EDU276 STEM Learning Styles

When learning about rocks and minerals it is possible to engage all types of learners.

Visual learners would benefit from viewing an online presentation outlining the various features, colors, textures of the rocks and minerals. Textbooks, charts and pictures are all valuable tools for teaching these students.

Auditory learners benefit from descriptions and discussions.  Having a conversation about the rocks and minerals, especially where everyone gets a chance to talk, helps them absorb the information.  Through the wonder of the internet, I discovered this fascinating song about minerals which might be enjoyable to the auditory and musical learners.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F0IA21bgmM

Tactile learners benefit from hands on activities. An activity to support these learners would be to have them identify the textures, weight or other tactile features of samples of rocks and minerals.

EDU276 STEM Forgotten Procedures

After two weeks away from school it can seem like starting all over again. If a good foundation was laid in the first half of the year, it will hopefully be easy to get the students following the procedures again.  I would approach the first day back like a modified first day of school and remind the students of the posted procedures. 

For a 5E lesson with many supplies, I would start the lesson with a refresher on the rules regarding classroom materials and make sure the students refer to a posted list of rules regarding their handling.

EDU276 STEM Positive Expectations

I think I usually have positive expectations for myself and those around me. This is because if you don't expect something to work, why are you trying it in the first place!

For students, they must have the expectation that they can succeed and that you believe in their abilities.  I saw this when I took my Girl Scout troop on a complicated service project to a park to do a litter clean up and community mapping project. They needed to learn how to use a map and a digital camera in advance of the project. With two lessons and several parent helpers on the day of the event they were all successful and had a great time. I knew they could do it and they had a great time.

Helping an unmotivated student become successful in a STEM classroom

If a new student were struggling in my classroom, I would do my best to be intentionally inviting. This includes making a conscious effort to make positive statements and use the student’s name. Natural teachers do these things automatically, but may not understand why they are effective. By making a conscious choice to have a positive attitude and work effectively, my students will have a more inviting school environment. The use of personal behaviors would also help to create an invitational environment. These include smiling, listening, holding doors open, or giving a high five.  

A benefit of being in a STEM classroom is the opportunity to do experiments and projects that encourage group participation. 

EDU 276 STEM Teacher Qualities

A STEM teacher should have the same qualities as any effective teacher but with an emphasis on the following:  Being able to build on the students' existing interests, capitalize on what they already know and align the subject matter to their interests while keeping the focus on the practices and principals of science.   



National Research Council. (2011). Successful K-12 STEM Education: Identifying Effective Approaches in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.Committee on Highly Successful

Science Programs for K-12 Science Education. Board on Science Education and Board on Testing and Assessment, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.  Retrieved from http://www.stemreports.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/NRC_STEM_2.pdf