Mark Gerl
@markgerl.bsky.social
Middle School Tech & Innovation Teacher, teaching Robotics, Programming, Game Design, Wearable Technology, VR Design & 3D Printing. Advocate for UX for Edu (LX). Presenting at SXSW EDU in March '25.
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome This is Tina. She does ballet, and likes to go on quests.
Her best friends are twin foxes, David and Leela. David is smart, likes to play games.
Leela is an adventurer. They go on quests together.
I was introduced by a student who was incredibly proud of her. 😁
#EduSky
Her best friends are twin foxes, David and Leela. David is smart, likes to play games.
Leela is an adventurer. They go on quests together.
I was introduced by a student who was incredibly proud of her. 😁
#EduSky
November 7, 2025 at 7:56 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome This is Tina. She does ballet, and likes to go on quests.
Her best friends are twin foxes, David and Leela. David is smart, likes to play games.
Leela is an adventurer. They go on quests together.
I was introduced by a student who was incredibly proud of her. 😁
#EduSky
Her best friends are twin foxes, David and Leela. David is smart, likes to play games.
Leela is an adventurer. They go on quests together.
I was introduced by a student who was incredibly proud of her. 😁
#EduSky
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome 3D print class has the challenge "Design & print something that moves" implying print in place / gears
student is designing planetary gears, which lead to "How many teeth on a gear?" which lead to "How far apart are they?" which lead to geometry & algebra
#EduSky #MakerEdu
student is designing planetary gears, which lead to "How many teeth on a gear?" which lead to "How far apart are they?" which lead to geometry & algebra
#EduSky #MakerEdu
November 6, 2025 at 10:34 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome 3D print class has the challenge "Design & print something that moves" implying print in place / gears
student is designing planetary gears, which lead to "How many teeth on a gear?" which lead to "How far apart are they?" which lead to geometry & algebra
#EduSky #MakerEdu
student is designing planetary gears, which lead to "How many teeth on a gear?" which lead to "How far apart are they?" which lead to geometry & algebra
#EduSky #MakerEdu
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome I absolutely love when students have that "Look what I did!" moment. Today's 8th grade Robotics was filled with shouts of pride & accomplishment. This is why I teach. Each team was able to code the square.
@sparkfun.bsky.social XRP Robots are amazing!
#EduSky #Robots🤖
@sparkfun.bsky.social XRP Robots are amazing!
#EduSky #Robots🤖
November 5, 2025 at 8:27 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome I absolutely love when students have that "Look what I did!" moment. Today's 8th grade Robotics was filled with shouts of pride & accomplishment. This is why I teach. Each team was able to code the square.
@sparkfun.bsky.social XRP Robots are amazing!
#EduSky #Robots🤖
@sparkfun.bsky.social XRP Robots are amazing!
#EduSky #Robots🤖
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome I enjoy giving students room to be creative in class. It helps me learn who they are as people.
It also makes moments like this possible. You don't get this from a scripted curriculum.
*Used with their permission.
#EduSky #LetKidsBeThemselves #WhyITeach
It also makes moments like this possible. You don't get this from a scripted curriculum.
*Used with their permission.
#EduSky #LetKidsBeThemselves #WhyITeach
October 30, 2025 at 7:02 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome I enjoy giving students room to be creative in class. It helps me learn who they are as people.
It also makes moments like this possible. You don't get this from a scripted curriculum.
*Used with their permission.
#EduSky #LetKidsBeThemselves #WhyITeach
It also makes moments like this possible. You don't get this from a scripted curriculum.
*Used with their permission.
#EduSky #LetKidsBeThemselves #WhyITeach
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome The 8th grade Robotics class got their robots today! They assembled the XRP robots from @sparkfun.bsky.social in a single class. The only disappointment is I only had 1 frost blue sparkly filament chassis. Guess what I'm printing this weekend.
