bicentennial Grand Parade in Washington, D.C. Photo via National Archives) from https://www.reuters.com/pictures/how-america-celebrated-its-200th-birthday-1976-2026-06-03/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

1776 first 4th graphic created using Perplexity.com and using this prompt: "Create a graphic image of what the 1st 4th of July might have looked like in 1776, showing the simplicity of the times. Include stars in the sky, and make sure to show the flag at the time." American Innovation graphic created using Perplexity.com and the following prompt: "Make an interesting graphic showing the progress of time with these inventions, with stars in a flag blue sky: railroads and telegraphs, light bulbs and airplanes, radios and televisions, rockets and moon landings, computers and the internet." The future "Circle City" graphic created on Perplexity.com using the bulk of the next-to-last paragraph. The Independence Day/4th of July banner created at canva.com

Are We Running Out of Clean Water?

The first line in this TED-ED video is: "From space, our planet appears to be more ocean than earth." 

We were reminded of this with some of the amazing pictures that came out from Artemis II's mission on April 1st to 11th, 2026.

Yet, water scarcity is real for many people globally. Accessibility of this water is our biggest issue, for where it is located versus where it is needed.

Watch TED-ED's "Are We Running Out of Clean Water" to learn more. Additionally, use the TED-ED's resources for both quizzing yourself and your students as well as their lesson prompts and plan.

Video from https://ed.ted.com/lessons/are-we-running-out-of-clean-water-balsher-singh-sidhu, image from https://www.facebook.com/nytimes/posts/nasa-shared-a-view-of-earth-on-friday-as-captured-by-reid-wiseman-the-artemis-ii/1337205921595201/

"Culpability" by Bruce Holsinger

I'm a reader, and I typically have one book on my Kindle, an audio book for when I'm in the car or doing chores, and sometimes even a real book to read by the pool or when tech reading devices won't suffice.

So, it's no surprise that I happened upon Bruce Holsinger’s Culpability. A 2025 release, this book is about what happens with the family who owns an AI-powered car that is involved in a crash. It is very current conceptually, and it easily drew me in from the AI/tech standpoint alone. The book had elements of artificial intelligence in many places (more than just this car), and it definitely aroused (purposely, for sure) the questions of ethics and responsibility. "Computational morality." Culpability... you could say.

Given the fact that the settings for the story are in and around the Chesapeake Bay and DC area, where I am from, there was an added pull to the book for me. A fairly quick read, it draws you in, in many ways. Elements that would have been seen as science-fiction a decade or two ago (ex: self driving cars, drones, heavy tech-saturation in everyday life), it feels a lot more like every day 2026. Especially when you are reading the book as someone who uses Gemini, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Copilot, Alexa, Siri, a Roomba, and so on.

The book gives you a lot to think about in this burgeoning world of tech innovation and AI. Especially when it comes to responsibility. Namely, who IS responsible and where exactly is that line? Not to mention, with some of these new systems, "smart devices," and "intelligent machines" out there, it somewhat begs the question of "how safe is safe enough?"

All of this makes it "not quite a beach read!" But a good read, indeed.

It left me thinking about AI policies (both for schools [given I'm a teacher] and for life, especially with our teens and preteens--but adults as well). It made me think about the iGeneration over the last 19 years with all of this tech at our disposal and what is it doing to our social side of life, our anxiety levels, our distractability, our cultural fiber. We are nearly at 2 decades of this human experiment since the iPhone's inception in 2007. I know my life is more distracted for sure! We all are enmeshed in this tech lifestyle, surrounded by these devices and systems, often putting the cart before the horse. Dependent on them yet not fully understanding the depth and breadth of how they fully impact us or how reliant we are on them. 

All of which, as with many things in life, showcases that life is not black or white... but the gray that lies between.

The last two years I've been teaching my 4th and 5th graders about machine learning and how it works. How it is reliant on the data sets that are used to train them, and how the way it works is solely dependent on the data that trains them. And there in lies the problem because we don't often have a full disclosure on what exactly the training sources are/were... and we don't know the level of bias that could be built in. 

Ethics and morality are a whole next-level conversation! My adult daughter has told me she's very glad she grew up and went to school in an era after AI. 

Culpability is a good read that definitely leaves you thinking a lot about the world in which we live. It left me thinking about the quote that often comes with AI these days: "Today's AI is the worst you will ever experience." Why? Because it is always growing, advancing, and improving--for better or for worse. AI certainly is faster and far more advanced now than the November 2022 release of ChatGPT. AI also is frequently now included and built into existing platforms (both in and out of education) and that inclusion has exploded. No one sees that stopping anytime soon. 

