Professional development webinars 

Learn about the Nasco Ready-or-Not Tot Parenting Simulator

Learn more about Ready-or-Not Tot Parenting Simulators and find the perfect fit for your program.

Adaptive art tools and ideas

Art teacher Angie Szabo talks flipping your classroom, adaptive art tools, and meeting students’ physical, emotional, and cognitive needs.

Culinary knife skills: Types of knives and their uses

Learn about the most common knives found in a culinary kitchen, including construction, function, and the tasks they're best suited for.

Culinary knife skills: Sharpening techniques

Learn the difference between knife sharpening and honing, how often both are needed, and how to use different blade maintenance tools.

Culinary knife skills: Proper holding and cutting techniques

A culinary professional shows how to hold a knife to ensure safe cutting, then shows how to achieve the most common knife cuts.

Culinary knife skills: Safe use and storage

In this video, we review the basics of setting up your station and moving around the kitchen in a way that keeps yourself and others safe.

Exploring 2D motion with tempera engraving

Are you ready to take your students on an exploration of color, rhythm, and lines as they learn to depict 2D motion through tempera engraving? High school art teacher Andrea Worthey shows you each step of an innovative lesson that will help you teach your students how to create amazing mixed-media tempera engravings.

Maker Monday: The 2021 list of teacher-favorite art essentials

Art teachers are essential — and so are the art supplies they use in their classrooms every day! Learn what supplies are teacher favorites, gain tips and techniques, and see projects students created with their most-loved tools.

Choice-based vs. traditional learning in the art room — which method is right for you?

Are you wondering if choice-based learning is right for your art room? In this webinar, Dr. Mary Hoefferle leads an inspiring and informative discussion about the effects different methods can have on learning outcomes, and how you can determine which approach is right for your students.

Mindfulness and stress reduction for teachers

Listen as Licensed Clinical Social Worker and County Mental Health Professional Lisa Dunham shares tips for mindfulness and stress reduction for teachers. Get coping techniques you can use in the classroom and at home.

Maker Monday art lesson: Help students achieve better mental health through art and SEL

New York Art Educator Heather McCutcheon uses the five core SEL competencies in art projects to help students become more intuitive, creative, and emotionally centered. Listen as she shares SEL-infused art projects and tips on how to integrate art and SEL.

Maker Monday art lesson: Geometric designs with an organic twist

Nasco Education's Kris Bakke leads you through the "Designs with an organic twist" lesson plan. In this art project, students learn the elements of lines, shapes, and space while applying an organic source from nature to complete an amazing piece of art.

Colored pencil technique: Additional blending

Get more out of your colored pencils! In this video, artist and art educator Angie Szabo shows you how to use baby oil and rubbing alcohol as alternatives to a colorless blender.

Colored pencil techniques: Toned paper

Get more out of your colored pencils! In this video, artist and art educator Angie Szabo explores techniques for drawing on toned paper.

Colored pencil techniques: Watercolor underpainting

Get more out of your colored pencils! In this video, artist and art educator Angie Szabo covers a mixed media technique that involves underpainting with watercolor and layering with colored pencils.

Colored pencil techniques: Embossing

Get more out of your colored pencils! In this video, artist and art educator Angie Szabo covers embossing, a fun technique that involves pushing into a surface to create an indent.

Colored pencil techniques: Layering

Get more out of your colored pencils! In this video, artist and art educator Angie Szabo covers layering, a technique that builds vibrant, interesting, and realistic color.

Colored pencil techniques: Burnishing

Get more out of your colored pencils! In this video, artist and art educator Angie Szabo covers burnishing, a technique that involves pressing down hard on the paper to blend the color and make it more rich.

Colored pencil techniques: Basics

In this video, artist and art educator Angie Szabo covers the basics of colored pencil blending, mark-making, and texture.

Maker Monday art lesson: Fundraising with ceramic bowls

Art Teacher Karen Crosby talks about how she turned her passion for art and painting ceramic bowls into a successful fundraising effort for local charities. Along with her inspirational story, Karen presents the proper techniques for painting and glazing ceramic bowls.

Makerspace projects for K–8 students

Are you planning to create a makerspace? Or are you looking to refresh the one you have with more makerspace projects? Look no further. You'll get ideas for using craft supplies, electronic parts, recycled materials, and more.

