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

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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Perfecta | Professional Development | Student Engagement | Poster Maker 3600 | STEM | Maker Movement | Featured Topics: Professional Development

What Happens in the Brain When Students Collaborate?

By: Melissa Hughes, Ph.D.
July 22nd, 2016

This post has been republished with permission from Dr. Melissa Hughes, a curriculum and instruction expert. In partnership with Dr. Hughes, VariQuest delivers professional development webinars to valued educators. To learn more about this offer, visit our professional development page. The Maker Movement, as it’s called, is finding its way to more and more classrooms today. STEM and STEAM initiatives have promoted a learning culture that flips the priority from the consumption of information to the production of innovative and creative meaning. According to some educational experts, the Maker Movement could actually be the impetus for the next industrial revolution.

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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 | 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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STEM | VariQuest Tools: Cutout Maker 1800 | Academic Subject: Science | VariQuest Tools: Trifecta 800 3D Printer | 3D Printing | Trifecta™ 800 3D Printer | Kinesthetic Learning

Cover Next Generation Science Standards with Help from VariQuest

By: Geena Maharaj
November 12th, 2015

I remember how fascinated I was by Morse code when I first heard about it as a young fry. I can only imagine the proverbial lightbulb (well, probably a candle at that time) that went off in Samuel Morse’s mind as he came up with the idea for nonverbally telecommunicating with others. No offense Sam, but boy, finger tapping conversations have come a long way.

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Blog Feature

STEM | Academic Subject: STEM | VariQuest Tools: Trifecta 800 3D Printer | 3D Printing | Trifecta™ 800 3D Printer

What Schools Will Gain from 3D Printing

By: Geena Maharaj
October 19th, 2015

The 80s were revolutionary in a number of ways. Big hair, neon aerobic garb, and the King of Pop made headlines. But in the realm of educational technology, the personal computer stole the show. Today, we’re experiencing a similar revolution. Setting aside the popularity of man buns, boho chic wear, and unfortunately, “Beliebers”, the edtech world is again taken aback by cutting-edge technology. PCs, time to make room for 3D printers.

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Blog Feature

Education Policy | Student Engagement | STEM

Soledad O'Brien at ISTE 2015: "Technology for technology’s sake is a complete waste."

By: Geena Maharaj
July 6th, 2015

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Blog Feature

STEM | Featured Topics: Professional Development

The Maker Movement: Supporting Teachers

By: Margo Ensz
November 5th, 2014

The Maker Movement is, we admit, a buzz-worthy phrase, but it is a movement that has the power to truly transform education and learning. After President Obama hosted the first ever White House Maker Faire this summer, more schools are working to implement maker spaces in their own halls.

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