Pre-Conference Workshop ECIS Fall Conference | Barcelona, Spain in collaboration with Mediterranean Center for Innovation in Education Connected at the STEM: Integrated Learning in Action Datesnovember 18-19, 2015 Location American School of BarcelonaJaume Balmes, 7 08950 - Esplugues de Llobregat Barcelona - SPAIN Target Audience: Elementary and Middle School Teachers, Elementary and Middle School Administrators, Curriculum Coordinators Overview This two-day institute, held on the premises of the American School of Barcelona, will provide participants the opportunity to engage in interactive, embedded professional learning in an authentic context with international school students.Four expert facilitators will work with elementary and middle school students on integrated projects focused on engineering design, sciences, coding, problem-solving, and the application of design thinking to engage in the process of meeting real-world challenges.The teaching lab setting will involve both the students as well as the guest teachers attending the institute.Activities will include: modeling of teaching and facilitating of learning by the institute instructors interaction between students and institute attendees break-out reflection and extension sessions in professional learning cohorts clinical, hands-on workshop time focused on designing STEM learning units that areintegrated, purposeful and connected to the real worldLearning Outcomes Participants will engage in the institute as an embedded learner; this is an active learning event where the participants will be exploring concepts and ideas together, side by side with their colleagues, the facilitators and the students. Over the two days participants will: develop a deeper understanding of what STEM education is, and how the integration ofthe disciplines -- and the associated thinking and problem-solving that comes with it -- isa vital component of powerful STEM-focused education. explore case studies of STEM learning that connects young students to deeper thinkingand to real-world skills engage in STEM learning activities alongside students, leading to meaningful reflectionon designing learning that is integrated and interconnected evaluate the effectiveness of integrated learning activities with elementary and middleschool students deconstruct challenges and barriers that may exist within participants own schools design learning units that integrate STEM concepts and develop connected thinkingskills in students formulate next steps in developing a practical and actionable plan for their own uniqueschool or organizational context