Innovative Teaching in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Take-Aways- What is S.T.E.M. education and why STEM skills are so important in ECE now and in our future; Current research about quality EC STEM experiences; Effective ways to use the natural world to support children s learning and development in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math; How S.T.E.M. education is supported by the PA Early Learning Standards and your classroom?
What is S.T.E.M.? Science Technology Engineering Math The acronym originated with the National Science Foundation
STEM Education defined as: STEM education is an intentional, integrative approach to teaching and learning, in which students uncover and acquire a comprehensive set of concepts, competencies, and thinking skills of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that they transfer and apply in both academic and real-world contexts.
Why focus on S.T.E.M?
The U.S. will have over 1 million job openings in STEM-related fields by 2018; yet, according to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, only 16% of U.S. bachelor s degrees will specialize in STEM subjects.
Our students are graduating high school and are unable to problem solve and think critically.
Failure to motivate student interest in math and science In most PreK-12 systems, math and science subjects are disconnected from other subject matters and the real world Students often fail to see the connections between what they are studying and STEM career options
The Famous Question. When will I need to use Algebra in the real world?? Why do I need to learn this?
Equations that describe how a spacecraft orbits the Earth involve algebra.
1/3 of Americans would rather clean a toilet than do a math problem
Many jobs require none of the skills we force students to learn in high school.
What do we, as a society, really want our young people to learn in school?
Why is STEM Important? We want proof that students are able to wrap their heads around complex processes and ideas.
Think about key skills needed in today's workplace: problem solving, analytical thinking, and the ability to work independently
College and Career Ready Most employers want workers who are able to reason and solve problems using some math, science, or technology knowledge.
Through STEM children are learning: Communication and cooperation skills to listen to customer needs or interact with project partners. Creative abilities to solve problems and develop new ideas. Leadership skills to lead projects or help customers. Organization skills to keep track of information.
PA State Early Learning Standards Are the Foundation for Designing Intentional Experiences
What s Keeping Teachers from Quality STEM Education? Lack of comfort and uncertainty Lack of training Lack of time Lack of resources
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.. are not separate subjects to be broken down into their own time slots should be incorporated and encouraged within all activities throughout the day
Let s think.. What are teachers already doing?
Design Challenge
*Introduced to new vocabulary; buoyancy, mass, dense, same/different, heavy, light, predict, sink, float, surface area, weight
Exploring Ramps: Inclined plane Gravity Momentum Faster Motion and speed Texture of the object Obstacle Force Weight
Through STEM: Children take the lead in exploring Ask open-ended questions that cause: Children to reflect Form theories Ask questions And explore more
The children are: posing questions, using tools, working collaboratively, making plans, predicting outcomes, observing closely, documenting results, and talking about their findings.
S.T.E.M. Education Goals Hands-on Teacher acts as facilitator, the children lead Learning is viewed as a process Practical use Promotes higher-order thinking STEM subjects should be incorporated throughout the day in everything we do
Environment Should be intentionally designed to provide brain-building experiences for children, where they are free to: explore, ask questions, and where the educator is available to children when they need guidance with new ideas
STEM with babies??
Children are Born True Scientists
We are born with enough brain cells to learn just about anything.
Incorporate books
Chemistry- how does it change
Physics: How does it move?
Language Development
Learning is largely experience dependent Ask yourself the question, what experiences are most likely going to foster the desire to go on learning?