STEM project: Architecture, engineering, and urban design with cardboard

Explore this STEM project, where students use the design thinking process and basic materials like cardboard to imagine, design, and build a model of the community.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 24

Watch this webinar for engaging STEM activities and resources you can use during the school year or for summer school. These all-in-one projects teach about circuitry, motion, and more.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 23

Learning about space is already engaging, but add in simple circuits, and students will have a blast. In this webinar, you'll get STEAM activities for paper circuit cards you can use to celebrate Astronomy Day or any day of the year. These simple projects can be done in class, at home, after school, or in summer camp.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 22

Watch this STEAM activities webinar with Brown Dog Gadgets to learn about micro:bits and some fun projects you can do with a bit board kit. You'll get tips for teaching simple robotics projects in a Lego environment or even using cardboard.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 21

Do you love the sound of student laughter? Then, you'll love learning about a fun STEM activity that will help you celebrate April Fool's Day or any day of the year.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 20

Light up your students' minds with a fun light-up shamrock, a St. Patrick's Day card created with LED circuits, and more. These simple STEM activities are perfect for in class, at home, after school, or summer camps.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 19

Watch this webinar to find some creative origami circuit projects students can create with paper circuits. These simple STEAM activities are perfect for in class, at home, after school, or summer camps.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 18

Learn an easy solar and vibration-based STEAM activity you can do with your students in class, at home, after school, or at camp. Your students will love creating this fun solar-powered bug while learning about motion and circuitry.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 17

Learn how your students can create a vibrating geometric cube with paper circuits. This simple circuitry STEAM activity can be used in class, at home, after school, and at camp.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 16

Watch this webinar to learn how to complete building-brick-based STEAM activities using the circuit start-up kit from Brown Dog Gadgets.

How to engage your students in STEM subjects with EZ-Robots

Hear from the CEO of EZ-Robot about how you can drive engagement in STEM careers across all age groups, genders, and backgrounds. You'll learn how you can significantly increase engagement in STEM subjects with these learning tools.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 15

These Valentine's-themed paper circuit cards not only make engaging STEAM activities for students but will make their recipient's day brighter when they receive one as well.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 14

Get some fun ideas for Valentine's-themed STEAM activities you can use in the classroom. These paper circuit project examples are engaging for students at home or in the classroom.

Why your students need to learn robotics

Learn how robotics and AI are changing the employment landscape and how learning robotics prepares students for an increasingly automated workforce.

Engaging robotics activities for early learners

Learn how to develop early learners' skills in creative design, coding, teamwork, and problem-solving with robotics activities.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 13

Learn about fun STEAM activities with paper circuits you and your students can do for the holidays.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 12

Gain STEAM activities and resources you can use to engage students in the month of January, including paper circuit projects.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 11

Want some exciting holiday STEAM activities that are easy to implement but still engaging for students? You've come to the right place!

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 10

Get some festive ideas for using paper circuits to design December-themed STEAM activities in your classroom.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 9

Get some STEAM activities for making some "flashy" papercraft designs using LEDs and simple circuits that you can use for fall, upcoming holidays, or any time of the year.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 8

See some engaging hands-on STEAM activities that focus on simple circuits. You'll learn about wearables projects based on a Thanksgiving theme that are easy to implement and exciting for students.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 5

Get some ideas for paper circuit STEAM activities you can use to celebrate Halloween and spooky things. You'll get great hands-on ideas that are educational, fun, and engaging for students.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 4

Discover some great hands-on STEAM activities with LEDs that are educational, fun, and certain to engage your students at home or at school.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 3

Watch as experts demonstrate how to teach with Brown Dog Gadgets STEAM activity kits. You'll learn about advanced lessons, extension activities, and misconceptions students have when building projects that involve electricity.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 2

Learn about convenient kits with STEAM activities and extensions that can help you engage students in hands-on learning.

STEM/STEAM activities for at home or in the classroom: Episode 1

Find quick and engaging hands-on STEAM activities you can easily incorporate at-home or in the classroom with convenient kits.

Social-emotional learning kits for home and school

Learn about social-emotional kits that focus on emotional intelligence, self-awareness, decision-making, social awareness, health, and emotions.

Activities for exploring life science outdoors for K–5 students

Watch this webinar to get elementary students excited to learn about life science. You'll find ideas for fun experiments that involve the outdoors — even if it means playing in a little dirt.

What owl pellet dissection can teach your students

Owl pellet dissection helps your students understand the food web and predator-prey relationships. Learn about the kit that makes it happen.

Ideas for outdoor learning

Discover simple activities that will help you create outdoor learning experiences that benefit students.

Fatal Vision Impairment Goggles: The best way to teach students about alcohol and drugs

Learn how Fatal Vision Impairment Goggles give students a way to experience the effects of alcohol and the difficulty in doing basic tasks.