#EduSky #Robots #XRPRobots
#EduSky #Robots #XRPRobots
October 28, 2025 at 7:19 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome The 8th grade Robotics class got their robots today! They assembled the XRP robots from @sparkfun.bsky.social in a single class. The only disappointment is I only had 1 frost blue sparkly filament chassis. Guess what I'm printing this weekend.
#EduSky #Robots #XRPRobots
#EduSky #Robots #XRPRobots
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome VR is an amazing technology, allowing us to explore worlds we can't go to physically. It can also be an incredible art platform, making beauty you can walk in.
A student made this piece, complete with unicorns.
@delightex.com
#EduSky #VREdu #NeedsMoreUnicorns
A student made this piece, complete with unicorns.
@delightex.com
#EduSky #VREdu #NeedsMoreUnicorns
October 27, 2025 at 10:46 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome VR is an amazing technology, allowing us to explore worlds we can't go to physically. It can also be an incredible art platform, making beauty you can walk in.
A student made this piece, complete with unicorns.
@delightex.com
#EduSky #VREdu #NeedsMoreUnicorns
A student made this piece, complete with unicorns.
@delightex.com
#EduSky #VREdu #NeedsMoreUnicorns
Reposted by Mark Gerl
Latest for Edutopia! edut.to/4nFiKCZ
October 26, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Latest for Edutopia! edut.to/4nFiKCZ
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome 7th/8th grade AI Exp fine tuned their Teachable Machines to finally complete a maze! The cheers were very human as the "You Win!" signs popped up on screens.
teachablemachine.withgoogle.com
playground.raise.mit.edu/create/
@nancyeblairblack.bsky.social
#EduSky #AIEdu
teachablemachine.withgoogle.com
playground.raise.mit.edu/create/
@nancyeblairblack.bsky.social
#EduSky #AIEdu
October 24, 2025 at 7:15 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome 7th/8th grade AI Exp fine tuned their Teachable Machines to finally complete a maze! The cheers were very human as the "You Win!" signs popped up on screens.
teachablemachine.withgoogle.com
playground.raise.mit.edu/create/
@nancyeblairblack.bsky.social
#EduSky #AIEdu
teachablemachine.withgoogle.com
playground.raise.mit.edu/create/
@nancyeblairblack.bsky.social
#EduSky #AIEdu
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome AI Exploration for 7/8th gd. Learning the importance of data, and good data, in training systems to be accurate with Teachable Machine. They learned when you game the system to get results in training it leads to bad results in production.
#EduSky #AIEducation #DataIsLife
#EduSky #AIEducation #DataIsLife
October 22, 2025 at 7:20 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome AI Exploration for 7/8th gd. Learning the importance of data, and good data, in training systems to be accurate with Teachable Machine. They learned when you game the system to get results in training it leads to bad results in production.
#EduSky #AIEducation #DataIsLife
#EduSky #AIEducation #DataIsLife
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome. New term, new classes, new curriculum. VR for 5th, Chocolate Design Thinking for 6th, 3D Modeling & Printing for 7th, AI for 7/8th, Robotics for 8th.
If you put all my classes together you get virtual sentient robots made in PETG that bring you chocolate. 🤓🤖🍫🖨
#EduSky
If you put all my classes together you get virtual sentient robots made in PETG that bring you chocolate. 🤓🤖🍫🖨
#EduSky
October 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome. New term, new classes, new curriculum. VR for 5th, Chocolate Design Thinking for 6th, 3D Modeling & Printing for 7th, AI for 7/8th, Robotics for 8th.
If you put all my classes together you get virtual sentient robots made in PETG that bring you chocolate. 🤓🤖🍫🖨
#EduSky
If you put all my classes together you get virtual sentient robots made in PETG that bring you chocolate. 🤓🤖🍫🖨
#EduSky
Reposted by Mark Gerl
This is ARPS-2's Educational Starter configuration – just pop it onto an #Arduino UNO R3 or R4 and start programming!
