KBLOG 76: Goodbye Boredom, Hello Action: Engaging Students in Real-World Challenges

A common theme of my KBLOGs is to highlight opportunities for students across various educational settings—traditional schools, homeschooling, and beyond. When students tell me they’re bored in class, it feels like a personal challenge, and frankly, it’s unacceptable. Learning should ignite curiosity and excitement, not monotony.

That’s why I created KBLOG: to share ways educators and parents can infuse vibrancy into teaching and unlock incredible opportunities for all students, regardless of age, education scenario, or community. The internet has shattered the walls of the classroom, offering countless resources that can transform learning into an adventure. Our role as educators is to find the perfect match between students and these opportunities.

In my KBLOG, you’ll find a wide range of internships, competitions, and challenges—many of them free or low-cost. Need help navigating these resources or guiding students through the application process? Don’t hesitate to email me at Rkurtz3@k12stemspace.com. Let’s make learning dynamic and unforgettable for every student.

Opportunities to Spark Engagement

Middle School (Grades 5-8)

• How Does the Sun Behave?: Dive into the mysteries of our Sun’s behavior with these interactive lessons.

• All About the Sun: A fun and educational resource to learn about solar science.

• Build a Replica of the Parker Solar Probe: Hands-on activity to create a model of NASA’s Parker Solar Probe.

Middle to High School (Grades 5-12)

• Design an Experiment to Launch on a Rocket or High-Altitude Balloon: Inspire students to think big with this opportunity to design experiments that could be launched into space.

High School and College

• Launch Your Future: NASA OSTEM Internships Virtual Webinar: A webinar designed to guide students toward securing internships with NASA.

Why It Matters

Engaging students in real-world challenges not only combats boredom but also prepares them for the future. Through these experiences, students develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Whether they’re building a solar probe model or designing an experiment for a high-altitude balloon, these activities ignite passion and cultivate lifelong learning.

Remember, there’s something for every student out there—we just have to make the connection. Let’s say goodbye to boredom and hello to action in the classroom and beyond!

Image by: Anastasia Shuraeva (modified by kurtz)