So....what are the governing policies going to be? What are the implications? The ramifications if anything goes wrong? Are we working with ethics, morality, and responsibility as we are building up and improving these systems (and inventing new ones). What is the culpability of all parties involved? All good questions to ask!

Images from https://www.amazon.com/Culpability-Novel-Bruce-Holsinger/dp/1954118961, https://itchronicles.com/artificial-intelligence/where-is-ai-used-today/, and https://techvidvan.com/tutorials/artificial-intelligence-applications/

20th Anniversary Earth Hour ~ March 28, 2026: Choose Your Studio, Make Your Pledge

Earth Hour is March 2026, 8:30--9:30 pm in your time zone. This year commemorates the 20th Anniversary. What began as the inaugural event in 2007 in Sydney, Australia is now marking two decades as a global, environmental movement.

Earth Hour has always been about one powerful, symbolic act: "switching off the lights for 60 minutes to shine a spotlight on our planet." Over the past 20 years (and the last decade in particular), the call has grown bigger to“Give an Hour for Earth.” This call is to highlight that what we do in that one hour can ripple far beyond the glow of an hour of candlelight. 

This year, instead of treating Earth Hour as a one-size-fits-all event, imagine a Choose-Your-Studio Night. Plan and create a 60-minute creative adventure that begins by design and ends with a plan of attack, a creative commitment, and a pledge to go forward making a difference. 

Some studios to consider... pick one, mix or match, and simply find what fits to make the most of your Earth Hour.

The point is not to “do it all” in one night. The point is to start with an entry point that feels and sounds like you. To provide you with some time for reflectionn or creativity. To help you set a realistic pledge and intention. To inspire you to keep going!  

What studio will you choose? What's your pledge going to be? And what will you be doing during Earth Hour 2026?

Earth Hour image from https://x.com/earthhour; Slideshow created by me https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-2PcXE3vsn9dBjjQAGoN4A3hcHtI5qdFRLmnf3ccO-Y/edit?usp=sharing

Floating Farms Follow-Up: Build Your Own

While building the interactive for my previous post in Canva Code, I decided to play around with the concept of creating another interactive where you could build your own floating farm. I thought this could be a great way to put sustainability & STEM thinking into action, inviting users to combine resource management mentality along with the ever-real factor of economics in order to figure out some design trade-offs. That's what innovation is all about!

So "diving in," let's get our "feet wet" and get to action building a farm of the future:

💠 Imagine you're the lead designer, with your next project being to create a floating farm. 

💠 Your job: Create a sustainable agriculture system on the water, within budget. 

💠 Your budget: $100,000.

💠 What will you prioritize? Solar panels? Hydroponic beds? Livestock pens? Community learning spaces? Everything comes with both a price tag and a purpose. Where will your eco-choices lead you? What floating farm will you build?

Click here to get a bigger version to design within.

Interactive Floating Farm Activity by Vicki Dabrowka

Build Your Own Floating Farm activity created using Canva Code: https://floaating-farm-interactive.my.canva.site/build-your-own-floating-farm

Floating Farms: A New Green Frontier

More and more, climate change and population growth are impacting everything. Including traditional agriculture.

What if the future of farming isn't on land? What if our blue planet could help us out by maximizing our waterways to help create "floating farms?" 

It's a revolutionary concept that the Netherlands have used, along with a growing number of other communities. It is helping to "turn the tide" on how we grow food. 

Floating farms are a type of agricutural system built on a floating platform designed to operate on rivers, lakes, harbors, and coastal zones. Think of it as a large scale garden on a raft. These farms often build in eco-friendly systems like hydroponics, solar energy, and use recycled water. This makes them for a closed-loop system. Additionally, it makes them well-suited for urban environments with limited space. It's a way to maximize resources and sustainability when space is at a premium. 

Floating farms help adapt to the negative effects of climate change by contending against future flooding from rising sea levels (because a floating farm would rise as the water rises). It also positions food closer to urban areas, which helps not only bring fresher food to cities but also reduces the need for transport. The alternative energy sources they use also reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, which ultimately conserves resources. This, in turn, also can aid in drought-proofing the farm due to the water reserves floating farms factor in.

