Video Archive

With all the attention focused on math and ELA, science can sometimes get the short stick. But it doesn’t have to be that way! We want our students to leave our classrooms with the skills to be able to think creatively and critically; to become our next generation of problem solvers. And science will do just that! Join us in this fast-paced webinar, where we share 5 practical ways to make room for science and have your students begging for more!

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Inquiry-driven learning is a powerful and engaging way to inspire a love of math in our students. But sometimes, finding the right resources to facilitate this type of learning can be challenging. Join Jamie as she shares practical strategies and free resources while walking you through how to use them in ways that will get your students excited about math -- all while building their confidence to tackle problem-solving in ways that are memorable, meaningful, and fun! For grades K-12.

Link to the webinar resources hyperdoc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bXNOPg2yKbggjComHJCVV_7iDMaaAmNupKq7v-109bc/edit?usp=sharing

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Sometimes we forget that our goal is not to teach the lesson, but for the students to actually learn the lesson. So assessing what students know and are able to do is key to our success, but who wants another dry (at best) or meaningless (at worst) multiple-choice test? In this fast-paced webinar, we'll share multiple ideas for assessing learning so you get the information you need, avoid inducing undue anxiety, and actually enrich student learning in the process!

Link to webinar's resources hyperdoc: http://bit.ly/NotAnotherTest

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You know it’s true: your kids are WEIRD. It can create headaches, sure – but student strangeness can also be a powerful ally in cultivating a curious, creative classroom culture. Discover practical tips and resources for how YOU can leverage the weirdness in your classroom in wild and wonderful ways!

Link to the webinar resources hyperdoc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kbHp7FGsV0LLQM-Wo3wbBOu8xtSepga4o8_rtctNBGI/edit?usp=sharing

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Teachers are a school’s most precious resource, and they are not ok. Teacher burnout is at an all-time high while teacher applications are at an all-time low. The demands of teaching have soared to an untenable level, leaving schools struggling to attract and retain the best teachers. But there are things administrators can do to help them! Join us for this fast-paced, practical webinar with tips curated from around the country on how to improve teacher morale and mental health, while bringing teaching and learning back into focus.

Here is the link to the webinar's resources hyperdoc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rngrgXcuwqmyN69St0umB9UbV0aBWDBiJf5X1wAFGt8/edit?usp=sharing

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Use robots to teach responsible decision-making? Absolutely! From DNA to SEL, join us as we share lessons, strategies, and resources that not only engage students’ curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, but also provide a vehicle to seamlessly integrate social-emotional learning. Leave with practical ways to make powerful science lessons that captivate your future scientists and also cultivate those SEL skills that are essential for success beyond the classroom.

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Do you want to create memorable, meaningful experiences that give an authentic context for learning, but can’t find the time? Join us for this informative, fast-paced webinar to discover how to implement project-based learning with cross-curricular content, collaboration options, and real-world connections. Explore specific PBL units that are engaging and relevant and align these projects to your current content needs. Come ready to be that teacher students will never forget. Leave with lesson-by-lesson project ideas to make it happen.

Link to Webinar's resources hyperdoc:

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Leading educators out of pandemic teaching and into the new normal is not for the faint of heart. Addressing gaps in achievement, behavior, SEL, and more — all while protecting the mental health of staff and students — requires that K-12 administrators find their authentic leadership style and lean in.

In this 1-hour virtual event to discover your personal leadership style and how to leverage that into success for yourself and your school.

Link to the event's Resources Hyperdoc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HXB59tphn3xXOy9Wt1Hzm9NWdU3E_yTT7tXHkYJdrDU/edit?usp=sharing

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Leading educators out of pandemic teaching and into the new normal is not for the faint of heart. Addressing gaps in achievement, behavior, SEL, and more — all while protecting the mental health of staff and students — requires that K-12 administrators find their authentic leadership style and lean in.