It's great for beginners because it's quick to build, has enough I/O devices to make a variety of simple programs, and is more reliable than the spaghetti wiring of a breadboard. 🤣
It's great for beginners because it's quick to build, has enough I/O devices to make a variety of simple programs, and is more reliable than the spaghetti wiring of a breadboard. 🤣
October 19, 2025 at 6:38 PM
This is ARPS-2's Educational Starter configuration – just pop it onto an #Arduino UNO R3 or R4 and start programming!
It's great for beginners because it's quick to build, has enough I/O devices to make a variety of simple programs, and is more reliable than the spaghetti wiring of a breadboard. 🤣
It's great for beginners because it's quick to build, has enough I/O devices to make a variety of simple programs, and is more reliable than the spaghetti wiring of a breadboard. 🤣
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome DnD club meets in my lab on Fridays. Today during the campaign the DM says "The corpse is now completely useless, more of an accessory than anything".
Which is wonderful writing and disturbing imagery at the same time. I'm proud but a bit concerned.
#EduSky #DnDClassroom
Which is wonderful writing and disturbing imagery at the same time. I'm proud but a bit concerned.
#EduSky #DnDClassroom
October 17, 2025 at 7:03 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome DnD club meets in my lab on Fridays. Today during the campaign the DM says "The corpse is now completely useless, more of an accessory than anything".
Which is wonderful writing and disturbing imagery at the same time. I'm proud but a bit concerned.
#EduSky #DnDClassroom
Which is wonderful writing and disturbing imagery at the same time. I'm proud but a bit concerned.
#EduSky #DnDClassroom
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome 8th grade saw "The Rocket Men" @synchrotheatre.bsky.social Amazing performances, really thought provoking script. Reminiscent of "Copenhagen" by Michael Frayn. Science meets Art meets History to punch you in the heart pants.
#EduSky #EducationalTheater #WowThatEnding!
#EduSky #EducationalTheater #WowThatEnding!
October 15, 2025 at 6:22 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome 8th grade saw "The Rocket Men" @synchrotheatre.bsky.social Amazing performances, really thought provoking script. Reminiscent of "Copenhagen" by Michael Frayn. Science meets Art meets History to punch you in the heart pants.
#EduSky #EducationalTheater #WowThatEnding!
#EduSky #EducationalTheater #WowThatEnding!
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome 5th grade is wrapping up VR Tours of school, & a team finished early so was testing in VR Headsets. When Prospective Parents were brought in, the students talked about their project & offered a headset for the parents to see.
I love when parents say "Wow!"
#Edusky #VREdu
I love when parents say "Wow!"
#Edusky #VREdu
October 10, 2025 at 6:25 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome 5th grade is wrapping up VR Tours of school, & a team finished early so was testing in VR Headsets. When Prospective Parents were brought in, the students talked about their project & offered a headset for the parents to see.
I love when parents say "Wow!"
#Edusky #VREdu
I love when parents say "Wow!"
#Edusky #VREdu
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome The assignment was a brief portfolio slide deck of what you've learned this term. One student ended her presentation with this.
I'm not crying, my lab is just very dusty.
#EduSky #StudentAppreciation #IDeserveAMedalMyStudentSaidSo
I'm not crying, my lab is just very dusty.
#EduSky #StudentAppreciation #IDeserveAMedalMyStudentSaidSo
October 9, 2025 at 7:16 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome The assignment was a brief portfolio slide deck of what you've learned this term. One student ended her presentation with this.
I'm not crying, my lab is just very dusty.
#EduSky #StudentAppreciation #IDeserveAMedalMyStudentSaidSo
I'm not crying, my lab is just very dusty.
