STEM Demands Higher
Level Cognitive Skills
Teaching 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:
Science
Technology
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
Research
Research 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 Gap
The 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 Brief
Setting the background, criteria, design challenge, materials, and tools
Name:_________________________________ Date:____________
Rocket Launcher Design Brief
5th 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.
2.
3.
You must be safe and respectful at all times
You must work in groups of 2-3 classmates
You must record the following measurements.
What is the Problem?
Brainstorm a Design
Build
Testing
REdesign
>
Reflection
Lessons & Activities
Authentic Assessment
http://youtu.be/qF67Ai7Juug
Liberty’s Website
http://www.lcps.org/domain/9860
STEMCollaborative.org- Lessons and activity guides
http://stemcollaborative.org/additionalResources.html
Virginia Children’s Engineering Council
http://childrensengineering.org
LCPS Core Experiences
Available 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 Engineering
Rate yourself on paper engineering
1- Paper wha??
2- I’ve made something with paper
3- I think I’ve heard of paper engineering
4- I’ve used some paper engineering techniques
5- I got this. Move out of the way.
1
5
Paper Engineering Basics
Popups
Levers
Wheels
tools- 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