Teaching STEM

The ability to make connections involves a process of connecting prior knowledge to new knowledge and experiences.

The process of sorting involves grouping objects or events according to their similarities whereas the process of classifying involves grouping objects or events into pre-determined groups.

Comparing and contrasting are ways of looking at things to determine how they are alike and how they are different.

The skill of recording data involves the documenting of data and observations in a variety of forms in order to preserve it for later use.

The skill of working safely involves students taking responsibility for their own safe participation, and the safety of others, during Inquiries and Design & Build challenges.

Analyzing data is a process of looking for patterns in data that has been collected through inquiry and figuring out about what the patterns might mean. Interpreting the data is a process of trying to explain the patterns that were discovered.

Working collaboratively is the act of working effectively with other students and/or adults within diverse groupings. It is an essential part of conducting science.

Communication is the act or process of using words, sounds, signs, and/or behaviors to express or exchange information or to express ideas, thoughts, feelings, etc., to someone else.

The skill of using appropriate vocabulary involves exploring new vocabulary in context and developing the ability to use vocabulary to communicate thinking and learning.

Reflecting is a process whereby students use critical thinking skills to look back on a learning experience in terms of things that went well and areas where there may be room for growth/change.

A prototype is a working model that is used to test a design solution and is typically what is built or created during a student “Design & Build” challenge.

A design plan lays out ways in which students will develop and test the agreed-upon solution to a Design & Build challenge.

When searching for a solution to a design problem in the Design & Build process, many different ideas should be considered. Students may generate ideas to solve problems independently as well as in small and large groups.

The first step in the Design & Build process is the identification of the key problem to be solved or need to be addressed.

This strategy helps students communicate data and information through the creation of infographics.