VariQuest Blog

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

Blog Feature

Academic Subject: STEM | Academic Subject: Special Education

Makerspaces for Students With Special Needs

By: Margo Ensz
December 13th, 2014

Reposted from Edutopia.org--original article (found here) by Patrick Waters Maker education is a new school of educational thought which strives to deliver constructivist, project-based learning curriculum and instructional units. Makerspaces can be full high school workshops with a bevy of high-tech tools, or as small and low tech as one corner of an elementary classroom. What defines a makerspace isn't just the tools and equipment, but the learning that happens as students begin making and creating projects. Educators need to design these spaces to reach a diverse set of learners, particularly populations underserved in STEM subjects, and students with neurological differences, learning differences, and special needs. Makerspaces provide a number of benefits and opportunities for typical students. It just so happens that the type of learning Makerspaces promote best is also the type of learning that students with learning challenges need most.

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Academic Subject: STEM | Featured Topics: Common Core | Featured Topics: Education Policy

How does the Maker Movement "Fit" with Standards?

By: Margo Ensz
November 25th, 2014

“Although the Common Core and the Maker Movement grew from two very different places…both reflect a larger shift in how we think about teaching and learning, one that recognizes that rote testing isn’t going to prepare kids for the dynamic world ahead that will ask them to adapt to new technology and problems faster than we have ever had to.”

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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

Academic Subject: STEM | Featured Topics: Industry News and Trends | Featured Topics: Common Core | Featured Topics: Professional Development

Understanding the Maker Movement: A VariQuest White Paper

By: VariQuest Visual & Kinesthetic Learning Tools
October 13th, 2014

Did you see our last post on the Maker Movement? Still wondering what it is and what the movement's implication is for education? We created our newest white paper to answer these questions and more.

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Blog Feature

Grade Level: Primary (PK-2) | Academic Subject: STEM | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Academic Subject: Science | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Introduce Primary Students to the Scientific Method - Lesson Plan + Templates

By: Margo Ensz
April 24th, 2014

This lesson plan is part of our partnership with two super creative educators from The Curriculum Corner, bringing you free Common Core aligned lesson ideas, teacher resources, and templates you can easily print with your VariQuest® Perfecta® Poster Design System - just be sure you have the latest version of the VariQuest Software! Lesson: Introduction the Scientific Method

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Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | Academic Subject: STEM | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Featured Topics: Common Core | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Academic Subject: Mathematics | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Math Problem Solving Strategies (Intermediate) - Lesson Plan & Templates

By: Margo Ensz
April 21st, 2014

We are excited to announce our partnership with two super creative educators from The Curriculum Corner! You can expect to see more blog posts containing free Common Core aligned lesson ideas, teacher resources and templates you can easily print with your VariQuest® Perfecta® Poster Design System - just be sure you have the latest version of the VariQuest Software! Lesson: Introduction to Problem Solving Strategies (Two-Day Lesson)

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Blog Feature

Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | Academic Subject: STEM | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Featured Topics: Common Core | Academic Subject: Science | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

The Scientific Method (Intermediate) - Lesson Plan & Templates

By: Margo Ensz
April 14th, 2014

We are excited to announce our partnership with two super creative educators from The Curriculum Corner! You can expect to see more blog posts containing free Common Core aligned lesson ideas, teacher resources and templates you can easily print with your VariQuest Perfecta® Series Poster Design System or VariQuest Poster Maker - just be sure you have the latest VariQuest Software! Lesson: Review of the Scientific Method Level: Intermediate

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Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | Academic Subject: STEM | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Cutout Maker 1800 | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Academic Subject: Mathematics

Grades 6-8: Exploring Pi

By: Lindsey Graff
April 7th, 2014

Engage students with this hands-on activity that leads them to understand the formula for the area of a circle. Pi Day, 3/14, is considered a national holiday to most math instructors. To commemorate this day, or to help incorporate a tactile learning experience in which students understand the formulas for the area and circumference of a circle, use the following paper folding activity.

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Blog Feature

Academic Subject: STEM | VariQuest Tools: Cutout Maker 1800 | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Academic Subject: Mathematics

Grades K-5 Lesson: Top Ten VariQuest Math Activities

By: Julia Cremin
April 7th, 2014

In honor of Mathematics Awareness Month, the following activities provide creative ways to incorporate manipulatives into the core math instruction in your classroom.

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Blog Feature

Academic Subject: STEM | Featured Topics: Differentiated Instruction | VariQuest Tools: Cutout Maker 1800

Launching STEM Initiatives with the VariQuest Cutout Maker

By: Lindsey Graff
October 14th, 2013

Featuring Cannon Elementary: A GCSID STEM School

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Blog Feature

Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | Academic Subject: STEM | VariQuest Tools: Cutout Maker 1800 | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Academic Subject: Mathematics

Grades 9-12 Activity: Number Tricks & Algebra

By: Lindsey Graff
October 14th, 2013

Challenge students to decode the algebraic equations behind number “tricks”

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