Spotlight on Pittsburgh!

The MacArthur Foundation’s Spotlight on Digital Media & Learning shines on Kids+Creativity!

It’s an exciting day when the Kids+Creativity Network lands its first feature on the influential blog Spotlight on DML! Covering the origins and growth of the network from an impromptu discussion over breakfast at Pamela’s to the more than 200-member group of innovators and educators that make up Kids+Creativity today, the folks at Spotlight on DML have done a great job introducing their international readership to Pittsburgh.

Network News

August is Connected Educator Month

Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, declared August to be a month of celebration for all connected educators. It serves as a time to support and celebrate connected educators’ goal to form a connected and collaborative education experience for all students. Visit the official site to learn more.

Ed Startup 101 Begins this Month

Short for Entrepreneurship in Education, Ed Startup 101, begins at the end of this month and continues until mid-December. This massive, open, online course is designed to assist entrepreneurs in the planning and implementation stages. Registration is now open, but hurry, others have already signed up!

Twitter Partners Up to Promote Girls in STEM

Twitter recently announced its partnership with Girls Who Code, an organization that focuses on introducing technological and engineering fields to high-school level girls, specifically computer sciences. Through this partnership, an 8-week program was created and held in New York to encourage girls interested in STEM to pursue a STEM education. Read more about Twitter’s support of girls in STEM here.

YOUmedia Expands

The YOUmedia model is expanding out of Chicago to cities across the country. In just three years, the once radical idea of putting creative media tools in the tween and teen sections of public libraries has become a no-brainer. Read about how the MacArthur Foundation’s Digital Media & Learning Initiative brought YOUmedia to life. Interested in building your own YOUmedia learning lab? Check out the YOUmedia Toolkit!

Elsewhere on the Web

Curiosity Mars-Rover Lands Perfectly

Curiosity touched down on Mars at 1:30am on Monday morning, taking the US one step closer to finding life on Mars. NASA experts say that the complex landing was completed flawlessly, and photos were soon transmitting back to Earth. Read about Curiosity’s incredible journey on National Geographic.

Sparking Curiosity Among Future Scientists

The story of Curiosity brings us one of those touchstone moments that can ignite renewed interest in science, technology, exploration, and learning in children and youth. From teenager Clara Ma, who’s winning essay gave Curiosity its name, to the hullabaloo surrounding Mission Controller Bobak Ferdowsi (the NASA Mohawk Guy), the success of Curiosity’s mission is a reminder of how exciting and inspiring science can be!

Obama’s Master Teacher Program Excludes New Yorkers

New York educators and students are ineligible to reap the benefits of President Obama’s Master Teacher Program due to a clause in the educators’ union contract with the state. Forbidding teachers to pursue the $20,000 bonuses threatens to hinder teachers’ motivation, and in turn hinder students’ education experience.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, August 11: The Literary Arts Boom: Movable Type – Kinetic Poetry

Head over to The LAB this Saturday to participate in the first section of a 2-part workshop. Participants will be designing world-centric t-shirts. Part 2 will take place on the 18^th and entails participants showing off their new duds as they configure themselves in different ways transforming themselves into kinetic poetry. Register for both parts of this workshop today!

Monday, August 13: Constructing Identity – Paper Mache, Part 2

The Pittsburgh Gay and Lesbian Community Center, along with local artist Scott Andrew, will be continuing the Constructing Identity workshop series this coming Monday with Paper Mache, Part 2! Participants can further develop their ideas and skills at this workshop.

Wednesday, August 15: Last Call for Makers! Get your Applications Submitted!

Wednesday, August 15^th is the final day to submit maker applications for the Pittsburgh Mini Maker Faire in late September. This call for makers completes the two round series of applications, and promises to provide outstanding participants for the faire. Be sure to get yours in on time to ensure you get in on the action!

Monday, August 20: Constructing Identity – Fabric, Ribbon, Plastic, Paper, Tape

The PGLCC will continue their summer workshop series with local artist Scott Andrew at this evening workshop involving making garments with materials that can be cheaply and easily conceptualized. Occurring on Monday evening, August 20^th, this is the sixth event in the summer series.

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