Amy Gentile-Cantone January 2015

STEM is Elementary! Educators and industry leaders alike are rallying around the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in K-12 education to meet the kind of workforce our nation needs to compete globally. There is no better place for it to inspire future scientists, engineers, and innovators than in the elementary classroom. Children are natural problem-solvers. They consider the world around them and try to make sense of it the best way they know how: touching, tasting, building, dismantling, creating, discovering, and exploring. For kids, this isn't education. It's fun! We need to encourage this type of learning within science and math classes so kids see those “hard subjects” in the same, enjoyable light. At the same time, elementary teachers are continuously faced with increased curriculum demands and shrinking time.

�1STEMpowered NH

STEM at the Elementary Level

A recent study by Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce shows that by 2018, 8 million jobs in the U.S. economy will require a college degree in STEM. Yet, research documents that by the time students reach fourth grade, a third of boys and girls have lost an interest in science. By eighth grade, almost 50 percent have lost interest or deemed it irrelevant to their education or future plans. At this point in the K–12 system, the STEM pipeline has narrowed to half.

Girls in STEM

As the NH STEM Task Force states in their recent report, “Girls remain significantly underrepresented in many STEM fields. This is particularly true of engineering and computer science, where fewer than 20% of bachelor’s degrees are awarded to women, a number that has changed little in decades.”

Teaching STEM

Effective teachers with content knowledge in science and mathematics play a key role in student achievement. Many STEM teachers in high school and middle school have a degree or a minor in their subjects, but elementary teachers are generalists and typically major in education. Research shows that many elementary teachers feel anxious about teaching STEM subjects.

STEMPOWERED NH 2015 McAuliffe Sabbatical Proposal

Amy Gentile-Cantone January 2015

There is a need to integrate Common Core Literacy and Mathematics standards with Science and Social Studies content to achieve all of the curriculum requirements. STEM offers a balance of explicit instruction and hands on practice combined with exposure to rich, in context vocabulary. Similarly, both fiction and non-fiction text can be directly tied in to STEM lessons. The STEM approach engages students in discovery and practice with concepts and provides opportunities for them to apply that learning to new tasks. This demonstrates learning at a deeper level. Today’s students must know how to communicate, collaborate, think critically and persevere. STEM promotes practice with all of these learning and social behaviors. STEM integration is an educational issue at the forefront in New Hampshire and the nation. The NH Stem Task Force was recently assembled by Governor Hassan to analyze where NH stands on integrating STEM to meet NH and global demand. Their report “Pathways to STEM Excellence”, made eight major recommendations grouped into three areas: Strengthening STEM foundations, inspiring students, and empowering teachers. This sabbatical project seeks to put those recommendations into action directed at our youngest learners in a way that could easily be replicated by other districts.

Collaboration is the Heart of this Project " Collaboration with classroom teachers is the primary objective of this proposal. Additionally, connections with building and district administrators, state wide committees, and through social networks will also contribute to this project’s overall success. Student work, teacher feedback, and collaborative work on curriculum the piece of this project I look forward to most. Paired with connections made with STEM experts across the state and beyond collaboration will power this project.

�2STEMpowered NH

Project Resources

• Museum of Science, Boston (Engineering is Elementary Program)

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab & Lifelong Kindergarten program

• Constructing Modern Knowledge & Makers Movement

• Social Networking sites and Professional Learning Community

NH Partnerships

There are many great resources right here in NH. This project looks to connect specifically with:

UNH Keepers

NH Department of Education & NH STEM Task Force

NHSTE

Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference

Seacoast School of Technology

NH Science Teacher Association

Local engineers, scientists, and STEM experts

Amy Gentile-Cantone January 2015

Project Objectives: What Will Be Accomplished?

�3STEMpowered NH

Literacy Connection

At the elementary level, literacy and STEM go hand-in-hand. Whether it’s kicking off a STEM lesson with a classic fairy tale, analyzing non-fiction text conventions, or teaching writers to cite evidence the connection is within context, and therefore further reaching.

Technology Integration

Harnessing the power of today’s technology unleashes the potential of STEM. Even complex computer science can be successfully learned at the elementary level.

Full STEAM Ahead

The Arts compliment and enhance Math and Science. Finding ways to include visual arts, music, performance art reach the youngest learners.

