STEM Education Sounds Great! Now Where Do I Start? Incorporating STEM Education Into Your Curriculum Presented by Diane Insari and Kimberly Dempsey diane.insari@lcps.org kimberly.dempsey@lcps.org

Today’s objectives We will explore…. What STEM is and what STEM is not Why STEM is important How to start a STEM initiative in your school Mini STEM activities

Catapult Challenge The Medieval Catapult was a weapon used during siege warfare. Medieval Catapults were devices for hurling stones or other objects. Today you are a medieval soldier. Your mission is to acquire more land for your king by laying siege on a neighboring castle. Using your catapult, your team must get as many huge boulders over the wall of the castle as possible. You will have 3 minutes.

Your mission…. Real- Life Situations Your mission is to acquire more land for your king by laying siege on a neighboring castle. Using your catapult, your team must get as many boulders over the wall and into the castle as possible in 3 minutes.

Reflection: What adjustments were needed to make your boulder fly… Further? Higher? Faster? More accurately?

What Is STEM education? STEM- The Thinkers of Tomorrow Science * Technology * Engineering * Math   STEM- The Thinkers of Tomorrow

We define STEM education as the preparation of students in competencies and skills in the four disciplines: Science Technology Engineering, and Math.

STEM education provides: Sequences that build upon each other Real-world applications Integrated disciplines

science Hands-on activities Cooperative learning Open-ended trials Critical thinking Real-life applications

technology "...the goal of technology is to make modifications in the world to meet human needs." The National Science Education Standards

Let’s test your knowledge of the history of educational technology

“Students today depend upon _____ too much “Students today depend upon _____ too much. They don’t know how to write on _____ without getting _____ ____ all over themselves. They can’t clean a ____ properly. What will they do when they run out of _____?” (Principal’s Association)

“Students today depend upon paper too much “Students today depend upon paper too much. They don’t know how to write on slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves. They can’t clean a slate properly. What will they do when they run out of paper?” (Principal’s Association 1815)

“ _________ ____ will be the ruin of education in our country “ _________ ____ will be the ruin of education in our country. Students use these devices and then throw them away. The American virtues of thrift and frugality are being discarded. Business and banks will never allow such expensive luxuries.” (Federal Teacher)

“ Ballpoint pens will be the ruin of education in our country “ Ballpoint pens will be the ruin of education in our country. Students use these devices and then throw them away. The American virtues of thrift and frugality are being discarded. Business and banks will never allow such expensive luxuries.” (Federal Teacher 1950)

“__________ ___________ became visible in the mid ____’s but prices were astronomical, sometimes in the thousands of dollars.  In the ____’s, they started to become more reasonably priced.”

“Electronic calculators became visible in the mid 1960’s but prices were astronomical, sometimes in the thousands of dollars.  In the 1970’s, they started to become more reasonably priced.”

engineering The Design Process: From sites.google.com Like Repin engineering The Design Process: the engineering approach to identifying and solving problems

math Integration of… Computation Graphing Measurement (Weight, Length, Volume, Time, Temperature) Geometry Problem Solving Probability

The stem philosophy Teacher as Facilitator Hands-On Exploration Trial and Error More Than One Right Answer Integrated Curriculum

STEM is not… An add-on Arts and crafts Showing off Only for high-achieving students Teacher demonstrations Step-by-step directions

Stem to Steam Integrating the Arts Art Music Foreign Language Physical Education Social Science Collaboration Hands-On Activities Problem Solving Technology Real-Life Applications Design Process Critical Thinking

Why Is STEM Education Important?

Educate to Innovate Invest more in STEM education so students can learn to think critically in science, math, engineering, and technology. Improve the quality of math and science teaching so American students are no longer outperformed by those in other nations. Expand STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented groups, including women and girls. President Obama’s National Security Strategy, May 2010 In 2010, President Obama announced the “Educate to Innovate” campaign – a multi-million dollar public-private effort to improve the nation’s ability to compete in key scientific fields and engage students to take on the leading challenges of the 21st century.

21st Century Readiness for All Students Creativity and Innovation Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Communication Collaboration

STEM in Virginia Virginia Tech VT-STEM K-12 Outreach Initiative Summer STEM Institute for Teachers College of William and Mary STEM Alliance initiative for middle school $580,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to benefit women faculty $2.5 million grant pairs teachers with professional engineers and scientists University of Virginia Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary STEM Education STEM Education Programs Programs for High School Students: Ten Governor's STEM Academies Virginia Council on the Status of Women 2012 STEM Essay Contest- Mrs. O’Donnell, Chair

STEM in the Elementary classroom Investigating shadows

Insert 1st grade video here

Let’s try a stem activity! BUILDING A LUNAR LANDER

the mission NASA is looking for safe landing sites on the moon. Once they find one, they need to design and build a spacecraft that can land there without injuring astronauts or damaging the spacecraft. Today you’ll make a lander—a spacecraft that can land safely when you drop it on the floor of the moon– or classroom.

your task 1. Design and build a shock-absorbing system out of paper, straws, and mini-marshmallows. 2. Attach your shock absorber to a cardboard platform. 3. Use test results to improve your design.

The Design Process identify the problem or challenge; 2) brainstorm solutions; 3) design your equipment or device; 4) build it; 5) test and evaluate the outcome; 6) discuss your solutions; and then 7) make improvements for better performance. 

Starting a stem initiative in your school

A Four-Tiered Approach Our Four-Tiered Approach

STEM COMMITTEE MEMBERS INITIATE A FOCUS GROUP Gauge interest Solicit support Brainstorm ideas Form a committee STEM COMMITTEE MEMBERS Administrator(s) Teachers from each grade level Technology Resource Teacher Specialist Teacher(s) Parents/Business Partners

STEM committee first steps Create a LOGO Define Vision and Mission Statement: Liberty Elementary: Preparing Active Learners! “We believe that cultivating active thinking through a STEM instructional approach will prepare students for their futures.” Share vision with staff and community Professional development for committee Acquire resources

Solicit support Get Staff Buy-In Get Students Excited Refine vision and goals Hands-on STEM activity with staff Gauge interest with staff survey Get Students Excited Morning News Show: ‘Fascinating Facts’ After-School: Robotics, Science Club, Lego League, Odyssey of the Mind Science-themed assemblies STEM activities during school day Peak Parents’ Interest Newsletter, Web Site, Posters, Bulletin Boards, Word of Mouth Kick-Off Event: STEMmerday!

STEmmerday An annual STEM event

Acquire resources Human Resources: Financial Resources: Parent Volunteers Local Technology Company Employees Universities High School Central Office Science and Math Departments Financial Resources: Inventory current resources Grants Donations from parents and local businesses Donations from employers of parents PTA support

Professional development STEM Conferences/Professional Organizations Children’s Engineering Conference International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) STEM Classes/Degree Programs at Universities Peer-to-Peer Collaboration Team Planning Days with Committee Support Professional Learning Communities to include Specialist Teachers Collaboration with STEM Professionals STEM Camp for Teachers Social Networks/Blogs (Follow #STEM on Twitter) STEM Web Sites (Pitsco.com, Learning.com) STEM Literature/Articles

Insert testimonials here

For a copy of this presentation and more information about STEM see our website: www.lcps.org/liberty Or contact us: diane.insari@lcps.org kimberly.dempsey@lcps.org