In this 1-hour virtual event to discover your personal leadership style and how to leverage that into success for yourself and your school.

Link to the event's Resources Hyperdoc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HXB59tphn3xXOy9Wt1Hzm9NWdU3E_yTT7tXHkYJdrDU/edit?usp=sharing

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If pandemic teaching taught us anything, it’s that we are resilient and able to adapt quickly. None of us want to convert to remote instruction on a moment’s notice ever again, but we can channel this ability to change in exciting ways for the 2022-23 school year. Now is the time to reimagine what teaching and learning can look like in our schools. Now is a time to create authentic learning experiences that truly prepare students for success in the information age. Find out what K12 administrators have identified as their top priorities this year, and discuss ways to successfully address them with other K12 administrators from around the country.

Here is the link to the resources hyperdoc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tazqHnFZGpnqntLXxdc7aDJnjv6mOAH-JnIEZALuoUY/edit?usp=sharing

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With schools looking to increase engagement, accelerate learning, and incorporate social-emotional learning, there’s never been a better time to make project-based learning a reality. Are you ready to reimagine teaching and learning in your schools with PBL? Discover how to support teachers in creating memorable, meaningful, and fun learning experiences. Give them the tools to increase engagement and accelerate learning with cross-curricular instruction, purposeful collaboration, and real-world connections.

Join us for this 1-hour virtual event to learn and share best practices for implementing school-wide project-based learning. Topics of discussion include:
-Characteristics of PBL schools
-Ways to help teachers embrace PBL
-Resources to support PBL implementation
-Professional development strategies for PBL

Here is the link to the resources hyperdoc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ob5rzSopYoVs4G2gmF7YvqsbJVy6-OvrccPeZjiJzhY/edit?usp=sharing

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Staff shortages and attendance issues have created major obstacles to learning this year, so many administrators are looking to summer school as an opportunity to refocus, target instructional gaps, and accelerate learning for our students. Let’s create summer school programs that meet the academic rigor required while also emphasizing social and emotional well-being. Join us as we share some practical ideas for training teachers, para-professionals, support specialists, or even volunteers to deliver effective and impactful Summer School instruction.

Link to webinar resources hyperdoc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DQ-s0omnJPeC0kZmZRr4LUlXKwGbsZEiujVEBsD8mcU/edit

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Congratulations to the 2022 Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence honorees. These outstanding teachers were selected for their hard work and dedication to their students, and for creating classrooms where curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking thrive.

Our deepest thanks go out to all the recipients of this year’s Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence. This world is so much better because of you!

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Introducing the 2022 Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence, an award to teachers who stand out in creating classrooms where curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking thrive.

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Thank you, Dawn, for being the teacher that you are!

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Thank you, Randy, for being the teacher that you are!

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Thank you, Jon, for being the teacher that you are!

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Thank you, Cory, for being the teacher that you are!

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Thank you, Jamie, for being the teacher that you are!

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Thank you, Ben, for being the teacher that you are!

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Van Andel Institute for Education offers unique summer camps in science, engineering, and robotics for students in grades K–12. Our 1-day and 4-day summer camp options throughout the summer include a variety of hands-on interactive investigations where kids think and act like scientists!

Learn more: https://www.vai.org/k-12-education/for-parents/summer-camps/

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Curiosity on Wheels takes inquiry-based science to new heights as participants think — and act — like scientists by conducting hands-on, fun-filled STEM investigations. Whether it be addressing science standards, enhancing thematic units, or just having fun…we can program and deliver an event to meet your content, time, and budgetary needs.

Learn more at: https://www.vai.org/k-12-education/for-educators/curiosity-on-wheels/

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Van Andel Institute for Education seeks and admits students to the Afterschool Cohort who are curious, creative, and enjoy working with others. The Afterschool Cohort inspires groups of students to think and act like scientists and engineers over the course of one semester. They’ll conduct hands-on investigations, ask questions, investigate, and discover answers using scientific tools and resources. Video in partnership with School News Network.

