In addition to my exciting assembly programs, I offer schools hands on workshops for students that compliment and enhance the materials and concepts presented in the assemblies. The assemblies allow students and teachers to experience science and math though seeing and hearing.

Hands On Workshops add the third critical method of retaining what you are trying to learn; “Touch”.  We know that the most common learning methods are: Seeing, Hearing and Touching. However, in many instances two additional techniques may require the sensory methods of smell and taste.

Some of the benefits of “Hands On” teaching techniques are:

By investigating the subject matter through hands-on activities, students learn both content and thinking strategies Hands-on activities support problem-based approaches to learning by focusing on the experience and process of investigating, proposing and creating solutions. As a result, students learn how to gather information and solve problems.

Hands-on activities use real objects to support multiple modes of communication, linking visual learning to what is being said and discussed. Hands-on activities enable students to discuss, debate, verbalize and explain processes and concepts while working together. An observation of hands-on learning noted that students demonstrated strong communication tied to working in teams.

With the right kind of planning and presentation, hands-on teaching can restore focus and spark engagement.

It has been demonstrated that students who are disadvantaged economically or academically gain the most from activity-based programs. Every learner is provided with the same materials and guidance, and can interact with the lessons in the materials in a way that makes sense for them (e.g., students who tend to learn visually may connect with the colors and sights while tactile learners can appreciate being able to manipulate objects).

Business leaders regularly complain that our education system fails to teach students the 21st-century skills they need for the work world, such as problem-solving, communication, and the ability to work well in teams. In the course of doing a hands-on project, students learn to work well with other team members who may have different socioeconomic backgrounds, different learning styles, and different cultures. As a result, students are better prepared to take their place in the business world.

The benefits for educators are also numerous. For example, professional development workshops that stress hands-on learning are significantly more successful in improving teacher confidence in math and science instruction. Hands-on activities help teachers cut the time needed for remediation, improve classroom management by unifying students around a common organized activity, and foster a greater interpersonal and supportive emotional connection with students through sharing the process of learning with them (rather than one-way lecturing).

Finally, hands-on teaching is fun. Not just for students but for educators who are eager to go beyond merely presenting information and administering tests.