ImagineIT Timeline
My original objective was to provide instructional support to teachers for STEM integration so that students are immersed in exploration, creativity and real world applications through problem based learning. With the need to implement a new math curriculum and target student assessments with emphasis on the correlation between STEM integration and student progress, my endeavors became quite challenging.
It was difficult to address all three areas of interest due to other STEM requirements by the district, new school initiatives and school wide testing. Moreover, students struggled with independently working on projects involving problem based learning because they lacked intrinsic motivation. Instead they needed more guidance in developing the schools' STEM habits of mind focus which included thinking out of the box, being creative and innovative, taking responsible risks and exercising perseverance. In addition, there is still a need for teachers to develop more consistency and fluency in their instructional delivery of STEM so students can benefit.
As I consider this spring session, I can say that the implementation of the math curriculum is complete. My sole focus will be given to problem based learning with more effort given to modeling for the teachers and more emphasis on student development. I will continue to offer STEM resources, tools and quarterly design challenges for school wide practice; however, my goal will be to work extensively with a couple of teachers and with a few students in completing a problem based learning project.
My biggest hopes is that by the end of the semester, I have at least a couple of teachers that can fluently deliver instruction in STEM and several students that can serve as a model in completing a problem based project.
It was difficult to address all three areas of interest due to other STEM requirements by the district, new school initiatives and school wide testing. Moreover, students struggled with independently working on projects involving problem based learning because they lacked intrinsic motivation. Instead they needed more guidance in developing the schools' STEM habits of mind focus which included thinking out of the box, being creative and innovative, taking responsible risks and exercising perseverance. In addition, there is still a need for teachers to develop more consistency and fluency in their instructional delivery of STEM so students can benefit.
As I consider this spring session, I can say that the implementation of the math curriculum is complete. My sole focus will be given to problem based learning with more effort given to modeling for the teachers and more emphasis on student development. I will continue to offer STEM resources, tools and quarterly design challenges for school wide practice; however, my goal will be to work extensively with a couple of teachers and with a few students in completing a problem based learning project.
My biggest hopes is that by the end of the semester, I have at least a couple of teachers that can fluently deliver instruction in STEM and several students that can serve as a model in completing a problem based project.