STEM....
Science Technology Engineering Math
She Teaches Excited Munchkins
Some Times Everything Miraculously {works}
Some Times Even Mrs.Meares {wants to cry}
S.T.E.M -- these 4 little letters have so much meaning. I teach S.T.E.M.
For the past 3 years I have had the privilege to teach STEM to 3rd graders at P.E.S. I am very fortunate to be have the opportunity to teach science standards in a project based environment. Last year, PES became the first Project Lead the Way Launch school in ASD1. I have fallen in love with this program and the modules. My kiddos absolutely loved the 2 modules we completed last year and I am super excited that I get to teach 4 modules this year.
To say that my classroom is extraordinary is probably true. We have driven Sphero robotic balls all over the building. We have programmed Legos to move using Lego We Do technology. We have designed shoes for extreme habitats. We have created solutions to forgetting the cooler and needing to keep Popsicles frozen. I may or may not have worn the paper chains that my classes created as a boa/scarf. But the most important thing we have learned is to think. To think hard. To think about more than one solution. To think again when our first idea didn't work.
{One of the many posters that hangs on my wall}
Project Based Learning and STEM is not for the faint of heart. My room is a disaster some days. 5 classes worth of projects in progress are scattered about. I have been to know to sweep as students are working because my room looks like a tornado has blow through. Students are scattered about. No one is doing the same thing at the same time. Organized chaos at its finest. And I am somewhere in the room---I will never forget the time last year when Mr. E, our AP, walked in {unknown to me} and said "Where is Mrs. Meares?" One kiddo replies "Over there somewhere with that group." Yep, I was in the floor with my glue gun helping a group :)
Helping students understand that mistakes happen and not everything works the first time is the hardest part of my job. Teaching students to think for themselves is such a shift in how teachers do things. Students are used to teachers giving them new knowledge. {There is nothing wrong with this. We must teach students new knowledge} My focus and way of teaching has changed-- I have learned to step back and not give all the answers. My job is no longer instructor; I am the facilitator. I provide you with the tools and the knowledge to figure out the solution to the problem on your own. {This is not an easy task. Tears have been shed--by me and them}
Without a doubt I can say that I have found my passion {again} in education.
I LOVE MY JOB!!!
Last week I was honored to be on Fox Carolina as they highlighted new programs in ASD1. I am so excited about the future of STEM education at PES. Here is the link...
One new thing I am super excited about this year is bringing more reading into my classroom. Here is a glimpse at the new STEM books that I just received. I am sure there will be some future blog posts about these amazing books.
Make this week Super, Terrific, Extraordinary, & Magnificent.
Hope
P.S. Syd and I are presenting at SC Ed Tech in Nov. We would love to see our fellow teachers at our session on how we transformed our tech PD. #jointhemoovement
