1. An Eye on STEM, STEM in the Elementary Classroom
Presented by:
Lindsey Swagerty & Tara Hodge

2. The Need for STEM
Projections show high needs for occupations in STEM fields
Approx. 80% of newly created jobs will involve STEM skills
Fewer students are pursuing STEM areas of study
Students who perceive themselves as low achieving or who experience failure/set backs in STEM are likely to discontinue their studies in STEM

3. Why failure is important?
Our students need to be willing to fail in school as much as they are willing to fail at home
When a students fails is also the time they are most susceptible to receiving messages about their potential
Students need to be able to fail, without feeling like a failure
We need teachers to embrace failures and point out the learning behind them
We should expect success for our students, but we should also expect failure

5. Teaching Science and Math vs. STEM
Teaching STEM
STEM is introduced as disjointed subjects
Technology & Engineering (and sometimes Science) are thought of as optional
Integrated content
Project/Problem based
Creativity and Innovation
Collaboration
Problem solving

6. Role of STEM in Elementary
Encouraging student interest
Fostering creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving
Drawing on authentic connections to learning
Promote students’ excitement for learning and investigation
STEM is more than increasing the number of scientists and engineers

8. Teaching STEM in Elementary
The secret is not to change your entire curriculum or routine, but to change your view and approach to teaching STEM
You do not need high-tech equipment, robots, or iPads to create authentic STEM experiences
STEM lessons should be a natural and effective piece of the students’ learning
Understanding grows from questioning oneself and being questioned by others
Students must figure things out, not simply wait to be told!

9. Teaching STEM in Elementary
Engage students in inquiry and inventive work sooner so they will continue later
Use the text as a reference—not a syllabus
Ask more questions/answer fewer
Raise questions with many possible answers and push students to answer in multiple ways
Always have students defend and share final projects
Continually assess for understanding

10. Developing STEM Lessons
Design challenges should promote technical reading
Parameters should be set to drive student learning, not to dictate a specific outcome
The students should be able to clearly connect the learning to the real-world

11. Developing STEM Lessons
Step 1 Big Ideas- What’s the point?
Step 2 Use the standards.
Step 3 Develop an engaging scenario.
Step 4 Leave room for multiple solutions to a problem.
Step 5 Be creative!

12. Developing STEM Lessons
What facts, concepts, principles, and skills do you want the students to achieve?
How does this relate to the real world?
What activity will equip students with needed knowledge/skills?
What materials/resources are available?
How will you assess learning outcomes?

13. Alien Invasion Design Challenge
Possible Standards
Properties of light
Eliminating impacts of hazards
Attributes of design
Graphing
Fractions
Analyzing materials based on their properties

14. Alien Invasion Design Challenge
Parameters
Must fit on paper plate base
Must be at least 3” tall
Must contain door for alien to be placed inside for testing
Must only use materials given