Why are we pushing STEM?

Why STEM? Top reasons shared

Please do not hesitate to reach out to your ECSES IT and STEM coaches via email at esces-it@iu13.org

Many of you might wonder, Why STEM? This year is crazy! How does Giovanna and Lori expect me to get STEM in my lessons? And you might ask, what is STEM? I hope this Blog today will help you understand a little more about STEM. We are creating lessons for you to take the work off your plate but still provide you opportunity to have STEM lessons in your class.

STEM is also known as the Engineering Design Process. It might sound intimidating. but it is actually what you typically do in your classroom each day. The engineering design process is identifying a problem, brainstorming solutions, designing your idea, trying it out, and redesigning, and of course sharing what you have learned. Once you give it a shot, you will find out some other things.

1. Students love STEM. Talk about hands on. It will get kids out of their seats and you can almost see the wheels turning in their heads.
2. You will see behaviors decrease when you use STEM Challenges/Lessons. Yes, read that again. You will notice a decrease in behaviors. When we give students the ability to drive their own learning - things change in the room. Will Richardson, co-creator of Modern Learners shared this, “We are driven by the belief that the focus of our work in schools today should be on developing children as learners first and foremost, and that creating experiences and environments that lead to powerful learning stem more from our common sense understanding of learning than some off-the shelf curriculum or fancy sounding pedagogical strategies.”
3. It does not take a ton of materials. We also have a Maker Space where you can sign out items.
4. It is perfect for collaborative learning. STEM gives the opportunity to really work together to solve complex problems. Students need to listen to each other's ideas, develop a plan for success. Because STEM is engaging, it is a powerful motivator.
5. It can bring stories and experiences to life. Examples can include: After reading BFG, by Roald Dahl, students create friendship bracelets, after reading Mittens by Jan Brett students create clothesline to hold mittens, after reading The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, students create cars or mini versions of a tollbooth.
6. As educators, Giovanna and I want to help your students be prepared for the future. Especially our underrepresented students…in the STEM field, we need a new generation of innovators. Yes, our students can be innovators. We just have to show them how. STEM Education Stats for 2020 | Jobs & Careers, Growth, Girls & Degree Statistics

WHY DON’T YOU GIVE OUR DECEMBER or JANUARY STEM STUDIO 108 VIRTUAL STEM LESSONS A TRY!. Sign up to hold your spot!

December lessons are added and we are starting to add the January Virtual STEM Lessons If you are interested in attending the last DECEMBER LIVE lessons please sign up on this Google Form. If you are interested in attending the JANUARY LIVE lessons please sign up on this Google Form. Keep this Google Doc link nearby as we add lessons and video links. Our live lessons are going well. Join us if you want to check them out.

We have something new to share with you. A little present for those of you that are diving into our STEM lessons. Click on this next link to get four Additional Monthly STEM lessons for Teachers for each month starting with December. Giovanna created three helpful videos on how to use, or edit them. Click on the numbers to watch the videos. We shared with you December’s lessons. Each month Giovanna will add a new slide.

Look on the right hand side of this Blog post for our next prize give-a-way. Could it be you? SECs or Program Designee will be nominating staff or classes each month and the winner or winners will be randomly selected using Wheel of Names featured in a previous Blog. Good Luck!