Netherland's Rotterdam’s Floating Farm is a pioneer in floating farms. There they have a three-level platform complete with solar panels, rainwater collection, and robotic milking systems for their cows. As they would say, it's a mindset-shift: a "transfarmation." Check out this video (or visit their website) to learn more. (I love how they refer to the UN Sustainable Development Goals on their website. As they say on their website: "At Floating Farm we have an eye on the future, for everyone.")

Floating farms offer a wealth of eco-advantages: 

• Minimizing land use: They free up valuable land for conservation or urban development.
• Maximizing flooding resilience: This plays out especially in coastal cities where sea levels are rising. 
• Integrating renewable energy resources: Wind turbines and solar panels can efficiently power this farming grid.
• Employing circular systems: Waste is composted and put back to use.
• Serving as educational opportunities: They are learning labs of sustainability, science, and engineering in action.

Of course, as with anything (including innovative problem solving), challenges exist:

• The initial cost can be quite high.
• They can impact the aquatic ecosystem on which they are built.
• Over time, degradation happens, which can create new problems to solve.

Innovation has always depended on forging new frontiers. This could be a new foray into future thinking, serving as a way that combats the issues that traditional farming is experiencing. With luck, science, skill, and design, perhaps these floating farming platforms bobbing on the water take us one step closer to a morre sustainable and adaptable world.

For some good resources, check out these sites:

• From AP Climate News: Cows in Rotterdam Harbor, Seedlings on Rafts in India; are Floating Farms the Future? (Dec. 2023)
  
• BBC's The Return of Aztec Floating Farms (Oct. 2022)
• Emergen Research's Harvesting Innovation: The Rise of Floating Farms in Agriculture (Jan. 2024

Additionally, click through this interactive I created using Canva Code to learn more about the many parts of these floating food systems. Click here for a larger version.

Clickable Diagram of a Floating Farm by Vicki Dabrowka

Video from https://youtu.be/eIBu3sQa8j8?si=6QRLOVoT5P2E4gVA, Image created using Canva.com, interactive created using Canva Code: https://floaating-farm-interactive.my.canva.site/

Hurricane Melissa, Cat 6, Katherine Hayhoe, & What You Can Do

On Facebook, I follow Climate Scientist Katherine Hayhoe, and I have written about her many times before.*

I was particularly struck earlier this week when I saw this post from her on Sunday, October 26th. In it, she detailed the intensity of Hurricane Melissa as it was approaching Jamaica, and how this storm was one of great concern. I also appreciate the extent to which she included links to her "Global Weirding" video series. In her post, she had specific links to read for specific situations that many fit with her many critics and climate skeptics. The level of information is not only informative and detailed, but very easy to understand. It is a teaching tool. Given that, I screenshot the first part of Kathrine Hayhoe's post, and then I compiled a slide deck that includes one slide per thoughts/concern and embed the videos that correspond with each link.

Katherine Hayhoe this week has also had some interesting thoughts on if perhaps we have entered the era where we really need a "Category 6" on the Saffir-Simpson scale. This "Cat 6" would be for hurricanes with sustained winds over 192 miles per hour. It makes for good food for thought. Especially since we really have not needed that level before. However, warmer waters generate more intense storms... and hence where we are.

She also shared this graphic this week from Jeff Beradelli, WFLA-TV Tampa Bay's Chief meteorologist and climate specialist. It details the significant increase in Category 4 and 5 storms in the nearly 50 years. You cannot argue that hurricanes have intensified given this data.

At this point (on Halloween when I write this), the storm has battered Jamaica, making landfall on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 with winds of over 185 mph. The island nation was devastated by the power of Mother Nature in this record-breaking storm. The storm also tore through the Caribbean and wrecked havoc on Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and the Bahamas as well. According to this CNN article, 77% of the country was out of power at one point along with multiple deaths with all of the destruction.

If you are looking for ways to help or donate to the hurricane recovery in Jamaica, consider these resources:

• Global Empowerment Mission ​​
• Project HOPE
• All Hands & Hearts​
• GlobalGiving​
• Charity Navigator 

​

*Note: Posts I've written about Katherine Hayhoe in the past include:

• Earth Day 2025 Resources  (4-19-2025)
  
• Katherine Hayhoe's Inspirational Recommendations for Climate Content  (12-29-2023)
  
• The Six Americas  (2-16-2022)
  
• A Trio of Messengers of Hope  (2-9-2022)
  
• Eunice Foote: Foot at the Front Door of Climate Change  (3-31-2021)
  
• Climate Change, Coronavirus, & Katherine Hayhoe  (9-26-2020)
  
• Global Weirding  (7-26-2017)

Slideshow created from Katherine Hayhoe's Facebook post on 10-26-2025 and compiled her: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1MAw5X3xVtDpR8argRz_kTOgsvftvav4_Diq7CK6uR40/edit?usp=sharing, Image from https://www.instagram.com/p/C6xbBNKM7cz/ and https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1361109002252601&set=a.233252805038232

The Symbiosis of Agrivoltaics

Today's post is brought to you by Environmental Math. Why? Because there's a high usage of "+" and "=" ahead to land on environmental science.