Knife care and maintenance for FCS teachers

Learn knife care tips to maintain professional cutlery to make sure you're getting the most out of your FCS kitchen tools.

Tips and tools to turn your high school students into interior designers

Learn as an interior designer shares the various tools available that enable students to create professional-quality interior design presentations.

How to run a “classroom cupcake war” in your FCS classroom

Watch engagement soar when you learn how to run a reality-show-worthy classroom cupcake war in your FCS classroom with this engaging lesson from high school FCS teacher Stephanie Fox.

How to choose, handle, store, and sharpen knives for your FCS classroom

Hear from knife expert Chris Park about what to look for when choosing knives for your FCS classroom. You'll also learn about knife handling techniques, how to sharpen knives, and how to store them.

Nutrition lessons for middle and high school students

Watch this webinar to learn about engaging nutrition lessons that focus on healthy eating and nutrition for middle and high school students.

Financial decision-making lesson for students: Wants vs. needs

Financial decision-making lessons like the ones in this webinar are important for helping kids understand wants versus needs.

Two AFNR lesson plans for high school: From scat to stitches

Learn about two engaging lessons for your AFNR classroom, including a suturing lesson and a fun lesson on animal scat.

Ideas for tying SEL into your makerspace

Learn about cool makerspace projects and strategies that include SEL skills such as independence, collaboration, resiliency, and respect.

Ideas for teaching circuitry and magnetism virtually or in the classroom

This practical webinar will help you teach circuitry, magnetism, and electromagnetism at home, from a distance, or at school.

All-ages “minute to win it” STEM/STEAM activities for home or school

Uncover some fun STEAM activities you can design and engineer for at-home or classroom learning and learn modifications for all ages.

Engaging at-home STEM/STEAM projects for elementary and middle school students

In this session, you'll learn some easy STEAM projects you can launch with your students that will get them to think critically, collaborate, communicate, and be creative.

Why equity is important with SEL implementation in schools

Equity is an important consideration when providing SEL and mental health support. Learn how you can ensure your district is engaged in equitable practices.

Stress management for teens: How teachers and parents can help

In this webinar, you will learn how to recognize the signs of stress in teens, what stress management looks like, and how you can help.

Engagement techniques to motivate students

Explore the research behind using gaming elements such as mystery and chance in lessons to promote student engagement.

How to boost students’ emotional intelligence

Dr. Michael Hylen shares how emotional intelligence is formed, as well as how you can further develop your students' EQ.

How SEL skills contribute to greater mental health for students

Listen to a panel of national SEL experts give their views on the importance of SEL skills development and how these skills contribute to greater mental health.

Tips for overcoming trauma and building resilience in schools

Watch this session to learn more about student trauma, its effects, and protective factors that can encourage greater resilience in overcoming challenges.

Mental health in schools and trauma-informed teaching

Mental health professional Lisa Dunham discusses mental health in the world today and trauma-informed teaching.

Physical science experiments for the K–8 classroom

Learn some easy and engaging physical science experiments you can demonstrate or lead students through in class.

Indoor and outdoor science experiments for the K–8 classroom

Get ideas for physical science activities that focus on environmental, earth, and biology science concepts.

Activities for exploring space and astronomy in the K–8 classroom

Learn celestial activities to help you celebrate Astronomy Day on May 15 or learn about space and the solar system any time of the year.

Math activities to combat disrupted learning from COVID-19

In this webinar, you'll learn math activities and strategies that can help accelerate learning and re-engage students.

Practical ideas for teaching math in the K–12 classroom

Get math ideas, lessons, and strategies to help you celebrate Math Awareness Month and share an appreciation of math concepts.

Classroom activities for celebrating Pi Day

Learn Pi Day activities and information that you can use to celebrate math and science on this special day.

Ideas for using math games for elementary student engagement

Gain some ideas on how to engage elementary students with math games in both a virtual and classroom environment.

Math projects for at home, in class, after school, or interventions

Learn math projects to help students understand math concepts using simple supplies. These simple yet effective activities are perfect at home, in class, after school, and during intervention pull-outs.

FCS lesson plan: Cookie capers

Join educator Marla Prusa as she shares her FCS lesson for teaching about the difference between store-bought and homemade cookies.

How to bring hands-on experiential garden education into the classroom

Learn how to bring hands-on experiential garden education into the classroom and incorporate flexible cooking and nutrition education

Teaching FCS in a COVID-era classroom

Join two educators as they discuss teaching FCS during a pandemic and how they adjusted their classrooms to meet public health guidelines.

