Strategies for Teaching STEM Subjects

Today, our favorite chatbot Claude has gotten an upgrade. Anthropic is going all in to create a GenAI Chatbot that is for everyone from developers to teachers with their artifacts feature. Anthropic just widely released artifacts for all Claude users across their free and premium plans, as well as in their iOS and Android apps. Artifacts is a game-changer for educators, creating a dedicated window alongside the chat where Claude takes your written prompts and turns them into interactive games, presentations, websites, etc. Claude also has made it easy to publish the artifacts, so students or colleagues can interact with the activities. Mandy DePriest, on our team at AI for Education, recently demonstrated how the artifacts feature works with a quick walkthrough of a common classroom use case: creating an interactive, digital vocabulary quiz in seconds with no code and only a few simple prompts. In our training on Monday with a district in NJ, I modeled creating an interactive game out of the popular Egg Drop Challenge STEM project, adding a Batman themed twist to help students in their mission – trust me when I tell you teachers were super excited to start building their own interactive elements. If you want to try artifacts out, here are some example prompts to get you started: -Create a webpage for a high school English class based on this uploaded syllabus (we love the upload feature on Claude) -Generate an interactive math game to help 4th-grade students master comparing fractions. Use faction bars when providing students explanations for the questions -Design an interactive game to help students' learn Newton's First Law of Motion. Include an interactive element and directions for the game -Create an interactive vocabulary quiz based on keywords in the attached file We're excited about the potential of the artifacts feature to help teachers create fun and interactive ways to engage students in the classroom. Add it to the list of the many reasons to try out Claude. Have you used Claude and the artifacts feature yet? Share your best results! Links in the comments to my game and our Claude video walk through. #aiforeducation #GenAI #Claude #teachingwithAI

Important new evidence on ChatGPT in education: Wang & Fan's (2025) meta-analysis of 51 studies shows we're at an inflection point. The technology demonstrably improves learning outcomes, but success depends entirely on implementation. The research reveals optimal conditions: sustained use (4-8 weeks), problem-based contexts, and structured support for critical thinking development. Effect sizes tell the story; large gains for learning performance (g=0.867), moderate for critical thinking (g=0.457). Quick fixes don't work. Thoughtful integration does. Particularly compelling: ChatGPT excels in skills development courses and STEM subjects when used as an intelligent tutor over time. The key? Providing scaffolds like Bloom's taxonomy for higher-order thinking tasks. As educators, we have emerging empirical guidance for AI adoption. Not whether to use these tools, but how to use them effectively - maintaining rigor while enhancing accessibility and engagement. The future of education isn't human or AI. It's human with AI, thoughtfully applied.

Learners engage better when they’re not just passive recipients of information. 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲: 🔴 Learners will quickly tune out and forget key concepts. 🔴 There’s no connection between the content and how learners will actually use it. Instead, make your training 𝘥𝘺𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴-𝘰𝘯. 1️⃣ Scenario-based learning Create real-world scenarios that challenge learners to think critically and make decisions. Example: 𝘈𝘴𝘬 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘣. 2️⃣ Hands-on practice Give learners the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned through practice exercises and tasks. Example: 𝘜𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘻𝘻𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘴. 3️⃣ Group discussions Foster collaboration and deeper learning by encouraging group conversations. Let learners share their experiences and insights in a structured way. Example: 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. 4️⃣ Branching scenarios Let learners make choices and see the consequences of their decisions. This helps them see the impact of their actions in a safe, controlled environment. 5️⃣ Reflection questions Encourage personal connection by asking learners to reflect on how the content applies to their own experiences. Example: "𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦?" 6️⃣ Simulations Replicate real-world tasks so learners can practice in a risk-free environment. Simulations allow learners to learn by doing without the consequences of mistakes. 7️⃣ Role play Get learners actively involved by having them step into different roles and practice their responses. Example: 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘱𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳. 8️⃣ Practice exercises Reinforce knowledge through repetition. Provide exercises that help learners practice and retain what they’ve learned. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒅 𝒐𝒇? ----------------------- 👋 Hi! I'm Elizabeth! ♻️ Repost and share if you found this post helpful. 👆 Follow me for more tips! 🤝 Reach out if you're looking for a high-quality learning solution designed to change the behavior of the learner to meet the needs of your organization. #InstructionalDesign #LearningAndDevelopment #TrainingTips #InteractiveLearning #BehaviorChange

