Swampscott Public Schools
STEM Initiative
STEM Consulting Teachers:
Brandy Wilbur
Sharon LaRosa
Adam Scharfenberger
June 6, 2012
What is
?
Beyond Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
STEM education attempts to transform the
typical teacher-centered classroom by
encouraging a curriculum that is driven by
problem-solving, discovery, exploratory
learning, and requires students to actively
engage a situation in order to find its solution.
offers

"Connections"


"Performance"


Create a project based environment where students are
challenged to solve a situation using a multi-disciplinary approach.
"Literacy"


Students begin to understand and make connections between
career pathways, core learning concepts and real world relevancy
to 21st century learning skills.
Apply the knowledge defined by the common core by providing
students instructions to create an informational or argumentative
product while using essential skills in reading and writing.
"Real World Relevance"

Create innovative hands-on ways for students to learn skills while
relating to real world scenarios.
2011-2012 Superintendent
Goals for STEM Initiative
Expanding the existing K-12 STEM
curriculum and new STEM clubs
 Implementing K-12 Professional
Development on STEM Curriculum
 Modeling appropriate STEM lessons at
each level
 Meeting regularly with the Gelfand
organization and STEM teachers

Initiative Overview
 Developed
by District STEM Team
District
Administrative/Leadership Team
STEM Consulting Teachers
Technology/Robotics Teachers
Gelfand Family Charitable Trust
 Created
goals with objectives and
implementation plan
 In support of Superintendent’s goals
Goal 1: Provide opportunities for staff
and students to foster 21st century skills
8th grade math calculations
GIS in AP French
SMART Boards K-12
Van de Graaff electricity 4th grade
ROV construction -7th grade
Trebuchets in Ancient World History
Objective A: Integrate current technology in
the classrooms
ELEMENTARY
MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
SMART Boards
SMART Boards
SMART Boards
Brain Pop, Jr.
Tech Ed tools
Intelitek Curriculum
Weather Stations
TI - 84 Graphing
Calculators
Heart rate monitors – P.E. and
Anatomy/Phys
Portaportal
Solar Panels
Vernier Dataloggers
Invention Convention
Digital cameras
Go Motion
Electricity Unit: Plasma
ball, electroscopes, Van
de Graaff generator
Video editing
Solar Panel and Weather Station
Computer applications
TI and TI Inspire calculators
Online educational tools
Wiki/blogs
Video editing
Robotics shop tools
Geographic Information System
Objective B: STEM related Field trip
opportunities for students
ELEMENTARY
MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
Museum of Science
Blue Hills Field Trip
New England Aquarium
Kindergarten Beach
Walk
Tsongas Industrial
Center Field Trip
Northeastern Marine
Science Center
Nature Walks
New England Aquarium
Boston Sea Rover
Conference
New England Aquarium
Crane’s Beach Science
Exploration
Ten80 Student Racing
Challenge Kick off
Mass Audubon Society
Ferry Beach Ecology
Trip
Objective C: Integrate STEM themed
lessons in classrooms
ELEMENTARY
MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
Invention Convention idea lesson
Bridge Building
GIS lesson AP French
Grade 1-Solids, liquids: non fiction reading,
Snow, Lab experiment
Birdhouse Building
Pascal’s Triangle – AP
French
Grade 1: Weather: Weather book, Activities
by season
Mousetrap Cars
STEM Family Night
activities (11)
Grade 2 – Soils, composting, Scientific
Method, Solids, Liquids, and Gases
with Changes
Electricity/Electromag ROV Construction in
netic Forces/Polarity
Marine Ecology
Grade 3-Rocks and Minerals
Sea Perch ROV
Vex Robotics – Robotics
Grade 4-Electricity: plasma ball, Van De
Graff Generator, Build Electroscopes;
Making Musical
Instruments Project
Trebuchets, Great Wall of
China, Coliseum: Ancient
World History
Grade 4-King Arthur-Baking Bread Life Skills
project
Rocket Building
Renaissance and
Science - Art
STC Kits
Balloon Powered
Cars
Invention Convention
Ms. Heather Carr
 Hadley Elementary
 In class and home project
 Smilebox Presentation
http://to.ly/dH3Q

