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 classTalked with staff & administration about program

Researched available curricular options Tailored the program to our district’s

needs:StaffingCurriculumSchedule

CurriculumElementary Schools

New Program Based on ITEEA I3 Project

Modifications for:Technology IntegrationCollaboration/TeamworkGrade Appropriateness

Middle School Revamped Technology Arts Program

Based on ITEEA EbD Project Modifications for:

Technology IntegrationHands-On ProjectsTextbook Integration

Curriculum Development:Monthly After-School Meetings

Summer WorkRelease 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

Technology Teachers

To ensure technology integration

Gifted & Talented Teachers

To promote higher-level thinking

Middle School

Technology Teacher

To innovate & support technology integration

Technology Arts Teacher

To ensure technology arts integration with problem solving & critical thinking activities

Funding & ResourcesBoard 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 I3 program – 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 DesignsHand Out Materials (Gatekeeper)

Refining Lessons:DifferentiationInstructional MethodsInstructional ResourcesClass Routines

Build Each Other’s Skills: 21st Century Teaching

Just like in real life, you never have enough time, money, or materials.

Use your resources wisely.

Things to Remember – Words to the Wise

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 TechnologiesProject- Solid Fuel Rocket

Grade 7 OverviewComputer Aided DesignStructural EngineeringProject- Earthquake Tower

Grade 8 - Overview Land & Water TransportationApplied PhysicsProject – CO2 RACECAR

STEM CURRICULUM

ScienceTechnologyEngineeringMath

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?

EngineeringEngineer:

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

The systematic treatment of magnitude, relationships between figures and forms, and relations between quantities expressed symbolically

Examples: Force = mass x acceleration or F=m x aWork = force x distance or W=f x dSpeed = distance/time or S=d/t

Project Example- CO2 Race Car

1. Scientific principles behind project2. Math calculations 3. Engineering - designing an

aerodynamic race car using the scientific principals that were learned

4. Students do a build out using simple tools and balsa wood as a materials

Presentation Materials Availablehttp://www.warrentboe.org/technology/techexpo2013/