Here's the breakdown:

• Agrivoltaics = “agriculture” + “photovoltaics” = where the same land is used for both agricultural reasons and solar energy

• Photovoltaics = solar powered technology

• Symbiosis = an interactive relationship between 2 species (typically, but not always beneficial to both)  
• Examples:
• Bees and flowers = pollination + nectar
• Clownfish and sea anemones = protection + cleaning
• Oxpeckers birds and large mammals (ex: rhinos & zebras) = tick and parasite eating + tick and parasite removal 
• Acacia trees and ants = tree thorns protect the tree + provide shelter/feed the ants
  

• Mutualism = A form of symbiosis where 2 species benefit off each other

Given all of the above, here's this math:

Agrivoltaics = symbiosis = win + win

This image is a great example of the win, win of the symbiotic relationship between humans, land, and livestock:

Check out how the land is being used in a multitude of ways: grazing grass, growing crops, housing solar panels for generating energy which, in turn, have the panels creating shade for the animals. 

Additionally...

• The shade can also reduce water loss from the land. This, in turn, helps grow and support plants (the food source for animals) while simultaneously creating less need for irrigation.
• Overall soil moisture helps increase biodiversity on the land. 
• As the sheep, goats, cows, etc graze the land, the grass is kept trimmed, reducing the need to mow.

It showcases a sharing of the land versus a competition on how to use the land. It provides a man-made version of symbiosis and mutualism. It's teamwork at its finest. Win, win, win!

Playing around with my new best friend, Canva Code, I created this upper elementary/middle school level interactive which can further help the concepts of agrivoltaics sink in. To go directly to the site to see it screen-sized or to link to it in your own classroom, click here.

Teaching Agrivoltaics and Natural Symbiosis by Vicki Dabrowka, created using Canva Code.

Eager to learn more about agrivoltaics? Here are some excellent resources:

• University of Illinois' ‘My Agrivoltaic Farm’ Game: Learning, Fun, and Sustainability — All in One or download My Agrivoltaic Farm from either the Google Play Store or the Apple Store to play a simulation game foccused on "the interaction between crops and solar panels, supporeted by the scientific research" from the U of  I to "discover how sustainable agriculture and renewable energy can work together to create a greener future."  

• Learn more at NREL's "Lighting the Way for Agrivoltaics: How NREL Empowers Communities To Capture the Benefits of Solar Energy, Agriculture, and Ecosystems" (NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for energy systems.)

• Check out Agrovoltaics 101 from the Colorado Agrivoltaic Learning Center. 

Images from Sesame Street Meme created at https://imgflip.com/memegenerator/386226374/Today-brought-to-you-by, https://www.nrel.gov/news/detail/program/2024/clean-energy-to-communities-agrivoltaics-101-resources-provide-a-guide-toward-implementation, Interactive created Using Canva Code: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGtbRufnz0/_issmFJHlqeFlQnyj4Wikg/view?utm_content=DAGtbRufnz0&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=embeds&utm_source=link

Plastic-Eating Microbes to the Rescue!

Not all heroes wear capes... nor are they all "larger than life." 

They may in fact be microscopic... and they maybe bit-sized bacteria. Bioengineered to eat their way through problems, these mini-sized superheroes are environmental problem solvers.... designed to digest plastic waste!

In an innovative twist, there is a growing field of science dedicated to the microscopic solution to a major problem: plastic pollution. Scientists are working to "genetically train" minuscule bacteria (called microbes) to break down PET plastic, which is the plastic used in soda bottles, clam-shell style plastic food containers, and synthetic fibered fabrics. 

Yes, it sounds more like science-fiction than science. 

But it is not new, and dates back to over two decades:

• In 2001, Japanese scientists led by Kohei Oda discovered a collection of bacteria at a garbage area that were degrading plastic. "Eating" it, if you will. As they consumed this plastic trash, it led to the bacteria to grow and multiply. 
• Scientific research over time led to the 2016 discovery by Kohei Oda and Kazumi Hiraga that the microbe Ideonella sakaiensis' enzymes could break down PET plastic. This in turn served as energy for the microbes.

