STEM Précis
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Presentation Transcript
STEM Précis By: Laura Rose O’Hey
Introduction to STEM STEM • Real world problem solving approach to learning • Interdisciplinary • Science • Technology • Engineering • Math • Connects these four subjects to real world applications • Allow students to be innovators
Action Research Idea • Have students design a boat out of materials either provided by the teacher or provided by the students • Group A • Receive full instructions and constraints • Group B • Receive no instructions or constraints • Question to be answered • To what extent do students in a structured classroom versus the students in an unstructured classroom use evidence to support their designs?
Research • What is STEM? • A cross curriculum model that does not allow the teacher to teach one subject at a time but allows them to teach all four subjects at once • This will allow students to see the real world connection between each subject.
STEM Timeline • October 4, 1957-Soviet Union launches first artificial satellite. • Soon curriculum developers established that technology and science would follow under the same category with a high status • 1980’s-James Rutherford: Project 2061 • Science for All Americans • Consisted of a group of scientists and educators that distinguished what was essential for “all citizens to live in a scientifically literate society”.
STEM Timeline • 1990s National Science Foundation • Married science, technology, engineering, and math together for the acronym STEM • 1996 National Science Education Standards • Places high value on student center learning with the emphases on inquiry-based learning • 2009 President Obama renewed charge for STEM education in the classroom.
Why push for STEM? • There is a need for innovators • The nation needs people in the work force that are problem-solvers • STEM education allows students to be divergent and convergent thinkers
Plan for Action Research • Objective • Students will have to design and create a boat using materials that will hold the most amount of passengers • (Classroom A) materials provided by the teacher • (Classroom B) materials provided by themselves • Essential Question • To what extent do you use evidence to support your design? • How do variables effect your design?
Plan for Action Research • Students will have to create a boat that floats and holds the most amount of gram pieces. • Students will have to • Conduct fair tests • Collect data • Create blueprints for their designs • Students will be in two data groups • Classroom A • Structured Group • Given Materials • Given Constraints • Given Instruction • Classroom B • Unstructured Group • Provide their own materials • Given no instruction • Given no constraints
Classroom A Data • Students did not like that they could not choose the materials they wanted to use • Students had to think outside the box with the material that the teacher provided • Once students were able to manipulate the materials and gather accurate data they seemed to enjoy the project more • Most boats were designed based on the data that they collected
Classroom B • Students were very enthusiastic about designing their own boats • Students were focused on the task and tried different materials • Students did not use data to support a new design but they did use trial and error approaches
Taking Action • Parents and Students STEM Night • May 29, 2014 Faust Elementary • Parents and students will come to Faust from 6-7pm • Parents will sit though a small presentation about STEM and the benefits of having a STEM program within the district from Curriculum Leader: Kelly Navin- McGonagle • Board Members, administrations, and JFTK members will be invited as well • Students and parents will be given a STEM project to work together on • They will have to create a strong paper bridge that will hold the most amount of penny passenger • Parents and students will have the opportunity to walk around the school to look at students work where they used STEM to solve problems like an egg drop, a burglar alarm, building a car, and creating a boat.
Future Projects • To create programs that encourage girls in the fields of STEM • To help create a curriculum for students as young as Kindergarten to become engineers