Daily hands-on STEM activities ensure that all students appreciate and participate in applying these concepts in actual applications. This is a big job for classroom teachers. We are here to help!
The big E is for Engineering because it tends to be overlooked in many of the other STEM resources. Lesson planning is actually the same as the Engineering Design Process and is a good structure for these notes.
Ask: What do you need to help you provide hands-on STEM activities?
- Ideally the activities can be worked on over several days, with presentations and sharing.
- Integration with other lessons – based on a book, science concept, math topic
Imagine: How would these activities be shared / stored / described?
- Bins or tubs with all the materials, descriptions, instructions, lesson plans, online resources – similar to international country “suitcases”. Centrally located for checkout. Supplies restocked as necessary.
- Information readily accessible – web pages eg. lectriclibrary.org
- Share comments, questions – email, Teams
Plan: What resources are available? What needs to be set-up to get started? How will this work?
- Communication – Teams, email group
- Activity bins – 2-3 activities, volunteers to work on setup
- Process walk-thru, storage, checkout, re-stocking requests
Create: Roll-out and track the process
- Use the materials and descriptions provided
- After completing the activity, write a review and summary of the experience
- Make suggestions for improvements, alternatives and/or adaptation for other grade levels.
Improve: What could be better? Anything missing in the bins or process?
- What would improve the activity experience for students? For teacher?
- Can it be adapted for other grade levels? Other focus topics?
- What other resources would be useful?
Next …
- Suggestions for activities, challenges, topics of interested related to other lessons
Learn more …
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lectric library 