Technology in Society

STEM 4033 Introduction to STEM Education

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care

Notecard Intro ActivityWhat is your major and concentration?Where are you from-where in the world is home?What is the most exciting thing you did this summer?A maker is a person that makes or produces something. This term is used to describe those who enjoy creating things in their spare time, and is often synonymous with the DIY, DIWO, and STEM movement. How are you a maker?

Where in the world is home?

Assignment:What is STEM? What does STEM mean to you? Why should STEM be important in schools?- pg. type-written reflection

Reading:

-STEM Education is Elementary article-Intel Foundation: Changing Attitudes is Key in STEM Education

The STEM ImperativeOnly 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient and interested in a STEM career. Partly because of this, the U.S. ranks 25th in math and 17th in science among industrialized nations. Considering a Job in STEMAccording to the U.S. Department of Education, all STEM jobs in the U.S. will increase 14 percent between now and 2020, accounting for millions of positions. Yet, data shows that 3 million of those jobs will go unfilled. STEM JobsThe ProblemJust as the nations economic engines and national security measures have come to rest squarely on the shoulders of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), American students are recoiling from these disciplines in record numbers.STEM prepares students for life, regardless of the profession they choose to follow. STEM teaches students how to think critically and how to solve problems skills that can be used throughout lifePreparation for LifePreparing the next-generation to succeed in life is a tall order. And, we will substantially fail if we dont teach children how to think critically and solve ill-structured problems.A Tall Order

STEM doesnt have to be expensive

Today, PK-12 education does not focus enough on teaching children to solve real world problems and is not interdisciplinary, nor collaborative enough in its approachCurrently, STEM is Not A Focal PointWhat We Need in SchoolsSTEM content integrated in all courses;More engaged learning/less lecture; More Ill-structured problem solving;More strategies that cause students to seek STEM content answers;More underrepresented populations engaging in STEM; and,More collaborative learning experiences.We Need to EmphasizeCritical thinkingProblem solving ability developmentLeadership/teamwork developmentEthics and responsibilityInvention, imagination, and ingenuityCommunication skill development

Teamwork!Message from STEM Kids

Critical thinking is impossible to teach directly

Must be entangled with content

Placing too strong an emphasis on simply acquiring knowledge leaves students struggling when trying to use this knowledge outside the classroom Power of Critical ThinkingSTEM teachers pose problems and combine problem solving with project-based learning across disciplines.Developing students critical thinking, communication, assessment, and inquiry skills. What do STEM Teachers Do?Real-world problem-solving is the essence of STEM lessons. Solving real-world problems causes students to use/expand higher-order thinking skills. Identifying creative, real-world problems for students is the essence of STEM teaching. Using Real-World Problems

Pre-service Teachers Develop & Test STEM LessonsCharlottes WebThe Big Builder

Developing/Testing STEM Curricula

Students Designing SolutionsAccomplish these things:Apply math/science through authentic, hands-on learningInclude the use/creation of technology Require the use of the engineering design loopRequire collaborative teamworkEmphasize math/science/technology standards Address real-world problemsGood STEM Lessons

Connecting Literature w/STEM

Halloween Theme

Working Collaboratively toSolve the Problem

PBL in Action

Logs and PresentationsIs it STEM?A lot of lessons are trying to fly under the name of STEM. Does the lesson you are using pass these tests:Does it require use of the engineering design process?Is it a real-world problem?Can the students relate? (is it locally important?)Is teamwork essential for solving this problem?Are there multiple possible solutions?Do students explore/develop own ideas, without being spoon-fed?Does it cover important concepts from STEM disciplines?Can performance be assessed?Does the STEM lesson deliver content, or is it a follow-up?Is it more than a cute toy?Is it really STEMor just a new name for an old activity?