We all have a story to tell, and K¹² wants to hear yours! In fact, we are launching a new way for our families to read and share their own success stories, and we want to hear yours first!  

Can You Taste The Difference?

While studying Elementary Education I was told by professors about how important it is to enlist the parents in the education process.  In my experience working in different school districts and in the online environment,  I have seen that active and involved parents will greatly improve student academic success, appropriate behavior, self-esteem and college enrollment.

If it is so obvious that parent involvement is a key to student success why are schools not capitalizing on this great resource?  Since the time I have been working in the online environment,  I have seen many wonderful success stories of students and without fail,  I have been speaking with and developing a strong relationship with parents.

The London 2012 Summer Olympics are here and there are so many ways to use the games to your parental advantage to get your kids' blood pumping with some physical activity and their minds strong with some education.

We will be following the 2012 Summer Olympics and sharing with you all kinds ideas to keep your kids interested in this historical international event.  So, whether your kids are hard core athletes or just play sports for fun, our series will be offering ideas to improve their health, enrich their education and encourage them to get out there and be more active. 

Kids have big dreams. Some want to be firefighters, others dream of  becoming doctors, and then there are those who are pursuing their dreams of Olympic gold, earning that medal and having it placed around their neck. Just ask Olympian Michael Phelps, the American swimmer who has won 17 Olympic medals and set numerous world records. His Olympic dream was born after watching swimmers Tom Malchow and Tom Dolan at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Summer Games.

Unlike any event in the world, the Summer Olympics Games and its athletes from around the world inspire kids and adults alike. But it's no big secret that to become an Olympian takes talent, commitment and hard work. 

Hoosier Academies, a K¹² partner school,  is now the proud sponsor of the Muncie Children’s Museum Magic Science Mobile that will host experiments that offer “magical ways to look at science.”  Fun experiments like Frosted Flakes (a lesson in minerals) and pennies (cleaning them with soda pop) will be featured regularly that will not only teach kids about Science but give them a chance to learn some cool tricks as well! 

According to the museum,  "Children will journey through the world of science using magic and mystery. This interactive show teaches children about the magic behind everyday items such as pennies, pop cans and cereal! Children will participate in these fun-filled experiments and learn cool tricks to impress their friends."

Mobile science carts are just one of many ways to engage with students and teach them through engagement that science can be fun.  Recently, Slate magazine created a special issue looking into science education.  They asked their readers to come up with ideas on how to fix science education in America. They received over 100 proposals with ideas ranging from public policy changes to engaging 'fun' experiments for kids.  The list is full of great ideas and some can be done with your kids at home.