Working in labs through research like this, scientists have discovered that they could help fast-track this process through genetic engineering. This "superpower" of science, combined with technology, helps speed up the process, helping to power through the plastic pollution problem. Of course, "speeding up" is all relative as it is currently still a rather slow process.

There's a name for this: biorecycling. It also could potentially help turn the plastic waste into new products, which ultimately saves resources down the line. Biorecycling is an emerging and growing field, so it not an overnight solution, Yet, it does open up possibilities of cleaning up oil spills, eliminating microplastics from water sources, and helping tackle hard-to-recycle materials. Additionally, with it being a new-technology, there are a lot of unknowns. Last thing anyone wants is for a solution to create new problems. Especially environmentally. (We've all seen the damage invasive species can do. Take Kudzu, Spotted Lanternflies, and Asian Carp for example.)

But it's hopeful to see a shift in the idea of "waste" as an end product. Rather than a dead end, it shifts to a "circular economy" model, transforming an item into something new rather than ending it in waste and pollution. Kind of nice to have a clean up crew of nature's tiny microbes!

Check out the clickable interactive below to learn more about how microbes can eat their way to our environmental solutions. I like the idea of having a shrinky-dink-sized clean up crew of nature's superheroes!

Click here for a screen-sized version of Microbes and How Microbes Eat Waste Digestion: Evolution and Engineering Concepts by Vicki Dabrowka

To do a deep dive into a some of the scientific research, check out these articles:

• Guardian's ‘We Are Just Getting Started’: The Plastic-Eating Bacteria That Could Change the World (9/23/2023)
• Eco-bees' Engineered Microorganisms (2025)
• University of Edinburgh's Microbes Transform Plastic Waste Into Paracetamol (6/23/2025)
• Nature Biotechnology's Plastic-Eating Bacteria Boost Growing Business of Bioremediation (9/23/2024)

Image created at Canva.com using the Magic Media tools; Interactive created in Canva.com using Canva Coding on June 23, 2025 with the following prompt: "Create an interactive HTML concept map showing how microbes evolved or were engineered to "digest" waste at a 5th grade reading level.Let students click each part of the images to reveal a short explanation." Circular vs linear economy image from https://www.facebook.com/storyofstuff/posts/pfbid0Gk9nmV5yx7vqS7jATiTxoL3arLuJo1aq7pBnPWZSdvggdUcqcwyHSWs8VQwG183Fl

Favorite Finds From FETC 2025

A few posts ago I wrote about my fabulous experience in January at FETC. 

I have been sorting through all of the amazing resources and wanted to share a list of the 25 new favorite websites and online resources--dialing in more than just my favorite sessions, but more into some of the websites I've been diving into since being at home. (I'm sure it won't surprise you the high number of AI-oriented websites. It's everywhere, including built into many teacher/school-oriented websites!)

Items with 🌟 are my personal favorites, and where I'd start if you are just toe-dipping in or looking for just a few tools to try! I most certainly haven't had the opportunity to play with them all, but am looking forward to giving them a go! (Might be a summer project!)

These are the tools I went in knowing about and have had some experience with, so they certainly get honorable mention! I get that they may not be known to everyone, hence why I included this list here!

• 🌟 Canva EDU & the Magic Media tools that are embedded in--I've written about this many times. Start here to learn more. Polls & Quizzes are new and there's an endless amount of cool tools here.

• 🌟 Chat GPT--We've been hearing a lot about this one for the last 2 years. Here's my first post on that subject. 

• Microsoft CoPilot--Think ChatGPT but the Microsoft's version.

• Curipod--Generate lessons & presentations with this classroom tool for teachers

• Khanmigo--click here to read my whole blog post on that.

🌟 Google Notebook LM

• Upload your own documents (ex: standards, operating manuals, your own notes) or website addresses and then you can use it similar to ChatGPT to ask questions off this uploaded data set--your own self-created ChatGPT
• Creates organized note summaries and adds tags for referencing
• Can generate timelines of dates listed in
• The program creates a podcast of the research and questions to assist in your own learning, so your notes literally are talking to you.
• Integrates with Google Tools
• 18 and up in terms of service so this is more of a teacher tool, but one I'm clearly very excited about!

