STEM Education
Overview
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. There is much concern about increasing community, teacher, and student awareness about the need to improve STEM education in the United States.
A report by the National Academy of Sciences, “Rising Above the Gathering Storm,” demonstrates the need for increased partnerships, participation and communication to improve student achievement in science and math, as well as increase interest in jobs related to math, science, technology and engineering.
Corridor Stem Initiative
One local effort to increase student proficiency and interest in these academic areas is the Corridor STEM Initiative (CSI). The groups involved in this initiative aim to increase understanding of our country’s need to provide quality math, science and technology for all learners, prepare all citizens with necessary skills in each of these areas to be successful in the workplace, and promote both the number and the quality of teachers in these areas.
You can visit the CSI website to learn more: http://www.corridorstem.org
Engineering Is Elementary
What is STEM?
STEM education grows out of the idea that the boundaries between science, technology, engineering, and math are permeable. Moreover, it asserts that its four disciplines are interdependent. By endeavoring to blend science, technology, engineering, and math in its approach, STEM education seeks to create 21st century learning opportunities and skill development for students. (MEC Discovery Education)
One curriculum that is available for check out from the VAST center to enrich and supplement a district’s science curriculum is Engineering is Elementary.
Engineering is Elementary (EiE)The Engineering is Elementary (EiE) is a research-based, standards-driven, and classroom-tested curriculum that integrates engineering and technology concepts and skills with elementary science topics. Created by the Boston Museum of Science, EiE lessons not only promote K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning, but encourage 21st Century skills as well as make connections with literacy and social studies standards.
Suggested EiE Curriculum Use
Engineering is Elementary (EiE) is not designed to be a “Stand Alone” curriculum. It is assumed that students are studying or have already studied the science concepts that are used in the engineering lessons. Integrated with a current science curriculum, EiE units can provide a context for the science concepts as well as an introduction to a particular field of engineering.
These materials have been used successfully with:
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Afterschool STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) groups/clubs
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Lunchtime Learning sessions
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Extension of a classroom science curriculum.
Two Main Goals of the EiE:
Goal 1: Increase children’s technological literacy
Goal 2: Increase elementary educators’ abilities to teach engineering and technology to their
students.
Iowa Core Connections: 21st Century Skills- Technology Literacy
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3rd -5th Use technology resources to create original products, identify patterns and problems, make predictions, and propose solutions.
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6th-8th Demonstrate creative thinking in the design and development of innovative technology products and problem solving.
Structure of an EiE Unit
Each EiE unit has common elements, including a four-lesson structure:
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The first lesson introduces a field of engineering and a design challenge through a fictional story that has a “multicultural” setting.
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The second lesson explores the field of engineering more broadly through hands-on activities.
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The third lesson includes a controlled experiment for more in-depth exploration of different materials, processes, or design elements that will inform the final design.
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For the fourth lesson, students use the engineering design process to ask, plan, create, test, evaluate and improve their designs.
Group Sizes
VAST Center EiE Kits are packed with materials for up to a class of 30 students. The EiE curriculum encourages teamwork and is set up to have students in grades 1-2 work in pairs, and in grades 3-5 in groups of three.
Kit Training
Interested in checking out EiE kits from the VAST center? You’ll need to schedule a curriculum training session with the STEM teacher in residence. This hands-on training will allow you to check out any of the EiE titles available at through the VAST center.
Contact: Erica Larson, Vast Center
elarson@gwaea.org
EiE Check-Out
To schedule the use of a kit, please contact Mary Zobeck or Carol Mann.
mzobeck@gwaea.org or cmann@gwaea.org
To learn more about EiE Materials
http://www.mos.org/EIE/
For EiE units supported at VAST, click here. |
