STEM in Primary

STEM in Primary
A blog for those interested in primary school STEM education

Saturday 27 May 2017

STEM in the Classroom

Stuff this week - STEM in the Classroom

In the last year I have started an extra-curricular STEM program at my girls' school. It is very popular with all sessions filling up as soon as they are made available and we have a great group of volunteers to run the one hour sessions. Whilst this is fantastic and shows the level of interest from kids and parents it was not my original pitch to the school.
Originally I had proposed that the school embrace STEM in the classroom. This was motivated from reading articles such as “Calls mount for primary school teacher STEM focus”, “Transforming STEM teaching in Australian primary schools: everybody’s business” and “Making STEM a primary priority”. I also became aware of a variety of primary schools around Australia doing great things such as “Gordon East Public School”, “Rostrata Primary School” and “Iona Primary School.”
Last weekend my family went to Bulimba State School for their inaugural STEAM Expo. It was a great day out and was interesting talking to the leaders at this school. Their programs have been strongly encouraged by the parent body. They have a P&C STEAM sub-committee who organise events at the school and work with the school's leadership team to shape the strategic plans for integrating STEAM education principles into every classroom. It was evident that sound planning is essential but also how progress can be slow.
In April an article in USNEWS showed that the desire to get STEM into the classroom is a global issue and an organisation called IGNITE MY FUTURE has been created with the goal of getting more STEM teaching practices into USA schools. 
It is already Australian Government policy to restore the focus on STEM in schools and the Queensland Government is fast-tracking the Digital Technologies Curriculum in State Schools yet despite this there are only pockets of educators discussing what can be done. Schools are just not taking the initiative to develop a plan. Based on the Bulimba State School experience I believe that unless many parents start asking questions about what the school is going to do to improve STEM teaching then change will remain anaemic. The answer to these questions must have SMART goals with measurable outcomes. Our kids need no less.
Share
Tweet
+1
Pin
Forward

Stuff in the news

Australians need to ‘wake up’ to the robot threat - Millions of Australians are destined for the unemployment queue if they don’t “wake up” to the robot revolution, warns futurist Shara Evans. An article from news.com.au 4 May 2017

Stuff to buy

Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine -  Ada Lovelace, the daughter of the famous romantic poet, Lord Byron, develops her creativity through science and math. Beautifully written and illustrated.
Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code - The picture book biography of Grace Hopper—the boundary-breaking woman who revolutionized computer science.
12 Inspiring STEM Books for Girls - An article from Edutopia 15 May 2017.
*At this point in time I earn no money from any product I list and I am not affiliated with any other company.

Stuff in education

Coding: Drones could close 'huge skill gap' for high school students, teacher says- An article from The Sydney Morning Herald 22 April 2017
Report urges educators to integrate STEM in pre-K - An article fromEducationDive 22 May 2017

Stuff to do Australia Wide

Australian STEM Video Game Challenge - For grades 5+.The Australian STEM Video Game Challenge will ask participants to develop games in response to a central theme or idea. Registration open 1 May and submissions close 25 August.
Young ICT Explorers -  A non-profit competition, which has been created by SAP to encourage school students to create their best Information and Communication Technology (ICT) related projects. Registrations are OPEN. See the YouTube video here!
CSIRO CREST Program - CREativity in Science and Technology. Engage your students with open-ended science investigations and technology projects through the CREST program.
Edutech 2017 - EduTECH is the LARGEST education event in Asia-Pac and the Southern Hemisphere. 7-9 June 2017 in Sydney.
National Science Week - Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology and thousands of individuals – from students, to scientists to chefs and musicians – get involved, taking part in more than 1000 science events across the nation. 12 - 20 August 2017
- - -
Young Engineers Australia - Provides an engaging, hands-on learning platform using LEGO® and K’nex® assembly kits
CoderDojo - A volunteer run programming club
Code Club Australia - A network of coding clubs for kids aged 9 to 11.

Stuff to do in Brisbane

Robotronica 2017 - Robotronica is a groundbreaking one-day event showcasing the latest developments in robotics and interactive design. QUT's The Cube 20 August 2017 
- - -
Brisbane Library Service has purchased the very flash NAO Robot and is showing it off in various libraries.
The Cube at QUT has a number of changing programs. 
Brisbane Planetarium - Features entertaining and informative shows for adults and children
STEAMPUNX - Not to be confused with the organisation above! Offers in-school and out of school workshop programs
Flying Fox Studios - A studio offering programs in the arts, music and construction areas from babies to teenagers in Brisbane
It's Rocket Science School Incursions - Educational and fully interactive project based rocket science incursions for primary and secondary schools in a safe and empowering learning environment.

