Some Reflections on 6+ Years in the Field Dick Healy 22 Apr 15

Attempt to volunteer one day a week Achieve 16 – 25 days in classrooms each school year – 3-6 per year cancelled after scheduling due to weather, teacher absence or personal illness – Formal assessments eliminate 2-5 more per year (more lately) – More individual classes cancelled due to admin necessity Background RESEED Training: Jan – Mar 2008 Meeting in Lawrence Feb 08 First class at Parthum Apr 08 First full year Lawrence using kit-based science in 2008: 3 major modules in each grade each year Work with 6 th, 7 th, 8 th grades Have worked with 11 different science teachers

Not a Criticism of Lawrence or School For those unfamiliar, this is a big deal! School is in an immigrant community with substantial population for which English is not the primary language Parents interested and supportive, but …

BlueDay 1Day 2Day 3Day 4Day 5Day 6 7:45-9:00 HUMMATHELASCIMATHELA 9:05-10:15 Intervent 10:20- 11:25 MATHELAHUMMATHELASCI 12:05-1:05 ELASCIMATHELAHUMMATH 1:10-2:15 SCIMATHELAHUMMATHELA 2:20-3:20 Special Science not a Priority Far more ELA and even Math in normal school day than Science Kits no longer supported although expendables can be replaced (allegedly) No Science Teacher training in , off-hours in

Available Resources for Transition to Common Core -- 6 th Grade Grade 6 MS-ETS1 Engineering Design MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution. Include potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.* MS-ETS1-5(MA). Create visual representations of solutions to a design problem. Accurately interpret and apply scale and proportion to visual representations.* [Clarification Statement: Examples of visual representations can include sketches, scaled drawings, and orthographic projections. Examples of scale can include ¼’’ = 1’0’’, 1 cm = 1 m.] MS-ETS1-6(MA). Communicate a design solution to an intended user, including design features and limitations of the solution. [Clarification Statement: Examples of intended users can include students, parents, teachers, manufacturing personnel, engineers, and customers.] [Note: MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-4, and MS-ETS1-7(MA) are found in Grade 7. MS-ETS1-3 from NGSS is not included.]

And It Shows MCAS Results Parthum School5 th Grade (P or A)8 th Grade (P or A) Clearly Science not heavily factored into overall school effectiveness evaluation

What is Happening in STEM? In practice, the requirement for STEM has been translated into STE M Math training has been resourced and texts acquired Rather than what we all know needs to happen Science, technology and engineering supported by rigorous math training

Summary Things are happening – Strong emphasis on meeting the standards – Science (and technology/engineering) are not always fully represented in the operational definition of STEM Significant shortfall in curriculum resources at the hands-on level What do other volunteers experience?