Swampscott Public Schools STEM Initiative STEM Consulting Teachers: Brandy Wilbur Sharon LaRosa Adam Scharfenberger June 6, 2012

What is ? STEM education attempts to transform the typical teacher-centered classroom by encouraging a curriculum that is driven by problem-solving, discovery, exploratory learning, and requires students to actively engage a situation in order to find its solution. Beyond Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

offers "Connections"  Students begin to understand and make connections between career pathways, core learning concepts and real world relevancy to 21st century learning skills. "Performance"  Create a project based environment where students are challenged to solve a situation using a multi-disciplinary approach. "Literacy"  Apply the knowledge defined by the common core by providing students instructions to create an informational or argumentative product while using essential skills in reading and writing. "Real World Relevance"  Create innovative hands-on ways for students to learn skills while relating to real world scenarios.

Superintendent Goals for STEM Initiative Expanding the existing K-12 STEM curriculum and new STEM clubs Implementing K-12 Professional Development on STEM Curriculum Modeling appropriate STEM lessons at each level Meeting regularly with the Gelfand organization and STEM teachers

Initiative Overview Developed by District STEM Team  District Administrative/Leadership Team  STEM Consulting Teachers  Technology/Robotics Teachers  Gelfand Family Charitable Trust Created goals with objectives and implementation plan In support of Superintendent’s goals

Goal 1: Provide opportunities for staff and students to foster 21st century skills 8 th grade math calculationsSMART Boards K-12ROV construction -7 th grade GIS in AP French Van de Graaff electricity 4 th grade Trebuchets in Ancient World History

Objective A: Integrate current technology in the classrooms ELEMENTARYMIDDLE SCHOOLHIGH SCHOOL SMART Boards Brain Pop, Jr.Tech Ed toolsIntelitek Curriculum Weather StationsTI - 84 Graphing Calculators Heart rate monitors – P.E. and Anatomy/Phys PortaportalSolar PanelsVernier Dataloggers Invention ConventionDigital camerasGo Motion Electricity Unit: Plasma ball, electroscopes, Van de Graaff generator Video editingSolar Panel and Weather Station Computer applicationsTI and TI Inspire calculators Online educational toolsWiki/blogs Video editing Robotics shop tools Geographic Information System

Objective B: STEM related Field trip opportunities for students ELEMENTARYMIDDLE SCHOOLHIGH SCHOOL Museum of ScienceBlue Hills Field TripNew England Aquarium Kindergarten Beach Walk Tsongas Industrial Center Field Trip Northeastern Marine Science Center Nature WalksNew England AquariumBoston Sea Rover Conference New England AquariumCrane’s Beach Science Exploration Ten80 Student Racing Challenge Kick off Mass Audubon SocietyFerry Beach Ecology Trip

Objective C: Integrate STEM themed lessons in classrooms ELEMENTARYMIDDLE SCHOOLHIGH SCHOOL Invention Convention idea lessonBridge BuildingGIS lesson AP French Grade 1-Solids, liquids: non fiction reading, Snow, Lab experiment Birdhouse BuildingPascal’s Triangle – AP French Grade 1: Weather: Weather book, Activities by season Mousetrap CarsSTEM Family Night activities (11) Grade 2 – Soils, composting, Scientific Method, Solids, Liquids, and Gases with Changes Electricity/Electromag netic Forces/Polarity ROV Construction in Marine Ecology Grade 3-Rocks and MineralsSea Perch ROVVex Robotics – Robotics Grade 4-Electricity: plasma ball, Van De Graff Generator, Build Electroscopes; Making Musical Instruments Project Trebuchets, Great Wall of China, Coliseum: Ancient World History Grade 4-King Arthur-Baking Bread Life Skills project Rocket BuildingRenaissance and Science - Art STC Kits Balloon Powered Cars

Invention Convention Ms. Heather Carr Hadley Elementary In class and home project Smilebox Presentation

Goal 2: Provide enrichment STEM activities outside of the traditional school day Cable Club – Auction Night 5th grade student tests his program on an obstacle course Robo Soccer at STEM Family Night

Objective A: Offer after school clubs/events with STEM theme ELEMENTARYMIDDLE SCHOOLHIGH SCHOOL Know AtomLego Mindstorm Robotics ClubRobotics/FRC iPad “Classes”Night of ExcellenceScience League LegosEngineering AdventuresMath Team Wicked Cool for KidsMath ClubCable Club Design Squad Jr.Sea Perch ROVInteract Architect AdventuresKavli Science Video ContestMA State Science Fair Math Team Computer ClubSTEM Family Night Science Fair Invention Convention Go Green Family Night

