STEM + Literacy= Success!

Jim Forde- jforde@ci.stamford.ct.usGEDF Grant Manager/STEM Professional

What is STEM?

•S- cience•T- echnology•E- ngineering•M- ath

How is STEM learning different?

• A great STEM lesson, or unit, integrates all of the disciplines together.

• In some cases S, T, E and M are utilized simultaneously as student solve engaging real world problems.

• Problem solving, inventing, collaborating, innovating

Examples of STEM lessons

• Barbie Bungee• The BIG CELL!• Designing and Eco-friendly knee brace• Paper airplane design• Popsicle stick bridges • …the potential ideas are endless

Many are interested!

“Science, technology, engineering, and

math (STEM) education is of the utmost

importance to all students and is critical to

U.S competitiveness.” - President Obama

Why does STEM matter?

Almost all of the 30 fastest-growing occupations in the next decade will require at

least some background in STEM.

http://www.changetheequation.org/why/why-stem/

It helps us make critical decisions about our health care, our finances and our retirement.

A literate nation not only reads. It computes, investigates and innovates.

Workers in STEM occupations on average experience lower unemployment rates than workers in other fields.

STEM workers earn significantly more than their non-STEM counterparts.

STEM jobs are the jobs of the future.

STEM jobs are essential for developing our technological innovation and global competitiveness.

http://www.esa.doc.gov/sites/default/files/reports/documents/stemfinalyjuly14_1.pdf

Why does STEM + Literacy matter?

• Math and ELA standards adopted by 46 states including CT

• Focused on preparing students for college and career readiness

• Have English/Literacy standards for Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects

Speaking and Listening

• Expressing your ideas to others

• Integrating info from diverse sources

• Evaluating a speakers point of view, reasoning and evidence and or rhetoric

Writing• Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of

substantive topic using valid reasoning and relevant evidence

• Writing narratives to develop real or imagined experiences

• Writing informative or explanatory text• Produce writing that is clear coherent and designed

for a specific purpose or audience.• Revising and Editing – Using technology – Assessing

the credibility of sources

Reading• Read closely to determine what the text

says explicitly…cite text evidence• Determine central ideas, summarize key

supporting details and ideas• Technical language• Evaluate arguments and claims in text,

validity of reasoning, and relvancy and sufficiency of the reasoned judgement

"You don't lead by pointing and telling people some place to go. You lead by going to that place and making a case." - Ken Kesey