STEM Demands HigherLevel Cognitive SkillsTeaching at the application level and above

Paul Pack, Diane Insari, Kim Dempsey

What is STEM?STEM education is the integrated preparation of students in competencies and skills in the four disciplines:ScienceTechnology Engineering, and Math

The STEM Philosophy

➢ Teacher as Facilitator➢ Hands-On Inquiry➢ Trial and Error➢ More Than One Right Answer➢ Integrated Curriculum

It’s NOT inquiry if…1. Students know what

results they’re supposed to get.

2. The question and steps are predetermined for them.

3. The teacher is working harder than the students.

What STEM is NOT● Units taught in isolation● An add-on ● Arts and crafts● Only for high-achieving

students● Teacher demonstrations ● Step-by-step directions

ResearchResearch at Purdue has shown that students taught through a hands-on STEM approach had higher scores and a much higher degree of improvement than the traditionally taught students on both true/false and open-ended questions on the content taught.

https://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2009a/090128DarkStudy.html

Achievement GapThe STEM approach helps to close the achievement gap. Students collaborate and work together to solve problems based on shared experiences.

http://stemwire.org/2013/04/01/at-stem-centered-high-school-test-scores-rise-to-the-top/

Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy

The Design BriefSetting the background, criteria, design challenge, materials, and tools

Name:_________________________________ Date:____________

Rocket Launcher Design Brief5th grade

Background Statement:We have been learning about and measuring right, acute, obtuse, and straight angles. Currently, Syria is experiencing a civil war. Many Syrians are without fresh food and medicine. Design Challenge:You are an agent of the Red Cross. You are to design and build a model rocket that will allow you to get supplies over the Syrian border to the citizens in Aleppo, where the worst fighting is located. Using the straw rocket launcher as a scale model, work together to discover the best angle for the rocket launcher and the optimal force you should apply in order to have an accurate launch. Criteria: 1. You must be safe and respectful at all times2. You must work in groups of 2-3 classmates3. You must record the following measurements.

What is the Problem?

Brainstorm a Design

Build

Testing

REdesign

>

Reflection

Lessons & ActivitiesAuthentic Assessmenthttp://youtu.be/qF67Ai7Juug

Liberty’s Websitehttp://www.lcps.org/domain/9860

STEMCollaborative.org- Lessons and activity guideshttp://stemcollaborative.org/additionalResources.html

Virginia Children’s Engineering Councilhttp://childrensengineering.org

LCPS Core ExperiencesAvailable in the Science Curriculum Guides- (Odette Scovel,Pat Herr)

This information is all in your email sent on August 5, 2014.

Questioning Strategies

Your turn!Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy Reference Tool● Moving parts to isolate or highlight specific levels of

Bloom’s taxonomy ● Descriptors, verbs, questions to guide lesson planning

and instruction● Go through the design process (design, build, test,

redesign, reflect)

Paper EngineeringRate yourself on paper engineering

1- Paper wha??2- I’ve made something with paper 3- I think I’ve heard of paper engineering4- I’ve used some paper engineering techniques5- I got this. Move out of the way.

1 5

Paper Engineering BasicsPopupsLeversWheelstools- Crop-a-dile, EZ Cutter, hole-punch paper drill

Reflection is the key!!!

Don’t forget TECH!Send the photo of your final project to

• Twitter @LIBPrincipal #LCPSstem #LCPS15

• Paul Pack at 571-318-3407