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Looking for a new and unique idea to celebrate your child’s next birthday—or just want to plan a fun gathering? Let Van Andel Institute for Education help you celebrate while doing something hands-on, fun, and maybe a little educational. (Shhhh! We won’t tell the kids!)

Our science parties for kids in grades K–12 are two hours of hands-on science experiments that engage up to 30 kids to think and act like scientists. You bring the cake, and we’ll provide the activities!

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Van Andel Institute for Education Field Trips immerse classrooms of students—and their teachers—in learning science through inquiry. Students will conduct unique, grade-specific investigations and participate in hands-on discovery. In addition, when schools come to our facility—either in person or virtually—participants will speak with Van Andel Institute scientists and watch them in action at the Institute’s demonstration lab. All topics are aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

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Learn more about our flexible K-12 professional development opportunities at Van Andel Institute for Education.

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Learn more about Van Andel Institute for Education's full array of programs for families and for educators. For families, we offer Summer Camps (grades 2-12), Afterschool Cohorts (grades 4-7), Homeschool Field Trips (grades 3-8), and Science Parties (grades K-12). For educators, we offer Blue Apple PBL Projects, Flex PD, Classroom Field Trips, Curiosity on Wheels, and NexGen Inquiry Quests.

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Timely Topic Lessons, sponsored by Blue Apple, offers a series of free, 15-minute mini-lessons designed to boost curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Do one or do them all! These no-prep lessons are ready to go and are sure to amaze and delight your students!

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Making project-based learning (PBL) a reality takes time—a teacher’s most precious commodity. Teachers don’t have time to convince experts to visit the class, create lessons that integrate content across the curriculum, scour the web for the best online resources, and find partner classrooms to collaborate with. That’s where Blue Apple comes in. We do the heavy lifting in the planning, so you can do what you do best…teach!

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Journey Through a Life in Space campers learned what it’s like to live and work in space. In partnership with the Girls Scouts, campers discovered how the human body works differently in space, gained an understanding of the dangers associated with space travel, learned about what robots can do for humans in space, and much more!

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Engineering can feel like a separate unit or idea you have to teach. But did you know engineering can help you engage your students, differentiate instruction, and nurture social and emotional skills...all while integrating seamlessly into your current instruction? Be ready to think creatively and critically about engineering in your classroom and leave with strategies and resources to help you fit more engineering into your curriculum.

Link to the webinar's Resources:

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Let VAI help you celebrate while doing something hands-on and fun that’s maybe a little educational, too. (Shhhh! We won’t tell the kids.)

Our guests will begin by spending some time with our animals. They’ll meet Toby the Tortoise, Cleo the Bearded Dragon, Garrus the Corn Snake, and so many more loveable critters. Then, they’ll dive into an engineering investigation where their skills and resilience will be tested. Can their construct sustain VAI’s Shake Table?

Our science parties are two hours filled with fun and exciting science that will engage kids from grades K-12 to think — and act — like scientists.

Learn more: https://www.vai.org/k-12-education/for-parents/sciences-parties/

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Van Andel Institute for Education Field Trips immerse classrooms of students—and their teachers—in learning science through inquiry. Students will conduct unique, grade-specific investigations and participate in hands-on discovery. In addition, when schools come to our facility—either in person or virtually—participants will speak with Van Andel Institute scientists and watch them in action at the Institute’s demonstration lab. All topics are aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Learn more: https://www.vai.org/k-12-education/for-educators/classroom-field-trips/

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Science on the Grand is a STEAM conference for inquiry-based educators hosted by Van Andel Institute for Education. Join us in creating a classroom culture that supports STEAM instruction with two days of inspiration, practical takeaways, VIP treatment, and much more!

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It’s that time of year….
Standardized testing season is upon us, and teachers everywhere are searching for ways to help their students relax, focus, and show what they know. In this engaging and practical session, you’ll learn research-based, teacher-tested strategies to help your students not only to survive their standardized assessments but to thrive!

