1. Wading Into The Wetlands What is a STEM project or activity? Where do I find Resources for STEM? How do teachers incorporate STEM?

2. WHAT IS STEM? Science Technology Engineering Math Yes, we know that, but what is an “authentic” STEM activity/curriculum?

3. “Educators – teachers, administrators and decision makers - who are vital to the preparation of students for careers in STEM areas find the term confusing and are unsure of its meaning and implications for teaching and learning.” * STEM Education in Southwestern Pennsylvania - A Report of a project to identify the missing components 2008

4. Inquiry / Investigation Team of students working together Interdisciplinary Complex problem solving Multi-faceted

5. Barriers To Authentic STEM Inadequate teacher preparation Insufficient time in the classroom Deficient financial resources for transportation, technology, materials “Pressure” to ‘cover’ the standards and prepare students for testing Student inexperience/skill deficiencies

6. Resources for STEM School / Community partnerships Grants Volunteers District resources Educational groups (MnSTA, MDE, Educational Cooperative Unions)

7. Incorporating STEM Should NOT be an “Add On” Find correlations with state and national standards Reduce your lab activities that are not inquiry based Use the STEM activity as examples and for “practice problems”

8. Wading Into The Wetlands Introduction of the project Resources Incorporation into the curriculum Future expansion

9. Cascade Meadow Project RPS District Video on Wading Into The Wetlands

10. Cascade Meadow Wetland and Science Center

14. 1 2 3 4 5 6

19. Southeast Minnesota Wetland Communities Type 2) Sedge Meadow (Type 2) Type Seasonally Flooded Basin (Type 1) Type Shallow Marsh (Type 3) Type Shallow Open Water (Type 5) Type Shrub-Carr (Type 6) Type 2) Fresh (Wet) Meadow (Type 2) Type 2 Wet to Wet-Mesic Prairie (Type 2 ) Type 4 Deep Marsh(Type 4 ) Type Hardwood Swamp (Type 7)

20. Rochester Public Utilites: Water

21. Rochester Public Utilities: Electricity

22. www.cascademeadow.org

23. What’s next? : Expansion to other classes / schools Continued analysis of inorganic parameters Analysis of organic material (DOM) Further analysis of data Student presentations of results