Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/840178
EdTech Show Daily Tuesday, June 27, 2017 2 2 them into our Robot Give Away Contest. They don't have to be present to win. ESD: Tell our readers about Interactive Media Publishing and Exploring Robotics. LNP: Interactive Media Publishing is a small business with over 10 years of experience in developing online and interactive educational content paired with robots and technical kits. Exploring Robotics is an Interactive Media Publishing brand providing STEAM (sci- ence, technology, engineering, mathe- matics, together with art) curricula for grades K-12. ESD: Would you describe that curricula a little? LNP: We create self-paced, online les- sons with videos that are paired with hands-on robot activities that can be implemented easily in the K-12 class- room or as part of an after school, Maker Space or distance learning program. Engineering and coding skills are intro- duced and then reinforced and enhanced at every grade in our Mobile Robotics Pathway. By the time students graduate high school, they have mastered not only robotics but also coding languages and the technical skills which lead to good paying jobs or entry into university courses. Our definition of STEAM Success = The Best Robots and Kits + Great Curricula + PD + Support for teachers. ESD: What is your company most proud of? LNP: We're proud of the service we provide to schools. Our training and support staff go above and beyond to make sure teachers get everything they need to succeed and understand the Exploring Robotics (Cont'd. from p. 1) technology. We show how to use the robots and teach coding while helping to build the teacher's capacity to shift from traditional teaching methods to Project Based Learning (PBL). PBL allows teachers to fully engage their students. We assist with lesson planning and help them choose the lessons that not only meet their STEM goals but fit into their available time schedules. We know that any enthusiastic teacher, librarian or media specialist can teach these topics if given the proper support and resources. ESD: Are you launching any new prod- ucts this year? LNP: This year, we are adding littleBits, the Airblock Drone from Makeblock, and GrovePi and GoPiGo from Dexter Industries. These products help to round out our Mobile Robots and Internet of Things (IoT) pathway for K-12 educa- tion. This pathway provides skills that prepare students to become the techni- cians who are creating SMART devices for homes, medicine, and industry. ESD: Who are your target customers? LNP: We want to connect with curricu- lum directors, technology directors, CTE program directors, K-12 administrators, teachers, librarians and media specialists. ESD: How do your products or services help your customers? LNP: Our products help teachers engage students in STEAM education. Robots are like the Trojan horse – they hook the interest of students and then we provide excellent curriculum to teach coding, sci- ence, math and ELA principles that meet STEAM standards. For more information, stop by booth #1662, visit www.exploringrobots.com or call 760.650.2687. (DIR) contract providing customers access to more than 1,300 products. With the help of key partners including Dell Technologies, HP, Intel and Cisco, Sigma Solutions has committed to innova- tion and leadership in the SLED space by delivering the tools state and local govern- ment and education organizations need to modernize their IT infrastructures. Additionally, Monroe's expertise as a former Chief Information Officer will be invaluable as the company continues to build its portfo- lio of government and education-focused offerings. These allow Sigma Solutions cus- tomers to operate more efficiently and cost- effectively while keeping up with increased demands for online services." As Leander ISD Chief Information Officer, Monroe spent more than 20 years overseeing all IT functions for a K- 12 organization of more than 42,000 stu- dents and staff, including IT networking and operations, data management and analytics, state assessment and accounta- bility, library systems and innovative teaching and learning with technology. "I joined Sigma to utilize my expertise to help schools leverage communication and collaboration tools to facilitate engage- ment and broader access to courses and materials," said Monroe, Sigma SLED Practice Manager. "As a former K-12 Chief Information Officer, I am passionate about helping school districts, in conjunction with our certified engineers, formulate curricu- lum solutions that include 1:1 and STEM." Sigma Solutions (Cont'd. from p. 1) Sigma has been participating with partners on jointly sponsored education around key topics including 1:1 technolo- gy, STEM and body cameras. Sigma is also now part of the State of Texas DIR Contract #DIR-SDD-1951 for computers, laptops, tablets, servers, printers, periph- erals and over 1,300 other technology products and services. Eligible state agen- cies, cities, counties