- by Christy Brewer, Teach Green Editor
I’ve had the pleasure of working behind the scenes with Eden Litt on the GM Education project, which includes this Teach Green blog. So, as Eden moves on to pursue her doctorate, we all wish her well, and know that we’ll see her again soon.
As I take over as editor of the Teach Green blog, I figured I had better introduce myself! I had always wanted to be a teacher, but by circumstances, it has never truly happened. I earned a degree in public relations, and embarked on a career just as “the web” was becoming mainstream. And, of course, I gravitated to educational uses: Creating the first web-based catalog of lesson plans available on Internet-accessible databases. Educating school boards and community leaders on how Internet access gives students access to digital learning resources. Showing teachers how to use web browsers and email.
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A couple years back I ventured to Ecuador to absorb the sites and sounds of South America as a volunteer teacher at a local university. While I will never forget staying up late at night to watch the local volcano erupt or grabbing a pan de chocolate on my way home from school each afternoon, I will also find it hard to forget the struggles of living in a place that lacked the technology I’ve grown so accustomed to as a digital native.
Upon my return to the States two years ago, the only prerequisite to my future career path was one that involved technology. I didn’t care who it was with, what I was doing, as long as it involved something innovative and technologically advanced. To make a long story short, I ended up where I am now, working at MS&L helping General Motors run its education website where I’ve been able to combine my passions for technology, education and children. Read the rest of this entry »
During the second and third week of camp, we began to introduce tools and machines. We wanted to give students a simple modeling project that would ease them into their use of the equipment and our safety rules and procedures.
Our design challenge was to brainstorm an innovative edible candy or sweet treat that could be marketed and sold in stores. The final prototype would be an over-sized model of the product, built out of foam, painted with acrylic paints and hung from the ceiling of the room by fishing line! Luckily, I ran into a very accomplished entrepreneurer over the summer, named Bridget Graham, who happened to have her own business along these same lines. Read the rest of this entry »
Last week I had the opportunity to travel to New Jersey to accept an award that GM won for its work with none other than…Teach Green!
The New Jersey Technology Education Association (NJTEA) presented the award to GM Thursday night at an award ceremony with educators from all over New Jersey. Each year, the organization awards an individual, institution and/or government official who “made a notable impact through their virtuous support for students and/or educators in technology education…and have a proven track record of advocating the benefits of technological literacy for all students in New Jersey schools.” This year GM won the Impact Award for its work with Teach Green! Read the rest of this entry »
Paul Fryzel, supervisor of plant and industrial engineering at the Flint Metal Center, talks with Dillon students about what waste can be recycled, re-used or reduced.
For the last eight years, UAW and GM representatives from the Flint Metal Center have visited Dillon Elementary School to talk about how students there can do their part to protect the environment.
A couple weeks ago, the Flint Metal Center team, which included some personnel from Flint Engine South and Flint Assembly, walked three third-grade classes through the process of how we separate oil from water before sending the water on to the city of Flint for further treatment. Read the rest of this entry »
Students were challenged to research, design, build and test creative footwear made only of recycled materials. The hardest part about the activity was that they had to make their prototypes functional, meaning in theory, they would be able to wear the shoe around school for a week without it falling apart. Read the rest of this entry »
Hello teachers!
The electrification of the automotive industry is taking shape and you may have a future award-winning engineer sitting in one of your classrooms! We want to invite you and your math and science students to come touch, see and learn about the growing electric vehicle industry at a free public event on Wednesday, October 21, from 1 to 3 p.m. in Detroit, Michigan.
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To celebrate Earth Day this year, GM Education held its first live web chat in partnership with Greenopolis, where students, teachers and the public had the chance to ask questions of advanced technology vehicle expert Dr. Christopher Borroni-Bird. More than one hundred people showed up for the live chat. Read the rest of this entry »
What kinds of cars will we drive in the future? What fuel will they use? What infrastructure will they require?
What will our children demand for their tomorrows?
In honor of Earth Day, GM Education and Greenopolis have teamed up to bring a unique opportunity to classrooms around the country and to the general public – a live web chat about the future of transportation and sustainability with GM Director of Advanced Technology Vehicle Concepts, Dr. Christopher Borroni-Bird. Read the rest of this entry »
Welcome!
The inspiration for this forum for teachers comes from the Live Green Teacher Grant Program, an initiative sponsored by General Motors and Discovery Education to award and encourage classrooms engaging in lessons on sustainable resources and emerging technologies. This section of GM Education was created as a gateway for the Live Green teachers and all “green” educators to share their lessons, experiences and inspirations. Our goal is to educate. To inspire. To, well, live green. Read the rest of this entry »
