"Effective teaching is essentially the same as creative teaching"
Davidovitch & Milgram
The goal of this assignment was to create a 2-3 minute video that explained my big idea by delivering a creative hook.
A STEM education focuses on integrating mathematics, science, technology and engineering concepts across disciplines. It prepares educators to design project-based learning experiences and develops a framework for thinking about the role of STEM subjects in all aspects of society. Students will become comfortable with problem solving and critical thinking as their teachers provide instruction that offer interdisciplinary learning and hands on experiences.
My Big Idea
To be competitive for the 21st Century workforce, there is a need to develop a deep mathematical and scientific understanding within our students. STEM education is a movement that not only groups subjects together and prepares students for specific jobs but it also develops a set of thinking, reasoning, teamwork, investigative, and creative skills that students can use in all areas of their lives. STEM isn’t a standalone class—it’s a way to intentionally incorporate different subjects across an existing curriculum.
My endeavor is to help facilitate interdisciplinary classes or in other words STEM across the curriculum. As a STEM Math Specialist, the questions I raise and plan to address in my project is How do we inspire our students to think big? How do we inspire our students to have dreams of becoming a scientist, or an industrial engineer or a meteorologist? What is considered a STEM classroom. What is considered a STEM education? How do you get teachers and students to develop a mindset that fosters STEM education?
This year I will be working with K - 8th grade teachers to support the integration of STEM in their classroom. Because the endeavor is so large, I plan to target two grade levels as my model classes. My objective is to make it clear as to what a STEM classroom entails, to see STEM integration in every classroom and to help develop the mindset that promotes a STEM education.
STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Here is a breakdown of the four disciplines: Science is the study of the natural world. Technology any product made by humans to meet a want or need. Engineering is the design process kids use to solve problems. Math is the language of numbers, shapes, and quantities.
A quote that was stated by a Michigan State University Wipro STEM representative said, “the best teachers are continually evolving their practice, developing and redeveloping their lesson units, and pedagogy for constant growth and innovation”. The integration of STEM in the classroom will help teachers continue to evolve their practice so that our students soar in excellence and have an opportunity for a bright future.