Let's just put it out there. December is exhausting for teachers. The weather grows colder and (at least here in Oregon) wetter. Students are anxious -- whether it's a buzzing excitement for vacation or a sense of dread that some kids feel in homes that are unsafe during the holidays. They're tired of redirecting behaviors and tired of the mid-year pressure of the test and simply tired of the sheer energy it takes to be a teacher. It's no wonder that so many teachers begin playing holiday movies around this time of year. They want to create a sense of fun and escape and enjoyment, and a motion picture promises exactly that. So, please don't read this post as a slam on teachers showing movies before the break. If this is a part of a positive classroom culture, keep doing it. This isn't meant to be a guilt trip or a rant or a

The importance of these subjects has been evident in the rapid growth and development of new industries -- particularly computer-related ones -- since the 1970s. However, that importance has only been codified for schools under the acronym STEM since 2001. That was when the National Science Foundation put a new emphasis on how critical education in those fields was. It has led to a hard push for schools to up the opportunities for kids to explore, learn and grow both exposure to and foundational knowledge of these areas. Almost every school looks to wedge STEM into a lesson any way possible, in addition to extracurricular activities that shore up how fun science and invention can be.

While the era of data science is here and it is believed that the more knowledge and experience one has with data and the earlier they learn it in their career, the better prepared they will be to get into such a complex field. And what can be earlier than learning data science during your childhood? Data science is indeed a complicated subject to get a hold of, which is usually struggled by many professionals but video games and online games proved to be'chocolate-covered broccoli' -- an essential aspect in teaching kids a thing or two about data science. Studies have suggested that games can be one of the engaging ways to develop critical thinking, cognitive behaviour and motivational impact among kids. Not only can it teach AI/ML concepts and programming, but can also teach knowledge on mathematics, statistics and probability to kids.

With artificial intelligence systems entering the mainstream, researchers say teaching kids to call robots "it" can help develop healthy boundaries. According to an article from the Wall Street Journal, a growing number of studies are encouraging childhood AI education beyond coding. If kids understand how an AI system works, they can be more comfortable controlling and mastering it. In a 2018 study, for example, 1 in 4 kids thought a robot would be better at solving a puzzle than them. Using the pronoun "it" teaches children that AI is inhuman, capable of error, and even manipulation.

There are a whole host of apps and games that are aimed at teaching kids to code, but not all of them come with stellar IP partnerships. But that's just what Bloxels, Pixel Press's video game building system aimed at teaching kids how to be content creators, has. Today, Pixel Press and the toy company Mattel announced that the companies were partnering to release a Star Wars edition of Bloxels. You can buy it today for $50 at retailers nationwide. Bloxels aim to help kids learn about the mechanics of video game design and storytelling by putting them in control of creating a game.

Alec Ross knows Trump country well. The former Obama administration staffer hails from the heart of coal country in Charleston, West Virginia. He grew up alongside the very people that President Trump likes to say Washington has left behind. As with Trump, Ross believes that government needs to do a better job lifting up these "forgotten men and women." Unlike Trump, Ross believes accomplishing that goal has little to do with sealing off the borders or reviving the coal industry at the expense of the world's climate.