🏗️✨ What if STEM learning in K–2 looked like life-sized forts with rooms you could actually walk through? In my classroom, it does... When students build big, something powerful happens: 🌟 They practice dimensional literacy—understanding space, scale, and structure. 🌟 They engage in kinesthetic learning, using their whole bodies to problem-solve. 🌟 They discover the impact of big building, where every choice matters because they can see it, touch it, and step inside it. But it’s not just about structures. It’s about collaboration and teamwork. 🤩 When 6- and 7-year-olds negotiate how high the walls should go, or how wide to make the “door,” they’re learning communication, compromise, and creativity—skills as essential as math and science. 😄 And let’s not forget: it’s fun. When students are laughing, crawling, designing, and re-designing together, they’re not just playing. They’re becoming engineers, architects, and innovators in the most natural way possible. Building forts isn’t a distraction from STEM—it is STEM. And the lessons last long after the pillows and cardboard are put away. #STEMeducation #DimensionalLiteracy #KinestheticLearning #Teamwork #K2

𝐆𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐯𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 "𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐱 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐫" https://lnkd.in/eGppX4Xi In this short video, I share a demo using 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘎𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘷𝖺𝗌 to make interactive visualizations showing 2D linear transformations, which can replace a lengthy Python script we were using for a linear algebra lesson. The idea is that students can instantly see the effects of different matrices—rotation, shear, scaling, and more—by simply adjusting values in an AI-created app. I still think engineering students need to have proficiency in computing things with vectors and matrices, e.g., using NumPy arrays to effectively apply linear algebra in engineering contexts. So, yes, we want them to work with raw code, too. But if the goal is to make abstract mathematical ideas tangible and engaging, the web app created by 𝘎𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪 provides that in one prompt. #AIinEducation #LinearAlgebra #STEM #EdTech

When should we start to teach Systems Thinking to students? Grad school, undergrad, high school? How about grade school? 🐠 New Resource Alert: A Fish Tank Story for Teaching Systems Thinking to Young Learners! 🐠 Fellow systems thinking educators - I just created something I think you'll love! I've developed a 10-panel graphic novel story about a first-grade classroom fish tank that teaches fundamental systems concepts through a narrative 6-year-olds can understand and relate to. The story follows a simple but powerful arc: • A balanced fish tank ecosystem (happy fish, clean water, healthy plants) • What happens when the system gets out of balance (too much food = cloudy water = sad fish) • How to restore balance through understanding interconnections • The "magic" of a balanced system where everything helps everything else Why this matters for our field: ✅ Makes abstract systems concepts concrete through everyday classroom experience ✅ Uses metaphors first graders understand (fish tank = tiny neighborhood) ✅ Demonstrates feedback loops, unintended consequences, and leverage points ✅ Perfect bridge between science standards and systems thinking fundamentals The story comes with discussion questions, activity suggestions, and 10 curated resources for teachers. I've been amazed at how naturally young children grasp systems concepts when we start with something they can see and touch. For those teaching systems thinking at any level - this could be a great way to introduce basic concepts before moving to more complex examples. Sometimes going back to the fundamentals helps clarify our own thinking too! Check it out: https://lnkd.in/gj_NdFV8 What do you think? Have you found other effective ways to introduce systems thinking to young learners? I'd love to hear about your approaches in the comments! #SystemsThinking #ElementaryEducation #STEM #EcosystemEducation #PedagogicalInnovation

🧪 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝟔-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬? That’s the vision Colleen Kelley, Ph.D. shares in our latest 𝙒𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙒𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨 episode — and it makes a lot of sense! Colleen Kelley, Ph.D. is the creator of 𝙆𝙞𝙙𝙨’ 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 — a comic book series that teaches chemistry through storytelling and fun illustrations. She calls it 𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 — treating chemistry’s building blocks like an alphabet kids can learn to “read” and “write” before middle school ever begins. 𝚆𝚑𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔𝚜: 🔠 𝐀𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 — finite symbols, endless combinations. 🧩 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫 — kids already learn how to combine letters to make meaning. 🧠 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 — early childhood is prime for pattern recognition. 🌎 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 — children love naming and describing their world. 🔬 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 — early familiarity makes science less intimidating later. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆. It’s about giving kids another language to explore their world — one rooted in curiosity and confidence. 🎧 𝙻𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 Colleen Kelley, Ph.D. 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎: 🟠 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤: https://shorturl.at/uLLFv 🟢 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲: https://shorturl.at/UUBqz 🟣 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭: https://shorturl.at/w8FXg #Chemistry #STEM #STEMEducation #Literacy #MolecularLiteracy #EarlyChildhood #Learning #Podcast #ScienceEducation #ScienceLearning #PlayfulLearning #Parenting #Teachers