It is early Sunday morning as I type this. I just finished reading the newspaper and reflecting on the contents as well as my conversation with my 16 year old daughter. We are a STEM campus, right? My daughter asked me what we do differently or how would she know we were a STEM campus if she came to visit? I thought about it and said Wow!!!! I don't think she would know other than the name on the building. Then each week I read about how other elementary students are doing really neat science and math activities and we are not. We are still teaching the same way we did last year, so much to the fact that one staff member was concerned that they presented the same exact lesson as last year and received a lower observation score. People, the expectations, goals and accountability(campus, district and state) are much higher this year and they are not going away. The old adage "this too shall pass no longer applies." What is even more troubling is that there are only a few of you bringing ideas and activities to the table. We (administrators and master teachers) cannot lead/introduce everything create a culture of excellence all by ourselves. It is a team effort that involves everyone. Your question this week is how are you going to make GW Carver a true STEM campus and how will a visitor know that there is STEM focus in your classroom and on the campus? Please post by 5:30 pm today.
I believe that we can incorporate STEM by using a lot of the city’s resources, for instance have the fire department come in and discuss how fire works and how it spreads rather than just fire safety. Or we can utilize the carver time and show a movie and have kids run a concession stand then chart and analyze their profits. Reading is incorporated through it all, perhaps bring a kindergarten or Pre-K class over and have students use technology such as the E-Reader or Nook Reader to read to them rather than the traditional page by page book. This is just a couple of ideas; I hope I have helped in some small way to insure our campus screams STEM!
ReplyDeletein·i·ti·a·tive/iˈniSH(ē)ətiv/Noun: 1.The ability to assess and initiate things independently.
ReplyDelete2.The power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do.
Synonyms: enterprise - gumption - lead
I've always thought initiative was the key to being successful. I've always tried to be the first one with ideas and solutions to problems. I was afraid that if I didn't do it, then who would? I still have that fear. Others definitely need to step up to get us where we want to go.
How will they know STEMS? I believet they will know through the integration of vocabulary concepts in science, math, engineering, and technology into the classroom. What does that look like? I see technology at work integrating Reading, Math, Sciece, Social Studies, and Fine Arts. I can wee projects posted. I can see team teaching. I can see success and not failure!
ReplyDeleteVia L. Collins...In science I can see virtual labs before students actually perform the lab. I can also see more technology in the classroom. I think that students and teachers should all know the definition of a STEM campus, maybe even visit a STEM campus.
ReplyDeleteL. Collins
Via A. Barnes... This is a “Hard Pill” for me to swallow. But, I’m realizing that this reality is not about me, it’s about my students. I think that it’s hard for us to say what a STEM campus should look like since the majority of us, not all, were educated in a sit down, be quiet and do what I told you to do educational system. I feel that along with the implementation of TAP and C-Scope we should gather a few of our students, all from different parts of the spectrum, passing, failing or in between and ask their opinions, as well. They may not provide us a concrete vision of STEM, but they could provide some insight as to how we could get to where we are trying to go.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, we should try visiting a STEM campus to have a plan for of our new direction.
Angela Barnes
I have spent a little time researching STEM to see how to incorporate it in my math class. As a department, we are working towards more project based learning. We used math menus to allow students to show what they knew by creating various work products during the first six weeks. I have found another website, http://www.mn-stem.com/, which gives more ideas and insight into how to incorporate STEM learning in our classrooms. I plan to learn more about ways to incorpote "outside learning" in my classroom. STEM prepares students for the world they live in today. It gives them the opporotunity to incorporate real world application in the classroom. I will do the same for my students.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I am having a tough time figuring-out exactly what a STEM campus should look like. I agree that it would be beneficial to visit a successful STEM campus. The math team has dicussed more PBL, effectively incorporating technology into the classroom (but we utilize what we have), and providing options for products (wherein the students show what they learned in various forms). Although research will assist to an extent, I feel that explicit examples willbe most benefical to our instruction and student achievement.
ReplyDeleteVia M. Perrodin
ReplyDeleteThat's a tough question. Research on what other STEM campuses are doing, I feel would be beneficial. I myself, would love to visit a STEM campus to see what they are doing. I feel project based learning is a good start. I think we have to find ways to incorporate technology into our lessons. The kids today are more technologically savvy than we were. They require new and innovative ways of instruction.