Objective B: Encourage/enhance summer offering with STEM ELEMENTARYMIDDLE SCHOOLHIGH SCHOOL Swampscott Integrated Summer Program – Creatures Great and Small Swampscott Integrated Summer Program – STEM week Ivy Program – Rocket project Swampscott Integrated Summer Program – Make Your Own – Creative Projects & Hands-On Engineering STEM Brochure with local summer programs STEM postings to Guidance office

Objective C: Promote Area STEM Programs ELEMENTARYMIDDLE SCHOOLHIGH SCHOOL Museum of ScienceBrochure featuring local STEM programs SciTech Girl Expo District STEM WebsiteWomen in Science and Engineering Workshop at Salem State University STEM articles for Guidance Gazette District STEM WebsiteMassachusetts State Science Fair District STEM Website

Robotics Club at SHS Mr. Richard Leonard FIRST Robotics : Jan – March competition 15 students participated 3 rd place Rookie Team

Goal 3: Create community partnerships that enhance STEM exposure to our students Digits Program: Scientist visiting a 6 th grade class City Lab bus – Boston University 7th grade gathered at Salem State University to videoconference with sister school from South Africa

Objective A: Recruit area business, organizations and schools to present to students ELEMENTARYMIDDLE SCHOOLHIGH SCHOOL King ArthurDigits ProgramCity Lab – Boston Univ. Discovery MuseumSTEM Career DayCollege visits Museum of ScienceSalem State University Science from Scientists

Objective B: Establish partnerships with organizations to expand the offerings to the district ELEMENTARYMIDDLE SCHOOLHIGH SCHOOL King ArthurLife Technologies, Inc. The Bridge House and My Brothers’ Table Salem State UniversityNEU Marine Science Center Life Technologies, IncMIT Sea GrantRotary Club Essex County Community Foundations – successful grant for Electricity and Literacy Project Essex County Community Foundations – successful grant for Apple Mobility Cart Essex County Community Foundations – successful grant for 3 SMART Boards for Social Studies Dept. PSAE – Clarke PTO Swampscott Education Foundation-successful grant for Garden Project

Sea Perch Challenge Mr. Andrake and Mr. Butler ROV’s with 7 th and 8 th grade Partnership with MIT Sea Grant

Goal 4: Provide professional development to Swampscott teachers to enhance their ability to integrate STEM into their curriculum

Objective A: Participate in PD opportunities inter and intra district ELEMENTARYMIDDLE SCHOOLHIGH SCHOOL MSSF Inquiry Workshop MAST Global Technology and Engineering Consortium Conference Intelitek Training Mass DOE Service Learning Conference Systems Thinking Workshop Pre AP and AP training New England Technology 1:1 Summit MME Annual Woods Hole Conference STEM opportunities to staff NSTA STEM ExpoSTEM opportunities to staff System Thinking WorkshopState STEM SUMMIT STEM opportunities to staff State STEM SUMMIT Science and Literacy

Goal 5: Develop an assessment tool to evaluate the district STEM Initiative STEM Family Night at SHS Kindergarten Beach Walk 5th grade students on a field trip field trip to the Tsongas Industrial Center Engineering of musical instruments : 6 th grade

Objective A: Facilitate district wide STEM meetings to support the STEM Initiative. Monthly District STEM Team meetings  Agenda and meeting notes Bi-weekly STEM Consulting Teacher meetings Building level STEM Committee meetings

Objective B: Create a district wide survey of teachers on their use and understanding of STEM Elementary preliminary assessment survey End of the year summary of activities report Developing pre/post survey for district teachers

Next Steps Expand upon existing STEM activities at all grade levels Integrate STEM concepts into the Common Core Evaluate the new Next Generation of Science Standards Increase access to technology at all levels Focus on cross-disciplinary lessons/projects

Sustainability – Beyond Year 1 District Solar Project  Middle and High School have panels Weather Stations  All elementary schools and high school Equipment sharing  Van de Graaff, robotics Professional development

Sustainability – Beyond Year 1 Grant writing  STEM teachers pursuing small grants for each school  Meetings with Grant Sub-committee Community partnerships  Life Technologies Organized parent involvement  Parent groups, PTO’s Community garden  Located at SHS, funded by SEF

Questions? Brandy Wilbur: Sharon LaRosa: Adam Scharfenberger: