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Innovation & Design STEM in Grades 3-8. Warren Township Public Schools. Presenters. Mrs . Mary Ellen Roberts, Technology Supervisor Mrs. Wendy Piller, Gifted & Talented Teacher Mrs . Sheila Connelly, Technology Teacher Dr . Susan Kline, Gifted & Talented Teacher
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Innovation & DesignSTEM in Grades 3-8 Warren Township Public Schools
Presenters • Mrs. Mary Ellen Roberts, Technology Supervisor • Mrs. Wendy Piller, Gifted & Talented Teacher • Mrs. Sheila Connelly, Technology Teacher • Dr. Susan Kline, Gifted & Talented Teacher • Mr. Ernest Monaco, Technology Arts Teacher • Mr. Steven Verger, Technology Teacher
About Our District • Warren Township - Somerset County, NJ • District Factor Group: I • K-8 District • 4 Elementary Schools (K-5) • 1 Middle School • Number of Students: 2000+
Why We Did It Brought to district by new Superintendent in order to: • Enrich district programs to foster academic rigor • Increase technology integration in the classroom • Meet engineering component of technology standards • Provide opportunities for enhancing 21st Century skills
Getting Started • Visited Readington Public Schools NJ Observed 7th grade class Talked with staff & administration about program • Researched available curricular options • Tailored the program to our district’s needs: Staffing Curriculum Schedule
Curriculum Elementary Schools Middle School Revamped Technology Arts Program Based on ITEEA EbD Project Modifications for: Technology Integration Hands-On Projects Textbook Integration • New Program Based on ITEEA I3 Project • Modifications for: Technology Integration Collaboration/Teamwork Grade Appropriateness Curriculum Development: Monthly After-School Meetings Summer Work Release Time ITEEA: INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION I³ Project: Invention-Innovation-Inquiry Units for Technological Literacy for Grades 3-5 EbD Project: Engineering by Design Units for Technology-Invention-Innovation-Technological Systems Units for Grades 6-8
Staffing (Co-Teachers) Elementary Schools Middle School Technology Teacher To innovate & support technology integration Technology Arts Teacher To ensure technology arts integration with problem solving & critical thinking activities Technology Teachers To ensure technology integration Gifted & Talented Teachers To promote higher-level thinking
Funding & Resources Board of Education approved funding: Nonconsumables • Students needed sturdy workspace for building – new chairs/stools/tables • Technology – Dell DUO Inspiron tablets • Storage and Bins to secure student projects • Tools – pliers, hammers, saws*, glue guns* Consumables • Building materials – wood, various cardboards, wire, clay, screws, etc. • Project Kits: Racecars, Windmills, Earthquake Towers, etc. Resources: • Provide team planning/sharing time • Review of curriculum success and problems to adjust programs • Articulation between Elementary and Middle schools: Future Plans *Requires Adult Supervision
Scheduling Elementary Schools: • 3rd grade – One 12-week unit – Mid-year marking period • 4th & 5th grades – Two 10 week units, first and last marking periods • Replaced traditional computer science classes for designated timeframe Middle School: • 6th, 7th and 8th grades - Required elective at all grade levels • 5 week cycle, meets every day
Administrator/District View ---- Was this a good choice? • Resulted in discussions about addressing 21st Century Skills • Modified existing programs to achieve new standards • Delivered a new program and curriculum revision • Became part of district initiative for 21st Century Teaching and Learning • Provided for greater elementary student readiness for middle school technology arts program
Elementary Program • ITEEA I3program – Innovation, Invention, Inquiry www.i3cubed.com • Originally developed for grades 5 and 6 - Modified for students grades 3 -5 • Units – Technological Systems, Construction, Innovation, Invention, Power & Energy Main Focus: EDP – Engineering Design Process Other Lessons: • Teamwork Rubric • Tablet usage Rubric • Writing test plans Form • Self-directed learning Mechanical Toy Checklist • Measurement • Time & Resource Management • Presentations • Creating diagrams • Tool safety
Co-Teaching • Common Planning • Tool Safety – Benefit Two Sets of Eyes! • Act as Engineering Consultants: Approve Designs Hand Out Materials (Gatekeeper) • Refining Lessons: Differentiation Instructional Methods Instructional Resources Class Routines • Build Each Other’s Skills: 21st Century Teaching
Things to Remember – Words to the Wise Just like in real life, you never have enough time, money, or materials. Use your resources wisely.
Technology Integration Senteos (Student Response Systems) for Pre & Post-Tests One Note/Google Docs: • Collaboration • Reading, Writing, and Diagram Creation Video Lessons & Demonstrations
Platform for 21st Century Teaching Student Directed Learning*: • Analytic Rubrics • Checklists • Instructional Videos • Using Models/Examples • Classroom Management Techniques For Example: Self-Dismissal • See “Students Taking Charge” by Nancy Sulla • Eye On Education Publisher, 2011 ISBN: 978-1-59667-185-0
Outcomes • 100% Engagement • Opportunity for different students to shine • Higher order discussions by students • Cause/effect • What if? • Empathy • Inclusion • Full cycle – student evaluates and corrects instead of teacher • Greater understanding • More responsibility • Think first
Middle School Program Grades 6, 7 and 8: Required Cycle as Part of the Warren Middle School Elective Program
Grade 6 Overview • Design & Engineering • Air & Space Technologies • Project- Solid Fuel Rocket
Grade 7 Overview • Computer Aided Design • Structural Engineering • Project- Earthquake Tower
Grade 8 - Overview • Land & Water Transportation • Applied Physics • Project – CO2 RACECAR
STEM CURRICULUM Science Technology Engineering Math Student Textbook Chapters Aligned to Course Materials
SCIENCE Systematic knowledge of the physical world, gained through observation and experimentation Applied Physics • Physics of Motion • Newton’s Laws of Motion • Physics of Work • Simple Machines
Technology Takes place when people use their knowledge to extend their abilities, satisfy needs and wants, and solve problems. Examples: • How can we go to the Moon? • How can we make an Earthquake proof building? • How can we design and build a faster dragster?
Engineering Engineer: A person who uses his or her knowledge of Science, Technology, Math and Communication to solve technical design problems. Example: • Design a structure that can withstand the forces of an earthquake. • Design and build a CO2 Race Car that will travel the distance of the track as fast as possible.
Mathematics Thesystematic treatmentofmagnitude, relationships between figures and forms, and relations betweenquantitiesexpressedsymbolically Examples: • Force = mass x acceleration or F=m x a • Work = force x distance or W=f x d • Speed = distance/time or S=d/t
Project Example- CO2 Race Car • Scientific principles behind project • Math calculations • Engineering - designing an aerodynamic race car using the scientific principals that were learned • Students do a build out using simple tools and balsa wood as a materials
Presentation Materials Available http://www.warrentboe.org/technology/techexpo2013/