Saturday 20 May 2017

Augmented Reality in the Classroom

Stuff this week - Augmented Reality in the Classroom

I was excited to read in the news this week that Canberra Grammar is the first school in the world to trial Augmented Reality in the classroom using Microsoft Hololens. Its great to see Australia leading the world in using edtech to enhance and redefine the learning process.
In case you don't know the difference, augmented reality is where computer generated images are overlaid on the real world. This differs from virtual reality when the user is completely immersed in the computer generated world. Personally I believe that augmented reality will find a greater use in the classroom.
This is not to say that virtual reality is a non-starter. Google has recently made their Google Expeditions application available to all. With hundreds of places to explore if you have a phone, a tablet and a cheap headmount for the phone (like the sub-$20 Google Cardboard) then you are good to go. My girls have been on many an expedition around the world and the solar system! The problem for schools is the cost of entry is high as they will likely need to purchase 20+ phones.
This is not the same with augmented reality. Whilst Canberra Grammar is trialing Microsoft Hololens which starts at $4300 you can also get some great outcomes with tablet based apps. Schools typically already have iPads so they can jump straight in with some awesome free software. In my schools after-school STEM club we have used 4D elements which takes paper cubes with one of the periodic elements printed on each face and changes that into a transparent cube with the element inside when viewed through the app.The company also make another app called 4D anatomy. Another app aimed specifically at younger children is Chromville which has a series of science based experiences amongst others. Lastly, Aurasma is an app that allows you to make your own augmented reality experiences for the classroom.
Augmented reality and virtual reality are not new ways to teach per se. What they do is provide an extremely engaging way of introducing lessons or topics. It allows for the redefinition of the way a lesson is delivered which is exactly what edtech should be doing (rather than just being another way to do the same thing). It also encourages communication (one of the 4 Cs) as the students are immersed in and then discuss this amazing blend of the real and computer generated worlds.
What innovative things is your school doing in the classroom with edtech? If they aren't using augmented reality then show them how easy it is to get started!
Share
Tweet
+1
Pin
Forward

Stuff in the news

Australian students being taught via hologram - Australian students are being taught via hologram in a revolutionary world first that is being trialled at a Canberra school.An article from news.com.au 3 May 2017
Making the Grade: State’s first STEAM-certified school energizes kids - In the USA many states have a STEM or STEAM certification programs for schools. This article discusses the positive benefits fpr all learning by taking this approach. An article from ajc.com 25 April 2017

Stuff to buy

DFRobot's BOSON Kit: Powerful Building Blocks For LEGO STEM - This is being funded through Kickstarter. So if Littlebits are too expensive and you missed out on the Makeblock Neuron then this might be a good option. 
iMicroscope R - Bring a Microscope with Your Phone - Another Kickstarter campaign. A nice handy microscopic tool - Solid, easy lens switching with dedicated APP, perfect for either education or professional applications. 
*At this point in time I earn no money from any product I list and I am not affiliated with any other company.

Stuff in education

STEM in the Primary Classroom: 4 Ways Educators are Acclimating to STEM Education - An article discussing how teachers can move to incorporate more STEM activities in their classroom. 8 January 2015

Stuff to do Australia Wide

Australian STEM Video Game Challenge - For grades 5+.The Australian STEM Video Game Challenge will ask participants to develop games in response to a central theme or idea. Registration open 1 May and submissions close 25 August.
Young ICT Explorers -  A non-profit competition, which has been created by SAP to encourage school students to create their best Information and Communication Technology (ICT) related projects. Registrations are OPEN. See the YouTube video here!
CSIRO CREST Program - CREativity in Science and Technology. Engage your students with open-ended science investigations and technology projects through the CREST program.
Edutech 2017 - EduTECH is the LARGEST education event in Asia-Pac and the Southern Hemisphere. 7-9 June 2017 in Sydney.
National Science Week - Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology and thousands of individuals – from students, to scientists to chefs and musicians – get involved, taking part in more than 1000 science events across the nation. 12 - 20 August 2017
- - -
Young Engineers Australia - Provides an engaging, hands-on learning platform using LEGO® and K’nex® assembly kits
CoderDojo - A volunteer run programming club
Code Club Australia - A network of coding clubs for kids aged 9 to 11.

Stuff to do in Brisbane

STEAM EXPO – A Festival of Education for the Future. This event is being held on the 21st May from 9.30am – 5pm. Entry is FREE. 14 different workshops $25-$50 each. Bulimba State School.
Robotronica 2017 - Robotronica is a groundbreaking one-day event showcasing the latest developments in robotics and interactive design. QUT's The Cube 20 August 2017 
- - -
Brisbane Library Service has purchased the very flash NAO Robot and is showing it off in various libraries.
The Cube at QUT has a number of changing programs. 
Brisbane Planetarium - Features entertaining and informative shows for adults and children
STEAMPUNX - Not to be confused with the organisation above! Offers in-school and out of school workshop programs
Flying Fox Studios - A studio offering programs in the arts, music and construction areas from babies to teenagers in Brisbane
It's Rocket Science School Incursions - Educational and fully interactive project based rocket science incursions for primary and secondary schools in a safe and empowering learning environment.