Maker Monday art lesson: Graphite pencil techniques

Special guest artist Kathi Hanson shares best practices for using graphite pencils. Bring paper and pencil and follow along while Kathi shows you some fabulous techniques.

Maker Monday art lesson: Get creative with Mrs. Jeanne’s painted papers

Learn about an art lesson involving painted paper and collaging developed by author and artist Jeanne Styczinski, also known as Mrs. Jeanne. Grab newspaper, acrylic paint, brushes, glue, scissors, and assorted objects to create prints to make your own painted collage.

Maker Monday art lesson: Math, science, social studies, and more!

Get ideas for cross-curricular connections from art educator Jen Dahl as she shares art lesson plans, ideas, and activities.

Class Acts with Kris: Interview with author and educator Cassie Stephens

Popular Nashville art teacher, author, and podcaster Cassie Stephens joins Nasco Education for an exclusive interview. Cassie talks about her new book, "Art Teacherin' 101," what she's learned over the past 23 years of teaching, and shares some of her favorite art projects for the classroom.

Maker Monday: Promoting self-management in the art classroom

Listen as art educator Jen Dahl shares ideas for teaching students self-management techniques for use in the art classroom and at home.

Maker Monday: Books, art, and literacy

Hear about the books art teachers are using to pair art and literacy. Get lesson plans, ideas, and activities for your classroom.

Maker Monday: Social awareness ideas

Art educator Jen Dahl brings you social awareness lesson plans, ideas, activities, book suggestions for your art classroom.

Happy birthday, Maker Monday!

Celebrate a year of Maker Mondays with Nasco Education. You'll hear about lesson plans and highlights of the year.

Book chat with Sarah Krajewski: “Exactly You: The Shape of Your Feelings”

Hear from the author and illustrator of "Exactly You: The Shape of Your Feelings," a children's book written to kids talk about feelings.

Social-emotional learning in the art room

Learn how art educator Heather McCutcheon integrates social-emotional learning in her art room through choice-based learning and connections to identity.

Book chat with author James Haywood Rolling Jr. about “Growing Up Ugly”

Hear James Haywood Rolling Jr. discuss his book "Growing Up Ugly: A Memoir of a Black Boy Daydreaming." You'll hear how social-emotional learning molded his life and how his education set the stage for his future.

Learn about the Online Art Teachers K–12 Service Project

Find out how you can benefit from the Online Art Teachers K–12 Service Project, a world-wide collaboration of art educators providing a much-needed resource for art teachers.

Maker Monday: Best practices for art on a cart

Hear Debbie Scarbrough and Sunni Myers share best practices, popular equipment and supplies, and lesson plans for teaching while using an art cart.

Maker Monday: Filling your art teacher bucket

Learn from Debi West as she shares how you can be inspired, connected, and part of a community that always makes sure your art teacher bucket is filled.

Maker Monday: Inclusion and adaptation in the art room

In this round-table discussion, outstanding art educators share their best practices for inclusion and adaptation in the art room.

Maker Monday: Emotional robots

Art educator Tricia Fugelstad shares her emotional robot lesson covering the color wheel, social-emotional learning, and STEAM concepts.

Maker Monday: Choosing joy and engaging students with Daniel Bryant

Learn how art educator Daniel Bryant, aka Art Virtue, uses all his positivity, talents, and skills with his elementary students and stays connected to the art education community.

Maker Monday art lesson: Incorporating contemporary art in your classroom

Come learn how to begin the process of incorporating the world of contemporary art into your elementary classroom with art educator Devon Calvert.

Maker Monday art lesson: Grandparents, gratitude, and creative care

Learn fun, family-centered projects for your art lessons that convey gratitude and joy and build relationships between young and old.

Maker Monday art lesson: Eco-prints

Learn how to bring this eco-print art lesson into your classroom to teach students how to use rusty things and nature to make the most beautiful prints.

Maker Monday art lesson: Altered books part 2

Watch the second video of this two-part series on how to make altered book projects in your art classroom.

Maker Monday art lesson: Altered books part 1

Melody Weintraub shares her altered bookmaking lesson for your art classroom in a two-part series. Don't miss part 2!

Maker Monday art lesson: Lunch and learn with the Sandwich Art Dad

David Laferriere, aka The Sandwich Art Dad, talks about how making lunch for his kids grew into an art form and how you can share it with your students.

Maker Monday: Kris’s top 10 art materials list

Kris Bakke shares the art materials she “needs” in her art-making life, including great products and fun lesson plans.

Maker Monday art lesson: Día de los Muertos

Infuse SEL into your art lessons by discussing diversity and cultural traditions when making, seeing, and talking about Día de los Muertos.