Maker’s Movement

Makers’ spaces and Makers Fairs are popping up everywhere to encourage DIY hands-on experiences. They include everything from sewing to 3D printing. The Maker’s Movement and STEM combined offers a fantastic model for the elementary classroom.

School:

Collaborate with teachers to implement STEM units across grades K-5 initially using the EiE program to familiarize teachers with STEM

Develop ready-to-use lessons and resources for each grade K -5 aligned with Common Core State Standards in Math and Language Arts & Next Generation Science Standards

Lead the efforts to redesign and organize the existing computer lab into a (more useful) maker’s space and develop a building technology vision

Create lessons involving code using tangible devices at the elementary level

Work with Art & Music teachers to connect and support the Arts within STEM

District:

Lead district and building trainings on elementary STEM integration

Offer free and/or low cost professional development trainings

Provide educators with lessons, examples, and resources

Work with SAU 16 educators to align STEM activities with district Science, Technology & Math standards

Seek out grants to fund initiatives & materials

State & Beyond:

Present about elementary STEM integration at state conferences

Share resources, experiences, and materials via a website, blog, and social media sites.

Participate in efforts to promote elementary STEM alongside the NH STEM Task Force

Organize “Girls in STEM” summer camp for southern NH.

The Mission: Inspire & Infuse Excitement for STEM

Into Elementary Classrooms Across NH

Amy Gentile-Cantone January 2015

Accomplishments

Along with teaching grades 3, 4, 5 over the past (almost) nine years, in 2014 I completed both NASA STEM Leadership certification, and obtained a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Literacy. 2013 was also a great year for me professionally. I was chosen for the Pat Keyes Technology Using Educator award and received the honor as spotlight presenter at the Christa McAuliffe Technology conference in Manchester, NH. I’m honored to be the keynote speaker at this year’s LESCN Conference in April in Meredith, NH where I will present about technology integration across the content areas. $

Philosophy & Style of Teaching

Inspired by the amazing people I encounter daily as well as leaders of the constructionist view of learning such as Maria Montessori, my essential education philosophy is that people learn best by doing. My own education was founded in unconventional methodology, steeped in Science and discovery, and grounded in the Arts. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside many of my professional mentors including Donald Graves, Ralph Fletcher, and so many of my SAU16 colleagues. My goal as an educator is to cultivate children’s natural curiosity and enthusiasm for continued learning. $

Commitment to Working on Education Issues and Solving Problems

Education is my profession, technology is my passion, and my own child is my purpose. All of these invest me in education in profound ways. I have served as an SAU 16 district technology mentor, each year I speak at multiple state wide conferences, I’ve led professional development trainings and initiatives, and have worked with a number of districts across state to train teachers on curriculum and technology integration. Speaking with other educators, observing in their classrooms, collaborating with others has enriched my own learning as much as it has aided them. Through the magic of technology today, I am able to extend my own professional learning connections to educators throughout nation on current issues and practices. $

Why Are You Best Person to Fulfill Goals of Sabbatical

Experiences both personally and professionally have led me here. I’ve spent the last year speaking across the state specifically on the philosophy and practical application of STEM at the elementary level; where it is most needed. Like many teachers, initially I was reluctant to embrace STEM because I was intimidated by it and didn’t think I had time for it. Now, seeing the effects and potential it has for both teachers and students, I have become a STEM cheerleader. I believe I have the experience, enthusiasm, and energy to make this project a success not only for me, but for other educators, and most importantly, students. $

!�4STEMpowered NH

Amy Gentile-Cantone$Classroom Website: http://tinyurl.com/cantoneclass

Twitter: @LillPrincS & @CantoneClass

Instagram: @CantoneClass

Amy Gentile-Cantone January 2015

Project Plan: Targets & Benchmarks $

Evaluation Plan $

Collaboration is an important component of this project. Teacher surveys will be given at trainings and workshops, administrator feedback will also be solicited. The blog, lessons, resources that are developed and redesigned, lesson assessments and artifacts will also serve as ways to measure the accomplishments of the project. $

Plan to Disseminate Information

Trimester 1 (Aug - Nov) Trimester 2 (Dec - March) Trimester 3 (April - June)

Professional Attend EiE, Keepers & Constructing Modern Knowledge, and MOS EiE trainings. Lead Girls In STEM summer camp

Maintain blog, website & social networking presence, and attend statewide conferences to promote initiative and connect with educators (ongoing)

Continue to present, hold trainings and attend conferences across the state

School Provide training on STEM integration. Meet with building technology committee Develop plan to redesign computer lab and organize technology resources. Work with classroom teachers to implement lessons from EiE program.

