June 2018

Greetings to all during this Summer Break!




Looking forward to continuing to share more posts about 
English Learners, 
STEAM, 
HAST, 
and other educational issues and events.



Thank you for visiting MRCR Education.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

August 2017

Students get ready to head back to school.

Gone are June and July.

August now leads to a brand new school year.

Welcome back to the start of the 2017-18 school year!!!

To make things even more exciting, students will be fortunate enough to start school with a Solar Eclipse!

Right of the bat, educators are presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to start the school year.  A chance to reach across cultures and traditions from the beginnings of human civilization, and study every strand in STEAM, through this cosmic phenomena.

A way to reach out to the parents and family friends of students for involvement and participation in the educational process for this year.

California also awaits the release to the public of the 2017 CAASPP results.  The state's third year assessment should provide educators a clearer, more accurate view, of student progress and performance, as schools continue to work on preparing a leading workforce for the 21st century and beyond.

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone: Students, Teachers, Parents, Principals, Support Staff, and all who make education a priority, an amazing and wonderful 2017-18 school year!

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2017.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Defining STEAM Education

Scientific Principles
Leads to the Development
Of new Technology.

Technological Innovations
Improve Efficiency
In Engineering.

Engineering Design
Allows for the
Creation of Art.

Artistic Expression
Can Communicate
Abstract Ideas.

Mathematical Analysis
Of Data Models
Improve Science.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2016.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

STEAM Education

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics)

STEAM is an approach to education that integrates the core knowledge and skills in the areas of: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics.

The standards in these strands allow a student's learning to grow and develop across all areas so they can solve problems, with creative solutions, in collaboration with classmates, and the guidance of their teachers.

STEAM can be designed to be flexible, creative, innovative, and disciplined through the use of project based & blended learning, or hands-on approach to real-life applications.

For STEAM education to succeed, it should be fully supported by students, parents, educators, and community leaders.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Reaching out to Parents on STEAM

What is STEAM Education?
  
Most educators would surely be able to, if not answer this question, talk about it with some understanding of it.  Some students would also be able to speak about STEAM to some extent, as they may be participating in such programs at school.  Elected officials, community and business leaders are also becoming increasingly aware of STEAM and the role it is playing in education and employment.

• But how aware are parents of STEAM education?
• Do they truly understand what STEAM is, the effect it is having in education, and how it will help their children with both future education and employment?
• Do parents assume because this is one of the current buzz words of today, that STEAM has been automatically been implemented in schools?
• Have we, as educators, done enough to reach out to parents on STEAM, and made sure that they are well informed on what is being done at all levels of education, and beyond, with regard to the implementation of STEAM education into everyday activities in school?

It is important that we reach out to parents and share with them the benefits that STEAM brings to the student, the classroom, the school, and the community. Without the support of our parents, STEAM would be missing a key component in its implementation.  As educators, we should do all we can to make sure that we are reaching out to parents.

Here are a few ideas on how educators can reach out to parents and make them aware of the importance of STEAM:

1. Talk to parents.  It is still the best way to communicate.  Educators can engage with parents and inquire if they know or have heard of STEAM education.
2. Encourage students to share with their parents how STEAM plays a role in their education, and how the classroom is acquiring knowledge in STEAM and developing the skills required.
3. Host a STEAM event at your school, where students share some of the work they are doing, and how it relates to STEAM.
4. Invite parents to attend open forums, discussions, trainings, seminars, etc. that are design to share information on STEAM, its benefits, and applications in school and work.
5. Utilize social media to share updates, classwork, reference material, and other information that can engage parents into becoming part of the conversation of STEAM in schools, education, and careers. 

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

5th Annual STEAM Colloquium

On January 30th, 2015, the Contra Costa County Office of Education hosted the 5th Annual San Francisco Bay Area STEAM Colloquium.

MRCR Education attended this event for the third consecutive year.  It was, once again, a successful event, planned by Hilary Dito STEAM Coordinator at the Contra Costa County Office of Education.

Assembly Member Susan Bonilla
Addresses Attendees at the
5th Annual STEAM Colloquium.

From the continental breakfast, to the keynote speaker, breakout sessions, lunch with Assembly Member Susan Bonilla, and STEAM resource gallery & fair, the colloquium was filled with information, resources, and inspiration, for the attendees.

There were hands on activities, the latest information on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) & Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS), and lots of creative ideas, lesson plans and curriculum being implemented by schools and districts throughout the Bay Area.

Christine Lee talks NGSS
at a  Breakout Session.

MRCR Education would like to thank the Contra Costa County Office of Education and congratulate Hilary Dito for putting together such wonderful event.

We look forward to the 6th colloquium next year and hope to be once again a part of this event.  Listed below are some of the resources in attendance at the colloquium.  Please feel free to contact them and ask how you can collaborate with them in making STEAM education a part of everyday education.

Participants engage in "Volcanos
and the art of Student Sense-Making"

Partial list of participants in the 5th Annual San Francisco Bay Area STEAM Colloquium resource fair and gallery:

• Academy of Art University
• Art in Action
• Astronomical Society of the Pacific
• California Coastal Commission
• CalRecycle
• Community Resources for Science
• Diablo Valley College
• Industry Initiatives for Science & Math Education
• Integrated Middle School Science Project
• Peopleology
• Tynker
• UC Davis C-STEM Center

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator & Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.