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
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)
