STEM Elective 6/7 grade STEM By Mrs. Hess

Meet the Teacher Professional: Let me tell you a little about myself. I have taught for ten years in the Higley School District and have been working with gifted students in Kyrene for the past three years.  At KTA I have been working with students on STEM projects for the past several years, and I am looking forward to extending these projects into the middle school.   

Mrs. Sarah Hess My Background:  I went to the University of Arizona to get my Bachelor’s Degree and Arizona State University for my Masters. I also have endorsements in Reading, Early Childhood Education, and Gifted. What can I say I like to learn as much as I like to teach! I currently live in Gilbert, AZ, but grew up in Tempe- I myself am a Kyrene Alumni. I am married, have a son named Hunter, and two dogs. I can’t wait to meet you all and start a wonderful year together!

My Website

STEM Exploration/Engineering Program Is an INTEGRATED, INTERDISCIPLINARY curriculum Involves students in tackling REAL WORLD ISSUES/CHALLENGES through EXPLORATION, INQUIRY, and PROBLEM SOLVING experiences. Regularly requires CRITICAL THINKING, CREATIVITY, effective COLLABORATION, RESEARCH SKILLS, and COMMUNICATION. Puts heavy emphasis on an ENGINERING DESIGN PROCESS – an organized method of approaching and solving problems. Is an evolving and expanding program (we are only in year one)

STEM Exploration/Engineering Program The goal of this course is to inspire student interest and passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) career paths and to foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration in a project-based format.  Students will engage in engineering investigations to identify the effectiveness, efficiency, and durability of designs under different conditions.  This is a hands-on and technology-rich course. 

STEM Exploration/Engineering Program Engineering Design Process Ask – What are the problems? What are the constraints? Imagine – Brainstorm Ideas, Choose the Best One Plan – Draw a Diagram, Gather Needed Materials Create – Follow the Plan, Test it Out Improve – Discuss What Can Work Better, Repeat Steps 1-5 to Make Changes

STEM Exploration/Engineering Program Careers Safety Materials & Processes

21st Century Learning Skills Collaboration and teamwork Creativity and imagination Critical thinking Problem solving Flexibility and adaptability Global and cultural awareness Information literacy Leadership

Projects Design a home and/or shelter- make scaled drawing blueprints of a building. Engineer a working model of a gate that can latch Create a water filtration unit showing knowledge of Ph Levels and contamination Research and create solar ovens using knowledge of energy transference. Design and create a mini green house to properly grow food. Research and plan a transportation unit including pulleys and simple machines. Graph and interpret data Research and write essays on a topic using multiple sources.

How to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse 6/7 grade STEM Challenges

Partnerships & Support There are MANY ways to help, individually or your company: Tax credits designated for use by the program Donations (materials, gift cards) Time (guest speakers, classroom support, etc.) Business Partnerships/Sponsorships (Ted Gonzalez)

Partnerships & Support Consumable Supply Donations Straws Popsicle Sticks Masking Tape Packing Tape Duct Tape ‘Scotch’ Tape Two Liter Bottles ‘Pringles’ Cans Metal Coat Hangers Dowell Rods Plastic Cups Round Lids (wheels) Hot Melt Glue Sticks Soft Wood (balsa, pine) Index Cards (all sizes) Rubber bands (all sizes) Toilet Paper Rolls Paper Towel Rolls Graph Paper Toothpicks String Shoe Boxes Wax Coated Milk/Juice Cartons Spaghetti Zip Loc Bags (sandwich or snack size) Marshmellows (small and large) Partnerships & Support Consumable Donations Note: About ANYTHING that you throw away could probably be used in One way or another in designing and building for this program.

Grades A = Outstanding Progress, represents mastery of the Kyrene District curriculum targets at a minimum of 90%. B = Significant Progress, represents mastery of the Kyrene District curriculum targets at a minimum of 80%. C = Satisfactory Progress, represents mastery of the Kyrene District curriculum targets at a minimum of 70%. D = Limited Progress, represents limited mastery of the Kyrene District curriculum targets at a minimum of 60%. F = Failing, represents a failure to master the Kyrene District curriculum targets at a minimum of 50%. I = Incomplete, represents a lack of evidence of mastery of target outcomes to evaluate student performance for grading period. P = Passing, represents special cases where a student has been absent from instruction due to extraordinary circumstances. NG = No Grade, represents special cases where a student has been absent from instruction due to extraordinary circumstances

Assessment does NOT have to be just tests! Grades Grades are weighted school wide the same for all grade levels: 70% assessment 30% practice Assessment does NOT have to be just tests!

Online Grade Access Access from Kyrene School District webpage and clicking on the Parents tab and then ParentVUE Will allow for one stop shopping for grades Updated instantly as teachers enter a grade

Let’s work together to achieve our common goals Thanks for Coming!