TERC

TERC Staff Presenting at the NCTM Annual Meeting 2025 - TERC Don't miss TERC staff leading sessions on impactful math teaching — from maker-based assessments to supporting student identity in math to baseball and geometry. Then stop by Booth #1408 to explore t...

We'll be at @nctm.org in Atlanta!
Don't miss TERC sessions on impactful math teaching — from maker-based assessments to supporting student math identity to baseball and geometry. Stop by Booth #1408 to explore the latest in STEM, grab free resources, and pick up some fun swag!
hubs.la/Q03M03ND0

"Explore how student reflection can support the establishment of an equitable learning environment" near a teacher talking with two students.

Our Student Reflection Tool supports Ts in asking ?s about kids' prior experiences & sense of themselves as math learners, & their beliefs & expectations for - and participation in - math class. Blogs linked in the right margin address what to do about what you find out!
www.terc.edu/mathequityfo...

An image about NCSM presentation 2519: Encouraging All Students' Voices in Small Group Work: Fostering Equitable Participation through Reflective Practices. Tuesday 12:45 in International Salon 5. By Arusha Hollister, Cinthia Colón, and Marta Garcia.

Going to NCSM? Come hear Arusha, Cinthia & @martamath0901.bsky.social talk about how teacher reflection can support all students' voices in small group work in math. 12:45 on 10/14 in International Salon 5.

Episode 4 of TERC Tech Talks gives a rare chance to hear directly from a student
Oli, a 10th grader, shares:
⭐ What feels helpful/confusing when AI explains problems
⭐ How they think teachers can tell when answers sound “too AI”
⭐ Why asking a human still beats any app
hubs.ly/Q03MyYXL0

It’s not just about the technology in a classroom!
This study reveals how teacher impact changes the way students engage with digital tools, and how factoring that in makes classroom technology more effective.
🔗 Learn more: hubs.la/Q03L_GZR0

Activity Design Principles to Support Engineering Engagement for Families with Preschool-Age Children from Low-Income English-and Spanish-Speaking Communities - TERC » Read more

How do you get preschoolers excited about engineering?
Think open-ended materials, fun storylines, and activities that connect to their family life.
Read the research here ➡️ hubs.la/Q03L_p-R0

Happy #WorldTeacherDay to all those teachers who encourage and support their student's STEM learning.

Episode 4 of TERC Tech Talks features 10th grader Oli! Hear a student’s perspective on AI and math homework with a real classroom problem and Edubrain.
They discuss what works, what doesn’t, and why human support matters most.
🎬 Watch the conversation: hubs.la/Q03LBfGT0

Blog Series Part 6: ND in STEM's Teon Edwards considers how to integrate a "red alert" into a VR experience for players with sensory sensitivities. https://www.terc.edu/ndinstem/terc-projects/design-by-with-and-for-neurodivergent-learners-part-6-red-alert

Need help with AI and teaching? TERC Tech Talks, a new video podcast series, makes sense of the fast-changing world of AI tools for learning.
Each episode is an unscripted test drive of AI tools in real contexts—successes, challenges, takwaways.
Watch hubs.la/Q03J9kXY0
Learn more hubs.la/Q03J9fLW0

New Available -- TERC Tech Talks Episode 3: Snorkl! Ken Rafanan, Dr. Zac Alstad, Elise Levin-Güracar, and special guest Teresa Lara-Meloy to test drive this multimodal AI tool for learning.
Explore how teachers might use it and where the tool shines and stumbles.
▶️ Watch now: hubs.la/Q03JBHtc0

Incorporating teacher effect when modeling student engagement in smart STEM classrooms: a cluster analysis - TERC Research shows teacher influence plays a key role in modeling student engagement with smart STEM classroom technology.

TERC's Michael Cassidy et al. explore how teacher influence shapes student engagement in smart STEM classrooms. Their findings show how accounting for teacher effect can improve digital learning models and support more effective classroom technology.
📖 Read the paper here: hubs.la/Q03JngYZ0

September TERC Talks is here!

🔅 Free Inquiry Project materials for grades 3–5 science learning
🔅 Strategies to create more inclusive early math instruction
🔅 Episode 2 of TERC Tech Talks tests ChatGPT Study Mode
🔅 Co-created classroom agreements that foster belonging

Read now → hubs.la/Q03HPCPD0

A New Class, A New Year: The Role of Classroom Agreements A critical component of a community where every student feels like they belong is the development of classroom agreements.

How can you co-created classroom agreements with your students?
The Forum for Equity in Elementary Mathematics at TERC, shows how to:
✅ Foster belonging and equity in math class
✅ Build agreements that empower every student’s voice
✅ Turn “rules” into collaborative commitments
hubs.la/Q03Hhw6w0

Early STEM Learning | CADRE New evidence continues to emerge on the formative potential of the early years in a person's life. NSF is investing in programs to transform STEM teaching and learning in preK and the early grades. Th...

Dr. Maria Blanton and Angela Murphy Gardiner's project, The Impact of an Inclusive Grades K–2 Early Algebra Intervention Implemented by Classroom Teachers, is featured in this month’s CADRE Early STEM Learning Spotlight.
🔗 Read the spotlight: hubs.la/Q03H4db30

Identity Intersections of Indigenous Engineers and Computer Scientists by Nuria Jaumot-Pascual, Maria Ong, & Tiffany Smith
from 2025 ASEE Annual Conference, explores giving back, Nation building, and integrating traditional Indigenous knowledge with western disciplinary training.
🔗 hubs.la/Q03H3J_w0

"Agreements should be responsive to students’ current needs, identities & beliefs." Math class requires "a community that is prepared to work together, listen actively & contribute ideas. There is a focus on respect for Ss’ thinking, acceptance of differences & building on each child’s strengths."

