The Big Bang (Theory): A Framework for maximizing a STEM program Joseph Childers, Principal Jeffrey Faullin, Principal Kimberly L. Marion, Interim Magnet Director Melita Wise, Principal Atkins Academic & Technology High School Brunson Elementary School Hanes Magnet Middle School Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Winston-Salem, North Carolina July 2014

Why are you here? What do you hope to gain? Session Goals: Why are you here? What do you hope to gain? Analyze a framework for program design and development. Discover how this framework can be used for effective strategic planning. Practice using components of the model for integrating STEM into the curriculum, maintaining community and industry engagement, and embedding connections to post-secondary institutions

How many in our audience represent STEM schools? What level of implementation of STEM (theme)? Early = 1, Developing = 2, Proficient = 3, Model = 4 Over the last year, what have you put the most energy into …..in terms of STEM implementation?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0xgjUhEG3U *CBS/Chuck Lorre Productions/Warner Brothers Television

What does a STEM school look like? What do we need to do differently? Why do we exist? What does a STEM school look like? What makes us unique? What are we doing now? What do we need to do differently? STEM School Algorithm

Our STEM Middle School story……

TAKING STOCK Program Development Recruitment Connections/ Leadership Connections/Extensions Leadership   TAKING STOCK Project Lead the Way Discreet, engineering- based course, hands-on learning Magnet Fair Open Houses Program Development Recruitment Magnet Minutes Connections/ Extensions Leadership Magnet Coordinator Engineer’s Week Guest speakers present to each grade level

FIRST STEPS Program Development Recruitment Connections/ Leadership Connections/Extensions Leadership Vision Curriculum Development   Project Lead the Way Discreet, engineering- based course, hands-on learning Magnet Fair Open Houses Community Discussions Chamber, Educational institutions, businesses, district departments Business Partnerships Utilized Business partnerships to support specific events Program Development Recruitment STEM Coordinator District funded, housed in school building Magnet Minutes Connections/ Extensions Leadership Magnet Coordinator Engineer’s Week Guest speakers present to each grade level Vision Curriculum Development Refine Mission Statement Curriculum Alignment Identify interdisciplinary connections Focused work – refine mission Increased frequency in classroom (design challenges) Consistency – doing same things everywhere Instructional methods Project Based Learning Design Challenges Quarterly challenges offered at each grade level and content area

SECOND STEPS Program Development Recruitment Connections/ Leadership Connections/Extensions Leadership Vision Curriculum Development Sustainability   SECOND STEPS Project Lead the Way Discreet, engineering- based course, hands-on learning Magnet Fair Open Houses Community Discussions Chamber, Educational institutions, businesses, district departments Business Partnerships Utilized Business partnerships to support specific events Program Development Recruitment STEM Coordinator District funded, housed in school building Magnet Minutes Connections/ Extensions Leadership Magnet Coordinator STEM Clubs Expanded offerings Engineer’s Week Guest speakers present to each grade level Vision Curriculum Development Refine Mission Statement Curriculum Alignment Identify interdisciplinary connections Sustainability Beliefs and Values Developed belief and values statements for school (embedded STEM) Robot Run District/community initiative, community discussions with Chamber of Commerce Focused work – refine mission Increased frequency in classroom (design challenges) Consistency – doing same things everywhere Instructional methods Project Based Learning Design Challenges Quarterly challenges offered at each grade level and content area District Vision Expand work on K-12 continuum Deepened classroom integration Use of learning teams, integration of STEM content and processes into classroom work

THIRD STEPS Program Development Recruitment Connections/ Leadership Connections/Extensions Leadership Vision Curriculum Development Sustainability Teacher Development School Improvement   THIRD STEPS Project Lead the Way Discreet, engineering- based course, hands-on learning Magnet Fair Open Houses Summer Programming Robotics camp Community Discussions Chamber, Educational institutions, businesses, district departments Business Partnerships Utilized Business partnerships to support specific events Program Development Recruitment STEM Coordinator District funded, housed in school building Magnet Minutes Connections/ Extensions Leadership Magnet Coordinator STEM Clubs Expanded offerings Celebration of STEM Showcase events, publicity, student recognition Engineer’s Week Guest speakers present to each grade level Vision Curriculum Development Refine Mission Statement Curriculum Alignment Identify interdisciplinary connections Sustainability Teacher Development Beliefs and Values Developed belief and values statements for school (embedded STEM) Robot Run District/community initiative, community discussions with Chamber of Commerce Focused work – refine mission Increased frequency in classroom (design challenges) Consistency – doing same things everywhere Instructional methods Project Based Learning School Improvement Design Challenges Quarterly challenges offered at each grade level and content area District Vision Expand work on K-12 continuum Expansion of Partnerships To include community colleges and universities NC STEM Initiative Participation in rubric development Deepened classroom integration Use of learning teams, integration of STEM content and processes into classroom work STEM Expansion To include 5 schools, support for programming, K-12 continuum District Advisory Council

