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Ten (or Eleven) Reasons to Teach S.T.E.M., Part 7

9/27/2016

For the past few months, we have been exploring the ten best reasons to incorporate S.T.E.M. instruction into our schools. This series is based on an article by Sarah Wiggins titled “What is STEM and why should I teach it?” Ms. Wiggins’ seventh reason is that S.T.E.M. makes failure a learning opportunity. This is the number one reason why I like to teach S.T.E.M.
In the past, I taught a unit of study and then gave students a culminating test. Whether they passed or failed, the state standards and the clock mandated that I move on. Hopefully, most of the passengers were still on the train, but even with the best of my efforts, I lost a few in the process.

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Get up, get out, get educated

8/31/2016

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Are we putting our students at a disadvantage by educating them in desks? Here is what I mean by that question. Recently I had the opportunity to do some educational work at Lava Beds National Monument in the high desert of California. It was part of a class I was taking through Colorado University on “place-based education.” The course explored the idea of educating students on-site. They are literally located in the place they are studying.

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Ten (or Eleven) Reasons to Teach S.T.E.M.

7/30/2016

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How do we foster creativity in our students, and why is it important? Stephan Turnipseed, president of Lego Education, North America, says it best: “Creativity is at the foundation of innovation and is vital for our country's growth and development. Creativity fuels all areas of our country's economy and prosperity.”

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Ten (or eleven) Reasons to teach S.T.E.M., Part 5

6/26/2016

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Imagine teaching 64 students from 2nd grade through high school level in one room. That would be the ultimate challenge for differentiated instruction. However, that is what I faced every Friday in my science class this year.

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Ten (or eleven) reasons to teach STEM, part 4

5/28/2016

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We have been looking at Sarah Wiggin’s article, “What is S.T.E.M. and why should I teach it?” in which she lists ten reasons to teach S.T.E.M. This article addresses her fourth point: S.T.E.M. promotes cooperative learning.
Our students finished their year by visiting a university. I found an empty classroom and asked them to enter and take a seat. The room seated 175 students in an elevated theater setting. At the front was a low stage with a demonstration table. They saw by the periodic table on one wall that this was a chemistry class, but not one like ours back at school.
I asked them if they thought the professor would come to your desk if you needed help. They realized that it was logistically impossible. “So how would you get help?” I asked.

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Ten (or eleven) reasons to teach STEM, part 3

4/30/2016

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Recently I challenged the students in my S.T.E.M. class to build a vehicle powered by a mousetrap (two for $1 at the Dollar Store). I love seeing the student groups engage so deeply in the process that I could have left the room and I believe they would have just kept working. But something surprised me even more. Two students came into class that week with vehicles they had built at home. They had told their families about the project, and with the help of their dads had tried to improve upon their classroom designs. One of the students was a boy who

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Ten (or eleven) reasons to teach STEM, part 2

4/1/2016

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Many have asked me during the course of my 35 years in education whether students are ore difficult now compared to when I was in school hundreds of years ago. I typically reply that children are children, and they are not that different than they were in previous years. However, there is one area in which I see students struggling to a greater degree today.

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Ten (or eleven) reasons to teach STEM, part 1

2/28/2016

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Recently I ran across an article by Sarah Wiggins titled “What is STEM and why should I teach it?” (http://www.morethanaworksheet.com/2015/06/01/what-is-s-t-e-m-and-why-should-i-teach-it/)
In the article, Ms. Wiggins listed her top ten reasons for making STEM instruction the foundation for your math and science curriculum.
1. STEM has real world application
2. STEM fosters problem-solving skills

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When Less is More

2/1/2016

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Recently I read an article at Smithsonian.com that told how Finland’s educational system had gone from a distant also-ran to a world leader over the past 40 years.
In a global study in 2000, Finnish students were first in reading. In 2003 they led in math. By 2006 they were first in science.

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S.T.E.M. on a Shoestring

1/1/2016

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There are two undeniable facts about S.T.E.M. instruction (science, technology, engineering, and math). One is that it has blossomed in recent years. The second is that it can be expensive. Robotics kits, S.T.E.M. labs, computers, and other tools don’t come cheaply. However, there are ways to get a lot of S.T.E.M. mileage with minimal investment. Over the coming months, I will be delivering my “S.T.E.M. on a Shoestring” presentation at two conferences. Here are some ways to implement S.T.E.M. instruction for pennies. Click the links to see examples.

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Ten (or Eleven) Reasons to Teach S.T.E.M., Part 7

Get up, get out, get educated

Ten (or Eleven) Reasons to Teach S.T.E.M.

Ten (or eleven) Reasons to teach S.T.E.M., Part 5

Ten (or eleven) reasons to teach STEM, part 4

Ten (or eleven) reasons to teach STEM, part 3

Ten (or eleven) reasons to teach STEM, part 2

Ten (or eleven) reasons to teach STEM, part 1

When Less is More

S.T.E.M. on a Shoestring

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