Google Learn About

• Still experimental through Google Labs
• Brings in sources from many and includes exploration links
• Great for ready to use supplemental teaching resources on different topics

Napkin.AI

• Helps you create simple images for presentations through a drag-and-drop interface
• Works as a visual thinking tool for connecting ideas and concepts.
• The beauty of this tool is its simplicity--both in use and the images it creates.

🌟 Quizzizz

• Similar to the gamification of Kahoot but with greater capability and instant feedback
• Make quiz on anything, including pictures or websites
• Integrates with Google Classroom and other learning management systems.
• Allows for teacher reports and analytics to track student performance.
• In the free version, you can create 20 games and then delete and create more--the paid version allows for the creation of more quizzes.

Brisk Teaching

• An AI-powered lesson planning tool that aligns to curricular standards.
• Built-in tools for assessment as well as strategies to differentiate lessons.
• Integrates with Google tools and YouTube.

Gamma AI

• AI presentation and storytelling tool where you can create slides/visuals based on your prompt.
• Includes interactive elements like polls and quizzes to add in.

Magic School AI

• Tools for creating classroom materials like lesson plans, worksheets, activities, and assessments.
• Allows for differentiation and has built in interventions for students who are struggling.
• Has an AI chat integrated to assist students and help answer their questions during assignments.

School AI

• Though the name is similar to the one above, this is more of an AI integration tool for the teachers, their administrative tasks, and tracking student performance. 
• Shows insights into learning gaps or trends from the collected data.
• Free for teachers, paid subscriptions for student use

Suno

• AI music creator tool for generating original songs, narrating lessons, creating voice overs, or adding audible content.
• Has a text-to-speech generator with customizable voice options, including adding in different languages 
• The audio files can be exported for use in lesson plans or presentations.

🌟 WeWillWrite.com

• This is a social & collaborative writing game/tool--kind of like Kahoot with its gamification, but it makes writing more social and engaging.
• Students login with class code that the teacher creates.
• Point out literary elements, grammar, style, and tone in student writing. 
• Energizes writing when you need a boost

Snorkl

• An AI tool for differentiation and intervention for struggling learners
• Teachers can customize learning paths for students by the questions they upload, then set the parameter as to what type of feedback students get. 
• Depending on settings teachers create, students can go back and correct their answers.

🌟 FigJam

• With Google Jamboard gone, this is the next iteration of endless real-time collaboration whiteboard canvas for classrooms.
• It has the online sticky notes that Jamboard had, but also diagrams, templates, and other brainstorming sketch tools.

🌟 Quick, Draw! With Google

• This is great for teaching "machine learning" (the basis of how AI data sets are created), so you could argue it could go in the AI section. However, it does kind of go deeper than that. 
• It's an AI-based doodling game, making it fun to see if Google can guess your drawing.
• Gives instant feedback on drawings 
• Great way to introduce AI concepts & encourage creativity.

Teachable Machine

• A good follow up to Quick, Draw! with Google for exploring machine learning.
• Shows users how to train machine learning models through a user-friendly interface without coding but through images, sounds, or personal poses.
• Allows for real-time training and testing of their models within the browser.
• For all you tech/engineering teachers out there--you can take it to the next tech level and add a computer science component by adding arduinos or Raspberry Pi controllers.

🌟 Code.org's Ocean AI

• Coding lessons combining AI, STEM, ocean preservation, and environmental education! Go green!
• Tutorials using drag-and-drop coding make it great for beginners to see real world problem solving.

🌟 Padlet 

• Padlet has been around for awhile as a way to create collaborative visual boards as a way to share ideas, videos, and links in real time.
• Variety of board formats to choose from: grid, timeline, map.
• It now has AI components built in that include building Padlets by prompt, "I Can't Draw" AI image generators, and multimedia generators based on text prompts to help build out what you want to create.
• The paid version gets you more features and the ability to create more boards.

🌟 Helperbird Google Chrome Extension

• Use this chrome extension accessibility tool to help support anyone with dyslexia, trouble focusing, or other learning challenges. 
• Adapt fonts for readability on websites. 
• Has text-to-speech tools, tools for summarizing text, and immersive reading mode
• There is a paid version, but the free version is incredibly robust for reading and writing support.

🌟 The Achievery

• Free digital learning platform created by AT&T for K-12 covering these subjects: math, digital literacy, English language arts, social emotional learning, technology and engineering, digital arts, and science.
• Features clips from popular WarnerMedia films and TV shows, pairing lessons with standard-aligned activities.
• There are some really great lessons tied to digital literacy, AI ethics, and more.

