Posts

What is STEM Literacy? The REAL Purpose of STEM Education in an "Uncertain Future"

Image
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBtTCKUWEPI We often ask, “What is the purpose of STEM education?” Is it solely to create more engineers and scientists? While that is part of it, the true goal is much broader. According to Rodger W. Bybee’s The Case for STEM Education , the purpose is to “apply basic content and practices of STEM disciplines to situations they encounter in life.” This application is what we call STEM Literacy . Bybee defines it as the application of knowledge, attitudes, and skills to question the world, evaluate evidence, and understand how STEM shapes our environment (2013, p. 5). More Than Just Knowledge STEM literacy isn’t just about memorizing facts. As noted in the Handbook of Research on STEM Education , it is a “dynamic process” of applying concepts to solve problems that a single discipline cannot resolve (p. 33). It is about the ability to collaborate, persist, and understand the utility of these skills for personal and global challenges (Jackson, 2021)...
Post a Comment
Read more

Rise of STEM Careers: Are They Ready? Preparing Students for the Future

Image
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCk44VW46nk Why do we need STEM education? It’s not just about robots and coding—it’s about preparing students for a future we can’t fully predict yet. Research from the World Economic Forum suggests that 65% of today’s kindergarten students will work in jobs that don’t exist yet. In this video, I dive into the "Skills Revolution" and explore why embedding STEM into our curriculum is the answer to the "Opportunity Myth" in education. We discuss how Project-Based Learning develops "The Innovator's DNA" —skills like questioning, observing, and networking—that are essential for adaptability in a changing global economy. I hope this video helps explain the urgent case for STEM and gives you some language to use when advocating for these programs in your own school. Resources: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/stem-employment.htm https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/stem-employment.htm https://www.bls.gov/mwe/factsheets/mwe-ooh-mos...
Post a Comment
Read more

Preparing Students for the Unknown: The Urgent Case for STEM Education

Image
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLpdfIrr-cY Why embed STEM into the education we provide our students? It is a question that goes beyond curriculum design—it cuts to the core of how we prepare children for an unpredictable world. First and foremost, STEM education is crucial for equipping students to navigate the scientific discoveries and technological advancements that shape our lives (Smithsonian Science Education Center, 2023). We are facing a "skills revolution." According to the World Government Summit and McKinsey & Company, schools currently face the imperative of preparing students for an uncertain future that requires new competencies and the ability to adapt to a constantly changing workplace. Beyond Rote Memorization This approach directly challenges the status quo highlighted in The Opportunity Myth  (TNTP, 2023). This report critiques traditional education for failing to prepare students for real-world experiences. STEM education offers the solution by shif...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is STEM, Really? Clearing the Confusion

Image
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ek0n8LOo90 "STEM" is a term we use constantly in education, but if you ask five different stakeholders to define it, you might get five different answers. Originating in 1993 with the National Science Foundation (originally called SMET!), the acronym is well-known, yet "the finer points of this construct often cause confusion" (Breiner, 2012). Some educators argue that teaching a standalone math class counts as STEM. However, research suggests that the true power of STEM lies not in silos, but in integration. After analyzing various perspectives, I’ve identified a common thread consisting of four essential elements: Interdisciplinary Approach: We don't treat Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math as separate subjects. We look for connections to create a holistic understanding. Real-World Problem-Solving: We apply these combined disciplines to challenges students encounter in the real world. Project-Based Learning: ...
Post a Comment
Read more

5 Keys to Genuine Teacher Collaboration

Image
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4ciN-mJSaI A couple of years ago, I had the privilege of working with a fantastic group of 2nd-grade educators. Together, we designed a social studies project where students became museum curators and exhibit designers , using design thinking to create their own museum exhibits. The team included two homeroom teachers (Shelby and Rebecca), our Tech & Innovation Specialist (Chris), our instructional coach (Jodi), our librarian (Lara), and myself. Looking back, I truly treasure that experience. It felt seamless, productive, and genuinely collaborative. I’ve been reflecting on why we were so effective. After breaking it down, I identified five key elements that made our collaboration work. 1. Diverse Skills, Perspectives, and Experiences Our strength lay in our differences. Each member brought a unique lens to the table, allowing us to fill gaps and enhance the learning experience in ways a single teacher couldn’t. Shelby & Rebecca (Homeroo...
Post a Comment
Read more

From Nature to Innovation: How Students Used Biomimicry to Solve Human Problems (PBL and STEM Education)

Image
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fumAknnkTg Biomimicry, they developed nature-inspired solutions to real human problems. This project, co-designed with my colleague Tracy Blair , was an experiment in meaningful transfer of learning—moving beyond just understanding concepts to applying them in new, complex contexts. NGSS & Core Concepts Our unit was anchored in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for 4th Grade, specifically focusing on: Structure & Function:  How internal/external structures support survival and growth. Information Processing:  How animals receive and respond to sensory information. Cause & Effect and Systems:  Understanding the relationships within natural systems. We started by asking, "Why do animals and plants need structures?" Through observation and experiments, students learned that every beak, leaf vein, and stem has a specific function for survival. Introducing Biomimicry Once students understoo...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Integrate Technology (Easily?) in Schools and Education

Image
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzCyIEvfsBE "I don't have time to teach my students how to use the techology." This is a challenge I face constantly. I work with about 600 students across 28 classes. Because we don't have a designated "tech lesson," it is up to the teachers and me to find pockets of time to integrate digital skills. Recently, our 4th graders were wrapping up a Social Studies unit on Responsibility . They explored the driving question: How do our choices as consumers affect the world? To move beyond just learning the content, we wanted them to take Student Action —to create a campaign to influence others using digital media. The Problem: The Sustainable Model Initially, our EdTech team thought about pushing into every classroom to teach specific tools (websites, posters, videos). We quickly realized this wasn't sustainable. With so many students and conflicting schedules, we couldn't be everywhere at once. The S...
Post a Comment
Read more