- A STEM-literate student is not only an innovator and critical thinker, but is able to make meaningful connections between school, community, work and global issues.
- STEM skills are increasingly necessary to engage in a knowledge-based economy.
- There is solid evidence to suggest that the fastest-growing and highest-wage jobs in future years will be in STEM fields and all employees will need to utilize STEM skills for problem solving in a wide range of industries.
Taken separately, the four STEM subjects are defined by the National Research Council as:
Science is the study of the natural world, including the laws of nature associated with physics, chemistry, and biology and the treatment or application of facts, principles, concepts, or conventions associated with these disciplines.
Technology comprises the entire system of people and organizations, knowledge, processes, and devices that go into creating and operating technological artifacts, as well as the artifacts themselves.
Engineering is a body of knowledge about the design and creation of products and a process for solving problems. Engineering utilizes concepts in science and mathematics and technological tools.
Mathematics is the study of patterns and relationships among quantities, numbers, and shapes. Mathematics includes theoretical mathematics and applied mathematics.
We use the term “engineering” in a very broad sense to mean any engagement in a systematic practice of design to achieve solutions to particular problems.
Engineering SWBATs (Students Will Be Able To):
1. Define problems – situations that people wish to change – by specifying criteria and constraints for acceptable solutions;
2. Generate and evaluate multiple solutions;
3. Build and test prototypes;
4. Optimize a solution.
Engineering Practices
1. Defining problems
2. Developing and using models
3. Planning and carrying out investigations
4. Analyzing and interpreting data
5. Using mathematics and computational thinking
6. Designing solutions
7. Engaging in argument from evidence
8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
We use the term “practices” instead of a term such as “skills” to emphasize that engaging in scientific investigation requires not only skill but also knowledge that is specific to each practice.
Teaching STEM
A great deal of national attention has recently been focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. STEM-focused programs, especially where engineering is present, provide many opportunities to teach students to use math and science knowledge, skills and experience to solve problems.
Additionally, new science assessments will assess students’ understanding of core ideas alongside their abilities to use the practices of science and engineering. This will require students to not only “know” science concepts; but also, to use their understanding to investigate the natural world through the practices of science inquiry, or solve meaningful problems through the practices of engineering design.
Gizmos are a perfect fit with STEM-oriented curricula in that students a) use interactive online simulations and accompanying curriculum materials in the ways that allow them to explore, hypothesize, experiment and develop conclusions about math and science concepts; b) cement knowledge and deep conceptual understanding; and c) apply knowledge to real-world situations and scenarios.
A Gizmo that hits on all aspects of STEM is our Trebuchet Gizmo. Trebuchet is a fun and challenging Gizmo that lets students apply their scientific and mathematical knowledge to the engineering problem of devising a siege engine designed to hurl projectiles across large distances. Students need to work within the constraints — location, distance and height, materials available, and how much force is needed to break the wall — to be able to successfully knock down a castle wall. This is a great Gizmo to do both in small groups and individually.