To paraphrase Timothy Emhoff in this week’s resources, elementary students have a natural curiosity, which is the perfect opportunity to introduce STEM lessons. Through regular lessons, students eventually become bored, but with STEM lessons, the curiosity continues throughout their education, as does their love for Science. Also, I know through experience that it is important that all elementary teachers get on board with incorporating at least some STEM lessons into the classroom because with collaborative efforts with colleagues, eventually comes support from families, administration and the community. The students also see the importance of STEM education and begin to see connections everywhere in the outside world. Although it is difficult to transition some colleagues, through asking for a few minutes at staff meetings and sharing lesson plans, it has been easier to get colleagues to begin incorporating these lessons. Also, I have invited colleagues to attend a science education course in the summer that focuses on building and incorporating STEM lesson plans in the classroom. With collaboration with teachers, the community, students and teaching the importance of STEM education, I believe that we will have growth in the engineering, science and math fields. This is crucial because according to Educational Leadership, “Our students live in a world increasingly dominated by science and technology. To be responsible citizens, they will need to have informed opinions on all sorts of issues, from global warming, to stem cells, to the storage of nuclear waste. We can only speculate on what issues will arise in the future, but they're sure to have a scientific or technological component” (Trefil & O’Brien, p 28, 2009). There is a saying that children are the future, and in this case and the case of getting the United States back on board with being competitive and self-sufficient, this has never been more true.
Laureate, Education, Inc. (2010). Promoting STEM Education in the Classroom. [Videowebcast].
Retrieved from http://www.courseurl.com
Trefil, J., & O'Brien-Trefil, W. (2009). The science
students need to know. Educational Leadership, 67(1), 28–33.
Retrieved from the Walden University Library using the Academic Search Complete database.
Retrieved from the Walden University Library using the Academic Search Complete database.
Holly,
ReplyDeleteI agree that sometimes it is hard to get other teachers on board with STEM. I had a teacher ask me what STEM was last week? She had never heard of it. The fact that I am beginning to use the term all of the time, along with my students, they will be able to connect the word with what they learn and teach others the important connetions from inquiry based science lessons.
We are going to start inviting more colleges in to visit with the students also.
Deb,
DeleteIt is slow at first, especially when districts are always introducing new fad programs and testing that has to be implemented. However, inviting other teachers into your room and sharing lessons is the best way to get them interested and wanting to learn more. After two years, others began responding positively and wanting to join in on my lessons.
Holly :)
Very interesting blog.
ReplyDeleteYou have mentioned that with other lesson the students become bored while using STEM they are more interested. Why do you think this is so
Natscijan,
DeleteI believe students are more interested because the lessons are more about hands-on learning and less about sifting through a text book and trying to find answers for a worksheet. Sure, the latter is easier for the teacher, but STEM lessons and inquiry learning leads to the type of teaching that feels as though, "This is why I teach. I am introducing students to the world of curiosity and to be problem solvers".