STEM Certification Work at Sagamore
Dave Allen Barker Jr
Myself and two other parents were invited to sit in on the first
monthly meeting of the school year regarding Sagamore's pursuit of
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) certification. I
was very impressed with what I saw, and you can get an impression
of what some of it is about by viewing the attached pdf scan of
the first few pages handed out at the meeting. Hat's off to Ms.
Miller and all the teachers putting in so much time and effort to
make Sagamore, "be more", in this way.
To stay in the loop, subscribe to the fledgling Sagamore STEM
discussion group.
- Email stem+su...@groups.sagamorehillspta.org
- Reply to the confirmation email (don't follow the link (blue
botton))
Marilyn Ratzel
Maxime Coursey
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to stem+uns...@groups.sagamorehillspta.org.
Marilyn Ratzel
Dave Allen Barker Jr
Principal Taylor, Ms. Miller, or others at the school, can you
please answer (or provide pointers to answer) the question
quoted bellow? Please reply-all to include the Sagamore STEM
discussion group ( st...@groups.sagamorehillspta.org ). Thanks!
Here's a quote I like from the old Sagamore Hills ES website
hosted DeKalb County Schools from last year (the current site is
completely different):
The long range goal of STEM education is to prepare students for a full range of college and career options, including aspiring to become the next generation of scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians. Beginning at the elementary level we will build the knowledge and skills students need, including creativity, communication, and problem solving skills. We will integrate the disciplines of STEM in all content areas. Our students will engage in real-world collaborative problem solving activities.
What does STEM look like in the classroom for the students?
- Asking questions and defining problems
- Planning and carrying out investigations
- Analyzing and interpreting data
- Using information and critical thinking assisted by technology
- Constructing explanations and designing solutions
- Gathering, evaluating, and communicating information
Research tells us that students learn best when encouraged to construct their own knowledge of the world around them. Through an integrated approach to STEM education focused on real- world, authentic problems, students learn to reflect on the problem-solving process. Students at Sagamore Hills Elementary will experience projects that involve solving authentic problems, working with others, and building real solutions.
MELANIE MILLER
I am sorry that I am a little bit late getting back to you all. We just
finished up an AWESOME STEM day, and I am positive that all of the kids
had a wonderful time!
The information that Dave pulled is perfect in describing the "why". I
want to provide you with a little more information as well. The
Sagamore's STEM certification will be whole-school. There is an option to
just get certain programs in a school certified, but that is usually
geared more towards high schools. I encourage you all to go to
stemgeorgia.org and you can see the rubric and application for elementary
schools. The rubric even contains examples of things that they will be
looking for when they come out to visit Sagamore for certification. In
terms of instruction, STEM is a school-wide initiative. Classroom
teachers have been getting professional development training on exactly
how to implement STEM in the classroom on a regular basis. We will be
using Engineering is Elementary (EIE) kits this year school-wide. These
EIE kits are wonderful in taking STEM and making sure that it is utilized
throughout the curriculum. Our professional development trainer, Hannah,
also has other units that she is sharing with all of us to implement in
the classroom that were developed based on a strong STEM foundation. We
are also going to be adding some new voluntary clubs based largely around
STEM. Be on the lookout for more information about these clubs soon!
I hope that this answers your questions! If not, please feel free to
email me at any point! Have a great weekend!
Melanie Miller
Discovery-Grades 2, 3, and 5
Sagamore Hills Elementary School
Melanie...@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
http://millerdiscovery.weebly.com
Dave Allen Barker Jr
Even better, email Ms. Miller AND the stem group ( st...@groups.sagamorehillspta.org ) so that we all hear the Q&A (and Ms. Miller won't have to repeat herself ☺). Thanks, Ms. Miller!
On 09/05/2014 02:24 PM, MELANIE MILLER wrote:
Dave Allen Barker Jr
There is now a STEM section of the Sagamore PTA webiste.
http://sagamorehillspta.org/stem
I will gladly show anyone how to change/update/improve that
section of the website—just let me know.
On 09/09/2014 10:51 AM, MELANIE MILLER wrote:
Hey Dave, I was asked this morning in School Council if the STEM timeline could be put up on the PTA website. I was told to contact you about doing so. :) Would you mind adding it? Thanks! Melanie Miller Discovery-Grades 2, 3, and 5 Sagamore Hills Elementary School Melanie...@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us http://millerdiscovery.weebly.com