Develop STEM lessons based on district, state, and national standards with building teachers. Participate as a building in worldwide Hour of Code. Assist teachers in classroom integration and Maker’s Lab projects. Provide after school STEM activities.

Finalize examples and assessments for use going forward. Host building “Makers Fair” Continue to provide after school STEM opportunities.

District Attend district level Science, Technology, and Math committee meetings.

Provide district wide trainings on STEM integration. Seek out grants to help fund building & SAU initiatives and materials

Share teacher developed materials. Continue to provide professional development opportunities. Prepare for girls in STEM summer camp (year 2)

State Connect with the NH STEM Task Force

Present at Christa McAuliffe Technology conference Visit schools in other districts to collaborate on STEM projects

Present at LESCN conference

�5STEMpowered NH

Educator Instruction

Providing teachers with basic training in engineering and design process as well as coding and technology applications and use is essential to the success of this project. Reaching as many educators as possible with this message and resources is a primary objective and measure of the project’s overall success.

Modeling & Collaboration

The best way to learn is first hand. Modeling for and assisting other educators in their own buildings and classrooms allows teachers to feel comfortable in approaching new experiences. This project seeks to help teachers “in the trenches” at the the building and district level in the hopes to inspire ongoing communication and sharing.

Social Networking

This project will take on a virtual presence in the form of an ongoing blog, website resource, and by using sites like Twitter and Instagram to create professional connections. Coupled with instruction, collaboration, and modeling, this piece will keep the conversations going while broadening the contributors and audience.

Amy Gentile-Cantone January 2015

Project Budget$

This budget was carefully assembled with vision to provide training as well as shareable resources to encourage educators to later continue the lessons. Items were budgeted for in groups of 5 to enable small group collaboration and also so teachers could easily “check out” devices. The overall budget has been broken into two “tiers”. Both tiers are flexible and could be modified if necessary. Tier 2 items can be added individually or collectively to enhance Tier 1 items.

Tier 1 Item Description Projected Cost

Museum of Science EiE Trainer Certification - Boston, MA

Registration for Teacher Education Institute July 22 - 24

$450

Keepers Training - UNH. Durham Registration for Teacher Camp July 2015 $300

Constructing Modern Knowledge Conference - Manchester, NH

Registration for July 7-10 $695

General Office Supplies Ink, binders, paper, $300

Sphero 2.0 - Refurbished Class Pack (12)

12 devices and docking stations $799.99

Maker’s Lab materials Makey Makey Kits (5 @ $50), wire, hooks, clips, etc. $1000

Bee Bots Bee Bot Hive ($599.99), Card Mats (3 @ $69.95), Learning Mats (3 totaling $200)

$1009.84

iTunes Card To purchase apps for iPad devices $100

EiE Teacher Manual & Classroom Kits for Grades K-5 (total of 6 kits)

Teacher manuals (6 @ $50 each), Classroom story packs (10 each grade level @ $8 each), Materials pack (6 @ $350 each)

$2480

STEM Classroom Materials Additional materials for STEM lessons, activities, and projects

$500

STEM for Girls Summer Camp Materials

STEM materials for lessons, activities & projects $500

iPad Mini 3 64G (5) Educator pricing (5 @ $479 each) $2395

Gumdrop Drop Tech Case (5) for iPad Mini

Protective case for each device (5 @ $49.95 each) $249.75

Toshiba CB35-B3340 13.3-Inch Chromebook 2

One year warranty included (5 @ $329 each) $1645

Tier 1 Total $11,524.58

�6STEMpowered NH

Amy Gentile-Cantone January 2015

Tier 2 Item Description Projected Cost

Lego We Do STEM Classroom Pack

These packs include one WeDo Construction Set for every two students, the WeDo Activity Pack and Software with Site License, plus the WeDo STEM Expansion Activity Pack.

$764.95

Apple Care Plan $5 @ $99 each $495

MakerBot Replicator Mini 3D printer

Printer ($1375) & Warranty ($150) , Filament (12 for $200)

$1725

MOS EiE Curriculum Refill Kits One refill for each purchased classroom kit (6 @ $250)

$1500

TIer 2 Total $4484.95

Tier 1 & 2 Total $16,009.53

�7STEMpowered NH