Education Resources Blog

VariQuest Blog

The VariQuest Visual and Kinesthetic Learning Suite Blog contains resources on classroom ideas, lesson plans, industry news, events, and offers throughout education.

Geena Maharaj

Blog Feature

Academic Subject: STEM | Featured Topics: Industry News and Trends | Academic Subject: Science | Academic Subject: Mathematics

STEM vs. STEAM—Which One is it?

By: Geena Maharaj
January 9th, 2017

16. 17. 25. What do these numbers mean to America? Federal reports show only 16% of high school seniors in the US are interested in pursuing a career in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math). Our students rank 17th in science achievement and 25th in math ability among industrialized nations. Couple that with the fact that “the demand for scientists and engineers is expected to increase at four times the rate for all other occupations,” and it’s no wonder why the topic of STEM is the talk of town. America’s face palm can be heard internationally, but its sting hits close to home, starting with schools. But are four letters enough to encapsulate the issue?

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VariQuest Tools: Trifecta 800 3D Printer | 3D Printing | Trifecta™ 800 3D Printer

A Tale of Two Entities: a Girl & a 3D Printer

By: Geena Maharaj
September 1st, 2016

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of 2D art, it was the age of 3D models. Okay, maybe this story doesn't share the poetic eloquence of Dickens' silver-tongue-take on the French Revolution, but it is indeed a tale of a girl's goal being fulfilled by her grit, her moxie, and Trifecta™ 800 3D Printer.

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How to Write a Grant eBook

How to Write a Grant eBook

This helpful guide includes an explanation of the grant process, including a checklist (with samples!), and useful links and resources to find funding!

Blog Feature

Education Policy | STEM | Academic Subject: STEM | Featured Topics: Funding | Funding

The Billions Behind STEM

By: Geena Maharaj
August 29th, 2016

"In the coming years, we should build on that progress by...offering every student the hands-on computer science and math classes that make them job-ready on day one." -President Barack Obama, 2016 State of the Union Address It's no secret that there's money in STEM. With related jobs in higher demand than ever before, these fields offer a lucrative career path for interested individuals. But when only 51% of US school districts are cognizant of the $7 billion behind STEM, therein lies the secret that merits promulgation. Billions. That's nine zeros. Before the decimal point.

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Differentiated Instruction | Student Engagement | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Project-based Learning | student achievement

VariQuest Opinion Writing Unit for Intermediate Classrooms

By: Geena Maharaj
August 2nd, 2016

We're at it again, and just in time for the start of the 2016-17 school year! In partnership with The Curriculum Corner, VariQuest® brings you the Opinion Writing Unit for Intermediate Classrooms.

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Lessons/Activities/Templates | Student Engagement | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download | Project-based Learning | student achievement

Get Hands-On in VariQuest's Punctuation Writing Resource

By: Geena Maharaj
July 10th, 2016

Q: What do you get when you cross a writing-intensive workshop with visual and kinesthetic learning? A: VariQuest's & The Curriculum Corner's Punctuation Writing Unit In conjunction with The Curriculum Corner, VariQuest Visual & Kinesthetic Learning Tools has developed a punctuation unit of study focused on primary classrooms. Punctuation is a unit that should be taught within the context of real writing, and can be very effective when presented within the framework of a workshop model. However, more hands-on activities that accompany direct instruction can certainly help to increase student engagement and retention for young learners.

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Perfecta | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400

Last Year's Perfecta Winner at ISTE: Maggie Helck

By: Geena Maharaj
June 24th, 2016

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) boasts one of the largest ed tech conferences in the nation, drawing from 16,000 educators across the globe for professional learning, collaborative networking opportunities, and of course, some big prizes.

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Education Policy | STEM | Maker Movement | Featured Topics: Education Policy

Top 5 Ed Topics of 2015/16 School Year

By: Geena Maharaj
May 8th, 2016

The 2015/2016 school year was one for the books (an open-educational-resource book, that is). With the federal government embracing a rather laissez-faire approach toward education, with the student learning experience shedding its spectator skin for a more "doing" dermis, and with the virtual world continuing to grow in opportunities (for better or for worse), VariQuest has highlighted the top 5 topics in education.

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Education Policy | Featured Topics: Industry News and Trends | Featured Topics: Education Policy

Every Student Succeeds Act: What We Know Today

By: Geena Maharaj
February 23rd, 2016

The whole one-size-fits-all (OSFA) notion has never been my cup of tea. It's a rare occurence, but coming across the seemingly perfect maxi dress that turns out to be OSFA is a day-ruiner when you're barely tall enough to go on big kid roller coasters. Now take this cookie-cutter attempt to K12 education heights, and that's school years worth of day-ruiners for principals, educators, parents, students, the like.

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Professional Development | Featured Topics: Professional Development

NEW! Strengthen Your Instruction with VariQuest Professional Development

By: Geena Maharaj
February 11th, 2016

"I see and I forget. I hear and I remember. I do and I understand." -Confucius Little did Confuscius know that his belief would be the root of many pedagogical truths, even thousands of years later. This very belief, that poetically explains the reasoning behind whole-brain learning, is what VariQuest has decided to dive into for the launch of our brand new professional development offering.

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Lessons/Activities/Templates | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities

Black History Month Activity

By: Geena Maharaj
January 29th, 2016

Celebrate Black History Month by discussing important historical figures with this VariQuest middle school activity! Download your free poster pack by clicking the images below!

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