2 min read
Former award winning teacher and expert curriculum writer, Matthew Schmidt and Dave from The PocketLab explore the dynamic intersection of education and technology. They kick off with a light-hearted discussion on how virtual meetings have redefined our sense of connection, especially in a post-pandemic world. The conversation then shifts to the challenges and opportunities in modern education, highlighting the importance of filling gaps in traditional curriculums with innovative resources. Matthew shares his journey from a non-traditional teaching background to creating impactful educational content that resonates with diverse student populations.
The duo delves into the role of AI in education, discussing its potential to enhance learning experiences while emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human interaction and project-based learning. They also touch on the resurgence of hands-on activities and the importance of fostering a classroom culture where students feel safe to experiment and fail.
Listeners will gain valuable insights into the future of education, the significance of personalized learning, and the exciting developments at The PocketLab, including their partnerships and upcoming projects. Tune in to discover how technology and creativity are shaping the classrooms of tomorrow.
Check out Sciesmic grades 6-8 curriculum content
ABOUT MATT
Matthew Schmidt is a former award-winning high school science teacher. His experience in the classroom started in a “science class” that had no lab benches, no lab equipment, and students who had been without a teacher for months. Through a “trial by fire” approach, he quickly learned how few resources there were to support a diverse student population and witnessed students slipping through the cracks as a result. Desperate for more high-quality resources and ways to reach his students, he knew there had to be a better way. So, he began to develop his own resources. These were each designed with several factors in mind:
1. Students needed to be at the center of the learning. Gone were the days of lecture-only classes!
2. Materials and phenomena needed to be relevant to student lives. No more dated examples.
3. Every resource needed to address different styles of learning and levels of students. No two classrooms are the same and every student brings with them different experiences.
Using these resources, he quickly started to see success and even developed a complete biology, chemistry, and physics curriculum for his district. Fueled by this success and fellow teachers asking for his resources, he created Sciesmic. Today, these resources are being used in thousands of classrooms across the country and helping students spark a love for science again.
In his free time, he enjoys thrifting, collecting Pokémon cards, and spending time with his wonderful wife, Rachael, and his two daughters, Emily and Charlotte.
