High Possibility STEM Classrooms


Book Description

This book offers a new, research-based approach to STEM education in early, elementary, and middle years of schooling, concentrating on building teacher agency and integrated approaches to teaching and learning in High Possibility STEM Classrooms. Author Jane Hunter presents a globally oriented, contemporary framework for powerful Integrated STEM, based on mixed-methods research data from three studies conducted in 14 schools in language-diverse, disadvantaged, and urbanized communities in Australia. Theory, creativity, life preparation, public learning, and contextual accommodations are all utilized to help educators create hands-on, inquiry-led, and project-based approaches to STEM education in the classroom. A set of highly accessible case studies is offered that places pedagogy at the center of practice – an approach valuable for researchers, school leaders, and teachers alike. Ultimately, this text responds to the call for examples of what successful Integrated STEM teaching and learning looks like in schools. The book concludes with an evidence-based blueprint for preparing for less siloed and more transdisciplinary approaches to education in schools. Hunter argues not only for High Possibility STEM Classrooms but for High Possibility STEM Schools, enriching the dialogue around the future directions of STEM, STEAM, middle leadership, technological literacies, and assessment within contemporary classrooms.




High Possibility STEM Classrooms


Book Description

This book offers a new, research-based approach to STEM education in early, elementary, and middle years of schooling, concentrating on building teacher agency and integrated approaches to teaching and learning in High Possibility STEM Classrooms. Author Jane Hunter presents a globally oriented, contemporary framework for powerful Integrated STEM, based on mixed-methods research data from three studies conducted in 14 schools in language-diverse, disadvantaged, and urbanized communities in Australia. Theory, creativity, life preparation, public learning, and contextual accommodations are all utilized to help educators create hands-on, inquiry-led, and project-based approaches to STEM education in the classroom. A set of highly accessible case studies is offered that places pedagogy at the center of practice – an approach valuable for researchers, school leaders, and teachers alike. Ultimately, this text responds to the call for examples of what successful Integrated STEM teaching and learning looks like in schools. The book concludes with an evidence-based blueprint for preparing for less siloed and more transdisciplinary approaches to education in schools. Hunter argues not only for High Possibility STEM Classrooms but for High Possibility STEM Schools, enriching the dialogue around the future directions of STEM, STEAM, middle leadership, technological literacies, and assessment within contemporary classrooms.




STEM Education 2.0


Book Description

STEM Education 2.0. discusses the most recent research on important selected K-12 STEM topics by synthesizing previous research and offering new research questions.




Technology Integration and High Possibility Classrooms


Book Description

Technology Integration and High Possibility Classrooms provides a fresh vision for education in schools based on new research from in-depth studies of technology integration in exemplary teachers’ classrooms. This timely book meets the demand for more examples of effective technology integration by providing a new conceptual understanding that builds on the popular and highly influential theoretical framework of technological, pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK). Technology Integration and High Possibility Classrooms details four rich case studies set in different contexts with students ranging from age 6 to 16. Each case study articulates in very practical terms what characterizes exemplary teachers’ knowledge of technology integration and how that is applied in classrooms. This highly accessible book clearly demonstrates how theory informs practice and provides new possibilities for learning in twenty-first-century schools.




Integrating STEM Teaching and Learning Into the K-2 Classroom


Book Description

" Integrating STEM Teaching and Learning Into the K- 2 Classroom is a critically important contribution toward advancing STEM teaching and learning. It blazes a trail for early elementary classroom practitioners to reflect the latest thinking in STEM education, and it provides a means by which early elementary educators can meaningfully contribute to America' s STEM education movement." -- Jeff Weld, former senior policy advisor on STEM education, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Here' s proof that STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) isn' t just for the big kids! This book' s 10 chapters are a mini-course on blending authentic, phenomena-driven, integrated STEM teaching and learning into busy K- 2 classrooms. Based in both research and real-world experience, Integrating STEM Teaching and Learning Into the K- 2 Classroom provides professional learning experiences that help you make connections between STEM topics and the everyday activities you' re already doing with your students. The book answers the following questions: * How is K- 2 STEM education different from what you' re already doing, and how can you do it without squeezing more into your already-full schedule? * What are the key elements in an integrated STEM classroom, and how do they work together? * How do you use STEM in concert with your core reading block? To show you how it all works in real life, the book provides descriptions of four completed projects from actual classrooms-- projects with names like " Baby Bear' s Chair" and " A Pond Habitat." An easy-to-follow template shows you the process for developing your own STEM experiences. The final chapter describes how one district created a culture of STEM teaching and learning when education partners committed to working together toward a common goal. Researchers agree that STEM education is important in early childhood. Integrating STEM Teaching and Learning gives you the background and strategies to engage your young students in STEM without overloading your day-- or overwhelming yourself.




