Session 8 - TallahasseeSTEM: Leveraging

Relationships to Increase Achievement and

EngagementJamestown Schools

Jamestown, RI

What to expect1.Introduction2.What is SAMS3.Evidence4.Sample unit5.How to create your own6.Hands on activity7.Q and A

Jamestown SchoolJamestown, RI

www.jtownscience.blogspot.com

Jamestown Lawn School is:• Grades 5-8• On an island in

Narragansett Bay, RI• Has ~200 students • A military community (War

college in Newport)• Strongly supported by

community

“Increasing students’ familiarity with the role of mathematics in science is central to developing a deeper understanding of how science works.”

A Framework for K-12 Science Education

Science and Math Scholars Goals:• Increase student interest and achievement in math

and science (rigor)• Integration of math and science• Use of common language• Use of common methods• Making connections obvious to students(relevance)• Following common formats• Hands on

Where is the Relevance? University and Community Partnerships

Evidence of Success

Where we get our data:New England Common Assessment Program (RI,

NH, VT, ME)• 33.2 % increase in science NECAP 2008-2011

(RI avg. increase = 7%)• 16% increase in math NECAP 2008-2011 (RI

avg. increase = 11%)• 93 % of 8th grade students proficient or above

in NECAP writing (RI avg. increase = 61%)

Evidence of Success

SAMS end of year survey• 90 % of students reported that their interest levels in

math and science increased• 95 % of students learned about possible math and

science careers they may want to pursue• Scholastic Math Inventory - avg. 110 Quantile growth

• 100% of students report that SAMS is fun!

Essential Practices in Math and Science

NGSS • Asking Questions• Developing and using models• Planning and carrying out

investigations• Analyzing and interpreting data• Using mathematic and

computational thinking• Constructing explanation and

designing solutions• Engaging in argument from

evidence• Obtaining ,evaluating and

communicating information

Common Core• Makes sense of problems and

persevere in solving them• Reason abstractly and

quantitatively• Construct viable arguments and

critique reasoning of others• Model with mathematics• Use appropriate tools• Attend to precision• Look for and make use of

structure• Look for and express regularity

in repeating reasoning

Sample SAMS UnitBalloon Project

Interdisciplinary Team Project (8th)

Components:• History – timeline, context, connections• ELA – poetry, persuasive writing• Math – geometry, volume, ratios• Science – STEM, weather and density• Art – drawing, design

5th and 6th Graders

4th grade

4th grade

4th grade

8th Grade

Across the Grades

Balloon project (8th Science)

• Design• Construct• Measure and calculate• Fly/data collection (qualitative and

quantitative)• Data presentation (graphs, future design,

height calculation)• Data analysis

Volume and Surface area calculations in math

Math Science&

Calculate Balloon Height (science and math)

• Use formula and data

Tan ɵ = Opposite/Adjacent

ɵ

OPPOSITE Adjacent

height = (tan ɵ) (adjacent) + 0.5m

Writing in Science

• Based on work done by Betsy Rupp Fulwiler

How to create and teach a uniton your own

Steps to follow:• Pick a topic that you already do• Define expected outcomes• Turn outcomes into questions• List investigations that could answer the question• Pick an investigation you like• List needed information

(Cont)

How to create and teach a uniton your own (continued)

• Give directions• Do activity• Draw and label• Group discussion (Fulwiler strategies)• Write reflection• Personal connection

Template for science journal

• Essential question that will be answered

• Vocabulary/concepts• Directions• Drawings and notes• Reflection questions• Personal connection

Template for math entry

• Done in Problem Solver notebook

• Problems are cut and glued

• Solved using common format

Writing in Math and Science

Assessment

• Sticky notes• Highlighter• Turn in parts• Participation rubric• Use to do final project• Self assessment• Portfolio

Hands on Activity• How to make a clinometer• Index card, straw, string, washer, protractor

Make your own clinometer

1. Tie string to washer2. Tape straw to top of index card3. Tie string to index card

Questions?

LinksHandouts and templates

www.jtownscience.blogspot.com Contact us

Kaczynski.jim@jamestownschools.orgAlfred.nick@jamestownschools.orgReynolds.sandra@jamestownschools.org

Electricity (7th)

• Review of 4th grade units on circuits• Investigate magnets and motors• Museum of Science Trip• Alternate Energy investigations

Other connections

• Boston Museum of Science• URI Drifters• Science enrichment• Math enrichment

Real world connections

• Density MIT• Museum of sci

• Drifters• Sci enrichment• Math enrichment