Pine-Richland School District STEAM Advisory Committee

Pine-Richland School District STEAM Advisory Committee

District Vision & Mission Statements Vision Our Ideal Future Pine-Richland School District is a community where learning is challenging, people are inspiring, and students are enriched by their experience. Mission Why We Exist Our mission is to provide a strong academic foundation which challenges students to realize their fullest potential and encourages them to become engaged, thoughtful citizens.

Strategic Plan Subcommittees 1. Critical Thinking Group 2. Career Awareness 3. Connecting Resources to Curriculum & Teachers 4. Promoting & Marketing STEAM 5. Project-Based Learning 6. Art in STEAM

Critical Thinking Skills Subcommittee: Key points from subcommittee discussion: Develop critical thinking skills through real world applications Integrate oral and written instructional strategies including specific feedback to students with clear connections to standards providing teachers with professional learning opportunities Collaborate with colleges and universities

Career Awareness Subcommittee: Key points from subcommittee discussion: Ensure student success and a continued interest in STEAM areas of study by providing equal access to curricular resources, interventions, and supports for all students Expand regional partnerships to expand STEAM offerings to enhance student learning Encourage parental participation through engagement in activities that improve student achievement Provide exposure to applicable real world opportunities

Connecting Resources to Curriculum & Teachers Subcommittee Key points from subcommittee discussion: Continue reviewing curriculum to maintain rigor and alignment with state and industry standards in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Ensure student success and a continued interest in STEAM areas of study by providing equal access to curricular resources, interventions, and supports for all students. Consistently implement standards-based curriculum to set clear expectations for all students through oral, written, and collaborative opportunities to excel.

Promoting & Marketing STEAM Subcommittee Key points from subcommittee discussion: Identifying mechanisms for collecting data relating to occupations/resources within the community in order to create awareness and connections to student learning. Utilize technology/district resources to communicate to community stakeholders to promote/encourage their involvement in the STEAM initiative. Our goal for Pine-Richland students is to be excited about STEAM at an early age so that we build momentum as students move through the school system. Create opportunities for students throughout the district to utilize the new STEAM space at the high school. The possibility of having middle school students tour the STEAM addition and participate in hands-on activities prior to choosing courses as they enter the high school as ninth graders.

Project-Based Learning Subcommittee: Key points from subcommittee discussion: A thorough understanding is achieved through an integration of disciplines. Through interdisciplinary units and utilization of professionals within our community and region, we will be able to make clear connections between curriculum and application. Learning is not conducted in isolation but rather students are able to experience related concepts throughout the school day and in the field as they have on-the-job learning opportunities. Making the best use of our district facilities and resources while collaborating with external resources, students will have the optimal learning experience.

Art in STEAM Subcommittee: Key points from subcommittee discussion: The importance of maintaining and encouraging creativity as students are engaged in the problemsolving process. The A in STEAM is very important to us and with the proximity of the art classrooms to other STEM classrooms, we hope this sub-committee will make the aesthetic aspect of STEAM a prominent part of our program. This group will work to fuse concepts in the arts and design with the sciences.

Academic Achievement Goal #1: Integrate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) initiatives into the K-12 Pine-Richland curriculum to increase collaborative opportunities and rigor, encourage critical thinking, improve student achievement and enhance personal growth through authentic learning opportunities using standardsaligned curriculum.

Academic Achievement Goal #2 Enhance collaboration between students, teachers, and parents through engaging standards-aligned curriculum that promotes meaningful communication and supports differentiated learning.

Academic Achievement Goal #3 Prepare students to succeed in an increasingly interconnected and globally competitive environment.

Action Steps Beneath each goal within the Academic Achievement portion of the strategic plan are action steps for implementation of the three academic goals. Administrators were assigned to work with each subcommittee to act as the liaison between the school and the STEAM Advisory Committee. Administrators choose goals that corresponded to the initial discussions from each subcommittee.

Moving Forward Our focus this year will be to encourage community support through parents and Pittsburgh area businesses who would be willing to come into our schools to support instruction, allow student and teacher visits at the job site, and provide opportunities to possibly intern or job shadow.

Moving Forward We want to better utilize the skills of the committee members to match Pine-Richland School District curriculum with work being done on a daily basis by committee members at their place of employment. We have started enlisting parents throughout district to support classroom instruction at both the elementary and secondary grade levels. We have a great deal of expertise on our committee and it would be helpful if each committee member would be willing to give a bit of their time and talents to continue on the committee and to agree to participate at some point in a Pine-Richland classroom.

