FLO FALATKO: 5TH GRADE TEACHER

DANA NOVOTNY: RESOURCE TEACHER

CROMWELL VALLEY REGIONAL MAGNET SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGYBALTIMORE, MD

Making STEM Fair Projects Manageable with Collaboration

• Provide an overview of the logistics of using collaboration as the key to completing successful projects

• Share a sample classroom lesson on real-life data collection

• Share resources on facilitating STEM Fair projects

Session Objectives

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-messina/that-fake-science-fair-poster-that-went-viral-i-made-it-heres-why_b_5053008.html

Why?STEM fair projects allow students to:

• Practice scientific thinking and creative problem-solving

-Maryland Science Common Core Standard 1.A.1 – Constructing Knowledge

Gather and question data from many different forms of scientific investigations which include reviewing appropriate print resources, observing what things are like or what is happening somewhere, collecting specimens for analysis, and doing experiments.

• Improvise when a procedure doesn’t work out as predicted, present science findings to others, and constructively critique each other’s work.

-Maryland Science Common Core Standard 1.B.1 – Applying Evidence and Reasoning

Seek better reasons for believing something than "Everybody knows that..." or "I just know" and discount such reasons when given by others.

• Strengthens reading comprehension skills by doing background research; creative problem-solving skills throughout the process

-Maryland Science Common Core Standard 1.A.1 – Constructing Knowledge

• Sharpen Communication Skills

-Maryland Science Common Core Standard 1.C.1 – Communicating Scientific Information

Recognize that clear communication is an essential part of doing science because it enables scientists to inform others about their work, expose their ideas to criticism by other scientists, and stay informed about scientific discoveries around the world.

• Strengthens math skills through analyzing and graphing data

-Maryland Science Common Core Standard 1.C.1.a– Communicating Scientific Information

Make use of and analyze models, such as tables and graphs to summarize and Iinterpret data.

Why?

• Students will learn the scientific method by actively participating in each step of their STEM fair projects

• Student projects will reflect their work

• Students will see subject integration throughout their day and make real world connections

• Students will develop a love for science

STEM Project Goals for 2015

Student Reflections

• 4th & 5th grade students

• Resource teacher

• STAT teacher

• 4th & 5th grade classroom teachers

• Library Media Specialists

• Parents

Key Players & Their Roles

• Parents• Parent night

• Webpage portal

CVE Parent Portal

• Emails

• Phone communication

• Students• Meet weekly

• Keep STEM logs up to date

• Homework planners

• Teachers• Emails

• Planning time

Collaboration & Communication

• Home

• School

• BCPS

• Parent Presentation

Setting Clear Expectations

The Scientific Method

Testable Question Variables Research Hypothesis Investigatio

nData

Collection Conclusion

• Materials

• Logistics

• Cost

CHALLENGES

• Create an on going journal of the project for the student

• Students take ownership of their work and can extend creativity

• Enhance communication between students, teachers, and parents.

• Parent and classroom teachers can see where the student is in the process

ADVANTAGES

STEM Logs

• Direct Instruction

• Independent work time

• Homework

• Communication with classroom teacher

• Assignments graded and recorded

A Week in Review

Worksheet adapted from resources from BCPS Science Office Prek-12

Students collected and organized data on the basketball teams in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament (NCAA) using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

Students were taught how to complete calculations using cells, copy formulas from one cell to another, sort data, and graph data.

https://twitter.com/CromwellValleyE/status/578256500365361153/photo/1

Data Collection Project in the Classroom

The data sheet shows one teams analysis

Groups then took the data and did an analysis of it in order to pick their top 16 and winning team.

Example of Data Sheet

• Students used Microsoft Excel in order to create bar graphs of their top 16 teams and the probability of winning – P(W).

• All of these math and data analysis skills are applicable to the scientific process.

Graphing

Wisc

onsin

Villan

ova

Kentu

cky

Arizon

a

Gonza

gaDuk

e

Notre

Dam

e

North

ern

Iowa

Virgin

ia

Kansa

s

Maryl

and

SMU

Witc

hita

St.

Iowa

St.

North

Car

olin

aVCU

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

NCAA Sweet 16

Colleges

P(W)(%)

• PowerPoint with main steps in the scientific method

• Research

• Conclusion

• Data

• Pictures

• Purchasing Boards

Board Assembly

• Judging Projects• Loch Raven High School Science Honor Society & LRHS Teachers

• CVE 4th and 5th grade teachers and administrators

• Sharing Project• Round Robin

• Grading Projects

Final Steps

• Start earlier

• Research• Note taking

• Writing

• Classroom teacher check in “requirements” timeline

Lessons Learned/ Next Steps

• Baltimore County Public Schools, Office of Science Prek-12• http://bcps.org/offices/science/STEM/index.htm

• The Common Core State Standards• http://www.mdk12.org/instruction/commoncore/index.html

• Science Buddies• http://www.sciencebuddies.org/

• Minds in Bloom: Strategies & Activities to Promote Creative and Critical Thinkinghttp://www.minds-in-bloom.com/2014/03/7-reasons-to-use-interactive-notebooks.html?m=1

References

Flo Falatko

ffalatko@bcps.org

Dana Novotny

dnovotny@bcps.org

Contact Information