STEM, Project-Based Learning: Strategies & Experiences in the Classroom Gail Dickinson

What is STEM? STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications. STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.

What makes a project – STEM? The four basic elements for crafting a STEM lesson: 1.Question/Problem —Real-world problems/questions are posed to students. 2.Inquiry-Based —Students "conduct original research" through inquiry- based and inspired lessons to test, gather, and analyze data. 3.Collaborative —Students work collaboratively to re-design and improve potential solutions. 4.Findings Communicated —Solutions and findings are communicated to peer communities

Steps to Great STEM Lessons 1.Prepare the STEM lesson around a topic you will be teaching. 2.Connect that topic to a real-world problem. 3.Clearly define the STEM challenge students will tackle. 4.Use the engineering design process. 5.Involve students (in teams) in researching the content for the challenge.

Steps to Great STEM Lessons (cont.) 6.Encourage teams to develop their own ideas about how to solve the problem. 7.Guide teams to choose one idea to test and then create their prototype. 8.Facilitate the process of prototype testing and evaluation. 9.Involve teams in communicating their findings. 10.Redesign if there’s time.

Suggestions Begin lesson with a “hook” activity.  Video, class discussion, hands-on activity Be sure to include research/background info  Internet Model if needed  Have students model teacher Include an inquiry piece  Directed inquiry Follow the engineering design process

Engineering Design Process Problem/Goal Research Brainstorm/Plan/Design Create Prototype Test Prototype Improve

Difference Between Science & Engineering  Scientists tend to explore the natural world and discover new knowledge about the universe and how it works.  Engineers apply that knowledge to solve practical problems, often with optimizing cost, efficiency, or some other parameters.

I find out the HOW & WHY! I FILL A NEED !

Sample Traditional Lessons Transformed Into STEM Lessons  Parachute Project  Snack Attack  iPhone Dock  Google SketchUp

Traditional Physics Lesson Parachute Lesson Lesson includes: following instructions for making parachute – make observations, time, record data, change one variable.

Transformed Physics Lesson Parachute STEM Project Science Background: Gravity Newton’s Laws of Motion Drag/Friction/Resistance Free fall Velocity- Terminal/Constant Acceleration Surface Area Balanced &Unbalanced Forces Science Skills: Measuring Observing Analyzing Data Collection Sharing Information Conclusion Students will are hired to drop a payload of medicine to a remote hospital in Africa. The payload must descend at the slowest rate possible to protect it’s contents and be able to hit a target.

Parachute STEM Project (cont.) Introduction Review science concepts Research or review Parachute history Activity 1- Parachute video Activity 2 – Model teacher Activity 3 – Change one variable Activity 4 – Build from scratch

Traditional Lesson on Sound Lesson or activities include: Various stations in which students make sounds. For example, a drum, tuning fork, coat hanger & singing tube.

Transformed Sound Lesson Design an iPhone Dock Students will: Design an iPhone dock that will enhance the sound in one direction while supporting the phone. Science Background: How sound works Vibrations though objects Sound waves/Wavelength Volume Amplitude Crest/Trough History of sound – Acoustic Mirrors

Traditional Physics Lesson – Egg Drop Traditional lesson-students design a covering around an egg to protect it from breakage when dropped from a certain height. Science skills – testing, gathering evidence, observing, force of gravity, Newton’s Laws.

Transformed Physics Lesson Snack Attack Science background: chemical & physical changes in matter Newton’s Laws of Motion force of gravity transfer of energy kinetic and potential energy properties of materials – plastic cardboard, aluminum Science Skills: observing data collection testing conclusion sharing information collaboration research Google SketchUp Students are part of an engineering firm who is hired to package a single serving of a S’more. The package must be economical and protect the product from breakage, heat and moisture.

Google SketchUp Activities Google SketchUp is a type of CAD (Computer- aided Design) software is used by architects, engineers, drafters, artists, and others to create precision drawings or technical illustrations. Google SketchUp is free!!!

Teaching Google SketchUp 1.Exploration 2.Review basic tools 3.Tutorials (simple – advanced)  Simple house  Chair  Dog house  Pencil  Circle house

Google SketchUp Activities Design your own Dream House Between 3,000 to 5,000 square feet Must include: living room bed rooms Kitchen 2 bathrooms Garage, carport Landscape Furnishings

Google SketchUp Activities Design an Art Museum Approximately 10,000 square feet Must include: Polygon/Octagon shape Front door / Translucent 10 paintings (Walter Anderson) People Furnished Carpet/flooring Wall color/texture At least 2 rooms Name on building Landscape outside of building

Jump Start Activities Collaboration Observation Trial and Error Brainstorming Creativity Communication Problem Solving Measurement Planning Reflection Learning from Others Time Constraints Goal Oriented Competition These type of activities help students work on:

Jump Start Activities Let’s Have Some Fun! Spaghetti/Marshmallow Tower Index Card Tower Airplane Loops Catapult Kinetic Sculpture

Other Activities Robot Hand Art Robot

More Activities Design an iPhone Case

More Activities Improve Park Design

More Activities Snack Bag Assembly Teams of students in grades 6 to 8 learn about the field of industrial engineering and efficiency by creating an assembly line to pack as many snack bags in 2 minutes as possible. They then see if they can improve their process.

More Activities 1.Mental attitude 2.Oxygen 3.Shelter 4.Warmth 5.Rest 6.Water 7.Food 10 essentials in a coffee can Survivor llessonplan.pdf Students will practice basic outdoor survival concepts.

Tips Provide a lot of guidance but few instructions. Mistakes and design failures are good methods of learning. The STEM process may not be linear – the sequence of events may change. Include Literacy & Art when possible. Resource

Resources Try Engineering Teach Engineering Engineering, Go For It

Questions/Comments? Gail Dickinson -