Swampscott Public Schools STEM Initiative

1. Swampscott Public Schools STEM Initiative STEM Consulting Teachers: Brandy Wilbur Sharon LaRosa Adam Scharfenberger June 6, 2012

2. What is? STEM education attempts to transform the typical teacher-centered classroom by encouraging a curriculum that is driven by problem-solving, discovery, exploratory learning, and requires students to actively engage a situation in order to find its solution. Beyond Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

3. offers • "Connections" • Students begin to understand and make connections between career pathways, core learning concepts and real world relevancy to 21st century learning skills. • "Performance" • Create a project based environment where students are challenged to solve a situation using a multi-disciplinary approach. • "Literacy" • Apply the knowledge defined by the common core by providing students instructions to create an informational or argumentative product while using essential skills in reading and writing. • "Real World Relevance" • Create innovative hands-on ways for students to learn skills while relating to real world scenarios.

4. 2011-2012 Superintendent Goals for STEM Initiative • Expanding the existing K-12 STEM curriculum and new STEM clubs • Implementing K-12 Professional Development on STEM Curriculum • Modeling appropriate STEM lessons at each level • Meeting regularly with the Gelfand organization and STEM teachers

5. Initiative Overview • Developed by District STEM Team • District Administrative/Leadership Team • STEM Consulting Teachers • Technology/Robotics Teachers • Gelfand Family Charitable Trust • Created goals with objectives and implementation plan • In support of Superintendent’s goals

6. Goal 1: Provide opportunities for staff and students to foster 21st century skills 8th grade math calculations SMART Boards K-12 ROV construction -7th grade Van de Graaff electricity 4th grade GIS in AP French Trebuchets in Ancient World History

7. Objective A: Integrate current technology in the classrooms

8. Objective B: STEM related Field trip opportunities for students

9. Objective C: Integrate STEM themed lessons in classrooms

10. Invention Convention • Ms. Heather Carr • Hadley Elementary • In class and home project • Smilebox Presentation http://to.ly/dH3Q

11. Goal 2: Provide enrichment STEM activities outside of the traditional school day Cable Club – Auction Night 5th grade student tests his program on an obstacle course Robo Soccer at STEM Family Night

12. Objective A: Offer after school clubs/events with STEM theme

13. Objective B: Encourage/enhance summer offering with STEM

14. Objective C: Promote Area STEM Programs

15. Robotics Club at SHS • Mr. Richard Leonard • FIRST Robotics : Jan – March competition • 15 students participated • 3rd place Rookie Team

16. Goal 3: Create community partnerships that enhance STEM exposure to our students 7th grade gathered at Salem State University to videoconference with sister school from South Africa City Lab bus – Boston University Digits Program: Scientist visiting a 6th grade class

17. Objective A: Recruit area business, organizations and schools to present to students

18. Objective B: Establish partnerships with organizations to expand the offerings to the district

19. Sea Perch Challenge • Mr. Andrake and Mr. Butler • ROV’s with 7th and 8th grade • Partnership with MIT Sea Grant

20. Goal 4: Provide professional development to Swampscott teachers to enhance their ability to integrate STEM into their curriculum

21. Objective A: Participate in PD opportunities inter and intra district

22. Goal 5: Develop an assessment tool to evaluate the district STEM Initiative Kindergarten Beach Walk STEM Family Night at SHS 5th grade students on a field trip field trip to the Tsongas Industrial Center Engineering of musical instruments : 6th grade

23. Objective A: Facilitate district wide STEM meetings to support the STEM Initiative. • Monthly District STEM Team meetings • Agenda and meeting notes • Bi-weekly STEM Consulting Teacher meetings • Building level STEM Committee meetings

24. Objective B: Create a district wide survey of teachers on their use and understanding of STEM • Elementary preliminary assessment survey • End of the year summary of activities report • Developing 2012-13 pre/post survey for district teachers

25. Next Steps • Expand upon existing STEM activities at all grade levels • Integrate STEM concepts into the Common Core • Evaluate the new Next Generation of Science Standards • Increase access to technology at all levels • Focus on cross-disciplinary lessons/projects

26. Sustainability – Beyond Year 1 • District Solar Project • Middle and High School have panels • Weather Stations • All elementary schools and high school • Equipment sharing • Van de Graaff, robotics • Professional development

27. Sustainability – Beyond Year 1 • Grant writing • STEM teachers pursuing small grants for each school • Meetings with Grant Sub-committee • Community partnerships • Life Technologies • Organized parent involvement • Parent groups, PTO’s • Community garden • Located at SHS, funded by SEF

28. Questions? • Brandy Wilbur: wilbur@swampscott.k12.ms.us • Sharon LaRosa: larosa@swampscott.k12.ma.us • Adam Scharfenberger: scharfenberger@swampscott.k12.ma.us