Pine-Richland STEAM Advisory Committee Goals & Action Plans 2012-2013 I. Critical Thinking Skills Subcommittee: Key points from subcommittee discussion: Develop critical thinking skills through real world applications Integrate oral and written instructional strategies including specific feedback to students with clear connections to standards providing teachers with professional learning opportunities Collaborate with colleges and universities Critical Thinking Skills Committee Goals & Action Steps: Encourage the use of the scientific method/problem-solving o Curriculum review by teacher to determine strengths, weaknesses, and connections between disciplines o Develop vertical articulation of curriculum so that coherence exists between grade levels within the curriculum of STEAM courses o Review Pennsylvania and Common Core Standards to align instruction and the creation of quarterly benchmarks Encourage logical thinking o Curriculum review by teacher to determine o Develop vertical articulation Instruct student students to articulate ideas accurately and clearly o Curriculum review by teacher to determine o Develop vertical articulation o Develop common rubrics or rubric components to develop horizontal and vertical expectations Enable students to apply reasoning in every facet of their life o Embed novel problem-solving opportunities across curriculum o Encourage participation in local, regional and state STEAM competitions o Develop partnerships with professionals to demonstrate the application of problem-solving/logical thinking strategies within typical work flow

II. Career Awareness Subcommittee: Key points from subcommittee discussion: Ensure student success and a continued interest in STEAM areas of study by providing equal access to curricular resources, interventions, and supports for all students Expand regional partnerships to expand STEAM offerings to enhance student learning Encourage parental participation through engagement in activities that improve student achievement Provide exposure to applicable real world opportunities Career Awareness Goals & Action Steps: Ensure student success and a continued interest in STEAM areas of study by providing equal access to curricular resources, interventions, and supports for all students Expand regional partnerships to expand STEAM offerings to enhance student learning. o Develop a K-12 database of regional resources to foster relationships among all stakeholders o The guidance department will conduct an internal audit of all career lessons/opportunities at the primary, upper elementary, middle, and high school levels. Encourage parental participation through engagement in activities that improve student achievement o Provide information to parents through the district s website and guidance department about careers in the STEAM related field Provide exposure to applicable real world opportunities o Provide web based information for all stakeholders about careers in the STEAM related field. The information would include job description, education requirements, and salary information

III. Connecting Resources to Curriculum & Teachers Subcommittee: Key points from subcommittee discussion: Continue reviewing curriculum to maintain rigor and alignment with state and industry standards in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Ensure student success and a continued interest in STEAM areas of study by providing equal access to curricular resources, interventions, and supports for all students. Consistently implement standards-based curriculum to set clear expectations for all students through oral, written, and collaborative opportunities to excel. Connecting Resources to Curriculum & Teachers Goals & Action Steps: Ensure consistent, high quality and exciting STEAM resources for K-12 students in the Pine-Richland School District. o Inventory STEAM equipment o Questionnaire for teachers to determine needs o Curriculum Alignment o Asset Science and Project lead The Way Collaborate with the STEAM community to identify learning opportunities for Pine-Richland professional staff and students. o Create a database of community members who would be willing to be involved and willing to support STEAM in K-12 classrooms. o Research opportunities for PRSD teachers to visit job sites in order to make meaningful connections between curriculum being taught and uses beyond the classroom. o Survey community members to determine possibilities for students and staff to participate in learning opportunities in the field. Utilize PRSD curriculum to critically investigate real world applications within the STEAM community. o Determine company partnerships to supply PRSD students and staff with real-world applications. o Explore curriculum that would assist with applications and connections to the work being done in local industry.

IV. Promoting & Marketing STEAM Subcommittee Key points from subcommittee discussion: Identifying mechanisms for collecting data relating to occupations/resources within the community in order to create awareness and connections to student learning. Utilize technology/district resources to communicate to community stakeholders to promote/encourage their involvement in the STEAM initiative. Our goal for Pine-Richland students is to be excited about STEAM at an early age so that we build momentum as students move through the school system. Create opportunities for students throughout the district to utilize the new STEAM space at the high school. The possibility of having middle school students tour the STEAM addition and participate in hands-on activities prior to choosing courses as they enter the high school as ninth graders. Utilize our high school students to work with elementary students as a strategy to build excitement around STEAM. This group will focus on attracting non-traditional STEAM students to the program. Promoting and Marketing STEAM Goal & Action Steps: Develop strategies to engage students, parents, and teachers in cross-curricular STEAM activities. o Invite a STEAM professional into each classroom one time per year o Utilize the STEAM addition at the High School as a forum for STEAM professionals to talk with students o Utilize current Pine-Richland High School students as mentors for Pine- Richland Middle School students o Get students and parents interested in STEAM o Engage students o Identify our audience o Have students experience success o Create career awareness

V. Project-Based Learning Subcommittee: Key points from subcommittee discussion: A thorough understanding is achieved through an integration of disciplines. Through interdisciplinary units and utilization of professionals within our community and region, we will be able to make clear connections between curriculum and application. Learning is not conducted in isolation but rather students are able to experience related concepts throughout the school day and in the field as they have on-the-job learning opportunities. Making the best use of our district facilities and resources while collaborating with external resources, students will have the optimal learning experience. Project-Based learning Goals and Action Steps: To incorporate one PBL unit per 9-week grading period that includes acrosscurricular/real-world component. To provide comprehensive professional development opportunities to STEAM staff members that would include the incorporation of critical thinking skills, assessments, and PBL lesson design. To identify areas within the mathematics and science curriculum where there is a natural integration of art and technology education content. To infuse existing community resources into STEAM curricular areas.