Successful K-12 STEM Education


Book Description

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are cultural achievements that reflect our humanity, power our economy, and constitute fundamental aspects of our lives as citizens, consumers, parents, and members of the workforce. Providing all students with access to quality education in the STEM disciplines is important to our nation's competitiveness. However, it is challenging to identify the most successful schools and approaches in the STEM disciplines because success is defined in many ways and can occur in many different types of schools and settings. In addition, it is difficult to determine whether the success of a school's students is caused by actions the school takes or simply related to the population of students in the school. Successful K-12 STEM Education defines a framework for understanding "success" in K-12 STEM education. The book focuses its analysis on the science and mathematics parts of STEM and outlines criteria for identifying effective STEM schools and programs. Because a school's success should be defined by and measured relative to its goals, the book identifies three important goals that share certain elements, including learning STEM content and practices, developing positive dispositions toward STEM, and preparing students to be lifelong learners. A successful STEM program would increase the number of students who ultimately pursue advanced degrees and careers in STEM fields, enhance the STEM-capable workforce, and boost STEM literacy for all students. It is also critical to broaden the participation of women and minorities in STEM fields. Successful K-12 STEM Education examines the vast landscape of K-12 STEM education by considering different school models, highlighting research on effective STEM education practices, and identifying some conditions that promote and limit school- and student-level success in STEM. The book also looks at where further work is needed to develop appropriate data sources. The book will serve as a guide to policy makers; decision makers at the school and district levels; local, state, and federal government agencies; curriculum developers; educators; and parent and education advocacy groups.




Technology Integration and Transformation in STEM Classrooms


Book Description

"This book provides chapters that offer meaningful and comprehensive examples of implementing technology to support STEM teaching and learning giving a deeper understanding how to ensure technology is used to enhance the learning environment and how to select effective tools"--




Integrated Approaches to STEM Education


Book Description

This book provides a platform for international scholars to share evidence for effective practices in integrated STEM education and contributes to the theoretical and practical knowledge gained from the diversity of approaches. Many publications on STEM education focus on one or two of the separate STEM disciplines without considering the potential for delivering STEM curriculum as an integrated approach.This publication analyzes the efficacy of an integrated STEM curriculum and instruction, providing evidence to examine and support various integrations. The volume focuses on the problems seen by academics working in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and provides valuable, high quality research outcomes and a set of valued practices which have demonstrated their use and viability to improve the quality of integrated STEM education.




What STEM Can Do for Your Classroom


Book Description

Author and educator Jason McKenna describes how teaching STEM education in his elementary school changed his classroom and his life, improving his students’ and his own approaches to problem solving, collaboration, and general motivation to learn. Offering examples, tried and tested classroom projects, and collaborative strategies, this innovative resource opens up STEM education in K–6 classrooms in exciting and expansive new ways. K–6 educators will: Understand the benefits and importance of STEM in elementary schools Build resiliency and curiosity in students Discover a variety of classroom instruction strategies to approach STEM assessment Read vignettes discussing STEM implementation across grade levels Use new strategies to engage and motivate student learning through voice and choice Contents: Part 1: Start STEM Early Chapter 1: Inspiring Students With STEM Narratives Chapter 2: Teaching STEM in Elementary School Part 2: Discover STEM Learning Principles Chapter 3: Focusing on Authentic Engagement, Choice, and Collaboration Chapter 4: Creating Risk Takers Part 3: Explore STEM Pedagogy Chapter 5: Exploring STEM Teaching and Guided Discovery Learning Chapter 6: Making Assessment Student Centered in Elementary STEM Classrooms Chapter 7: Exploring STEM and Creativity Chapter 8: Bringing It All Together Epilogue References and Resources Index




STEM by Design


Book Description

How do you create effective STEM classrooms that energize students, help them grow into creative thinkers and collaborators, and prepare them for their futures? This practical book from expert Anne Jolly has all the answers and tools you need to get started or enhance your current program. Based on the author’s popular MiddleWeb blog of the same name, STEM by Design reveals the secrets to successful lessons in which students use science, math, and technology to solve real-world engineering design problems. You’ll learn how to: Select and adapt quality existing STEM lessons that present authentic problems, allow for creative approaches, and engage students in meaningful teamwork; Create your own student-centered STEM lessons based on the Engineering Design Process; Assess students’ understanding of basic STEM concepts, their problem-solving abilities, and their level of engagement with the material; Teach STEM in after-school programs to further build on concepts covered in class; Empower girls to aspire to careers in STEM and break down the barriers of gender bias; Tap into STEM's project-based learning style to attract and engage all students. Throughout this user-friendly book, you’ll find design tools such as checklists, activities, and assessments to aid you in developing or adapting STEM lessons. These tools, as well as additional teacher resources, are also available as free downloads from the book’s website, http://www.stem-by-design.com.