As a Gifted and Talented expert, Sara has found the most use out of the Pocketful of Idea Cards. It started during her own professional development when she saw herself groaning at the idea of having to build freely, but then appreciated what it could bring out of her. Sometimes her students can be a little hesitant the way she was, but they later took on the challenge happily.
“If we just had a day where we were between units or class was going to have to be a little short, I’d give them one of the cards and they would compete with each other to see who could create the most outlandish thing and still meet the requirements of their cards.”
The open-ended nature of Strawbees and the activities she implements can bring students out of their shells. Especially those who don’t do well in other classes but they are a tinkerer, they end up building something excellent.
“Our curriculums don’t allow kids to tinker anymore. Especially with a kid who’s normally the quiet one in class, maybe doesn’t say a lot, maybe doesn’t read as well, they flourish when they can build things.”
Working with different educators over the years, Sara has seen a lot of different tools come and go. Some of the tools she describes as “horrendously expensive” whereas Strawbees not only are more affordable, work with recycled materials, but also last for a very long time.
“So far, just in the few years I’ve been here and since we’ve been using them, I haven’t had to repair or build any new connectors because they do last. My husband has had his Classroom Kit for maybe seven or eight years and it’s had a lot of summer camps that have gone through it. He’s added more to it, but it’s lasted.”
The only struggle Sara ever has is with having space to store and keep the creations that her students make, but otherwise when she presents Strawbees at any maker space or training she has it is, it’s been a hit.
“As soon as they get in a presentation and they end up working with them, they end up loving it. Teachers are all in.”
