1. STEM Elective
6/7 grade STEM
By Mrs. Hess

2. Meet the Teacher Professional:
Let me tell you a little about myself. I have taught for ten years in the Higley School District and have been working with gifted students in Kyrene for the past three years.  At KTA I have been working with students on STEM projects for the past several years, and I am looking forward to extending these projects into the middle school.   

3. Mrs. Sarah Hess
My Background:  I went to the University of Arizona to get my Bachelor’s Degree and Arizona State University for my Masters. I also have endorsements in Reading, Early Childhood Education, and Gifted. What can I say I like to learn as much as I like to teach! I currently live in Gilbert, AZ, but grew up in Tempe- I myself am a Kyrene Alumni. I am married, have a son named Hunter, and two dogs.
I can’t wait to meet you all and start a wonderful year together!

4. My Website

5. STEM Exploration/Engineering Program
Is an INTEGRATED, INTERDISCIPLINARY curriculum
Involves students in tackling REAL WORLD ISSUES/CHALLENGES through EXPLORATION, INQUIRY, and PROBLEM SOLVING experiences.
Regularly requires CRITICAL THINKING, CREATIVITY, effective COLLABORATION, RESEARCH SKILLS, and COMMUNICATION.
Puts heavy emphasis on an ENGINERING DESIGN PROCESS – an organized method of approaching and solving problems.
Is an evolving and expanding program (we are only in year one)

6. STEM Exploration/Engineering Program
The goal of this course is to inspire student interest and passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) career paths and to foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration in a project-based format.  Students will engage in engineering investigations to identify the effectiveness, efficiency, and durability of designs under different conditions.  This is a hands-on and technology-rich course. 

7. STEM Exploration/Engineering Program
Engineering Design Process
Ask – What are the problems? What are the constraints?
Imagine – Brainstorm Ideas, Choose the Best One
Plan – Draw a Diagram, Gather Needed Materials
Create – Follow the Plan, Test it Out
Improve – Discuss What Can Work Better, Repeat Steps 1-5 to Make Changes

8. STEM Exploration/Engineering Program
Careers
Safety
Materials & Processes

9. 21st Century Learning Skills
Collaboration and teamwork
Creativity and imagination
Critical thinking
Problem solving
Flexibility and adaptability
Global and cultural awareness
Information literacy
Leadership

10. Projects
Design a home and/or shelter- make scaled drawing blueprints of a building.
Engineer a working model of a gate that can latch
Create a water filtration unit showing knowledge of Ph Levels and contamination
Research and create solar ovens using knowledge of energy transference.
Design and create a mini green house to properly grow food.
Research and plan a transportation unit including pulleys and simple machines.
Graph and interpret data
Research and write essays on a topic using multiple sources.

11. How to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse
6/7 grade STEM Challenges

12. Partnerships & Support
There are MANY ways to help, individually or your company:
Tax credits designated for use by the program
Donations (materials, gift cards)
Time (guest speakers, classroom support, etc.)
Business Partnerships/Sponsorships (Ted Gonzalez)

13. Partnerships & Support
Consumable
Supply
Donations
Straws
Popsicle Sticks
Masking Tape
Packing Tape
Duct Tape
‘Scotch’ Tape
Two Liter Bottles
‘Pringles’ Cans
Metal Coat Hangers
Dowell Rods
Plastic Cups
Round Lids (wheels)
Hot Melt Glue Sticks
Soft Wood (balsa, pine)
Index Cards (all sizes)
Rubber bands (all sizes)
Toilet Paper Rolls
Paper Towel Rolls
Graph Paper
Toothpicks
String
Shoe Boxes
Wax Coated Milk/Juice Cartons
Spaghetti
Zip Loc Bags (sandwich or snack size)
Marshmellows (small and large)
Partnerships & Support
Consumable Donations
Note: About ANYTHING that you throw away could probably be used in
One way or another in designing and building for this program.

14. Grades
A = Outstanding Progress, represents mastery of the Kyrene District curriculum targets at a minimum of 90%.
B = Significant Progress, represents mastery of the Kyrene District curriculum targets at a minimum of 80%.
C = Satisfactory Progress, represents mastery of the Kyrene District curriculum targets at a minimum of 70%.
D = Limited Progress, represents limited mastery of the Kyrene District curriculum targets at a minimum of 60%.
F = Failing, represents a failure to master the Kyrene District curriculum targets at a
minimum of 50%.
I = Incomplete, represents a lack of evidence of mastery of target outcomes to evaluate student performance for grading period.
P = Passing, represents special cases where a student has been absent from instruction due to extraordinary circumstances.
NG = No Grade, represents special cases where a student has been absent from instruction due to extraordinary circumstances

15. Assessment does NOT have to be just tests!
Grades
Grades are weighted school wide the same for all grade levels:
70% assessment
30% practice
Assessment does NOT have to be just tests!

16. Online Grade Access
Access from Kyrene School District webpage and clicking on the Parents tab and then ParentVUE
Will allow for one stop shopping for grades
Updated instantly as teachers enter a grade

17. Let’s work together
to achieve
our common goals
Thanks for Coming!