#EduSky #StudentAppreciation #IDeserveAMedalMyStudentSaidSo
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome
Due to a schedule change we had a shortened class. They asked if they could do Formula 1 Robot Races. @spheroeducation.bsky.social
"We imagine a school where teachers & students stretch themselves with projects of their own design." -Seymour Papert
#EduSky #Formula1
Due to a schedule change we had a shortened class. They asked if they could do Formula 1 Robot Races. @spheroeducation.bsky.social
"We imagine a school where teachers & students stretch themselves with projects of their own design." -Seymour Papert
#EduSky #Formula1
October 8, 2025 at 6:47 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome
Due to a schedule change we had a shortened class. They asked if they could do Formula 1 Robot Races. @spheroeducation.bsky.social
"We imagine a school where teachers & students stretch themselves with projects of their own design." -Seymour Papert
#EduSky #Formula1
Due to a schedule change we had a shortened class. They asked if they could do Formula 1 Robot Races. @spheroeducation.bsky.social
"We imagine a school where teachers & students stretch themselves with projects of their own design." -Seymour Papert
#EduSky #Formula1
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome
8th graders are wrapping up App Design class by curating projects in a slide deck.
"Whoa! We did a lot of stuff! When did we do this much stuff?"
Me:"You know ... class. We learn things."
S:"Yeah but it didn't feel like learning"
#EduSky #FlowInClass #LearningByDoing
8th graders are wrapping up App Design class by curating projects in a slide deck.
"Whoa! We did a lot of stuff! When did we do this much stuff?"
Me:"You know ... class. We learn things."
S:"Yeah but it didn't feel like learning"
#EduSky #FlowInClass #LearningByDoing
October 7, 2025 at 7:15 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome
8th graders are wrapping up App Design class by curating projects in a slide deck.
"Whoa! We did a lot of stuff! When did we do this much stuff?"
Me:"You know ... class. We learn things."
S:"Yeah but it didn't feel like learning"
#EduSky #FlowInClass #LearningByDoing
8th graders are wrapping up App Design class by curating projects in a slide deck.
"Whoa! We did a lot of stuff! When did we do this much stuff?"
Me:"You know ... class. We learn things."
S:"Yeah but it didn't feel like learning"
#EduSky #FlowInClass #LearningByDoing
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome I love discovering new tools, new ideas, new curriculum. I ordered this XRP Robot kit from @sparkfun.bsky.social & the frame is currently printing. Excited to code soon.
#EduSky #XRPRobot #NewCurriculumExcitement
#BuildABot
#EduSky #XRPRobot #NewCurriculumExcitement
#BuildABot
October 6, 2025 at 7:03 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome I love discovering new tools, new ideas, new curriculum. I ordered this XRP Robot kit from @sparkfun.bsky.social & the frame is currently printing. Excited to code soon.
#EduSky #XRPRobot #NewCurriculumExcitement
#BuildABot
#EduSky #XRPRobot #NewCurriculumExcitement
#BuildABot
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome The end of A Term is nearing and students are wrapping up their projects. My most often spoken phrase today was "That's incredible! You've done some incredible work. I'm really proud of you!"
I don't mind saying it publicly, my students are awesome!
#EduSky #TeacherPride
I don't mind saying it publicly, my students are awesome!
#EduSky #TeacherPride
September 30, 2025 at 7:11 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome The end of A Term is nearing and students are wrapping up their projects. My most often spoken phrase today was "That's incredible! You've done some incredible work. I'm really proud of you!"
I don't mind saying it publicly, my students are awesome!
#EduSky #TeacherPride
I don't mind saying it publicly, my students are awesome!
#EduSky #TeacherPride
"We don't learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experiences."--John Dewey
A thread reflecting on my experiences at @3dprintopia.bsky.social 2025
But first a huge Thank You to @mattstultz.bsky.social and @ellierose.me from CocoaPress for making this possible.
🧵/1
#EduSky
A thread reflecting on my experiences at @3dprintopia.bsky.social 2025
But first a huge Thank You to @mattstultz.bsky.social and @ellierose.me from CocoaPress for making this possible.