ReplyDeleteOne idea is to make sure we utilize the six week theme and have the students’ complete projects for each theme. I also believe the staff of GWC should collaborate across the curriculum our ideas to make this campus look and thrive like a STEM campus!
ReplyDeleteVia M. Perrodin...
ReplyDeleteAs a science teacher ,I plan on incorporating more project based learning in my classroom that will require the students to use more critical thinking skills as well as engage in more independent projects that will involve student researching information that will involve the use of technology and make connections to real life. As the year progresses, I will have students engaged in more student led work by having students building models, conducting independent lab investigations at home and creating powerpoint presentation of scientific concepts learned. I will work on developing more business contacts in the scientific community that will enable me to bring guest speakers to the classroom to show students how the scientific concepts they are learning in my class applies to real life. I will also take students on more field trips that will enable students to explore scientific concepts in the natural world. When we reach ecology unit in science, I will have students conduct field investigations in which they explore natural environment. Finally, I will have students compete in science competitions relating to preserving Earth such as Earth Day. Finally, I would like to have the opportunity to visit a STEM campus at a middle school level to see what a STEM campus need to look like. I did not attend any STEM school during my education as K-12 student.
Ms. Perrodin
I have tried to incorporate STEM into my class as we learn about topics such as the Panama Canal, the developments and achievements of ancient civilizations (structures, the use of calendars, and mathematics). However, I need to research other STEM schools to see how they have applied STEM into their Social Studies classes. From that research I can get a better understanding of how STEM can be most optimized in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTo tell you the truth. I dont know what a STEM campus looks like. If I had an example I would try to meet the criteria. I also try my best for the students to read read read. Dramas and fiction (The Necklace and Cinderella) to non-fiction/expository ( Should We Drink Toilet Water, Biography of Ray Charles. As I understand we will reach STEM through Literature and History.
ReplyDeleteI suggest all Carver students be required to complete a Math/Science/Technology projects that are designed by each respective department. Secondly, I suggest G.W. Carver assemble teams to enter a state/city wide science fair, such as, the Winston School Science fair put on by the Winston School of Dallas or, perhaps, collaborate with local businesses and put on a regional science fair inclusive of surrounding suburban districts, such as, Lancaster, Wilmer, Desoto, Red Oak, and Duncanville. The technology piece can be incorporated in the same way through the exploration of robotics…
ReplyDeleteI envision our STEM campus using project-base learning, such as the construction of solar cars, participation in green research, partnering with companies such as TI and other technology and environmental agencies. This will assist our student in utilizing the latest integration of science, math and technology connected to real-life concepts
ReplyDeleteSaundra Johnson Post:
ReplyDeleteI know that I need to use more technology in my classroom. It would make my classes more interesting and enjoyable. I have been using YouTube videos. We will be incorporating more math concepts as we progress through the year discussing latitude and longitudes just an example. We have incorporated some environmental science in our lessons. Hopefully we will be incorporating more. I would love to visit a STEM campus and see first-hand how they are doing their STEM.
S. Johnson
My first step in the process of making the GWC STEM counseling department unique from other counseling departments is to network with experienced STEM counselors in the local area to gain information on the added responsibilities of a STEM Counselor. I received information on a contact today. Secondly, I will do research on via internet on how to develop an effective STEM counseling department. Lastly, I will collaborate with the leadership team to plan and schedule various assemblies and field trips that are STEM focused. The primary purpose of STEM schools is to teach theory and apply this through application to promote analitical thinking in students. In speaking with our students today Dr. McFarland talked about Project Based Learning. For me I see this as the outcome are the finished product of learning by doing hands on projects. Also, he spoke of giving students the information to answer questions. Why to the answer have to be a secret. I thought about open book and open note tests that I use to take. These were some of the most difficult tests I had to take but, I learned the most from having to apply analytical skills to find answers I already had from my open book and open notes. Vistors seeing students performing hands on tasks and using books and notes to take tests instead of paper and pencil only are diffences that will be observed.
ReplyDeleteA stem school, I believe should be like an art magnet. You still teach, science, math, social studies, and english, but give more chances for growth in stem activities. Because, unlike an magnet school, we don't get to choose our students, so we should gather those that are interested in these activities and try to make them better. Instead, of always trying to cater to those that don't care. In other words, there should be a science club, math club, and etc. We don't make the school look different, but we make these clubs stand out in front.
ReplyDeleteAlso, one thing I have always believe. We need to have real meetings, inwhich teachers can give ideas and come with solutions to problems. A blog is nice, but it's still only one way communication.