STEM me
April 12, 2018 6:02 PM Subscribe
I am soon to become the director of an elementary (preK-5) STEM lab. Teach me what I need to know! Specifically, book recommendations and curriculum ideas.
I am going to be creating from scratch and leading a science/STEM lab at an elementary school soon. I have many years of general elementary teaching experience, plus a year as a middle school science teacher. I also have a degree in biology, but 10 years ago I don't feel like I ever heard the phrase "STEM." I get what it means... I mean, the meaning of the acronym, but I can't really wrap my head around why those particular disciplines are always grouped together in such a way, and what a lab that incorporates all of them in an integrated way looks like. There is also a lot of talk in K-12 science about moving away from the scientific method as an organizing principle and towards general principles of engineering.
Basically, I feel like I'm a smart person, a good teacher, and a quick learner, but I feel intimidated by the idea of making my lab a true STEM lab, not just a traditional science lab.
I am looking for personal experience, should any of you happen to be elementary school science/STEM teachers, along with books that address kids and STEM. I'm familiar with lots of the kid lit out there that addresses ideas, failure, design process (Rosie Revere, What Do You Do With An Idea?, etc.) but I'm looking for professional books to give me guidance. Although we have state standards to address, any curriculum suggestions would be great too.
Or any other advice or resources you have to offer!
I am going to be creating from scratch and leading a science/STEM lab at an elementary school soon. I have many years of general elementary teaching experience, plus a year as a middle school science teacher. I also have a degree in biology, but 10 years ago I don't feel like I ever heard the phrase "STEM." I get what it means... I mean, the meaning of the acronym, but I can't really wrap my head around why those particular disciplines are always grouped together in such a way, and what a lab that incorporates all of them in an integrated way looks like. There is also a lot of talk in K-12 science about moving away from the scientific method as an organizing principle and towards general principles of engineering.
Basically, I feel like I'm a smart person, a good teacher, and a quick learner, but I feel intimidated by the idea of making my lab a true STEM lab, not just a traditional science lab.
I am looking for personal experience, should any of you happen to be elementary school science/STEM teachers, along with books that address kids and STEM. I'm familiar with lots of the kid lit out there that addresses ideas, failure, design process (Rosie Revere, What Do You Do With An Idea?, etc.) but I'm looking for professional books to give me guidance. Although we have state standards to address, any curriculum suggestions would be great too.
Or any other advice or resources you have to offer!
Not a teacher but recently noted this site: letstalkscience.ca which has many resources for STEM teachers. Well worth a visit.
posted by delphic at 7:10 PM on April 12, 2018
posted by delphic at 7:10 PM on April 12, 2018
I do STEM programming for this age range in a public library setting, so I can't help much with overall curriculum. HOWEVER, for some great, well-planned, and cheap labs/activities that integrate all aspects, check out the blog Teachers are Terrific. I've used quite a few in our programs and they're super easy to implement and modify for your specific needs. I believe that the blog author sells detailed lesson plans on Teachers Pay Teachers as well.
posted by Knicke at 7:31 PM on April 12, 2018
posted by Knicke at 7:31 PM on April 12, 2018
STEM resources generally focus on at least two of those topic areas instead of a single one (so, coding counts, polar bears don't, unless you're discussing how technology affects polar bears). There is a trend now towards STEAM (adding in the Arts) and even STREAM (adding in Reading) but that basically seems like school to me. Another keyword is makerspaces, which is probably what your STEM lab could also be called.
Publishers in this area are:
Capstone
Lerner
Abdo
Rosen
as well as some smaller ones.
I work for one of these companies. There are tons of books about the concepts, and even more books about practical application for makerspaces. Most of these publishers have promotions along with book purchase amounts so you could get a free digital device for coding or a free 3D printer or things like that if you order direct. All of these publishers' books are also available on TitleWave or whoever your resource wholesaler is.
I'd be happy to discuss more specific recommendations but don't want to be too promotional.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 4:50 AM on April 13, 2018
Publishers in this area are:
Capstone
Lerner
Abdo
Rosen
as well as some smaller ones.
