Transcript STEM and RCPS - RCPS Board Documents

RCPS Elementary Challenge Program
and STEM
April 26, 2011
RCPS Elementary Challenge Teachers
Bobbie Arbogast, Heather Cherry, Linda Doherty, Linda Harpine,
Charlotte Holter, Krista Miller, Sue Porter, Del Taylor
Challenge Supervisor
Janet Wendelken
What is STEM?
Science
Technology
Engineering
Mathematics
The Benefits of STEM
Education
• Incorporates 21st Century skills into everyday
curriculum
• Provides real-world relevance
• Develops problem-solving, critical thinking, and
creative thinking skills
• Enhances oral communication skills
• Requires students to communicate ideas through
writing
• Engages student interest
STEM and the RCPS
Elementary Challenge Curriculum
Elementary Challenge students are pulled
out once a week to meet with the Challenge
teacher and other identified gifted students
where they participate in an engaging STEM
curriculum with emphasis on the Virginia
Standards of Learning and national Standards
for Technological Literacy.
Rockingham County Public Schools
Challenge Program Curriculum Framework
Elementary STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math)
Inves tigating
Expl aining
Evaluating
Organ izing
Constructing
Interpreting
Troub le Shoot ing
Hypo thesizing
Dif ferentiating
Inven ting
Math
K – Geometric Connections
1 – Spatial Concepts
2 – Problem Solving with
Geometric Puzzles
3 – Probability & Statistics
4 – Robotics, Architecture
5 – Algebraic Concepts &
Number Systems
Science
Modif ying
Applying
Predicting
Proble m Solving
K -Differentiated activities
1 – Invertebrates and
Structures
2 – Habitats & Flight
3 – Archeology & Structural
Design
4 – Energy Concep ts & Systems
5 – Transportation Engineering
STEM Design Loop
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics
1. What is the problem?
Students are presented with
scenarios of real-life challenges.
2. Brainstorm solutions.
Students generate multiple
ideas to solve the problem
and meet given criteria.
5. Evaluate the solution.
Students assess and reflect on the final
product to determine if it meets the
given criteria.
4. Test the solution.
Students identify any problems
and modify the product.
3. Design and build the best solution.
Students use simple tools and recyclable materials to construct a
product that solves the problem.
Examples of Student Projects
Grade 1 - Creating a coconut
tree with moving letters
Grades K-5 - Investigating and
building with KEVA planks
Grade 3-Constructing a
planet rover
Grade 2 - Planning a habitat
for life on Mars
Grade 5 - Designing
and building a
motorized vehicle
Grade 4 - Creating movement
with pneumatics
Guided Portfolios
Students record design plans, testing results, problem
solving strategies, and project evaluations. This serves as an
assessment tool for both teachers and students.
Geometric Creatures
Group Members:
____________________
__
______________________
____________________
__
2. Brainstorm solutions.
______________________
Sketch o r describe some possible solut ions.
1. What is the problem?
State the problem in your own words .
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3. Create the solution you think is best.
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___ ___ ___ ___ __ _ __ _ __ ____ ___ ___ ___ __ ___ ___ ____ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ __ ____ ___
This step can be a separate page if your students are ready to take notes.
4. Test your solution.
Sample questions:
Does your creature have at least five different shapes?
YES NO
___ ___ ___ ___ __ _ __ _ __ ____ ___ ___ ___ __ ___ ___ ____ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ __ ____ ___
Does your creature have 20 or fewer total shapes?
___ ___ ___ ___ __ _ __ _ __ ____ ___ ___ ___ __ ___ ___ ____ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ __ ____ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ __ _ __ _ __ ____ ___ ___ ___ __ ___ ___ ____ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ __ ____ ___
Does your creature have two moving parts?
YES NO
YES NO
5. Evaluate your solution.
Was it the best solution? Would one of yo ur othe r ideas have been b etter? Why or why not?
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What would y ou have done differently? Can you add t o it t o make it better?
What would y ou add t o it ?
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Elementary Challenge Teachers are
passionate about STEM education!
• All elementary Challenge teachers attended
the 2011 Children’s Engineering Convention
in Richmond, with Dr. Fenn in attendance!
• Bobbie Arbogast, Heather Cherry, Charlotte
Holter, and Linda Harpine conducted very
successful workshops.
• Linda Harpine and Charlotte Holter attended
and presented at the 2011 International
Technology and Engineering Educators
Association Convention in Minneapolis.
"Scientists investigate that which already is;
Engineers create that which has never been."
Albert Einstein