What is this STEM thing all about?

Dr. Sam Houston

Session 47: Strategies that Engage Minds

The problem with our schools is not that they are not what they used to be, but that they are what they used to be.STEM is about school change.

It has been said:

Learners are independent not dependent

Thoughtful not thoughtless

Know what to do – when they do not know what to do

Career and College Ready

NCSTEMCENTER.ORG

LEARN TAB

STEM TOOLS

STEM RECOGNITION PACKAGE

The Process – STEM Distinction

Strategies that Engage Minds

Sonja McKay Meredith Cheetham M.Ed., NBCT M.Ed.

smckay@exploris.com mcheetham@exploris.org

The Exploris K-8 Charter SchoolRaleigh, NC

www.exploris.org

420 K-8 students in downtown Raleigh, NC.

Designated North Carolina DPI Model STEM School

US Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Award

WRAL News story

The Exploris School

Issues-basedPBL

Community Partnerships

Growth Mindset

GOAL: Staff input and support

What is STEM? Self-evaluation with rubric Small-group brainstorm for

each attribute Are we ready?

Getting Started

Attribute 1 - Project-based learning

Self-Evaluation

Are we ready to apply this year?

Reflect

YES! Not Yet Prepared or model level in

8/10 attributes (or 8/11 if HS)

Attributes present in all classrooms

Staff support for process

Early or developing in multiple areas

Attributes somewhat present, but not part of school culture

Are we ready to apply this year?

*Use the rubric to inform school decision-making.*

Next Steps

YES! Not Yet Form STEM committee

Collect data & evidence

Revisit application throughout year

Form STEM committee

Select 1-2 attributes to focus on as part of School Improvement Plan

Arrange PD around growth areas

1.1 – PBL Four teachers to BIE 3-day PBL

workshop BIE 3-day PBL workshop in October

for entire K-8 staff

1.3 & 1.4 – PLCs and Physical Space Four-month PLC to redesign

learning spaces Using design process and

partnerships with local experts

Case Study – Exploris K-5

Create writing team Divide labor to write drafts Designate faculty members to edit

and finalize entire application Provide leave time

Collect data & evidence Develop system to collect evidence Pieces of evidence may fit multiple

areas Evidence will shape writing, commit

early

Case Study – Exploris 6-8

Define school’s best practice early in process

Best Practice submission

Leadership encourages innovation Empower teachers

TIME! Be realistic…60+ hours Support teacher-writers

See page 41 of application packet.

Tips

NC STEM Rubric: A comprehensive

approach to school improvement.

School Improvement