Maker Monday art lesson: Monster mash and self-expression

Bring your paper, pens (or any drawing materials), a mirror, and your imagination to make self-portraits into a monster mash of mark making!

Maker Monday art lesson: Hispanic Heritage Month and amate paper

Learn about and celebrate Hispanic heritage, culture, and art by making an adaptation of Mexican amate paper.

Maker Monday art lesson: Hispanic Heritage Month and posters with a purpose

In this lesson for all ages, create a poster with purpose while learning about contemporary Hispanic artist and activist Favianna Rodriguez.

Maker Monday: ACMI safety seals, lesson plans, and art advocacy

Learn how to be sure art materials are safe for kids, about the Art and Craft Materials Institute's safety seals, free lesson plans, and more.

Maker Monday art lesson: Making a mask holder

Art educator Leah Schultz shares how her class made mask holders and talks about how this can be a project that goes beyond the classroom.

Maker Monday art lesson: Mod podge head collage and SEL power-up

Kris Bakke and Jenny Kalvaitis from Nasco Education share a cross-curricular collage lesson plan that has a social-emotional learning component.

Maker Monday art lesson: Cardboard art

Explore a cardboard art lesson that has students use critical thinking to figure out materials and then creativity to put it all together.

Maker Monday art lesson: Pop can jewelry

High school art educator Angie Szabo shows how to create jewelry out of aluminum cans and how to adapt the lesson for younger students.

Maker Monday: Best practices for the virtual art classroom

Michele Agosto, Director of the Arts at Buffalo Public Schools, shares her virtual art classroom learnings and how to put ideas into practice.

Maker Monday: Social justice book club

Learn how an art educator created a social justice book club, connected it to art curriculum, and how she's meeting her district's SEL needs.

Maker Monday art lesson: Blind contour drawing

Retired art educator Karen Crosby leads you through a blind contour lesson and talks about how to present the lesson to students of all ages.

Maker Monday art lesson: “The Emotional Color Wheel”

Meet Eric Gibbons, author of "The Emotional Color Wheel." You'll hear about how colors and shapes are related to our emotions and gain SEL tips for your classroom.

Maker Monday art lesson: Quilling self-portrait

In this lesson, students will learn about the intricate art of paper quilling and use quills to create an Impressionistic self-portrait.

Maker Monday art lesson: Community circle project

Join art educator Sandy Coleman and Nasco Education’s Kris Bakke for an art lesson that connects your community in a way that allows them to express themselves creatively. Bring paper, scissors, a circle template (yogurt container, bowl, or circular lid), and any drawing tools and be ready to learn!

Maker Monday art lesson: Learn to crochet

Learn from from art educator Leah Keller as she leads you through a beginning crochet project you can share with your students.

Maker Monday art lesson: Watercolor magic

Learn how to create a take-home watercolor set for each student using tube colors and mint tins and show students how to create watercolor postcards.

Maker Monday art lesson: Visual journaling

Art educator Sandee Darden shares how she incorporated visual journaling in her classroom and how it helps students explore the social-emotional learning aspects of art.

Art lesson: Abstract watercolor weavings

This lesson plan is a great way to show how to use art to express yourself. The webinar walks you through how to do abstract watercolor weavings and discusses materials, literacy, and self expression.

Art lesson: Amazing glue prints

Art educator Tasha Newton and Nasco Education's Kris Bakke demonstrate a lesson plan that uses glue in a new way and discuss choice-based learning and critical thinking.

Art lesson: Monet’s “The Japanese Footbridge” and bees

Art teacher and beekeeper Casey Kemper looks at an art lesson for Monet's "The Japanese Footbridge" and discusses watercolor resist and art history at the elementary level.

Art lesson: Ashley Bryan-inspired paper collage

Inspired by artist, author, illustrator, and poet Ashley Bryan, this collage art lesson is an amazing way for students to express themselves.

Art and STEAM lesson: Line design into sculpture

Educator Debi West walks through "Line design into sculpture," our most popular art lesson plan. Work along with them and learn how to lead this lesson with your students.

Art lesson: Lines galore (basic lines plus more)

Learn from an expert educator how to lead a lesson on exploring lines and introduce the elements and principles of art and design through line, pattern, texture, and more.

Art lesson: Animated trees

Award-winning educator Jen Dahl shares an art lesson where students will learn how to draw trees, talk about emotions, and depict facial expressions.

How to deliver high school AFNR lessons online

AFNR educator Mercedes Lemke discusses how to transition your classroom AFNR lessons online, and explores three lessons about commodities, soil horizons, and plant growth.