Creative Learning Systems Blog - Page 2 of 40 - 21st Century STEM SmartLabs: Engage every learner, every day

Exploratory Play: More Than Sensory Development

May 13, 2020
Philip Mayhoffer

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a big fan of LEGO. And I don’t just mean the plastic building blocks. I’ve loved the company and what it stands for since I wrote my first research paper on The LEGO Group when I was in middle school. After all, the company’s brand values focus on imagination, creativity, learning, and fun—exactly what I strive to do as an educator.

ThinkerSpace Challenge: From Food Desert to Food Oasis

May 11, 2020
Haley Huberty

If you’ve been following our Facebook page, you’re familiar with our ThinkerSpace Challenges. These challenges are designed to engage students and your own children in project-based learning. As I write these challenges, I want to make sure kids can complete the challenge by using materials they can find around the house.

Digital Learning Lessons from the Field: Choice, Choice, Choice

May 8, 2020
Haley Huberty

We recently made an ALL-CALL to our educator community asking them about their digital learning experiences—what were their biggest ahas and what would they do differently. Over the next few weeks, you’ll hear about these lessons and how you can use them to enhance your students’ digital learning experiences.

Child’s Play: The Role of Imaginative Play in Early Learning

May 7, 2020
Philip Mayhoffer

This past Saturday, I celebrated an important milestone—I turned 30! As with any milestone, I spent a bit of time thinking about where I’ve been and what’s next. And I started imagining different possibilities for my future.

Teaching on a High-Stakes Island

May 4, 2020
Haley Huberty

As the Professional Development Manager at Creative Learning Systems, I spend much of my time training and supporting teachers so they can successfully facilitate learning in our learning spaces, called SmartLabs. When SmartLab Facilitators are first trained, they spend four days learning about the philosophy, the approach, and all of the resources in the SmartLab.