The Futures Channel was founded in 1999 with the goal of using new media technologies to create a channel between the scientists, engineers, explorers and visionaries who are shaping the future, and today's learners who will one day succeed them.
In the summer of 2006, The Futures Channel team visited K'NEX for an episode of its Math on Location series that takes viewers behind the scenes at worksites around the country to show students real world applications of different math concepts. The five-minute documentary, 'Inventing Toys,' features toy designers Mike Klitsch and Heather Croston, as well as K'NEX Founder Joel Glickman.
Sandra Thomas is a junior high school teacher from Rosenberg, Texas. Here's how she describes the video, "I thought the movie about designing the K'NEX toys was great for several reasons:
It got my attention right away with the sound effects and bright colors of the toy.
Many of my students have no idea that there are people who have jobs like those in the movie.
I have SO MUCH trouble sometimes trying to connect what they are learning in 7th grade math to how it is used in the real world.
This movie would get students thinking 'Wow!! I draw stuff all the time but I never knew I might could have a job that put my ideas to work!'"
In addition to its movie about toy designers, The Futures Channel's movies include other innovative and interesting careers varying from a skateboard designer and a robotics engineer to a wildlife biologistand a world-renowned drummer.
Visit them at http://www.thefutureschannel.com/index.php
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Product Matrix Guide.
Elementary Activity Set: Grades 1-6. Your students will Imagine, Build, Play and Learn with this hands-on
program designed for 30 students.
Early Learning Activity Set: Ages 3 - 5 Designed to allow for an interdisciplinary approach to literacy, incorporating listening skills, following directions, art,
