Forums

Ruth, there is so much information about STEM implementation that it can be overwhelming. I would begin by reading articles and looking at lesson plans on NSTA. Use the Explore All Resources tab at the top and type in your key words, filter by grade level and lesson plans. There is also http://ngss.nsta.org/ which has classroom resources, lessons that are vetted by NSTA that align with NGSS. Make a personal goal to do a few hands on labs each month. As you build up your confidence and repertoire, you can keep adding to what you know you are able to do in the classroom. 4th and 5th grade are my absolute favorite grades to teach because they are fascinated with STEM and can actually bring a lot to the conversation that will extend the labs with more labs by changing the variables in the experiments and STEM challenges. Read, read, read everything you can find, watch videos online, explore the SciPacks here on NSTA, and then try STEM challenges or experiments with kids in your own family or neighborhood so you can find out the pitfalls before you do the activities in the classroom. My best advice is to prep as much ahead of time as you can AND imagine what the worst case scenario would look like so you can prevent it from happening. Find out if you can get any local businesses to donate safety goggles or if they will pay for a class set of them.

I also found a collection you might find useful. https://learningcenter.nsta.org/mylibrary/collection.aspx?id=KixUXjHAM60_E It's called, Empowering the Beginning Science Teacher.

I am also student teaching in a 4th grade class. I love the information Pamela has responded to your post with. I hope that I can do many stem activities in my class so that learning is hands on and interesting to my students.

Hello! I think that Mrs. Dupre gave you some very valuable information. I think that she is right. We should do as much research as we can to incorporate STEM into our future classes. I will be definitely looking at some of the links that she listed down below. I am too a Student Teaching student.

Hello Ruth (and other new teachers interested in STEM), I just answered the same question from another post by Lauren and I'm just going to copy and paste my answer. Hope this all helps and good luck! [color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]I have the following advice:[/font][/size][/color] [color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]- there doesn't need to be equal amounts of S, T, E and M in every activity. Some activities can even be missing a 'letter'. Just be sure to address them all in the end. [/font][/size][/color] [color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]- the [/font][/size][/color][color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]process[/font][/size][/color][color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif] is more important than the [/font][/size][/color][color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]product[/font][/size][/color][color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]. So, be clear what you are evaluating and how.[/font][/size][/color] [color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]- set clear deadlines, milestones and requirements.[/font][/size][/color] [color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]- tech is not just computers: phones, meters, sensors, etc are all tech.[/font][/size][/color] [color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]- have the students build things in class. If they take it home you will likely be evaluating their parents' work.[/font][/size][/color] [color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]- be judiciously quiet: it is better to have the students figure things out without interjecting your ideas. [/font][/size][/color] [color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]- be flexible: allow the students to be creative and give them choices. Create a climate where students can explore with you as a support, not the guide. [/font][/size][/color] [color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]- student reflection is very important in the process. [/font][/size][/color] [color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]- dollar stores are your friend! (but students can often bring a lot of materials from home)[/font][/size][/color] [color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]- have fun! (if you aren't, figure out why and fix it)[/font][/size][/color] [color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]If you want ideas and/or lessons, I have a folder full of handouts, activities, rubrics, etc that I use in my workshops that you (and everyone else) is more than welcome to: [/font][/size][/color][url=https://goo.gl/dPa1j6][color=#33aab8][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]https://goo.gl/dPa1j6 [/font][/size][/color][/url] [color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]I have attached a file with links to sites that will give you more ideas and more activities. (my apologies for any link rot).[/font][/size][/color] [color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]Hope this helps,[/font][/size][/color] [color=#575655][size=4][font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]Gabe Kraljevic[/font][/size][/color]

Attachments

STEM_related_links.docx (0.09 Mb)

Hi Vanessa! Thanks for volunteering at a science center! This is a great way to see how science integrates with "real life" and, as you said, learn about activities that can be used in the classroom. These centers often offer workshops for teachers, too. In the school I was with, we could get inservice hours for outside volunteer work that was related to our subject area--something to look into. Mary B.

I am a pre-service teacher currently as well and I have been wanting to do more STEM and this link is great. Thank you for sharing it.