Elementari

• Like a "chose your own adventure" for coding with kids to connect creativity with digital storytelling.
• Templates for creating interactive digital stories along with student-friendly tools for adding illustrations, animations, and narration
• Library of pre-made stories for inspiration or direct use.
• Free and paid levels are both available.

Header images from my computer! Logos from each website.

I ❤️ FETC 2025

January 14th--17th I attended FETC 2025 in Orlando--the Future of Education Technology Conference.

FETC could really stand for "Freaking Excellent Tech Conference!" I'm still swirling about all I learned in those 4 days in my mind. It took the traditionally "feels-twice-as-long month" of January and made it magical for me this year.       (It didn't hurt that we went to Universal and Hogwarts afterwards either. 😊)

Even though it was over 2 weeks ago, I'm still mentally there every day. 

My Biggest Takeaway:

This 4 day conference and the immersion with like-minded people completely renewed my energy for teaching in a way I haven't had since before Covid and the perils of pandemic teaching. (Interestingly enough, I attended FETC in 2017 & 2018, also pre-Covid!) 

So many fresh, new, inspirational, innovative ideas in education. No surprise: half the offerings were on some version of AI. I learned SO much, and it is the gift that keeps giving as I am still learning from that experience. I am loving this energetic spark!  I have so many new websites and tools I want to check out. I've been compiling the wealth of session notes from the ones I attended (and finding slide decks on the digital FETC program of amazing ones that were held when I couldn't attend because I haven't yet figured out how to clone myself). I have a growing master document that I know is going to become like my own personal edtech handbook.

My Favs:

1. Anything with Eric Curts, creator of Ctrl-Alt-Achieve. On his website he includes links to all that he shared at FETC. So. Much. Good. Learning!!!!

2. Christie Thompson-Cloud & Heather Brown's presentation "A Ravenclaw's Guide to the Latest & Greatest in EdTech" was completely engaging. Harry Potter's Ravenclaws love to learn, so what could be more perfect than a Ravenclaw-centric session in Orlando?! They followed thru the theme beautifully and I really need to go back and spend some time with all I learned from them.

3. Themes played out in other ways. 

• I attended a great Ted Lasso session called "Don't Stop Believing: Teaching Like Ted Lasso" by Janice Wintermyer, and it was by far not the only appearance in the session list by Ted Lasso.
• Another favorite thematic one was a take on the 1980s & John Hughes' films & the Brat Pack. So much in that alone to love! Ainsley Hill did a great job of blending the Brat Pack & PD in such an imaginative way with her "The T.E.C.H. Pack: Powering Up Professional Development". 
• Taylor Swift themes abounded too, like Dr. Rayna Friedman's "Be Fearless: Using AI in the Elementary Classroom." Though I'm not a total Swiftie (but I do like her music), it was a creative way to present her many, many good ideas.

4. Keynote speaker Guy Kawasaki was a true inspiration. I came home with his book Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life & Make A Difference. I haven't gotten a chance to read it yet, but it is at the top of my stack. He had 12 tips on "How to Help People Be Remarkable," starting with fostering a growth mindset and providing a growth environment. It truly was a "remarkable" talk and I adored his humor, expertise, and optimism! He has a podcast called "Remarkable People" that I also want to check out now too.

5. Another great keynote speaker was Dr. Sabba Quidwai, who talk was titled "From Classroom to Creator: Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow." Speaking on ways to thinks smarter, not harder, her talk centered on innovation, empathy, and the culture of your organization. It was phenomenal seeing a young female leader showing how innovate as an educator and tech dynamo.

6. Several sessions had tie-ins to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. I still firmly believe that innovation and technology are what we need to solve our environmental issues. I love that this was part of an edtech conference--and wish this was a larger conversation in the world. I imagine this is still something about which not near enough people know.

7. The annual ending is always a session called TECHShare Live with Leslie Fisher, Adam Bellows, and Dr. Adam Phyall III. They are hilarious and have great chemistry with each other. It was a fast action shout out on all sorts of amazing things tech out there. That right there could have been well worth the price of admission!!!

8. I was able to soak up ideas for STEAM, coding, robotics 3D printing, circuits, design thinking, maker ideas, and more to add to my K-5 Tech classes in the variety of sessions I attended. But my favorite part is that even though it's a tech conference, it's an education conference first. I think many people would be apt to think FETC wasn't for them because they as teachers, administrators, PD developers, educational leaders, or more don't "do" edtech. But WE ALL do edtech any more. In today's day and age--in 2025--we all use technology, therefore this conference would be engaging for everyone. 

