What to Expect in

What is STEM? ► The Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ► A school within a school ► Elevated GPA Credit ► The STEM Academy uses Project Based Learning, or PBL. ► Classes are designed to teach 21 st Century skills.

21 st Century Skills ► Skills that students will need in order to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics. ► Critical Thinking ► Creativity ► Work Ethic ► Communication ► Oral and Written Presentation Skills ► Working in a Team Dynamic

Project Based Learning ► PBL for short. ► Real-world problems. ► You get to find the solution to the problem.

How is PBL different from regular learning? ► You have been learning in a “traditional” classroom for the past nine years. ► PBL is not a “traditional” classroom. ► Projects to learn concepts vs. learning concepts to do a projects

But I’ve Done Projects Before ► In a regular classroom, concepts and content are learned first, then a project is assigned to reinforce those concepts. ► In STEM, the project is used to actually learn those concepts. ► In order to complete projects, you must learn certain concepts. ► PBL Projects always have a “Driving Question.”

Driving Question ► The central focus of a project. ► It’s a question that helps to focus the project. ► The final product should be the answer to the driving question.

Working in Teams ► In STEM and PBL, you will be working in teams. ► Teams can be 2, 3, 4 or 5 members. ► You are responsible to each of your team members. ► Each person will be assigned different tasks within the team. ► Each team member can be responsible for a different element of the project.

The Process ► Differences in Regular Classes vs. STEM Classes

Regular Classes Complete a project to make sure the students understand the concepts taught. Concept #1 Concept #2 Concept #3 Work sheet Work sheet Work sheet

Rubric Check Check your work against all project rubrics Revise & Edit What needs to be Changed? Added? Deleted? Workshops Learn concepts needed to complete project STEM Classes Discovery & Inquiry What concepts do I need to know to complete this project? Project Planning Team Planning Contracts Due Dates Entry Document Knows & Needs to Know Project De-Brief Final Product

Entry Document ► Could be a letter, a clip from a movie, a report of some kind, a Prezzi, a power point, anything! ► Will present a “problem” that needs to be solved. ► It is your job to figure out the solution to the problem.

Knows/Need to Knows ► What do you already know about the project? ► What do you need to learn in order to complete the project? ► Examples: Concepts, Formulas, Data, Skills

Project Planning & Management ► Project timelines/due dates  Deadlines ► Assignment of teams ► Team tasks and duties/roles ► Contracts  Team Roles  Obligations to Teams  Steps to Firing

Discovery & Inquiry ► You will need to inquire, or ask and seek answers. ► What resources do you have to answer your questions?

Workshops ► Facilitators will hold workshops to teach concepts that are new or confusing to the students. ► Usually fairly short (under 20 minutes) ► Can be held for all students in the class. ► Can be just for a small number of students. ► Can be planned by facilitator. ► Can be impromptu. ► Can be requested by the student.

Revising & Editing ► Make corrections ► Ask yourself these questions:  How does my work relate to the Driving Question?  Is my work accurate?  How can I make this better?  What do I need to change? add? delete?

Rubric Check ► With EVERY Project, you will be provided a Rubric. ► Continually refer back to the rubric.

Final Product ► Usually involves Oral and/or Written Presentations.  Making Movies  Tri-fold Posters  Game Boards  Trebuchet  3-D and 4-D Computer Models ► Could be formal or informal ► Should answer the Driving Question

Project De-Brief ► Students and facilitators will communicate about the project. ► Different Forms  Fish Bowl  Written Essay  Online Quiz ► Asks many types of questions  What worked? What didn’t?  What did you like? What did you not like?  Did you learn the concepts you were supposed to learn?  Personal Reflections