VI. Art in STEAM Subcommittee: The importance of maintaining and encouraging creativity as students are engaged in the problem-solving process. The A in STEAM is very important to us and with the proximity of the art classrooms to other STEM classrooms, we hope this sub-committee will make the aesthetic aspect of STEAM a prominent part of our program. This group will work to fuse concepts in the arts and design with the sciences. Arts in STEAM Goals & Action Plans: Fuse the concepts of art and STEM through clear expectations, curriculum alignment, and professional development. o Define the arts: art, music, creative writing, tech ed, engineering, public speaking. Define by grade level targeted experiences for each area within the arts. o Evaluate the curriculum for standards and clear expectations. Teacher groups evaluate the arts curricula for arts standards connected to STEAM. Determine benchmark assessments that monitor student progress in the arts curriculum. o Provide staff development to enhance teacher skills. Identify auditory, special, visual, and other critical experiences that are integrated into the curriculum. Identify creative and critical thinking skills within the arts in STEAM program and their connection to 21 st Century learning skills. Conduct a needs assessment to identify program and special development needs to connect arts in STEAM. Provide common cross-curriculum training opportunities with teams of teachers to focus on STEAM development. Provide Professional development that targets instruction which supports multiple types of thinking (Creative vs. Technical). Provide a comprehensive approach to STEAM that includes performance based learning and applies technology and critical thinking in creative ways to strengthen student learning.

o Determine performance-based learning strategies connected to STEAM. Incorporate critical thinking skills across the curriculum. o Determine approach to engage students in critical thinking strategies in creative ways. Dedicate time for exploration and innovation. o Engage in partnerships with the community to strengthen the arts in STEAM. Identify, articulate, publish and engage in regional partnerships.

2012-2013 STEAM Implementation Plan for the Pine-Richland School District Goals of the Transition/Implementation Plan: 1. Gather data regarding needs and direction from the school board and the Pine-Richland community. 2. Build trust among the community and staff and encourage engagement in the transition process. 3. Build on curricular and instructional strengths while addressing STEAM areas of focus. INTRODUCTORY-STEAM Phase (September 2012 - January2012) Implementation and Development (January 2013-March 2013) Operational Plan Review Share curricular goals with business partners to determine connections. Engage businesses that are in STEM fields to partner in an effort to meet the needs of the individual STEM learner in the Pine-Richland School District. Develop a comprehensive schedule for partnering businesses to enhance Pine- Richland STEAM instruction. Review mission & vision of the district and begin to tansition goals of STEAM into specific actions of our Operational Plan regarding STEAM with building and district administration. Work with the STEAM Advisory Committee to determine and discuss preliminary findings of the Introductory-STEAM phase (September-December). Mid-Year STEAM Review Provide the Academic Achievement Committee with a summary of the timeline and direction of the STEAM plan and actions taken by administration, teachers, and district employees regarding STEM curriculum, instruction, & assessment. Continue working with the STEAM advisory committee (which will include Strategic Planning group members, parents, PTO leaders, business leaders, and other interested parties) to review curricular goals and classroom needs. Encourage committee members to attend STEM events through the AIU, Carnegie Science Center, and other groups supporting STEM in schools. Monitor Progress through the Plan-Do-Study Act Framework. Continue meeting with the STEAM Advisory Committee discussing progress,elaborating on the Strategic and Operational Plans, and listening to feedback to continuously shape our plan. OCT.-NOV. 2012 JAN. 2013 JAN.-FEB 2013 Mar-13 APR.-MAY-13 AUG.-SEPT. 2012 Present STEAM goals and activities to the School Board and the Academic Achievement Committee. Begin implementing Project Lead The Way Curriculum Grand Opening Event Business Open House to develop and determine partnerships for students and staff. NOV.-DEC. 2012 Report back to the Academic Achievement Committe & share a report of site visits with the entire board and with the community. Share STEM information on the district website and clearly outline vision for the STEAM initiative and illustrate connections to the district Strategic Plan in connection to curriculum, instruction, and technology needs for the Pine- Richland School District. FEB. 2013 Provide teachers with the opportunity to reflect on what they have seen during the first semester & how STEAM ideas could be implemented in the Pine- Richland School District. Continue meeting with Departments throughout the secondary campus to discuss strategies to enhance curriculum, internship opportunities, and professional development opportunities. FEB. 2013 Work with administration developing strategies for assessing progress toward the goals of the Strategic and Operational Plans related to STEAM education. Outline a 3-year plan and describe short & long term goals in relation to STEAM curriculum, instruction, & assessment. MAR. 2013 Reassess goals based upon board reflection and continue to refine action steps regarding transition and steps for implementation. Begin discussing 2013-2014 scheduling options for students with parents and staff. MAY-JUNE-13 Collect all year-end data and provide a report to the school board regarding course enrollment and curricular implementation for the next fall (2013-2014). Utilize the work of STEAM Advisory Committee to conduct a presentation for the parents that explains accomplishments in the areas of STEAM curriculum, instruction, and assessment and opportunities for their students. Accelerate fact gathering so that we may transition smoothly into district implementation. Frequent reminders to all stakeholders of the mission and vision of the district and the goals of our daily work. Review of work in relation to student achievement.