Defining STEM
• Shorthand S-T-E-M
• Foundational
• Knowledge Level
• Direct Instruction
• Content Level
• Top Down
• Highly Structured
• Lower Order Thinking
• Literacy
• Mixed S-T-E-M
• Applications
• Problem Level
• Guided or Modeled
• Mix of Top Down and
Bottom Up
• Some Structured
• Mixture of Order
Thinking
• Competency
STEM Continuum
• Integrated STEM
• Synthesis
• Project Level
• Discovery Based
• Bottom Up
• Open End
• Ill Structured
• Higher Order Thinking
• Proficiency
STEM Jobs
Bureau of Labor Statistics
An Integrated STEM Challenge – small
group

HOLE IN ONE!
Design and modify your catapult to project the ball
into the cup with repeated success…
Science
Forces
Energy
Simple machines
Motion and force
Torque
Newtons laws
Data Collection
Measurement
Methods of science
Control
Elasticity
Optimization
Continuous improvement
Data Collection
Criteria
Constraints
Problem it solves
Iterative process
Technology
Ball
Spoon
Rubber band
Scissors
Cup
Force meters
Integrated STEM
CATAPULT – Hole in one
Concept Based Activity
Engineering
Developed by Louis S. Nadelson and Anne Seifert©
Angles
Data Collection
Probability
Measurement
Stem plot
Ratios
Variables
Math
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• 4 Years of STEM Professional
Development
• Over 1500 Idaho K-12 educators served
• Place-Based STEM
• Focus on:
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Inquiry
Engineering Design
Integrated STEM
Common Core State Standards - Math,
Next Generation Science Standards
Best Educational Practices
Technology Integrated
6 sites
40+ hours of Professional Development
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Keynotes
Short courses
Planning
Field trips
THE 6 i-STEM SUMMER INSTITUTE
LOCATIONS
What Place-based Learning?
Comparison of STEM domains
Placed based learning:
in community vs school
Involves leveraging the 140
resources and emphasis in 120
the location learning is
100
taking place to provide
relevance, and context to 80
B&I
60
enhance student
School
40
engagement, retention,
and understanding of
20
content while meeting the 0
workforce development
needs in the local area
Why STEM in context?
Innovation
(Level of Complexity)
CONTEXT
Theorizing/Critiquing/Validating
Inventing/Creating
Repurposing/Restructuring
Design/Experimentation
Modeling /Simulation
Identify/Recognize/Classify
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CONTENT
(Level of STEM Content Knowledge)
st
21
Century Skills
Key:
No Utilization
NO ARROW
Low Utilization
Moderate Utilization
Capacity
to Lead
High Utilization
Cross-Cultural
Sense
Confidence
Creativity
&
Innovation
Critical
Thinking &
Problem
Solving
Contextualized
Problem Based
Lesson
Commitment
Communication
Collaboration
Computational
Thinking
Computing/ &
Technology
Learning Outcome
Mastery
(Advanced)
Competency
(Proficient)
Literacy
(Basic)
Exposure
(Below Basic)
Collaboration –
work together
Try all ideas
All added
something
All ideas valued
Listened and
shared
Included most
ideas
Acknowledge
each other
Expressed ideas
Some contribution
Sitting next to
each other
Other exisited
No sharing
Left out
Evaluated and
refined best design
Tried multiple ideas
Refined the one
idea
Attempted one
idea and quit
`
Communication
Interpersonal
Relationships
Built a catapult
Multiple Trial
Cultural
Responsiveness
Creativity and
design
PROJECT IMPACT

OUR RESEARCH RESULTS SHOWED INCREASE IN TEACHER:
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Confidence to teach STEM
STEM content knowledge
Knowledge of STEM initiatives
Leadership in STEM education
Engagement in STEM education
Awareness of local STEM resources
Knowledge of STEM workforce needs
Integrating STEM provides chance to…
• Is more efficient • Is what Common Core is supposed to be
• Enhances student:
• Engagement/motivation
• Retention of learning
• Deeper understanding
• Makes learning STEM purposeful
• Fun to teach!
Some Publications:
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Nadelson, L. S., Seifert, A. L. & Chang, C. (2013). The perceptions,
engagement, and practices of teachers seeking professional development
in place-based integrated STEM, Teacher Education and Practice, 26(2),
242-265.
Nadelson, L. S. Seifert, A. L., Hettinger, J. K. & Coats, B. (2012). Where they
go for help: Teachers’ pedagogical and content support seeking practices
and preferences. Teacher Education and Practice, 26(1), 82-98.
Nadelson, L. S., Seifert, A., Moll, A. & Coats, B. (2012). i-STEM summer
institute: An integrated approach to teacher professional development in
STEM. Journal of STEM Education: Innovation and Outreach. 13(2), 69-83.
Nadelson, L. S., Moll, A. J., & Seifert, A. (2011). Living in a materials world:
Materials science and engineering professional development for K-12
educators. Proceedings of the American Society of Engineering Education
Annual Conference, Vancouver, BC
Questions or Comments
THANK YOU!
LouisNadelson@boisestate.edu
nadesand@isu.edu
Anne.Seifert@INL.GOV