Amanda Solarsh & Gina Tesoriero

1. Session #2198 Amanda Solarsh & Gina Tesoriero This presentation and other resources can be found at STEMeducators.weebly.com Simon Baruch Middle School New York City Department of Education Grades 6-8

2. Build a Structure Challenge In 7 minutes, build a structure with the materials provided.

3. Testing our Structure Now we can see which structures will hold the weight of 100 pennies!

4. How would this challenge rate?

5. Our Concerns • Classroom Size • Teaching 4 different classes with 120 students! • Teaching our new elective course where we only see students once a week • Managing building and testing within 45 minute periods • Materials!!! Cost? Storage? • Holding students accountable during group work • Assessment

6. Presentation Overview This presentation and other resources can be found at STEMeducators.weebly.com

7. Finding the balance • challenges that promote divergent solutions • Supports classroom success

8. Inquiry vs. Structure Continuum Teacher Guided/Structured Design Open-Ended, Inquiry, Student led Design

9. Five Elements of Structuring Design

10. Real World Prompt Element #1: Real World Prompt • Promotes student buy in • Integrates STEM subjects • Allows students to develops solutions to real world problems which promotes critical thinking skills

11. Real World Prompt Real World Prompt Organizer

12. Real World Prompt Example: Hurricane Shelter Design Project • Problem Statement: • You are a team of structural engineers hired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). • Mission: Create and test a model Hurricane Emergency Shelter that people can store in their homes or be built quickly by FEMA.

13. Real World Prompt Criteria & Constraints • Real World Connections • Set parameters for students Student Developed Teacher Directed

14. Element #2: Materials • Material Management • Concerns: • Storage Space • Controlling materials • Finding/Buying materials on limited budgets • Finding time to organize materials

15. Getting Supplies Recycling! • Material Management Dollar Store! Household supplies! • Aluminum Foil • Cardboard (corrugate and/or flat) • Plastic Straws • Popsicle Sticks • Wax Paper • Saran Wrap • Balloons • Toothpicks • Packing Tape • Glue • Water bottles

16. Get creative with storage • Material Management • Lots of labeled bins or cardboard boxes • Use all available space

17. Controlling Materials • Material Management

18. Element #3: Time Management Time constraints for design in the classroom: • Short class periods • May not see classes everyday • Teach a variety of classes of different sizes and abilities • Time Management

19. Time management for short class periods • Have students work in groups • Create a design packet that breaks up the project into different steps or sections • Each step is  about 1-2 class periods • Steps can included: • Identifying Criteria and Constraints • Evaluating and Selecting Materials • Individual/Group Brain Storm • Testing • Rebuild/ Reflections • Time Management

20. Design Project Packet • Time Management

21. Element #4 Group Accountability • Keeping all students on task • Assessment • Graded as individual vs. group • Groupwork Accountability

22. Holding all students accountable • Establish Groupwork Norms and Expectations • Provide both individual and group assessment • Groupwork Accountability

23. Keeping All Students on Task • Groupwork Accountability

24. Structure vs. Inquiry Continuum • Promoting Collaboration • Depending on students’ ability and levels, can take away some structure to leave it more open ended. • Ex. Students determine criteria and constraints • Students bring in materials

26. Structuring Your Own Design Challenge! • Select a Prompt Card. • Discuss with group how to structure prompt into a manageable design challenge. • Use Structure vs. Inquiry Organizer.