I work for one of these companies. There are tons of books about the concepts, and even more books about practical application for makerspaces. Most of these publishers have promotions along with book purchase amounts so you could get a free digital device for coding or a free 3D printer or things like that if you order direct. All of these publishers' books are also available on TitleWave or whoever your resource wholesaler is.
I'd be happy to discuss more specific recommendations but don't want to be too promotional.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 4:50 AM on April 13, 2018
I can't really wrap my head around why those particular disciplines are always grouped together in such a way
I think this grouping has happened for two main reasons: one is simply the amount of overlap between the subjects (for example, engineering can be thought of as 'applied science and math, using technology') and the other is the fact that these skills are (supposedly) in short supply in the USA (and UK) and therefore national/government initiatives promoting STEM have come about to ensure a supply of future employees for companies that need them (rather than outsourcing abroad). Also, there is a lot of gender and race under-representation in STEM-related industries which is why there are also initiatives to address specifically that.
As peanut_mcgillicuty points out, STEAM is now much bigger - adding in the Arts or 'creativity' (which one could argue is inherent in the others anyway, but this makes it more obvious). I have also seen STEMM - adding in medical sciences.
what a lab that incorporates all of them in an integrated way looks like
Check out the resources at TeachEngineering.org for some really great examples. I use these all the time.
There is also a lot of talk in K-12 science about moving away from the scientific method as an organizing principle and towards general principles of engineering.
So yeah, this is mainly shifting the focus from 'hypothesis-test-analyze' to 'design-build-test-evaluate'. I think it is seen as more 'creative'.
books that address kids and STEM
The Curiosity Cycle
Unfortunately most of my curriculum resources are going to be UK-based, but let me know if you're interested in hearing about them.
posted by atlantica at 1:21 AM on April 14, 2018
I think this grouping has happened for two main reasons: one is simply the amount of overlap between the subjects (for example, engineering can be thought of as 'applied science and math, using technology') and the other is the fact that these skills are (supposedly) in short supply in the USA (and UK) and therefore national/government initiatives promoting STEM have come about to ensure a supply of future employees for companies that need them (rather than outsourcing abroad). Also, there is a lot of gender and race under-representation in STEM-related industries which is why there are also initiatives to address specifically that.
As peanut_mcgillicuty points out, STEAM is now much bigger - adding in the Arts or 'creativity' (which one could argue is inherent in the others anyway, but this makes it more obvious). I have also seen STEMM - adding in medical sciences.
what a lab that incorporates all of them in an integrated way looks like
Check out the resources at TeachEngineering.org for some really great examples. I use these all the time.
There is also a lot of talk in K-12 science about moving away from the scientific method as an organizing principle and towards general principles of engineering.
So yeah, this is mainly shifting the focus from 'hypothesis-test-analyze' to 'design-build-test-evaluate'. I think it is seen as more 'creative'.
books that address kids and STEM
The Curiosity Cycle
Unfortunately most of my curriculum resources are going to be UK-based, but let me know if you're interested in hearing about them.
posted by atlantica at 1:21 AM on April 14, 2018
If you set up a 'traditional science lab' you've got a very good start, covering science and math, but might need to add more technology and engineering, which has more of a 'maker' emphasis, and often a metric of fitness, such as protecting an egg dropped from a ladder, or finding which lego bridge will hold the most weight.
The UK has an initiative, Computing At School (CAS), to teach CS at all levels. At the younger levels, a lot of the activities are without a computer and without electricity, such as this activity at the 7:00 mark of this video (which is an intro to CAS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RNKHN1zP24
The CAS website has many resources, including full curricula: http://computingatschool.org.uk/
Seems that STEAM is the 'in' acronym, adding Art. So maybe on the egg and bridge contests, add a vote for coolest looking.
posted by at at 5:12 PM on April 14, 2018
The UK has an initiative, Computing At School (CAS), to teach CS at all levels. At the younger levels, a lot of the activities are without a computer and without electricity, such as this activity at the 7:00 mark of this video (which is an intro to CAS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RNKHN1zP24
The CAS website has many resources, including full curricula: http://computingatschool.org.uk/
Seems that STEAM is the 'in' acronym, adding Art. So maybe on the egg and bridge contests, add a vote for coolest looking.
posted by at at 5:12 PM on April 14, 2018
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posted by momochan at 6:50 PM on April 12, 2018