EWRSD K-12 STEM UPDATE M A R C H 2 5 , 2 0 1 9 2018-2019 Focus Goal 2: Develop a strategic plan to increase opportunities for STEM learning for students in K to 12.
• Currently STEM is part of the HS focus but it sometimes is too late to begin here
WHAT IS STEM? HOW IS STEM EDUCATION IMPORTANT? STEM education is far more than just sticking subject titles together. It’s a philosophy of education that embraces teaching skills and subjects in a way that resembles real life . The key component of STEM / STEAM is integration. Instead of teaching disciplines in independent subject silos, lessons are well rounded, project and inquiry based, with a focus on interdisciplinary learning. STEM and STEAM align with the way we work and problem solve in our daily lives. Making it an exceptional way of instructing and learning. With STEM we are teaching skills the way they will be used in the workforce, and the real world. Rarely does a job require only one skill set like math. Picture an architect, they use science, math, engineering and technology to do their jobs. The subjects do not work on their own, instead they are woven together in practical and seamless ways allowing the architect to design complex buildings.
HOW WILL STEM IMPROVE STUDENT LEARNING? Simply put, STEM reflects real life. Jobs in the real world are interdisciplinary. We need to educate children in how subjects integrate and work together. They need to develop diverse skills sets and a passion for exploration and growth. We don’t need children to memorize random facts anymore. We have so many facts at our finger tips now. When I’m having a debate with someone, I can pull out my phone and in seconds have all the facts. Education is no longer about memorizing facts. Instead it is about learning how to think critically and evaluate information. How to apply knowledge, research and skills to problem solve. Skills need to be taught in an applied way, as part of a greater whole, rather than the traditional approach of individual subject silos. STEM embraces the 4 C’s identified as key in 21st Century education: Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Communication. Most importantly, by incorporating inquiry based principles and a highly adaptable framework to suit students of various needs, STEM helps to foster a love of learning . And the most important gift an education should give a student is a love of learning.
WHY ADD THE A IN STEAM? The addition of Arts to STEM to create STEAM is about incorporating creative thinking and applied arts in real situations. Art isn’t just about working in a studio. Art is about discovering and creating ingenious ways of problem solving, integrating principles or presenting information. Many people feel that adding the A is unnecessary and that the application of creativity and arts is a natural part of STEM, but others like to highlight it. Whether you prefer STEM or STEAM the underlying principles and practices are very much the same, it’s about integration of the pillars: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math .
WHAT ARE SOME PROBLEMS WITH STEM EDUCATION? One of the biggest concerns about STEM education is the lack of resources. Funding for the newest technology, training in how to use the new technology, plus the knowledge of how to use it effectively as a learning tool, are all areas where teachers struggle. Another area where teachers struggle is with a system that is focuses on assessment and grades rather than a program that fosters innovation, creativity, critical thinking skills and problem solving skills. These achievements are not something that can be easily boxed up and assessed. Sadly, some teachers are simply not interested in learning how to teach STEM and STEAM. They prefer to stay in the silos. Keeping each of the stem subjects isolated into their own lessons.
CURRENT STEM STATUS K-5 Grades 3-5 K-2 Technology units: STEM instruction once every 6 days one • Keyboarding teacher shared between 2 building • Computer/Internet Safety Units: design process, engineering, coding • Google Apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides) Units are taught in isolation Internet Skills/Research • Technology teaches a unit on beginner level coding Basic Introduction to Coding • *Science and Engineering Practices are part of the NGSS (NJSLS-S) at all levels
CURRENT STEM STATUS 6-12 High School Middle School Additional STEM courses: Coding Technology DE Anatomy and Physiology • • Visual Basic Programming Google Apps • Anatomy and Physiology • Introduction to Computer Microsoft Office • AP Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Programming with C++ • Statistics AP Computer Science A (Java) • • Calculus, MakerSpace in the library Discrete Math • School Clubs: • Multivariable Calculus Team Mercury (Robotics), • Grade 8 • Game Theory • Coding for Girls • Introduction to Engineering with Robotics robotics elective • ACE Club (Architecture and • Introduction to Modern Astro-Plasma Physics (which uses the Lego EV3 robots.) Engineering) STEM • *Science and Engineering Practices are part of the NGSS (NJSLS-S) at all levels .
