Welcome Back!
It is so hard to believe it is November already! The weather is getting cooler, football is back, and we are looking toward the holidays and smells of cinnamon, cookies, and pine trees!
As we move into the holiday season, the usual stress that comes during this season will most likely be even more stressful this year. Please be sure to carve out time for yourself before you carve that turkey! I am here to support you in any way I can. Please reach out if I can be of help!
This month, I have included a few new opportunities and resources. In the Literacy in STEM section, we will look more at writing and notebooking in STEM/Science. Be sure to check out the STEM Highlight section for this month's nominated teacher! (I'm so excited to share with you!)
Email: sdick@doe.in.gov
Twitter: @ShannonINov8s
STEM Highlight
Josh writes he nominated her because "This teacher is brand new to the grade level (6th grade), but has already created some amazing Project Based Learning Experiences. Megan is a champion for her grade level for STEM projects and seeks to integrate STEM across all the disciplines particularly looking for innovative ways to integrate reading into all her projects."
Mr. Walls describes a recent project by Ms. Reagan. "In her last project, students constructed paper roller coasters to learn more about potential and kinetic energy. Students researched energy transfer, explored roller coaster theme parks, and used Google Classroom to track their data and roles and responsibilities. Once it was time for group work to begin, each student had clear defined responsibilities that made the project flow smoothly. Students used math skills to calculate the average speed, potential energy, and overall cost of their roller coaster. Students were engaged throughout the entire project and data showed that students excelled in their math calculations."
Thank you for sharing the wonderful work you are doing with Indiana students!
If you would like to nominate a teacher or school for the STEM Highlight, use this link.
Literacy in STEM
Notebooking
Last month featured an article from CultofPedagogy.com and the section on explicit instruction in note-taking. This month focuses on revision. Editing and revision are important parts of the writing process. In the same way we revise and edit in ELA classes, students of science need time to revise and edit their notes. The first iteration is usually filled with gaps which can be filled during this time of reflection and revision. Doing this collaboratively can also be beneficial to students.
Another strategy to assist students in meaningful notetaking is sketching. Frequently in science, we draw models of experiments and observations. Drawing also within notes can improve understanding of notes. Take a look at this video, What is Sketchnoting?, which explains and shows how this technique gives students freedom to make connections that are meaningful to them. Another example of this is Doodlenotes. This is slightly different in that the note pages are created, then shared with students to personalize and add to them. Note: This link includes the free handbook which can be downloaded and explains how to create your own.
Check back each month for strategies to support literacy instruction in the STEM classroom.
Green Ribbon Schools
Applications due December 3, 2020.
STEM School Certification
The deadline for application for this school year may have passed, however; STEM School Certification is a rigorous process and can take quite a bit of time to be ready to apply. To help schools understand the rubric, #HoosierSTEM will highlight a domain of the rubric each month. Each applicant school's Google site is a showcase for the STEM work done to prepare to be a STEM Certified School and the successes experienced.
This month the focus is on Domain 2: Curriculum.
There are only five elements in the domain, but two are Essential Elements which require a score of three to become certified.
Elements:
2.1 Curriculum Integration: To earn a three in this Essential Element, schools must have at least 50% of integrated STEM curriculum that is evidence based. Schools may choose from the IDOE Vetted Curriculum list, or describe the evidence based model of their choosing.
2.2 Computer Science: In this Essential Element, schools must provide standards-based computer science content to 100% of students for Elementary and Middle Schools, and multiple computer science courses available to all High School students in order to score a three. This can be evidenced by implementation plans and course descriptions.
2.3 Employability Skills: 100% of students will have grade band appropriate Employability Skills Standards integrated into instruction. Evidence can include samples of lesson plans with skills explicitly included, examples of curriculum, or other evidence to support.
2.4 Equity: This element focuses on the equity of curriculum. General Education teachers must be planning with appropriate resource teachers to ensure all learners are considered when developing materials. Meeting/Planning time minutes documenting this collaboration is an example of evidence.
2.5 Assessments: Variety is the spice of life! A variety of assessment methods to demonstrate learning in STEM is a vital part of this element. Samples of these assessments, rubrics, and student products can be used as evidence.
Indiana Academy of Science Resource
Members of the Indiana Academy of Science are proud to present: Kitchen Table Science!
The links are short videos to engage your students in science from around the state and beyond. They were produced by members of the Indiana Academy of Science, to include Indiana senior scientists, graduate science students, and undergraduate science students from multiple science disciplines.
Saturday Morning Astrophysics at Purdue
Purdue College of Science Virtual Learning Experiences
Elementary students (K-5) can earn a Purdue STEM Kids Degree. This program starts September 1 and will include videos and activities for individual students or classes. Complete ten codes to earn a degree!
Lastly, Superheroes of Science episodes will air on YouTube on Mondays for middle and high school students. There will also be mini-professional development videos for teachers on Thursdays.
For more information, click here.
TechPoint Connects with Classrooms
Did you know?
TechPoint Foundation began the STEM Partners program last year. This mentoring program partners industry professionals with teachers to support STEM curriculum. Look here for more information.
6th Annual Indiana STEM Education Conference
Indiana STEM Education Conference will be held virtually on Thursday, January 14, 2021. The theme for the conference is "STEM Education Meets a Global Challenge" and will feature up to 60 presentations including sessions on virtual learning and STEM instruction during the pandemic.
Interested in ATTENDING the conference? Registration can be completed at http://www.purdue.edu/conferences/STEM2021.
Proposals for presenters may be submitted at https://forms.gle/9c9i3kjjHurz9NcV6 until 5 p.m. EST on November 13.
PATINS Project Opportunity
Join the PATINS Project for the first ever virtual Access to Education 2020 conference on November 18 and 19. The schedule is live with sessions to super power your teaching.
For the low price of $100, you gain access to:
- Two days of sessions (20 in total)
- Influential keynote speaker - Lance McLemore
- Pre-conference educator panel (November 17)
- Assistive Technology Exploratorium
- Universal Design for Learning Classroom Experience
- Recorded summary videos of all sessions
Register by November 10!
STEM Teach Indiana Applications
On November 16, STEM Teach Indiana will start accepting applications from teachers. The program allows teachers who are interested in taking graduate or undergraduate classes, workshops, or attending conferences in the STEM field to receive funding to undertake those activities. The biggest opportunity is the ability for high school teachers to receive funding to take 18 credit hours of graduate courses to become credentialed to teach dual credit courses.
To sign up for the newsletters, and to be notified about the application process: https://stemteachindiana.org/#subscribe
For a deeper overview of the opportunity, go to: https://stemteachindiana.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/STEM-Teach-for-Teachers.pdf
Keeping Connected
Project AWARE (Project Advancing Wellness and Resilience Education) has kicked off their campaign Change the Frequency which includes lessons, activities, and more!
PAEMST Call for Nominations
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K–12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of STEM education. Since 1983, more than 5,000 teachers have been recognized for their contributions to STEM education. Up to 108 teachers are recognized each year.
Anyone can nominate a teacher. This year's cycle is for teachers in Grades 7-12. To nominate or apply, visit: www.paemst.org. Nominations are due March 1, 2021.