🧵/1
#EduSky
September 29, 2025 at 12:20 PM
"We don't learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experiences."--John Dewey
A thread reflecting on my experiences at @3dprintopia.bsky.social 2025
But first a huge Thank You to @mattstultz.bsky.social and @ellierose.me from CocoaPress for making this possible.
🧵/1
#EduSky
A thread reflecting on my experiences at @3dprintopia.bsky.social 2025
But first a huge Thank You to @mattstultz.bsky.social and @ellierose.me from CocoaPress for making this possible.
🧵/1
#EduSky
September 28, 2025 at 2:42 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Working the CocoaPress booth at @3dprintopia.bsky.social my 1st 3D print event
Walking around, talking to people, seeing the amazing ideas that come from Cartesian planes & melting plastic to become absolutely incredible designs.
11/10 would recommend
#EduSky #MakerEdu
Walking around, talking to people, seeing the amazing ideas that come from Cartesian planes & melting plastic to become absolutely incredible designs.
11/10 would recommend
#EduSky #MakerEdu
September 27, 2025 at 7:20 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Working the CocoaPress booth at @3dprintopia.bsky.social my 1st 3D print event
Walking around, talking to people, seeing the amazing ideas that come from Cartesian planes & melting plastic to become absolutely incredible designs.
11/10 would recommend
#EduSky #MakerEdu
Walking around, talking to people, seeing the amazing ideas that come from Cartesian planes & melting plastic to become absolutely incredible designs.
11/10 would recommend
#EduSky #MakerEdu
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Preparing for @3dprintopia.bsky.social 6th Grade interviewed a 3D Print Enthusiast Teacher "What would impress you about printing in chocolate?"
Based on his responses, they made Gaming Icons. 🤓
@ellierose.me @mattstultz.bsky.social
#EduSky #MakerEdu #♥️🍫🖨️ #3DChocolate
Based on his responses, they made Gaming Icons. 🤓
@ellierose.me @mattstultz.bsky.social
#EduSky #MakerEdu #♥️🍫🖨️ #3DChocolate
September 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Preparing for @3dprintopia.bsky.social 6th Grade interviewed a 3D Print Enthusiast Teacher "What would impress you about printing in chocolate?"
Based on his responses, they made Gaming Icons. 🤓
@ellierose.me @mattstultz.bsky.social
#EduSky #MakerEdu #♥️🍫🖨️ #3DChocolate
Based on his responses, they made Gaming Icons. 🤓
@ellierose.me @mattstultz.bsky.social
#EduSky #MakerEdu #♥️🍫🖨️ #3DChocolate
#AwesomeMomentOfToday Presented at West GA RESA about emerging Educational Technologies. Awesome conversations, lots of excitement, it's encouraging to see people excited and engaged about new ideas for instruction & assessment.
#WestGARESA #EduSky #ConstructivistEducation
#WestGARESA #EduSky #ConstructivistEducation
September 22, 2025 at 7:48 PM
#AwesomeMomentOfToday Presented at West GA RESA about emerging Educational Technologies. Awesome conversations, lots of excitement, it's encouraging to see people excited and engaged about new ideas for instruction & assessment.
#WestGARESA #EduSky #ConstructivistEducation
#WestGARESA #EduSky #ConstructivistEducation
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Had a check in with my principal, quick check at the start of the year. I gotta say my principal is pretty awesome. She encourages me to stretch & grow my vision of learning. Even when my ideas are a bit "out there".
#EduSky #AwesomeLeadership #LoveFeelingSupportedEncouraged
#EduSky #AwesomeLeadership #LoveFeelingSupportedEncouraged
September 18, 2025 at 9:58 PM
#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Had a check in with my principal, quick check at the start of the year. I gotta say my principal is pretty awesome. She encourages me to stretch & grow my vision of learning. Even when my ideas are a bit "out there".
#EduSky #AwesomeLeadership #LoveFeelingSupportedEncouraged
#EduSky #AwesomeLeadership #LoveFeelingSupportedEncouraged