VISION FOR DISTRICT Introduce STEM classes in K – 8 Ensure T echnology classes include STEM units Revise how we teach Science classes to become more STEM based in content, process and product Curricular emphasis on problem-solving, critical thinking, perseverance, collaboration, and communication Extra-curricular opportunities Training in the Humanities as a natural progression into the STEM “world”. Both STEM and the Humanities embrace the 4 C’s identified as key in 21st Century education: Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Communication
VISION FOR K-2 Grade K: • Introduce coding (Comp & STEM) both with and without a computer • Core concepts: Sequencing, Loops, Events, Digital Citizenship • Attitudinal goals: Programming is fun, It’s okay not to get it right the first time, can solve problems if I keep trying Grade 1: • What is coding? • What does a computer programmer do? • Utilize commands using 4-core directions: Up/ Down/ Left/ Right • How to manipulate blocks to move characters Grade 2: • Algorithm, Sequence, Loops & Events, Script (2) • Create an interactive Game • Utilizing Code.org resource A-C
VISION FOR 3-5 Focus on design thinking skills – Apply basic principles of coding using algorithms, sequences, loops, events, and binary or multi-step functions – Understand basic functions and apply them with consistency when troubleshooting in digital and non- digital activities – Develop meaningful ways to get “unstuck: when encountering difficulty – Emphasis on collaboration, critical thinking, programming and perseverance when confronted by challenges • Students will: – …be introduced to critical terms and applications in digital platforms – …create simple algorithms and apply simple sequences – …apply algorithms and develop programs • Resources include: – Google CS First – Scratch 3.0
GOOGLE CS FIRST – GRADES 3-5
VISION FOR 6-8 Embed coding activities that are circularly relevant in each content area. Build a common STEM approach to learning content and skills - refocus the mindset on teaching and learning STEM lessons integrated in the science and technology classes Science T echnology Integration of life science, earth science, physical Programming 201, 202 and 300 courses, based on science and other topics and using coding activities to student readiness and prior exposure to help teach the content programming Life Earth Physical Beginner Intermediate Advanced Animal cells Rock cycle States of matter Sequencing Game Design JavaScript Plant cells Ecosystems Potential vs. kinetic Pattern AR/Robotics/Dro Python energy Recognition nes Anatomy Weather Chemical vs. Loops & Minecraft Web Design physical change Counters modding Digestive Greenhouse effect Solids, liquids, gasses, System,
UPDATES TO 9-12 • Hire additional Computer Science teacher to meet demand of growing interest in computer science offerings • Changing name of programming courses to be more streamlined: – Computer Programming with Visual Basic Academic – Computer Science with C++ Honors – AP Computer Science A • Addition of new elective: – Game Development with Python Honors (post-AP class) • Other programs will need to be revisited once full K-8 STEM program is in place
STEM LABS • STEM Labs to be created in K-2 and 3-5 schools • T wo computer labs at MHK to be converted to a STEM lab • HHS Computer lab 826 to be a second computer science room • ClearT ouch Panels – Movable boards that go horizontal and vertical – 20 points of touch, up to 4 different tasks at once • Upgrades to lab furniture and design • Additional staff
PERSONNEL Level Current status Proposed K-2 1 2 3-5 0 2 6-8 0 2 9-12 1.5 2.5 totals 2.5 8.5
PROJECTED COST OF PROJECT 6-8 Labs: @ 50,000 K-2 Additional computer stations: @ 20,000 Labs: @ 52,000 Staff: 2 FTE Staff: 1 FTE Additional cost to renovate computer labs to a STEM lab 9-12 Needs 3 – 5 Labs: @ 52,000 Update computers Staff: 2 FTE 1 FTE Additional for science lab renovations • Remodel/reconstruct computer lab 826 to a computer lab for computer science.
QUESTIONS? • Thank you!
APPENDIX SLIDES
Recommend
More recommend
