innovative teaching in science, technology,...

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Innovative

Teaching in

Science,

Technology,

Engineering, and

Math

What is S.T.E.M.?

Science

Technology

Engineering

Math

The acronym originated with the

National Science Foundation

STEM education is an intentional, integrative approach

to teaching and learning, in which students uncover

and acquire a comprehensive set of concepts,

competencies, and thinking skills of science,

technology, engineering, and mathematics that they

transfer and apply in both academic and real-world

contexts.

STEM Education defined as:

Why focus on S.T.E.M?

The U.S. will have over 1 million job

openings in STEM-related fields by 2018;

yet, according to the U.S. Bureau of

Statistics, only 16% of U.S. bachelor’s

degrees will specialize in STEM subjects.

As a nation, we are not graduating nearly

enough STEM majors to supply the

demand.

Our students are graduating high school

and are unable to problem solve and

think critically.

Failure to motivate student

interest in math and science

In most K-12 systems, math and science

subjects are disconnected from other

subject matters and the real world

Students often fail to see the connections

between what they are studying and

STEM career options

The Famous Question….

When will I need to use Algebra in the real world?? Why do I need to learn this?

1/3 of Americans would rather clean a

toilet than do a math problem—

Equations that describe how a spacecraft

orbits the Earth involve algebra.

Many jobs require none of the skills we force

students to learn in high school.

What do we, as a society, really want our

young people to learn in school?

What valuable lessons might need to be

set aside in favor of even more valuable

ones?

Think about key skills needed

in today's workplace:

problem solving, analytical thinking, and

the ability to work independently

So should we invest our limited education

resources in teaching critical reading skills

or in what’s known as STEM — science,

technology, engineering and math?

OR

The truth is, we can and must do both.

Developing scientists and engineers can’t

comprehend complex texts if they can’t read.

At the same time, science and math have

the potential to engage children,

encouraging them to read more.

Rather than choose between these priorities, we

should find ways to integrate literacy with STEM

instruction.

Integration can incorporate problem solving,

vocabulary building, writing and speaking

through STEM activities.

Science, Technology, Engineering,

and Math…..

are not separate

subjects to be

broken down into

their own time slots

should be

incorporated and

encouraged within

all activities

throughout the day

Design

Challenge

*Introduced to new vocabulary; buoyancy,

mass,

dense,

same/different,

heavy,

light,

predict,

sink,

float,

surface area,

weight

Exploring Ramps: Inclined plane

Gravity

Momentum

Faster

Motion and speed

Texture of the object

Obstacle

Force

Weight

Our future mathematicians, computer

programmers, engineers, and scientists

must be strong readers and writers,

effective communicators, and critical

thinkers and innovators in order to be truly

successful in their chosen fields.

Supporting STEM education, means, by

necessity, we have to support literacy

acquisition as well.

Through STEM children are

learning:

Communication and cooperation skills to listen to customer needs or interact with project partners.

Creative abilities to solve problems and develop new ideas.

Leadership skills to lead projects or help customers.

Organization skills to keep track of lots of different information.

Let’s think….. What are teachers already doing?

PA State Early Learning Standards Are the

Foundation for Designing Intentional Experiences

Design

Challenge

*Introduced to new vocabulary; buoyancy,

mass,

dense,

same/different,

heavy,

light,

predict,

sink,

float,

surface area,

weight

Exploring Ramps: Inclined plane

Gravity

Momentum

Faster

Motion and speed

Texture of the object

Obstacle

Force

Weight

Through STEM:

Children take the lead in exploring

Ask open-ended questions that cause:

Children to reflect

Form theories

Ask questions

And explore more

STEM education with 3- and 4-

year olds

Teacher-child conversations begin to

focus on why things are happening

Children look for patterns across many

related experiences as evidence for their

ideas.

The children are:

posing questions,

using tools,

working collaboratively,

making plans,

predicting outcomes,

observing closely,

documenting results, and

talking about their findings.

S.T.E.M. Education Goals

Hands-on

Teacher acts as facilitator, the children

lead

Learning is viewed as a process

Practical use

Promotes higher-order thinking

STEM subjects should be incorporated

throughout the day in everything we do

Environment

An environment intentionally designed to

provide brain-building experiences for

children, where they are free to explore,

ask questions, and where the educator is

available to children when they need

guidance with new ideas

STEM with babies??

Children are Born True Scientists

We are born with enough brain cells to learn

just about anything.

Babies are learning how to construct knowledge and problem solve based on how they experience their world.

Incorporate books

Chemistry- how does it

change

Physics: How does it move?

Language Development

Learning is largely experience

dependent……

Ask yourself the question, “what

experiences are most likely going to foster

the desire to go on learning?”

Resources:

http://naturalstart.org/feature-stories/engaging-children-stem-education-early (STEM in EC)

http://successfulstemeducation.org/resources/nurturing-stem-skills-young-learners-prek%E2%80%933 (STEM in EC)

http://edsolutionsllc.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/stem-content-package.pdf (STEM in EC)

http://www.jstart.org/sites/default/files/activity-sink-or-float.pdf (Sink-or-Float)

http://www.delta-education.com/downloads/samples_dsm/SinkorFloatTOC.pdf (Sink-or-Float)

http://www.peepandthebigwideworld.com/guide/pdf/peep-guide-ramps.pdf (Exploring Ramps)

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