Whitlow Elementary # Principal’s Chat Whitlow Elementary # Principal’s Chat STEM

WHY STEM? By 2014, there are expected to be 2 million jobs created in STEM- Related fields Concern about America’s ability to be competitive in the global economy has lead to a number of calls to action to strengthen the pipeline to these fields Forty percent (40%) of all students test at below basic science level The number of engineering degrees awarded in the U.S. is down 20% from the peak year of More than 50% of all engineering doctorial degrees awarded by U.S. engineering colleges are to individuals ineligible for the security clearances required for most defense industrial base jobs.

STEMtistics In 2009, just 34 percent of U.S. 8 th graders were rated proficient or higher in a national math assessment, and more than one in four scored below the basic level. In an international exam given to 15 year olds in 2009, U.S. high school students ranked significantly behind 12 industrial nations in science and 17 in math. Students in only 4 industrialized nations scored lower in math. In Only 45 percent of U.S. High School students were ready for college- level math Only 30 percent of U.S. High School students were ready for college- level science By 2018, America will be short one million nurses, 200,000 doctors and 400,000 engineers

Rigor and Relevance At Whitlow, we have students who are capable and can go beyond the statistics of failure that have been reported. It is urgent that we start preparing our students for the world that awaits them in the very near future. We are preparing our children for jobs that we can’t even dream about. It is not only our job to give our students the best education possible, but it is our legacy to prepare students for success in their future.

STEM I Choose "C"

WHAT IS STEM EDUCATION? STEM stands for Science Technology Engineering Math

What is STEM? STEM is an integrated approach to learning that combines elements from 2 or more of the STEM components to solve a problem STEM encourages students to develop 21 st century thinking skills by organizing and understanding complex concepts

Let’s break it down…. SCIENCE

SCIENCE Science- Involves the investigation and understanding of the natural world as well as the process that we use to determine those understandings. Students engage in exploration and investigation of a subject or problem.

TECHNOLOGY Technology is the use of tools to facilitate science and engineering. Technology is not limited to computers. We use common ordinary objects every day that represent technology.

ENGINEERING Engineering is the process of applying scientific practices to solve practical problems and accomplish goals by applying the engineering design process.

MATH Math is the language we use to measure the application of science. It is used to quantify and analyze data. Students apply learned strategies to solve problems. This application helps students to see the relevance of math.

MATH

STEM DESIGN PROCESS

STEM in an Elementary Classroom Factors to consider: Philosophy Physical Space Collaboration Role of Instructor Assessment

ROLE OF TEACHERS TEACHERS ROLE CHANGES FROM THE GIVER OF KNOWLEDGE TO ONE WHO FOSTERS HIGHER ORDER THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING SETS HIGH EXPECTATIONS FACILITATES LEARNING PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO DIG DEEP INTO LEARNING TEACHES STANDARDS ALLOWS FOR RISK- TAKING ALLOWS FOR FAILURE AND SECOND ATTEMPTS WHEN TRYING TO PROBLEM SOLVE PROVIDE RIGOROUS LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING THROUGH LITERACY USE TEACHNOLOGY AUTHENTICALLY

ROLE OF TEACHERS TEACHERS ROLE CHANGES FROM THE GIVER OF KNOWLEDGE TO ONE WHO FOSTERS HIGHER ORDER THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING SETS HIGH EXPECTATIONS PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO DIG DEEP INTO LEARNING TEACHES STANDARDS ALLOWS FOR RISK TAKING ALLOWS FOR FAILURE AND SECOND ATTEMPTS WHEN TRYING TO PROBLEM SOLVE PROVIDES RIGOROUS LEARNING OPPORTUNITIESFOR STUDENTS PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING THROUGH LITERACY USES TECHNOLOGY AUTHENTICALLY

ROLE OF STUDENT LEARNER AND EXPLORER WILLING TO LOOK AT PROBLEMS AND INFORMATION IN DIFFERENT WAYS HARDWORKER/COMMITTED STUDENT WRITER ACROSS THE CURRICULUM ACCESSOR OF KNOWLEDGE ACROSS THE CURRICULUM COOPERATIVE TEAM MEMBER UNDERSTANDS THAT FIRST ATTEMPTS MAY NOT ALWAYS PRODUCE THE FINAL ANSWER KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DIFFERENT STEM CAREERS

ROLE OF PARENTS Understanding that the work provided to students is more rigorous than that what we did not long ago. Support for students, school and teachers Parent Volunteers are needed and wanted Opportunities for parents to share their expertise with students Support for STEM nights, Literacy, and Technology Staying abreast of happenings at school by reading newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, conferences with teacher, etc.

STEM

TEACHING Problem Based Learning- Task in which a student is given a particular problem to solve which requires a creative solution.

WHAT DOES A STEM CLASSROOM LOOK LIKE?

What does a STEM Classroom Look Like? Physical Space Large Tables Design Process Posted Common materials- organized and available for students to utilize independently Building Toys- Lego, K’nex, Tinker Toys

Physical Space Reference Posters Samples of Student Work Learning Resources Technology Books iPads

Physical Space CHILDREN ARE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK IN GROUPS AND AS INDIVIDUALS

What does a STEM classroom look like? COLLABORATION Team work is essential. Students not only participate in group efforts in the classroom, they participate in competitions both inside and outside of the school day. Science Olympiad, Science and Social Studies Fair, Robotics Competitions

Assessments Assessment: Students are expected to perform at high standards. They participate in all district, state and national assessments.

Certification Three Year Process Certified Through the Georgia State Department of education. So far three elementary schools are certified in Georgia. STEM Certification Rubric Professional Learning for Teachers- Endorsements in Science and Math Information sessions for parents Funding from PTA/Local Funds/ and Grants Support from District office Go Days STEM Choice Specials

GO WOLVES Questions and Comments