S.T.E.A.M:
As soon-to-be science teachers, I am sure we have all heard of STEM, but have you ever heard of STE(A)M? STE(A)M is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.
How is STE(A)M beneficial in the classroom?:
- Fosters an inclusive learning environment where all students are able to engage and contribute.
- Allows students to think critically, problem solve and use creativity
- Allows teachers to incorporate content in a different style.
- Activities are student-centered.
- Allows for students to be innovated.
STEAM in the classroom!
Our 5th graders discovered the #PropertiesofMatter through #PBL! Students were given 6 mystery powders to identify by testing physical & #chemical reactions to vinegar, water, & iodine. #WeAreFirebirds #STEAMEducation #ProjectBasedLearning #Science #Matter pic.twitter.com/fU8HwMtYBV
— Palm Valley School (@PVSFirebirds) March 21, 2018
Lesson Plan:
Subject: 10th Grade Biology
Topic: Plant cell organelles and their functions.
Engage: For the engage I will create a model plant cell. This model will be made out of household objects as the organelles and the chloroplast will be made out of clear wallpaper paste. This will really grab the attention of students in your science classroom.
A simple video that gives insight to the STEAM Engage:
Explore: For the explore students will use the STEAM activity creating an edible Model Plant Cell. For this specific lesson they will be making a model of a plant cell, along with all of the different organelles. Student will be encouraged to be as creative as they can be with their model cell. They will be using different types of candy as organelles and the cytoplasm will be icing and the cell wall will be a piece of cake. Once again this allows students to be very creative.
A simple video that gives insight to the STEAM explore:
Explain: Students will work in pairs to better understand the plant cells organelles and their functions. They will be looking at diagrams along with descriptions of the functions to create their own definition for each organelle.
Elaborate: For the elaborate students will work in teams to complete a cooperative learning activity. This activity is called “Case of the missing plant cell organelle.” Students will have to discover the organelle that is missing from the plant cell.
Evaluate: For the evaluate I would give students a quiz over the structure and function of the plant cell organelles. They will have the option to draw the structure or just describe it along with the function.
Overall I believe that STE(A)M can be really beneficial if it used in the correct way. STE(A)M allows all students the opportunity to be creative. When students are allowed and encouraged to be creative the quality of education increase drastically.
https://twitter.com/MissChasteen/status/1055140868259278849
Resource: https://www.stem.org.uk/resources/elibrary/resource/33215/model-cells
Bailey- This would be so engaging to students! I love it! Learning from a diagram out of a book isn’t always the way to go. Building these model organelles allows for students to actually interact with the pieces, rather than just memorize. Interactions such as these are a crucial experience to learning. However, I do worry that allowing for students to build their own organelles and cell may lead to misconceptions in the future. What if they focus more on what they built rather than your “Case of the Missing Organelle” game, or even the explain portion of your lesson plan? I think a good activity to do to combat this possible issue is to have the students rebuild their cell once they have truly learned everything. This could be your evaluate portion of your lesson plan! What do you think about this? Do you agree, maybe disagree?
Kate, thank you for the positive feedback! I do understand what you are saying about the misconceptions that building their own cell could cause. I also think that allowing students to be able to create something of their own is very important. That activity allows them to be creative which then inhibits the rest of the learning throughout this cycle. I also like the evaluate that you mentioned, that could be a very good way for me to test my students understandings. Thanks again for the feedback!