NEWESD STEM Leadership Forum NEWESD 101 STEM Team

Welcome I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the right way, did not become still more complicated. ~ Paul Anderson

PROJECTED OUTCOMES Develop a common understanding of STEM education Examine a variety of perspectives on STEM education Discuss STEM initiatives and resources Investigate potential STEM collaborative partnerships Break down silos between STEM content areas

Why STEM? Why Now? a pre-thinking activity INTEL Math & Science Confidence Study US teens’ – perceptions of the importance of math and science – perceptions of the US’ standing on math and science relative to other countries – confidence in these subjects and the implications of these attitudes 1000 teens (13-18) between September 24 and 28, 2010

INTEL Math & Science Confidence Study What percentage of students believe it is important to be good at math and science? A.99% B.78% C.56% D.43% *Intel survey of 1000 teens (13-18) between September 24 and 28, 2010 more info at:

What percentage of students believe it is important to be good at math and science? A.99% B.78% C.56% D.43% *Intel survey of 1000 teens (13-18) between September 24 and 28, 2010 more info at:

INTEL Math & Science Confidence Study What percentage of students believe that strong backgrounds in math and science will be required of most jobs in the future? A.33% B.47% C.69% D.91% *Intel survey of 1000 teens (13-18) between September 24 and 28, 2010 more info at:

What percentage of students believe that strong backgrounds in math and science will be required of most jobs in the future? A.33% B.47% C.69% D.91% *Intel survey of 1000 teens (13-18) between September 24 and 28, 2010 more info at:

INTEL Math & Science Confidence Study When asked which country is best at math and science today, what percentage selected a country other than the United States? A.25% B.60% C.74% D.90% *Intel survey of 1000 teens (13-18) between September 24 and 28, 2010 more info at:

When asked which country is best at math and science today, what percentage selected a country other than the United States? A.25% B.60% C.74% D.90% *Intel survey of 1000 teens (13-18) between September 24 and 28, 2010 more info at:

INTEL Math & Science Confidence Study Of those students who say that the United States is not the best at math and science, what do they believe is the reason? A.Math and science are not funded enough in school. B.Students are not disciplined enough. C.Heard/read that the US is not as good at math and science as in other countries. D.They just aren’t important subjects. *Intel survey of 1000 teens (13-18) between September 24 and 28, 2010 more info at:

Of those students who say that the United States is not the best at math and science, what do they believe is the reason? A.Math and science are not funded enough in school B.Students are not disciplined enough C.Heard/read that the US is not as good at math and science as in other countries D.They just aren’t important subjects *Intel survey of 1000 teens (13-18) between September 24 and 28, 2010 more info at:

DEVELOPING A COMMON UNDERSTANDING Four corners protocol – Move around the room looking at different representations of “STEM” – Decide which representation best fits your school/district current efforts Stand at that representation

DEVELOPING A COMMON UNDERSTANDING Introduce yourself to your colleagues Discuss your understanding of that representation and why you chose it Identify a reporter to share out

DEVELOPING A COMMON UNDERSTANDING Move to the representation that you want to guide your work Discuss the representation and why it is preferable to the others Be prepared to share your discussion points

WASHINGTON STATE DEFINITION STEM literacy is the ability to identify and apply concepts and content from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to understand and solve challenges or problems that cannot be resolved by any one disciplinary approach. Recommendations for science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. Report to Christine Gregoire, Governor, and the Washington State Legislature (2010)

District Perspective On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate your district staff’s overall interest in implementing STEM programs in their schools. 1 – No Interest – Very high interest

On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate your district staff’s overall interest in implementing STEM programs in their schools. 1.Strong Interest 2.Some Interest 3.Neutral 4.Little Interest 5.No Interest

Your Perspective What do you believe to be the most important element in improving STEM learning in schools? (pick 2) A.STEM focused curriculum B.Improved assessment systems (performance/formative/summative) C.Community and business partnerships D.Creating project/problem-based learning environments E.Increased funding F.Improving professional development for teachers and administrators G.Greater flexibility in school structures

What do you believe to be the most important element in improving STEM learning in schools? (pick 2) A.STEM focused curriculum B.Improved assessment systems (performance/formative/summa tive) C.Community and business partnerships D.Creating project/problem-based learning environments E.Increased funding F.Improving professional development for teachers and administrators G.Greater flexibility in school structures

TURN AND TALK Why did you choose those? What do you believe to be the most important element in improving STEM learning in schools? (pick 2) A.STEM focused curriculum B.Improved assessment systems (performance/formative/summative) C.Community and business partnerships D.Creating project/problem-based learning environments E.Increased funding F.Improving professional development for teachers and administrators G.Greater flexibility in school structures

Animals Problem: How does the animal work? Investigate!! Application: How could this technology be applied to other situations?

Animals and STEM When you were investigating the animals, where you doing Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math? What is your reasoning?

STEM RESOURCES AND INITIATIVES Mark Lewis – Washington STEM Sarah Pooler – MOBIUS STEM efforts from the room

AFFINITY WALL Purpose: To discover common interests among districts Write 1 STEM idea per sentence strip Place a “dot” on the ideas or initiatives that are currently being implemented in your district/school

QUICK BREAK

TABLE TALK Posters representing categories from the Affinity Wall are on the tables Move to a table that represents an interest for STEM education in your district TALK!!!

TABLE TALK GUIDING QUESTIONS What do you want to see next year? How would you like to be involved? How can we collaborate? What PD would you wish for your school or district?

What squared (agreed) with something you already know? What did you see from a new angle? What did you learn that was new, that completed a circle of knowledge? What new direction will you go in? What action will you take?