STEM education influences career plans

There’s a growing drumbeat regarding the need for improved STEM education --- education in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  And rightfully so. There are now over 7 billion people inhabiting this Earth --- all competing for resources, sometimes creating conflict, and certainly contributing to our collective advancement as a truly global society.

Given the nature of the STEM topics, “hands-on” programs are essential --- and there are a lot of good people doing a lot of good work developing new programs --- but mainly focusing on high school and middle school teachers and students --- with far less attention given to elementary school children.

Since there will always be a need to teach children to read --- what if we were able to teach basic science concepts, at an earlier age, in a way that is engaging, taking full advantage of our schools’ standard reading and literacy curriculum?

We know this is possible --- so we are taking a different path --- and here’s why:

1. We know that early exposure to STEM fields strongly influences career plans.

2. We also know that character development is equally important for members of a global society --- character development makes a huge difference in how children’s brains develop --- and when children use positive character traits to solve problems, conflict decreases.

3. Finally, we know that when children are in a fun, comfortable environment, they learn more quickly.

So we have created a new category of children’s books --- TheEnteleTrons™ series, in hard copy and e-book versions --- which blend both STEM topics and character education themes in a fun environment. The EnteleTrons™ are three, basic sub-atomic particles that come to life and lead young readers through adventures around the universe, teaching wholesome and scientifically-sound material.

We are now poised to expand the series, translate to different languages, and move into newer, multi-media and animation formats to enhance appeal by combining education with entertainment --- and we’re excited about the broad and long-term possibilities.

Thank you for visiting Entelechy Education… Turning potential into reality through education.

Teach your kids to THINK!

Entelechy Education, LLC looks to the future by preparing children to THINK creatively about STEM topics, language literacy, and character education.

CEOs, including Logitech's Bracken Darrell, Aetna's Mark Bertolini, Amazon.com’s Jeff Bezos, and Intel co-founder Andy Grove have emphasized how important language literacy is to a STEM education. Consider the new game Creative Connections – STEMEdition, developed by Entelechy Education, LLC. In this unique, stimulating game, children are encouraged to create connections between two or more STEM topics.  This is easier said than done, because children typically wait patiently for the teacher or parent to provide the answer, when they take too long to respond.  According to Entelechy Education, LLC c-founder Renée Heiss, our children are a generation of spoon-fed learners.  They need to be innovators and take charge of their education.

The literacy support to the STEM topics in Creative Connections – STEM Edition, appears in the second round of this card game.  That’s when players must use the connections they have created in the first round to develop a story in the second round.  Again, this is easier said than done because kids generally don’t see further than the primary function of an object.  They also generally see that item as the subject of the sentence.  Challenge the young player to use a simile or a metaphor in addition to the “creative connection” and they fail to see the “connection.” 

According to one mother of a nine-year-old, “Creative Connections – STEM Edition challenged my son to go beyond the obvious to devise unusual connections between two common objects.”  Her son agreed.  He said, “This cool game made me think! Can we play it again?” Music to a mother’s ears! 

So, how do you teach children to THINK?

Trigger the creative thought processes with a minimum of information

Harness the natural curiosity of kids with incentives to consider natural connections

Ignite their interest with a fun, challenging game or motivation

Nourish their love of STEM, language literacy, and character education with food for thought

Kindle the ability to think by offering a minimum of answers to their questions

When teachers and parents use the THINK process, they will produce children who are better able to solve problems, both intellectual and emotions.  They will produce children who are achievers and leaders rather than blind followers.  And they will produce children who will be strong, active members of their school and community. 

Are you ready to help you child THINK?  Then order a copy of Creative Connections – STEM Edition at https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/creative-connections-stem or Creative Connections - Picture Edition for nonreaders of all ages at https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/creative-connections-picture-edition   Or if you would like to receive one of these games as part of a Fundable reward, then check out your options at http://www.fundable.com/entelechy-education.  You will be able to help your own children develop better thinking skills, or you might consider donating the reward for an underprivileged child through the Care Bags Foundation.  

Help for stressed teachers

It's the end of the school year.  You have a bazillion final exams or essays to grade, many students to process through the digital grading system, several reports to file with your supervisor, and assorted signatures to secure on your sign-out sheet.  Top that with your duties at home, and it is no wonder you're stressed.  Here at Entelechy Education, LLC, we understand and appreciate the challenges you are experiencing right now, so we offer the following suggestions to ease your life:

1. Eat right - research has proven that a diet filled with fast food and carbonated beverages causes our bodies to destroy the ability to effectively deal with stress.  Instead, revise your shopping list to include whole grains, plenty of fruits and veggies, lean meats, and unprocessed foods.  In other words, shop mostly  in the perimeter of your grocery store.  But, you say you don't have time to make all that fresh food?  Consider using the almighty slow cooker!  Make a big pot in the morning by tossing in all the meat and fresh veggies.  By dinner time when you're exhausted, you'll have wholesome food waiting for your return home.
2. Meditate - Call it prayer, meditation, or downtime, but it is still an escape from everyday reality.  Ten minutes - that's all it takes to recondition your mind and body to cope with everyday stresses.  Consider finding a picture of your favorite vacation or a picture on the Internet of your fantasy vacation.  Focus on that while you slip away from reality for a while.  You'll emerge from the experience refreshed and renewed.
3. Exercise - Ah, those endorphins!  Those feel-good chemicals that block pain, and are also responsible for our feelings of pleasure. They are released with exercise.  So before you go home, run a lap around the track or head to your gym.  You'll be better able to cope with the pressures at home after a stressed day at work.  
4. Sleep - You don't think you have enough time to sleep because you have too much to do?  Think again!  You should be getting seven hours of sleep each night.  Get too little sleep, and your work becomes sluggish, taking longer to complete the task.  Get enough sleep and you become an efficient grading machine!
5. Plan - If you have those bazillion essays to grade and you have two weeks in which to get them done, then set aside time to several each day.  That makes the task more manageable and less odious.  Also plan time to spend with your support group - family and friends who care about you.  Be in the moment - don't spend time with them while you worry about clearing the clutter in your room by the end of the school year.  Enjoy your time with others - laugh, play, sing, or simply sip tea and talk (but not about work!)
6. Overlap - Try to find things you can do together,  like straightening your room while you exercise (bend over five times before you pick up that piece of paper on the floor!)  And when you plan your elementary book list for next year, add EnteleTrons™ titles because our books combine STEM topics with character education in the literacy curriculum! www.entelechyed.com/entelestore 

When you put this plan in place, you'll have a less stressed end of the school year.  Enjoy your summer and return in September ready to educate the next class of students who are eager for your words of wisdom on intellectual, social, and moral topics!