For several years now, I’ve been recommending Exploring By the Seat of Your Pants, and having amazing Ontario educator, Joe Grawbowski (@grawbowskiscuba), at Minds on Media events at the BIT conference and for the Ontario Teachers’ Federation Pedagogy B4 Technology Conference. Like Joe, I’m a big believer that the computer is a portal to the world – and a way to break down the walls of the classroom – AND it doesn’t require a lot of technology to do so! With one computer, a good internet connection, and a projector, you can invite amazing scientists into your classroom!
Joe is the founder of Exploring By the Seat of Your Pants, but he’s also a science and math teacher from right here in Guelph! What does @ebtsoyp do? Here’s a description from the website that describes his venture:
Exploring By The Seat Of Your Pants aims to inspire the next generation of scientists, explorers and conservationists. We do this by bringing science, exploration, adventure and conservation into classrooms through virtual speakers and field trips with leading experts across the globe. Since starting in September 2015 we’ve run well over 1,000 live events and connected hundreds of thousands of students to scientists and explorers in over 60 countries. Best part of all, it is and always will be 100% free for classrooms everywhere!
Joe is also a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and Fellow, A Grosvenor Teacher Fellow and a Royal Canadian Geographical Society Fellow, as well as a Top 50 Finalist for the Global Teacher Prize.
Imagine my excitement this week when I finally was able to actually participate with a colleague at my school, Jason Perry, and his Grade 4 and 5 students! We spoke to scientist Justine Ammendolia @JustineAmmendo1 , from Newfoundland, who is a marine biologist studying marine debris and plastics in our oceans. Joining us were classes from Toronto, Connecticut, North Carolina and Newfoundland. You can check out the recorded streaming of the session below and it’s super easy to join with your class. Either check out the Exploring By The Seat Of Your Pants teacher section on the website and sign up for a live lesson, or browse the youtube channel for recorded sessions you might like to use in your classroom!
Learning Zone 