Page 123 - Resources and Support for the Online Educator

CHAPTER 12

Connections

C onnecting with others is one of the most powerful things we

do in life; it unites us. Making connections is important for all
educators, but it’s essential for STEAM educators. By its nature,
STEAM is collaborative, and connecting with others is necessary to stay
updated on trends and developments. Great educators often have many
strong connections; we as educators depend on one other and on our
connections with people in our industry to keep our teaching relevant.

When you can connect STEAM learning with other disciplines, schools, and
educational environments, it becomes more meaningful and memorable,
but it doesn’t need to stop there; reaching out to professionals can lead to
lasting partnerships and directions for learning that we may have not envi-
sioned. Many STEAM professionals from large companies, universities, and
corporations make themselves available to educational groups and can give
students a first-person perspective. You can make connections with these
professionals through resources such as Commonwealth Scientific and
Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), National Geographic Educa-
tion’s Explorer Classroom, and Hour of Code. Conferences, symposiums,
and STEAM events are also great opportunities to connect. Professional
social media accounts can be helpful; on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram,

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