Month: July 2026

MSM, PodcastBy Troy Patterson

MSM 707: Don’t Steal the Struggle

Cartoon characters of Shawn, Troy, and Dave.

Summary:

Shawn and Troy continue discussing ISTE, AI and more, Dave takes on High Stakes Testing. 

Jokes:

What do you call corn that joins the army?

  • Kernel.

What did the nuclear physicist have for lunch?

  • Fission chips.

They say “Revenge is a dish best served cold.”

They also say “Revenge is sweet.”

So, basically, revenge is ice-cream.

I was bitten by a radioactive lawyer and ended up with the power of attorney.

Who is the king of the pencil case? 

  • The ruler.

Two silk worms had a race. 

  • They ended up in a tie.

Middle School Science Minute  

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)

K12Science Podcast: Consequences of High Stakes Testing

I was recently reading the May-June, 2026 issue of “Science Scope” a publication from the National Science Teaching Association. 

In this issue, I read the Leadership Matters column written by Amy Bekins. It was entitled “The Unintentional Consequences of High Stakes Testing on Middle School Science.”

Some ways that leaders can build science efficacy and increase achievement for all contents is to:

1. Incorporate more nonfiction texts.

2. Conduct experiments where students can practice mathematics skills, such as graphing, with real data.

3. Leverage each teachers’ content expertise through cross content teams and projects.

4. Encourage science to be an integral part of the curriculum.

https://k12science.net/consequences-of-high-stakes-testing/

The MDSTA Call for Speakers is open!  You can also register for the Fall Conference:  https://www.mdsta.org/  (Presenter link:  https://forms.gle/8mynkU3ZEaZ72iJQA)  

Reports from the Front Lines

  • uncheckedISTE 2026 Part Deux
    • uncheckedBooks to Read:
    • uncheckedStretch AI – Imagine all the articles ASCD and ISTE ever wrote all in one database to research and get coaching.  Well, welcome to StretchAI.  Right now it is by invitation, but if you ask nicely it should be a 24 hour wait to get access.  Must be a member of ISTE’s top two levels to get access.  Basic membership will get you access until September.  Advantage?  It has access to all of ASCD’s corpus of work.  Disadvantage?  It is really tied to ASCD’s corpus of work.  2000 character limit in the prompt.  No way to upload a document or lesson plan to examine and get coaching, yet.  
    • uncheckedKeynotes weren’t awful, that’s the good news.  Ever wonder what it looks like behind the scenes at Pixar?  Keep wondering, no pictures allowed!  
    • uncheckedNote taking:  Paper, Apple Pencil, and Apple Notes Transcription.  Which one did I prefer?
      • uncheckedBest comment of the conference:  “I love your handwriting (cursive)!  I can’t read a single thing, but I love it!  You should write the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution!”  
    • uncheckedConference Packing Music:  We Came to Build Tomorrow by Frideswidel | Suno  
    • uncheckedInteresting Educational Tech
  • uncheckedInclusive 52 Executive Functioning Weekly Strategies to help Learners Thrive – Using AI as an Assistant.
    • uncheckedUsing AI to build out the strategies in the text.  Branding?  Workflow?  Lab Assistant?  Burma Shave!!!!  

The Social Web

Eric Curts @ericcurts.bsky.social

Are you attending #ISTELive? Add to the shared resource doc here: bit.ly/iste26-share 🎉 Mixers, Events, Meetups 🧑 Attendee Information 🗣️ Promote Your Sessions 🍽️ Restaurants & Attractions ✋ Questions 🧰 Learning Resources #ASCDAnnual #EduSky #EdTech

@isteofficial.bsky.social

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PodcastBy Troy Patterson

MSM 706: It’s the Tea in ISTE!

Cartoon characterizations of Shawn and Troy. ISTE conference setting with booths in the background.

Summary:    

Shawn and Troy talk about ISTE, AI, changes and more. Dave covers Earth and Space.

Jokes:

A saw a couple arguing. As I walked by, one said to the other, “You have a face that looks like the back of a boat”. 

  • The other one didn’t say anything, but did give a stern look. 

Do you know where you can get chicken broth in bulk? 

  • The stock market.

Which New York City borough has the lowest cholesterol?

– Statin Island

It turns out my hospital gown matched my insurance.

  • I thought I was covered but I wasn’t.

How can you tell if a treasure map was written by a pirate chicken?

  • Eggs marks the spot.

I was in Bermuda recently, and I went to see their national orchestra playing.

  • The guy with the triangle mysteriously disappeared.

I am trying to sell a gate for free on eBay.

  • There’s no catch.

If you feel lonely, just start a small business.

  • Then at least you’ll have a little company.

Scientists have recently noticed that crows are not making as much noise.

  • Researchers are busy looking for the cause.

Middle School Science Minute  

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)

A Place for Earth and Space Science

I was recently reading the May-June, 2026 issue of “Science Scope” a publication from the National Science Teaching Association. 

In this issue, I read a guest editorial, written by Christine Hirst Bernhardt. It was entitled “Making a Place for Earth and Space.”

Christine is the President-Elect of the National Earth Science Teachers Association. She is a former Earth and space science teacher, her research and practice focus on supporting teachers in fostering authentic science learning and students’ epistemic agency.

https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/k12science/id/41926820

Reports from the Front Lines

 ISTE 2026  

  • Orlando has Tiger Fans!  Yankees fans, not so much . . . (Tigers swept Yankees and I heard about it!)
  • Orlando Convention Center is HUGE!
    • Did you know there’s a summer long volleyball tournament in one of the three buildings?  I do now! 
  • Lots of work is being done on understanding the educational role of AI.  Research says . . .
    • Screen time.  Depends on what you’re doing with the screen!  
    • Be prepared to show your Agents!  
    • Turn your iPhone into “Dumb” Phone
  • AI Pedagogy Pattern:  No-AI, Structured Use of AI, Application/Real World/Written response, Reflection.  Evaluate the thinking process, not so much the final product.  
  • Name change:  ISTE+ASCD is now . . . ISTE!  Wait, what?  Let me explain . . . 

The Social Web

‪Susie Dent‬   ‪@susiedentwords.bsky.social‬

If you fancy a read in the shade, I’ve written a short piece on the words that wear their hearts on their sleeves. Like ‘secretary’, originally a ‘keeper of secrets’. susiedent.substack.com/p/hiding-in-…

‪AMLE‬ ‪@amleorg.bsky.social‬

A middle school’s master schedule is one of the most powerful tools you have to support young adolescents. Discover how to build a schedule that reflects your school’s vision and mission: amle.org/masterschedule

‪MiddleWeb‬ ‪@middleweb.bsky.social‬  #teachersky #librarysky #tlsky #iteachEnglish

‪ MiddleWeb‬   ‪@middleweb.bsky.social‬

TAP INTO THE VERSATILITY OF POETRY ANTHOLOGIES! Kasey Short uses children’s poetry anthologies and collections to increase student choice while also building their confidence and interest. Activities & suggested texts! #edusky #poetry @shortissweet.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/53643/tap-in…

‪Fabio Chiusi‬ ‪@fabiochiusi.bsky.social‬

This is just so unbelievably stupid ““I can’t crack the code of working with [my boss], because it’s just his AI and my AI going back and forth.’” futurism.com/artificial-i…

The Internet is Crack@theinternetiscrack@mastodon.social

How Do We Measure Learning in the Age of AI?

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