What to Expect inWhat to Expect in

What is STEM?What is STEM?

►The Academy of Science, Technology, The Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering and MathematicsEngineering and Mathematics

►A school within a schoolA school within a school►Elevated GPA CreditElevated GPA Credit►The STEM Academy uses Project Based The STEM Academy uses Project Based

Learning, or PBL.Learning, or PBL.►Classes are designed to teach 21Classes are designed to teach 21stst

Century skills. Century skills.

2121stst Century Skills Century Skills

► Skills that students will need in order to Skills that students will need in order to enter the fields of science, technology, enter the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics.engineering or mathematics.

► Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking► CreativityCreativity► Work EthicWork Ethic► CommunicationCommunication► Oral and Written Presentation SkillsOral and Written Presentation Skills► Working in a Team DynamicWorking in a Team Dynamic

Project Based LearningProject Based Learning

►PBL for short.PBL for short.►Real-world problems.Real-world problems.►You get to find the solution to the You get to find the solution to the

problem.problem.

How is PBL different from How is PBL different from regular learning?regular learning?

►You have been learning in a You have been learning in a “traditional” classroom for the past “traditional” classroom for the past nine years.nine years.

►PBL is not a “traditional” classroom.PBL is not a “traditional” classroom.►Projects to learn concepts vs. learning Projects to learn concepts vs. learning

concepts to do a projectsconcepts to do a projects

But I’ve Done Projects BeforeBut I’ve Done Projects Before

► In a regular classroom, concepts and In a regular classroom, concepts and content are learned first, then a project is content are learned first, then a project is assigned to reinforce those concepts.assigned to reinforce those concepts.

► In STEM, the project is used to actually In STEM, the project is used to actually learn those concepts.learn those concepts.

► In order to complete projects, you must In order to complete projects, you must learn certain concepts.learn certain concepts.

►PBL Projects always have a “Driving PBL Projects always have a “Driving Question.”Question.”

Driving QuestionDriving Question

►The central focus of a project.The central focus of a project.► It’s a question that helps to focus the It’s a question that helps to focus the

project. project. ►The final product should be the answer The final product should be the answer

to the driving question.to the driving question.

Working in TeamsWorking in Teams

► In STEM and PBL, you will be working In STEM and PBL, you will be working in teams. in teams.

►Teams can be 2, 3, 4 or 5 members.Teams can be 2, 3, 4 or 5 members.►You are responsible to each of your You are responsible to each of your

team members.team members.►Each person will be assigned different Each person will be assigned different

tasks within the team.tasks within the team.►Each team member can be responsible Each team member can be responsible

for a different element of the project.for a different element of the project.

The ProcessThe Process

►Differences in Regular Classes vs. Differences in Regular Classes vs. STEM ClassesSTEM Classes

Regular ClassesRegular Classes

Complete a project to make sure thestudents understand the concepts taught.

Concept#1

Concept#2

Concept#3

Worksheet

Worksheet

Worksheet

Rubric CheckCheck your work

against all project rubrics

Revise & EditWhat needs to beChanged? Added?

Deleted?

WorkshopsLearn concepts needed

to complete project

STEM ClassesSTEM Classes

Discovery &Inquiry

What concepts do I need to know

to completethis project?

Project PlanningTeam Planning

ContractsDue Dates

EntryDocument

Knows &Needs to Know

ProjectDe-Brief

FinalProduct

Entry DocumentEntry Document

►Could be a letter, a clip from a movie, Could be a letter, a clip from a movie, a report of some kind, a Prezzi, a a report of some kind, a Prezzi, a power point, anything!power point, anything!

►Will present a “problem” that needs to Will present a “problem” that needs to be solved.be solved.

► It is your job to figure out the solution It is your job to figure out the solution to the problem.to the problem.

Knows/Need to KnowsKnows/Need to Knows

►What do you already know about the What do you already know about the project?project?

►What do you need to learn in order to What do you need to learn in order to complete the project?complete the project?

►Examples: Concepts, Formulas, Data, Examples: Concepts, Formulas, Data, SkillsSkills

Project Planning & Project Planning & ManagementManagement

►Project timelines/due datesProject timelines/due dates DeadlinesDeadlines

►Assignment of teamsAssignment of teams►Team tasks and duties/rolesTeam tasks and duties/roles►ContractsContracts

Team RolesTeam Roles Obligations to TeamsObligations to Teams Steps to FiringSteps to Firing

Discovery & InquiryDiscovery & Inquiry

►You will need to inquire, or You will need to inquire, or ask and ask and seek answersseek answers..

►What resources do you have to answer What resources do you have to answer your questions?your questions?

WorkshopsWorkshops

►Facilitators will hold Facilitators will hold workshopsworkshops to teach to teach concepts that are new or confusing to the concepts that are new or confusing to the students.students.

►Usually fairly short (under 20 minutes)Usually fairly short (under 20 minutes)►Can be held for all students in the class.Can be held for all students in the class.►Can be just for a small number of Can be just for a small number of

students.students.►Can be planned by facilitator.Can be planned by facilitator.►Can be impromptu.Can be impromptu.►Can be requested by the student.Can be requested by the student.

Revising & EditingRevising & Editing

►Make correctionsMake corrections►Ask yourself these questions:Ask yourself these questions:

How does my work relate to the Driving How does my work relate to the Driving Question?Question?

Is my work accurate?Is my work accurate? How can I make this better?How can I make this better? What do I need to change? add? delete?What do I need to change? add? delete?

Rubric CheckRubric Check

►With EVERY Project, you will be With EVERY Project, you will be provided a Rubric. provided a Rubric.

►Continually refer back to the rubric.Continually refer back to the rubric.

Final ProductFinal Product

►Usually involves Oral Usually involves Oral and/orand/or Written Written Presentations.Presentations. Making MoviesMaking Movies Tri-fold PostersTri-fold Posters Game BoardsGame Boards TrebuchetTrebuchet 3-D and 4-D Computer Models3-D and 4-D Computer Models

►Could be formal or informalCould be formal or informal►Should answer the Driving QuestionShould answer the Driving Question

Project De-BriefProject De-Brief

► Students and facilitators will communicate Students and facilitators will communicate about the project.about the project.

► Different FormsDifferent Forms Fish BowlFish Bowl Written EssayWritten Essay Online QuizOnline Quiz

► Asks many types of questionsAsks many types of questions What worked? What didn’t?What worked? What didn’t? What did you like? What did you not like?What did you like? What did you not like? Did you learn the concepts you were supposed to Did you learn the concepts you were supposed to

learn?learn? Personal ReflectionsPersonal Reflections