1. Student Problem Solving – From Day 1
1st Slide

2. the “WHY”
Because students deserve an educational experience that parallels the world in which they live:
We believe in the power of students asking big questions.
We believe in the power of students solving problems.
We believe in the power of student collaboration.
PBL
We addressed PBL at the last CC meeting. We want to revisit that idea to look at how students become problem solvers and how to build bridges to support thme through public ed and beyond.

3. the “How”
Students:
understand how their learning has an authentic audience/connection.
learn through an iterative process that cycles through asking questions, engaging in research, analyzing information, testing hypotheses, creating and sharing potential solutions.
persist at solving challenging problems with opportunities through trial and error, using reflection to increase their knowledge and skills, and research to pursue the Driving Question.
demonstrate complex knowledge and skills through creation and evaluation of products and performance.
monitor their own learning and growth through a cycle of reflection, revision, and redesign.
develop self advocacy as they exercise voice and choice.
communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and utilize technology to support their learning.

4. Empowering Students as Problem Solvers With PROCESSES and SKILLS

5. Brains grow better in the real world
than in artificial learning environments.
The more relevant a teacher can make instruction to the world of students, the easier it is for them to
understand and retain content.
When they are solving a real-world problem
or completing a real-world
interdisciplinary project,
the learning sticks to the brain.
Raise your hand when you see a statement that you do not agree with.

6. For students, this is the How…a systematic way to learn problem solving

7. Skill Integration documents provide a skill-focused horizontal look across Math, Science, Social Studies, ELAR, Technology Applications, and Health.
Each content area contains skill-based Student Expectations that enable students to acquire, process, and communicate the concepts they learn.
These skills can serve as the driving force that integrates different content areas.

10. EiE has a curriculum that addresses real-life problem solving skills.
Out of the 4 certified trainers for this resource in Texas, two are in R13.

11. EiE Unit Structure
Lesson 1: Engineering Story Lesson 2: A Broader View of an Engineering Field Lesson 3: Scientific Data Inform Engineering Design Lesson 4: Engineering Design Challenge

12. What is an Engineer?
Students respond to the question, What is an engineer?
What limitations do you see in their answers?

13. 20 EiE Units
Notice the topics, engineering fields, and story settings for each title.

15. Civil Green Bioengineer Packaging Geotechnical Materials Acoustical
HB 5
Bioengineer
Civil
Green
Materials
STEM
Business and Industry
Public Services
Arts and Humanities
Multidisciplinary Studies
Acoustical
Packaging
Geotechnical
Environmental

16. The Conference Board, Partnership for 21st Century Skills, Corporate Voices for Working Families, and the Society for Human Resource Management: report “Are They Really Ready to Work”
ACT Reports include:
The Condition of Work Readiness in the United States
A Better Measure of Skills Gaps
Work Readiness Standards and Benchmarks
E3 alliance works toward this within their collaboratively designed “Blueprint for Educational Change”
Child Trends – A Developmental Perspective on Workplace Readiness: Preparing High School students for Success

17. Workplace Skill Sets Professionalism / Work Ethic
Oral and Written Communications
Teamwork / Collaboration
Critical Thinking / Problem Solving

18. Critical Thinking / Problem Solving Oral Communications
Teamwork / Collaboration
Professionalism / Work Ethic
Diversity
Information Technology Application
Lifelong Learning / Self-Direction
Leadership
Creativity / Innovation
Ethics / Social Responsibility
English Language (Spoken)
Reading Comprehension (in English)
Writing in English (grammar, spelling, etc.)
Mathematics
Science
Government / Economics
Humanities / Arts
Foreign Language
History / Geography

21. Elementary Science Specialist 512-919-5227
Cynthia Holcomb
Elementary Science Specialist
Lori Reemts
Project Coordinator, Curriculum & Instruction
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