MANSFIELD, PA – Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, in partnership with BLaST Intermediate Unit 17, will host a showcase of new educational resources and technologies made available to educators of the region. The Innovative Instruction Showcase will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Kelchner Fitness Center on the campus of Mansfield University. The event is free to all teachers and is a featured component of a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s PAsmart program.
According to event coordinators, the Innovative Instruction Showcase is intended for all who teach – teachers in public and private schools, and community educators. It is an opportunity for educators to view and learn about the new items purchased for the Innovation Lending Library of the BLaST IU 17 and resources being used in the region’s K-12 schools by STEM faculty of Mansfield University.
An enhanced and expanded STEM library will be coordinated by BLaST for the Northern Tier school districts. The Lending Library consists of tools and kits of CS/STEM resources that can be borrowed and incorporated into the classroom currently. These hands-on activities are an innovative way in which the IU has made CS/STEM equipment accessible to all teachers within BLaST IU 17 school districts. The Showcase will introduce and demonstrate ways to incorporate the latest innovations in classrooms of all types.
An outreach program involving STEM faculty of Mansfield University will allow University faculty and students to provide custom presentations and fieldwork that integrates and enhances primary and secondary instruction with post-secondary experiences and makes the pursuit of STEM-related studies and careers more real for children and youth.
In addition to demonstrations of new technology and educational resources purchased through the assistance of the PAsmart program, the Showcase will feature details about the ways to access Innovation Library resources, schedule university faculty to present in local classrooms, professional networking, self-exploration, and raffles of instructional materials.
The Showcase and the PAmart project are under the direction of Dr. Jennifer Demchak of the Mansfield University Geosciences Department. Dr. Demchak, along with BLaST leadership and Mansfield University faculty, responded to the invitation to partner on this innovative programming, and welcome all those involved in STEM-related instruction to attend the Innovative Instruction Showcase at the University on September 7, 2019.
BLaST IU 17 is a regional educational service agency serving the needs of public and nonpublic schools in Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, and Tioga counties. IU 17 provides essential support and services in the areas of special education, professional development, and technology. For more information on BLaST IU 17 and the many programs and services offered, please visit our website at www.IU17.org
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, located in Mansfield, Tioga County, is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. For more information on the majors and minors offered and to learn more about our beautiful campus, visit our website at www.mansfield.edu