Saturday 13 May 2017

Project Based Learning

Stuff this week - Project Based Learning

Typically the school day consists of a number of individual lessons such as 9am maths, 10am science etc. The lessons have no relationship with each other and this approach has no relationship with real life. In your work, for any given task, you might use your maths and english knowledge and use your skills of communication, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking. You don't use one skill at a time. Why the disconnect? Regardless of the answer to that question it doesn't have to be this way.
There is an approach collectively known as "Inquiry Based Learning" which allows for students to use a variety of skills to solve a problem or project. It takes on a variety of different names (eg. Project or Problem based learning), due mainly to slightly different focus, but the core idea is of giving students a problem where they need to use a variety of skills to solve.
Sometimes this will involve being given a driving question (eg. What is the weather like on Planet X) which will drive the activities throughout the school day. In science they will learn how to measure various weather parameters, in english they will write the script for the weather report, in art they will build the set for the broadcast and in maths they will work out how long it will take the information to reach earth. The end goal is allowing the students to work out the best way to express a unique, rich answer to the question.
These sorts of projects provide authentic reasons for the kids to work collaboratively. This allows those expensive laptops to be actually put to good use instead of being simply a search engine interface and word processor. Google Docs for example allows multiple editors to work simultaneously on the one document (colour coded cursors show who is doing what) while the teacher monitors all this activity and can provide real time feedback.
These ideas are not new. It is derived from the work of John Dewey and dates back to William Kilpatrick, who first used the term in 1918. The Buck Institute of Education, is the pre-eminent organisation devoted to this approach and they see project-based learning as a broad category which, as long as there is an extended "project" at the heart of it, could take several forms or be a combination of:
  • Designing and/or creating a tangible product, performance or event
  • Solving a real-world problem (may be simulated or fully authentic)
  • Investigating a topic or issue to develop an answer to an open-ended question
There are schools in Australia which use this approach and the NSW Department of Education encourages it. Is your school looking at this approach? A good STEM project is a great start. 
Share
Tweet
+1
Pin
Forward

Stuff in the news

Budget 2017: STEM education in rural Australia gains AU$30m - AU$24 million will fund STEM and health scholarships for regional students, while AU$6 million will be used to trial digital apps to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's literacy.
Encouraging Girls To Stay In STEM - An article from the UK Huffington Post 8 May 2017
Girl Scouts CEO urges young girls to be fearless in science - An article from CNBC 8 May 2017

Stuff to buy

National Geographic - Break Open Geodes Science Kit - Geology doesn’t get more exciting then breaking open rocks and finding crystal treasures!
*At this point in time I earn no money from any product I list and I am not affiliated with any other company.

Stuff in education

Forget the 3Rs: Modern schools need to embrace the 4Cs - Imagine a school where the teachers are really developing skills in innovation. An article from The Sydney Morning Herald 7 March 2017.
8 Examples of Transforming Lessons Through the SAMR Cycle - An article from Emerging EdTech in 2015 but some great ideas about technology can transform lessons.
15 Characteristics of a 21st-Century Teacher - An article from Edutopia 20 February 2015.
What the Heck Is Inquiry-Based Learning? - Inquiry-based learning is more than asking a student what he or she wants to know. It’s about triggering curiosity. An article from Edutopia 11 August 2016.

Stuff to do Australia Wide

Australian STEM Video Game Challenge - For grades 5+.The Australian STEM Video Game Challenge will ask participants to develop games in response to a central theme or idea. Registration open 1 May and submissions close 25 August.
Young ICT Explorers -  A non-profit competition, which has been created by SAP to encourage school students to create their best Information and Communication Technology (ICT) related projects. Registrations are OPEN. See the YouTube video here!
CSIRO CREST Program - CREativity in Science and Technology. Engage your students with open-ended science investigations and technology projects through the CREST program.
Edutech 2017 - EduTECH is the LARGEST education event in Asia-Pac and the Southern Hemisphere. 7-9 June 2017 in Sydney.
National Science Week - Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology and thousands of individuals – from students, to scientists to chefs and musicians – get involved, taking part in more than 1000 science events across the nation. 12 - 20 August 2017
- - -
Young Engineers Australia - Provides an engaging, hands-on learning platform using LEGO® and K’nex® assembly kits
CoderDojo - A volunteer run programming club
Code Club Australia - A network of coding clubs for kids aged 9 to 11.

Stuff to do in Brisbane

STEAM EXPO – A Festival of Education for the Future. This event is being held on the 21st May from 9.30am – 5pm. Entry is FREE. 14 different workshops $25-$50 each. Bulimba State School.
Robotronica 2017 - Robotronica is a groundbreaking one-day event showcasing the latest developments in robotics and interactive design. QUT's The Cube 20 August 2017 
- - -
Brisbane Library Service has purchased the very flash NAO Robot and is showing it off in various libraries.
The Cube at QUT has a number of changing programs. 
Brisbane Planetarium - Features entertaining and informative shows for adults and children
STEAMPUNX - Not to be confused with the organisation above! Offers in-school and out of school workshop programs
Flying Fox Studios - A studio offering programs in the arts, music and construction areas from babies to teenagers in Brisbane
It's Rocket Science School Incursions - Educational and fully interactive project based rocket science incursions for primary and secondary schools in a safe and empowering learning environment.