As for my favorite new edtech tools.... More on that in a later post!!

UN Sustainable Goals image from https://sdgs.un.org/goals, Control-Alt-Achieve logo from https://www.controlaltachieve.com/p/edtech-links-of-week.html, and all other images from my camera from FETC, Jan 14-17, 2025

Brave New Words: Sal Khan's Take on AI

Like I mentioned a few posts back, I'm knee deep in books lately. Here's another one that really got my teacher brain thinking.

Salman Khan, creator of Khan Academy, released "Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (And Why That's a Good Thing)" at the start of this year. I really enjoyed this one as an audiobook given that it was read by author Sal Khan. In a lot of ways, it was like listening to him detail one of his Khan Academy videos.

I've read a number of books and articles on artificial intelligence as well as attended several webinars since the release of ChatGP--exactly 2 years ago on November 30th, 2022. Not to mention, I've used AI quite a bit and written about it a number of times (see here and here). Similarly, I love the "Magic Tools" of Canva. I've also played around a bit with Khanmigo, (which is free to teachers), and which Sal Khan discusses quite a bit in Brave New Words. The Khanmigo for Educators tutorial to learn how to maximize Khanmigo as a digital teacher assistant is excellent.

It's no question that AI is here to stay, and I've heard it said that the AI of today is the slowest you will ever experience. Anyone who has used artificial intelligence in the last 2 years would probably NOT use the word "slow" to describe it.

In Brave New Words, Sal Khan continues the conversation that Richard Culotta had in his book Digital For Good: we can maximize technology in so many ways. Khan discusses the importance of using AI for personal learning that's available 24-7 for people. Through Khanmigo, the AI has been set up to ask questions along the way to build engagement and deepen the learning through the chat--where the chat asks questions as a way to have the user grow on their own knowledge. Yes, AI has limitations in that there are risk biases built into the data sets, and it can create over-reliance on a machine (which lacks emotional intelligence) versus human connection. Then there is the thought that many students have learned how to use it to shortcut their learning and thinking process because they essentially are using it to cheat. 

But Sal Khan's conversations in the book focuses on how to use AI as a tool. It is our role as educators to teach our students to use it in a way that can have real meaning. It can serve valuable purposes in automating repetitive tasks and upping one's productivity. AI can also be used to accelerate certain skills like brainstorming which in turn helps people deepen their own learning. In his book, Khan details several exchanges with AI in Khanmigo where the user can have interactive conversations when the AI assumes a role as a historic figure such as Harriet Tubman or Abraham Lincoln, or literary character Jay Gatsby. The AI is programmed to continually remind the user that it is, in fact, generative AI. Yet it also creates a power of engagement and enhancement for the learner. His book is excellent for leading teachers to think about ways to innovate in the classroom and re-think education and our role in it.

Check out Sal Khan's article "What Khan Academy’s Founder Thinks About AI in Education" in Next Big Ideas Club to learn more about his book. 

Or, see what Bill Gates has to say in his article "Sal Khan is Pioneering Innovation in Education…Again: 'Brave New Words' Paints an Inspiring Picture of AI in the Classroom" in Gates Notes. 

Or watch his 15 minute TED Talk here.

Image from https://www.amazon.com/Brave-New-Words-Revolutionize-Education-ebook/dp/B0CFPJ2FB1/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZL4f2k-1SGJYHfHGBQCC8Z8ItW_iE0UX2NuoMU62WIp93s378Jxhu27cQz-gee1pFSsJj1FBeGR0EGCL4kTP2T1NSe1AYdmjVVl56QElfLtKzhDA1oBckIkp-Ls2HR8rtAaNtF6RhSo-XpLeoAR_uWigEtWrlFeMbtNcPHfgGyVz2RdNF9WfOR2G_qQ6m1jxmMlN9u26iLxRT0wjwzo2nRAeJzNif3VFXTtlAWYo_mE.3jD5ENMNIk2ZMJMIE9D67H2fz8_z_x4Q4I_G0RnONxA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Salman+Khan&qid=1732370616&sr=8-1 and https://excelined.org/2023/09/20/sal-khan-returns-to-eie23-artificial-intelligence-the-future-of-education/video from https://youtu.be/hJP5GqnTrNo?si=VNecyD_CMwLq2NSF