1. S + T + E + M = The Future How does AIM help foster skills for STEM?
Parent Night – November 2, 2015

2. Welcome! Why did we choose this topic? Disclaimer! Show of hands
“The ability to consider problems in different ways is a key to successful STEM career.” ~Georgia Pacific
We contend this is a key to any successful career.

3. What is STE(A)M?
Education that encompasses critical thinking, analysis, and collaboration
Students integrate the process and concepts in real-world contexts
Sciences, technology, engineering and math skills are fostered
A = Arts? R = Rigor? Reading?
Developing competencies for college, career and life
Become: problem solvers, innovators, creators and collaborators

4. Where do we stand?

5. Interesting…
1.5 STEM jobs available for every job seeker (Change the Equation, 2012)
$79,000 annual mean wage for engineering
Sesame Street has incorporated STEM into their shows
STEM Education Act of 2015: didn’t add funding, but expanded kinds of STEM programs that can be funded/run to include Computer Science
If other areas are added (STEAM, STREAM), implications for funding

6. STEM Jobs* (*you may not have thought of)
Sales: sales reps, sales engineers
Education/training: lots of postsecondary teaching, ie agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, forestry and conservation sciences
Life/Physical & Social Sciences: astronomers, food scientist/technologists, forensic science; materials scientists; epidemiologists
Architecture & Engineering: computer hardware engineers, electro-mechanical technicians, health & safety engineers, industrial engineers
Computer & Mathematics: actuaries, network & computer systems administrators, web developers, statisticians

7. Elementary Years Introduction
Begin awareness of STEM fields/occupations
Structured, inquiry-based learning
Real-world problem solving linking S, T, E and M
Pique student interest
In-school and out-of-school opportunities

8. Middle School Years
Builds on early years; rigor and challenge increase
Exploration of STEM careers including academic requirements
Real-world problem solving situations that are more complex
Build on student interests

9. Find problems to solve
Example: A nine-year old noticed that his friends missed basketball shots that he considered easy. His solution: created a basketball with hands painted on it to show the correct way to hold the ball for various shots. Patented his idea as Hands-On Basketball.
Example: A ten-year old didn’t have enough light to do her homework in her notebook. She researched glow-in-the-dark paint and came up with making a board that glows. With a sheet of paper on it, no additional light is needed. Emergency personnel now use her invention, Glo-Sheets to read patient charts at night.

10. How STEM is different? Blended learning environment
Scientific method in everyday life
Real-world applications of problem solving
Use the world around us to find problems to solve
Builds deeper learning
Incorporates technology for whole group and individuals

11. AIM and STEM
We have always had an approach that goes with the ideas of STEM:
Problem solving approaches
Collaboration
Teamwork
Communication
Open-ended

12. AIM Examples Elementary years: Middle School years:
Open-ended math and reading projects
Collaboration/communication
Critical thinking
Creativity
Middle School years:
Bridge building
Bombing Lilliput
Barbie Bungee Jumping
Independent project opportunities

13. Some resources: PBS Kids Design Squad Nation: NASA for Educators:
pbskids.org/designsquad
NASA for Educators:
Engineer Girl:
Project Lead the Way
Lego League
Destination Imagination
Center for Talent Development

14. And now it’s your turn!
Similar activity we would do with our students