Our STEM High School story……

Our STEM Elementary story……

Utility Tool: Rubric

North Carolina STEM Education Strategic Plan Outlines the priorities and strategies for implementing STEM schools and programs in North Carolina. (pdf, 1.1mb) Framework at-a-Glance for North Carolina Statewide STEM Education Strategic Plan (pdf, 354kb) Priority 1: Increase STEM Achievement through a set of Attributes for STEM schools and programs (pdf, 97kb) Priority 2: Bolster community understanding and support Priority 3: Connect, leverage, and increase STEM Resources http://www.ncpublicschools.org/stem/overview/

POST-RUBRIC Program Development Recruitment Connections/ Leadership Project Lead the Way Discreet, engineering- based course, hands-on learning Magnet Fair Open Houses Expanded Summer Programming Multiple camps Partnerships with Educational Institutions Connecting Experts with Teachers for Learning Summer Programming Robotics camp STEM Advisory Committee Business, Industry, Educational Institutions Community Discussions Chamber, Educational institutions, businesses, district departments Monthly STEM Themes Business Partnerships Utilized Business partnerships to support specific events Program Development Recruitment STEM Coordinator District funded, housed in school building Lunch and Learn and Student Field Experiences and Design Challenges Magnet Minutes Connections/ Extensions Leadership Community Advisory Committee Chamber of Commerce Magnet Coordinator STEM Clubs Expanded offerings Collaborative Projects School and Community Celebration of STEM Showcase events, publicity, student recognition Engineer’s Week Guest speakers present to each grade level Vision Curriculum Development Beliefs and Values Aligned with partner institutions Refine Mission Statement Curriculum Alignment Identify interdisciplinary connections K-12 Continuum Development Partnerships, teacher development, collaboration, planning Sustainability Teacher Development Beliefs and Values Developed belief and values statements for school (embedded STEM) Expansion of Clubs Robot Run District/community initiative, community discussions with Chamber of Commerce Focused work – refine mission Increased frequency in classroom (design challenges) Consistency – doing same things everywhere Instructional methods Project Based Learning School Improvement School STEM Committee Expanded Teacher Ownership and Leadership Strategic Planning Development of Strategic Plan with targeted goals Design Challenges Quarterly challenges offered at each grade level and content area District Vision Expand work on K-12 continuum Expansion of Partnerships To include community colleges and universities School Improvement Targets Underrepresented Groups Teacher Learning Aligned with SIP NC STEM Initiative Participation in rubric development Deepened classroom integration Use of learning teams, integration of STEM content and processes into classroom work STEM Expansion To include 5 schools, support for programming, K-12 continuum Understanding by Design Curriculum Framework Teacher STEM Learning Experiences District Advisory Council

K-12 STEM Implementation Plan Engage students in relevant learning real-world, applied, problem-based, inquiry, etc. Prepare students for College and Career Readiness – 21st Century skills including collaboration, communication, creative problem solving From a system viewpoint –Consider impact on students in the continuum creating a trajectory Vertical planning/teaming

North Carolina STEM Rubric Sustains FOCUS Tool for EVALUATING STEM program in individual schools/district-wide implementation Planning for GROWTH & EXPANSION Is COMPREHENSIVE – not just classroom connections but whole-school emphasis

High School (Atkins)?? Middle School (Hanes)?? Elementary School (Brunson)?? District ??

High School (Atkins)?? Middle School (Hanes)?? Elementary School (Brunson)?? District ??

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Winston-Salem, North Carolina Joe Childers Principal, Atkins Academic & Technology High School jwchilders@wsfcs.k12.nc.us (336) 703-6754 Jeff Faullin Principal, Brunson Elementary School jbfaullin@wsfcs.k12.nc.us (336) 727-2856 Melita Wise Principal, Hanes Magnet Middle School mawise@wsfcs.k12.nc.us (336) 703-4171 Kimberly L. Marion WS/FCS Interim Magnet Director klmarion@wsfcs.k12.nc.us (336) 727-2519 ext. 4