Goal 2: Provide enrichment STEM activities
outside of the traditional school day
5th grade student tests
his program on an
obstacle course
Robo Soccer at
STEM Family Night
Cable Club –
Auction Night
Objective A: Offer after school clubs/events
with STEM theme
ELEMENTARY
MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
Know Atom
Lego Mindstorm Robotics Club Robotics/FRC
iPad “Classes”
Night of Excellence
Science League
Legos
Engineering Adventures
Math Team
Wicked Cool for Kids
Math Club
Cable Club
Design Squad Jr.
Sea Perch ROV
Interact
Architect Adventures
Kavli Science Video Contest
MA State Science Fair
Math Team
Math Team
Computer Club
STEM Family Night
Science Fair
Invention Convention
Go Green Family Night
Objective B: Encourage/enhance summer
offering with STEM
ELEMENTARY
MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
Swampscott Integrated
Summer Program –
Creatures Great and
Small
Swampscott Integrated
Summer Program –
STEM week
Ivy Program – Rocket
project
Swampscott Integrated
Summer Program –
Make Your Own –
Creative Projects &
Hands-On Engineering
STEM Brochure with
local summer programs
STEM postings to
Guidance office
Objective C: Promote Area STEM Programs
ELEMENTARY
MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
Museum of Science
Brochure featuring local
STEM programs
SciTech Girl Expo
District STEM Website
Women in Science and
Engineering Workshop
at Salem State
University
STEM articles for
Guidance Gazette
District STEM Website
Massachusetts State
Science Fair
District STEM Website
Robotics Club at SHS
Mr. Richard Leonard
 FIRST Robotics : Jan – March
competition
 15 students participated
 3rd place Rookie Team

Goal 3: Create community partnerships that
enhance STEM exposure to our students
7th grade gathered at Salem State University to
videoconference with sister school from South Africa
City Lab bus – Boston University
Digits Program: Scientist visiting a 6th grade class
Objective A: Recruit area business,
organizations and schools to present to
students
ELEMENTARY
MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
King Arthur
Digits Program
City Lab – Boston Univ.
Discovery Museum
STEM Career Day
College visits
Museum of Science
Salem State University
Science from Scientists
Objective B: Establish partnerships with
organizations to expand the offerings to the
district
ELEMENTARY
MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
King Arthur
Life Technologies, Inc.
Life Technologies, Inc.
The Bridge House and
My Brothers’ Table
Salem State University
NEU Marine Science
Center
Life Technologies, Inc
MIT Sea Grant
Rotary Club
Essex County
Community Foundations
– successful grant for
Electricity and Literacy
Project
Essex County
Community Foundations
– successful grant for
Apple Mobility Cart
Essex County
Community Foundations
– successful grant for 3
SMART Boards for
Social Studies Dept.
PSAE – Clarke
PTO
Swampscott Education
Foundation-successful
grant for Garden Project
Sea Perch Challenge
Mr. Andrake and Mr. Butler
 ROV’s with 7th and 8th grade
 Partnership with MIT Sea Grant

Goal 4: Provide professional development
to Swampscott teachers to enhance their
ability to integrate STEM into their
curriculum
Objective A: Participate in PD opportunities
inter and intra district
ELEMENTARY
MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
MSSF Inquiry Workshop
MSSF Inquiry Workshop
MSSF Inquiry Workshop
MAST
MAST
MAST
Global Technology and
Engineering Consortium
Conference
Global Technology and
Engineering Consortium
Conference
Intelitek Training
Mass DOE Service
Learning Conference
Systems Thinking
Workshop
Pre AP and AP training
New England Technology
1:1 Summit
MME Annual Woods Hole
Conference
STEM opportunities to
staff
NSTA STEM Expo
STEM opportunities to staff
System Thinking Workshop State STEM SUMMIT
STEM opportunities to staff
State STEM SUMMIT
Science and Literacy
Goal 5: Develop an assessment tool to
evaluate the district STEM Initiative
Kindergarten Beach Walk
STEM Family Night at SHS
5th grade students on a field trip field
trip to the Tsongas Industrial Center
Engineering of musical instruments : 6th grade
Objective A: Facilitate district wide STEM
meetings to support the STEM Initiative.

Monthly District STEM Team meetings
 Agenda
and meeting notes

Bi-weekly STEM Consulting Teacher meetings

Building level STEM Committee meetings
Objective B: Create a district wide survey of
teachers on their use and understanding of
STEM

Elementary preliminary assessment survey

End of the year summary of activities report

Developing 2012-13 pre/post survey for district
teachers
Next Steps
Expand upon existing STEM activities at all
grade levels
 Integrate STEM concepts into the Common
Core
 Evaluate the new Next Generation of
Science Standards
 Increase access to technology at all levels
 Focus on cross-disciplinary lessons/projects

Sustainability – Beyond Year 1

District Solar Project
 Middle

Weather Stations
 All

elementary schools and high school
Equipment sharing
 Van

and High School have panels
de Graaff, robotics
Professional development
Sustainability – Beyond Year 1

Grant writing
 STEM
teachers pursuing small grants for each school
 Meetings with Grant Sub-committee

Community partnerships
 Life

Technologies
Organized parent involvement
 Parent

groups, PTO’s
Community garden
 Located
at SHS, funded by SEF
Questions?
Brandy Wilbur:
wilbur@swampscott.k12.ms.us
 Sharon LaRosa:
larosa@swampscott.k12.ma.us
 Adam Scharfenberger:
scharfenberger@swampscott.k12.ma.us