ChatGPT Study Mode keeps students on track… but also gives away a lot.

In Episode 2 of TERC Tech Talks, we tested it as 6th graders doing math homework.

🎥 Watch the full episode: hubs.la/Q03HhxZk0

We’d love to hear from you: Would you use AI tools like this with your students?

Engaging Engineering Design Challenge for Kids Discover a fun and educational engineering design challenge that will spark creativity and problem-solving skills in kids.

Inspired by the Storytelling Math book The Animals Would Not Sleep, kindergarten teacher Jenny Diaz created an engineering design challenge where students built the perfect bed for their stuffed animal friends.

Try this classroom-tested lesson plan → hubs.la/Q03Cln-60

TERC Staff Presenting at ASTC - TERC TERC staff presentations at the 2025 ASTC Conference in San Francisco September 5-8

Heading to the Association of Science and Technology Centers Conference in San Francisco? From today through Sunday, TERC staff will be presenting on co-creation, making & math, neurodivergent learners, soundscapes, and more!

📅 Check out the full schedule and details: hubs.la/Q03H4m430

This month’s Moving STEM Forward brings you:
🔹 Strategies to prepare students for AI-driven careers
🔹 Ways to better support neurodivergent learners
🔹 Insights on which AI tools actually work in classrooms
🔹 An award-winning film on water justice
See what’s inside ➡️ hubs.la/Q03GydyZ0

A Space for All of Us: Setting Up the Classroom How can the design of a room promote the distribution of math authority, equitable participation, and respect for different learners? How can it ensure that students see themselves, feel welcome, and ...

How can the design of a classroom promote the distribution of math authority, equitable participation, and respect for different learners? How can it ensure that students see themselves, feel welcome, and understand that this will be a joint undertaking? - @martamath0901.bsky.social

Ep 2 of TERC TechTalks is here! Step into the shoes of 6th graders doing math homework. See how ChatGPT Study Mode:
✅ Guides students step by step
✅ Offers lots of hints, maybe too many
✅ Stumbles graphing the solution
Curious about AI’s role in learning? this one’s worth a watch.
hubs.la/Q03GrGh00

Check out this new project... ND in STEM's Kelly Paulson is working with BootUp and Fun Zone Reading Club to bring plugged and unplugged CS activities to LA after school students. https://www.terc.edu/projects/creating-a-spark-community-led-after-school-cs-stem-programming/

New Publication Shows What’s Possible When All Students Are Seen as Mathematicians - TERC A new book by Susan Jo Russell and Deborah Schifter offers a powerful vision for K–5 math classrooms where all students thrive. Learn how equitable participation and deep math learning go hand in hand...

How do we build confident math thinkers from grade 1?
This book doesn’t just ask the question — it answers it with:
⭐ Practical strategies
⭐ Real teacher voices
⭐ Research-backed tools
Read what’s working in classrooms: hubs.la/Q03CxSVN0
Purchase the book: hubs.la/Q03CxPGf0

Early STEM Learning | CADRE New evidence continues to emerge on the formative potential of the early years in a person's life. NSF is investing in programs to transform STEM teaching and learning in preK and the early grades. Th...

Maria Blanton's work in K-12 Early Algebra Intervention featured in this month's CADRE Early STEM Learning Spotlight which highlights the work of 14 DRK–12 projects that focus on early learning in science, mathematics, and computer science.
cadrek12.org/spotlight/ea...

YouTube video by Zoombinis Rebuilding a Classic: Zoombinis, Tech, and the Future of Learning

Go behind the scenes of Zoombinis's revival in Episode 3 of the Zoombinis Podcast, featuring David Libby from TERC
and FableVision's President and Co-founder Gary Goldberger! youtube.com/watch?v=iQla... #Zoombinis

Math and Making for Middle School Youth In AMPED 4 Making, middle school youth engage in design and making projects that address community goals to change their relationship with mathematics.

When Carlos started AMPED4Making, he didn’t see measurement as math. Now he’s designing a Mexican flag plushie and explaining why precision in measurement is essential. Learn how Carlos gained math skills, explored new career paths, and built confidence as a problem solver.
hubs.la/Q03Ckzsz0

Creative approaches to teaching math can help fill AI talent gap Math is critical for success in STEM and AI, yet too many students either avoid or do not succeed in it--that must change.

Unlocking the AI talent gap starts with creative math teaching! Spotlights on TERC projects by Dr. Nadine Bonda—Interweaving Equitable Participation, Project LEAP, and MPACT—show how hands-on and inclusive approaches can excite learners for STEM and AI. Discover more: tinyurl.com/yvyvh8vh

Using MATH to Connect Intergenerational Museum Visitors with ART IGAMM consisted of six intergenerational sessions that promoted looking closely at the art by integrating math into art museum activities.

For many kids, talking about what a painting “means” can feel intimidating. IGAMM, TERC, and the GA Museum of Art used patterns, shapes, and symmetry to help families connect with art. The math-infused activities engage all ages and inspire new ways to explore art.
blog.terc.edu/igamm