21st Century Curricula – Integrating FIRST

I’ve been asked by several folks to share some of the more useful sites / links that I use to gather STEM, SET or FIRST and LEGO related curricula from.  So here they are!

Peer-Reviewed Robotics Lesson Plans:  http://robotics.nasa.gov/rcc/ - The NASA collaboration portal for all things robotics, Robotics Curriculum Clearninghouse (RCC).  The RCC has a mission to connect teachers everywhere with high-quality, peer-reviewed robotics curricula. The resources we feature range from full courses to single lesson plans that can be readily incorporated into classroom activities.

School Friendly Videos:  http://www.teachersdomain.org – A school friendly repository of videos and content related to teaching various concepts.  FIRST Robotics and LEGO specific videos here.  
http://www.p21.org/ - Partnership for 21st Century Learners.  Starting 6 years ago this organization produced the Framework for 21st Century Learning (where the Three ‘R’s get re-defined and meet the four ‘C’s) and the  MILE guide and self-assessment for determining where your program is at and what it needs to do to get 21st Century Ready.

http://thepartnershipfor21stcenturyskills238.eduvision.tv – Proceedings from the latest Partnership for 21st Century Learning.

Book:  21st Century Skills – Re-thinking How Students Learn

http://www.solution-tree.com/Public/Media.aspx?ShowDetail=true&ProductID=BKF389
This anthology introduces the Framework for 21st Century Learning from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills as a way to reenvision learning and prepare students for a rapidly evolving global and technological world. This dynamic new framework promotes innovation through critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and technology integration, while building on mastery of core content and background knowledge.

Lastly, there are three notable states that seem to have really integrated FIRST into their schools.  Minnesota, Michigan and Oregon.

Minnesota’s integration of FIRST as part of their 21st Century Learner and STEM initiatives

• http://www.scimathmn.org/mnstemnet.htm
• http://www.incommons.org/en-us/node/798/activity
• http://www.competitivewf.com/blog/?cat=4
• http://www.getstem-mn.com/Pages/STEMNews.aspx
• http://www.iteaconnect.org/Publications/STEMconnections/STEMconnections11-10.htm

Michigan’s - http://www.firstinmichigan.org/

Oregon’s - http://ortop.org/