and other local gov- ernments, public school districts and pub- lic colleges and universities can purchase through DIR contracts and services. About Sigma Solutions Sigma Solutions is the solutions integra- tor of choice for companies needing a technology partner that easily transitions from the strategy of the executive suite to the operations of the data center, offering the perfect mix of business acumen and technical expertise to help align IT oper- ations and management functions with organizational objectives. Sigma Solutions' local presence and technology skills, combined with busi- ness savvy and understanding of the strategic goals of companies make the company the right choice to help organi- zations leverage IT infrastructure to its greatest advantage. Sigma Solutions delivers IT trans- formation by designing, implementing and supporting data center solutions for companies across all industries. For more information, visit www.sigma sol.com or call 800.895.0500. SCHOOLS NEEDED CARTS; BLACK BOX DELIVERED Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), with more than 146,000 K-12 students in 168 schools, is the second largest school district in the state and the 18th largest in the U.S. As part of its mission to maximize academic achievement, CMS initiated its Strategic Plan 2018: For a Better Tomorrow. Part of the Strategic Plan 2018 includes bringing digital learning to all students by 2018 and to have a 1:1 ratio of students to digital devices. This means that every student will have access to a digital device (laptop, tablet or other e-learning device) at school. Black Box kept its commitment to CMS's quick turnaround schedule. Black Box worked hand-in-hand with Applied Data Technologies (ADT) for procure- ment management, configuration and deployment services for the carts. Black Box delivered 1,300 standard charging carts in June and July, and then another 500 carts during the school year. Since inception, Black Box has delivered more than 3,500 carts. For more information, go to www.black box.com/tabletcarts or call 877.877.2269. MACKIN MARCHES INTO MAKERSPACE WITH MACKINMAKER January 2017 marked the formal begin- nings of a new specialty division and accompanying website, MackinMaker .com. Tapping into the interest and suc- cess of the national Makerspace revolu- tion, MackinMaker ® offers customers hundreds of maker-related books, prod- ucts and starter kits, designed in-house and created for the novice all the way to the experienced Makerspace practitioner. "This form of experiential learning is so fresh and vital to helping students learn in a more exciting and impactful way, we decided that now is the perfect time to tap our knowledge-base and pro- fessional expertise to create this new division," states Randal Heise, co-Owner of Mackin. MackinMaker Project Manager Ethan Heise remarked, "We have sourced some of today's most creative and influ- ential products and made them the foun- dation of this growing new site. To date, we have hundreds of essential products with hundreds more ready to come on- line before the end of the year." A growing list of maker consultants and experts, including Laura Fleming, Todd Burleson, Kristina Holzweiss, Heather Lister and Ross Cooper, have joined the MackinMaker movement and continually offer cutting-edge insight on all things maker. Content is growing on a daily basis and currently features scores of popular, maker-related items for schools to build their own custom collections. For those looking for fast entry into the maker movement, MackinMaker also features thoughtfully prepared kits aligned for all grade or skill levels. All maker items and kits found at MackinMaker are curated from many leading brands known throughout the industry. This penchant for acquiring quality educational materi- al is a hallmark characteristic of Mackin that has naturally made its way to their new division. For more information about MackinMaker or Mackin, visit www .mackinmaker.com or www.mackin.com. About Mackin For nearly 34 years, Mackin has provid- ed library and classroom materials for grades PK-12. Known the world over for exemplary service and stringent attention to detail, Mackin has access to more than 18,000 publishers and a collection of nearly 3 million printed titles. A d d i t i o n a l l y , Mackin features a robust selection of more than 1.5 million eBook titles, audio books, databases and video resources, all available through its free, state-of-the-art digital content manage- ment system, MackinVIA. This highly sought-after digital content management tool was recently awarded two distinctive awards: Best of Show at ISTE 2015 and 2016, and winner of a 2015 and 2016 Awards of Excellence by Tech & Learning. MackinVIA recently won a Platinum Award from Modern Library Awards. Today, the free MackinVIA is found in thousands of schools and is accessible to more than 9 million stu- dents around the world. For more information, go to www.mackin.com or stop by booth #1852.