Link to webinar's Resources Hyperdoc: https://bit.ly/ACINGresources

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Leading educators out of pandemic teaching and into the new normal is not for the faint of heart. Addressing gaps in achievement, behavior, SEL, and more, all while protecting the mental health of staff and students, requires that K-12 administrators find their authentic leadership style and lean in. Join us for this practical and informative webinar to discover your personal leadership style and how to leverage that into success for yourself and your school!

Link to the webinar's Resources Hyperdoc: https://bit.ly/VAILEAD

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Dr. Peter Jones — Chief Scientific Officer of Van Andel Institute (VAI) in Grand Rapids, Michigan — discusses the importance of science education for K-12 students. In this video, he discusses the role of curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in science.

Dr. Jones pioneered the field of epigenetics, particularly its role in cancer, and helped develop novel therapies for cancer. Dr. Jones is a past president of the American Association for Cancer Research, a Fellow of the AACR Academy, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has published more than 300 scientific papers and received several honors, including the Outstanding Investigator Grant from the National Cancer Institute.

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Dr. Peter Jones — Chief Scientific Officer of Van Andel Institute (VAI) in Grand Rapids, Michigan — discusses the importance of science education for K-12 students. In this video, he shares his optimism about the future of science.

Dr. Jones pioneered the field of epigenetics, particularly its role in cancer, and helped develop novel therapies for cancer. Dr. Jones is a past president of the American Association for Cancer Research, a Fellow of the AACR Academy, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has published more than 300 scientific papers and received several honors, including the Outstanding Investigator Grant from the National Cancer Institute.

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Dr. Peter Jones — Chief Scientific Officer of Van Andel Institute (VAI) in Grand Rapids, Michigan — discusses the importance of science education for K-12 students. In this video, he discusses the role of collaboration in the future of science.

Dr. Jones pioneered the field of epigenetics, particularly its role in cancer, and helped develop novel therapies for cancer. Dr. Jones is a past president of the American Association for Cancer Research, a Fellow of the AACR Academy, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has published more than 300 scientific papers and received several honors, including the Outstanding Investigator Grant from the National Cancer Institute.

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Dr. Peter Jones — Chief Scientific Officer of Van Andel Institute (VAI) in Grand Rapids, Michigan — discusses the importance of science education for K-12 students. In this video, he discusses the role of failure in being a scientist.

Dr. Jones pioneered the field of epigenetics, particularly its role in cancer, and helped develop novel therapies for cancer. Dr. Jones is a past president of the American Association for Cancer Research, a Fellow of the AACR Academy, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has published more than 300 scientific papers and received several honors, including the Outstanding Investigator Grant from the National Cancer Institute.

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Dr. Peter Jones — Chief Scientific Officer of Van Andel Institute (VAI) in Grand Rapids, Michigan — discusses the importance of science education for K-12 students. In this video, he shares his advice for students who are interested in a career in science or engineering.

Dr. Jones pioneered the field of epigenetics, particularly its role in cancer, and helped develop novel therapies for cancer. Dr. Jones is a past president of the American Association for Cancer Research, a Fellow of the AACR Academy, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has published more than 300 scientific papers and received several honors, including the Outstanding Investigator Grant from the National Cancer Institute.

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Dr. Peter Jones — Chief Scientific Officer of Van Andel Institute (VAI) in Grand Rapids, Michigan — discusses the importance of science education for K-12 students. In this video, he shares his advice for teachers looking to inspire or prepare young scientists.

Dr. Jones pioneered the field of epigenetics, particularly its role in cancer, and helped develop novel therapies for cancer. Dr. Jones is a past president of the American Association for Cancer Research, a Fellow of the AACR Academy, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has published more than 300 scientific papers and received several honors, including the Outstanding Investigator Grant from the National Cancer Institute.

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