Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...
Creating a STEM School District
1. Creating a STEM School
District
Brian Day
Everett School District
K-12 STEM Science Specialist
2. Today
• Everett District STEM Model Overview
• Highlight possible inroads to quality STEM education
3. Imagine….
The class of 2025 (this year’s kindergarteners) will be the
first class to graduate with 13 years of coordinated STEM
learning experiences.
4. STEM School District
Imagine you were tasked to design a STEM School District.
1. What would it look like?
2. Why did you make the choices you made?
3. What do you need to learn?
5. Our Iceberg is Melting
• Creating urgency
• Guiding Team
• Selling the vision
• Empowering others
• Creating a new culture
• "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the
past or present are certain to miss the future.
• " -Kennedy
7. Many, many definitions of STEM?
Is it….
• Science Technology Engineering and Math
• Quality science education
• Integration of the disciplines
• Career Training in STEM fields
• Problem solving
• Something else…..
9. Goals for STEM Education
• Goal 3. Increase STEM literacy for all students, including those
who do not pursue STEM-related careers or additional study in
the STEM disciplines.
• Goal 2. Expand the STEM-capable workforce and broaden the
participation of women and minorities in that workforce.
• Goal 1. Expand the number of students who ultimately pursue
advanced degrees and careers in STEM fields and broaden the
participation of women and minorities in those fields.
National Research Council (NRC), (2011). Successful K-
12 STEM Education: Identifying Effective Approaches in
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
10. STEM Mission Statement
Not to just open the
door, but to keep the
door open to a STEM
future for all students
Ensure that each student experiences
high quality, challenging, and integrated
STEM learning opportunities in
preparation for college, career and life.
11. A STEM program
includes:
• A set of special STEM classes
• Classes for selected high-
performing STEM students
• A STEM magnet school or
program
• Special “STEM” lessons in
some classes.
STEM district
A STEM district includes:
• Embedded, systemic
instruction which ensures each
child is prepared for a STEM
future
• The application of 21st century
skills across the
curriculum, which provides
multiple learning experiences
• Each student being provided
STEM literacy and skills
important to learning in all
content areas
14. STEM Program Monitoring
• Quickly read over the elements and check off where your
STEM efforts are at this time.
• (4 minutes)
• Share valuable insights with your elbow partners
• ( ½ minute each)
16. Balanced STEM
Extended day
opportunities
K-12 Inquiry-based science
curriculum
Integrated with ELA and
Math and CTE
Including district common
assessments/materials
support/
Transition to college and career
AP/College in the HS/Tech Prep
Professional Development support
Initial use (new to district or grade level), ongoing
implementation, Observing Evidence of Learning (OEL)
CTE/STEM certification, regional STEM training:
Externships, STEM Fellows program.
Providing
a STEM
future for
each
student
Administrative and
community
support
17. • Everett Public Schools strategic goals
• 1.1 Each student graduates ready for
college and career with 21st century
skills
• 1.2 Each student has equitable access to
rigorous curriculum with common
learning outcomes and assessments
STEM District
STEM
Learning for Life
18. STEM systems approach
Identify current K-12 math and science courses,
units, or lessons that already include STEM
elements, and increase integration with application
of knowledge, business and industry experience,
career connections, and student leadership.
STEM
Learning for Life
19. STEM systems approach
Step 1
Identify STEM middle and high school
classes that integrate CTE standards and
strategies with science/math, then aligned and
enhanced these courses to match CTE
Frameworks and new Science/Math Standards
• Coordinated Science / Technology Foundations (all
9th grade students take this course)
• Physics by Design (replaced Physics)
• Anatomy and Physiology (modified to include Heath
careers focus)
• 7th-grade science (Populations and Ecosystems,
Human Body Systems) (modified to fit career
pathway)
• 8th-grade science (Energy, Machines and Motion)
STEM
Learning for Life
20. STEM systems approach
• Newly developed CTE-STEM courses
• Middle school Robotics
• AP Environmental Science
• Environmental Systems Design
• Engineering/Science Research
• Biotechnology
• CTE-STEM Courses under development
• Middle School Science of Flight (update)
• High School Robotics
• Engineering the Future
• Applications in Mathematical Reasoning
• AP Statistics (update)
Step 2
Used CTE frameworks and Science Standards/Common Core Math
standards in development of new courses
21. Content CTE/STEM
Course Title (grade
level)
Notes
AP/College in the
HS (CIHS)
Pathway
Comments
Science (req.) K-5 Science modules Update program w/
Engineering is Elementary
Math (req) K-5 Math program New adoption 13/14
Science (req.)
(7 and 8)
CTE/STEM
MS 6-8 Science
modules
Biotech/Eng-
Manufact/Env.Tech
Strong inquiry and design
components
Science CTE/STEM MS Robotics Elective Eng-Manufact Tech 4 of 5 MS 12/13
All MS 13/14
Science CTE/STEM MS New STEM elective Eng-Manufact Tech Possible Aerospace
field test 13/14
Math 6-8 Required Compacting adv. classes to
enable to take Alg in HS
Math Algebra Required Offered MS and in HS
Math Geometry Required
Math Alg II Required
Science (req.) Biology
Required
algebra-based/Lab Sci Incorporating biotech in
course
Science Chemistry (11/12) algebra-based/Lab sci
Science (req.)
CTE/STEM
Coordinated Science (9)
1. Required
algebra-based/Lab Sci
Eng-Manufact/Env
Tech
Introduced engineering
design 13/14
Science
CTE/STEM AP Environmental
Science
algebra-based/Lab Sci CIHS/ AP Env Tech
Science
CTE/STEM Environmental Systems
Design
2. algebra-based/Lab Sci AP Env Tech
Science AP Biology 3. algebra-based/Lab Sci AP (CIHS?) CIHS if chemistry required
as prerequisite
Science AP Chemistry 4. algebra-based/Lab Sci AP
Science AP Physics 5. algebra-based/Lab Sci AP
Science
CTE/STEM
Anatomy /Physiology
6. algebra-based/Lab Sci
CIHS
Health career
pathway
Science
CTE/STEM
Physics By Design
7. algebra-based/Lab sci
Quantitative math
Eng-Manufact Tech
Science
CTE/STEM Intro Science and
Engineering Research
8. algebra-based/Lab sci
Quantitative math
STEM pathway
Science CTE/STEM Biotechnology (13/14) 9. algebra-based/Lab sci CIHS Bio Tech Field test 13/14
Technology
Engineering
CTE/STEM (13/14)
Engineering the Future
10. algebra-based/Lab
Quantitative Math
Eng-Manufact Tech
Field test 13/14
Technology
Engineering
CTE/STEM
(13/14) Robotics
algebra-based/Lab
Quantitative Math
Eng-Manufact Tech
Technology
Engineering
CTE
UW IT Engineering 11. Quantitative Math CHIS (UW) Computer Sci
Technology
Engineering
CTE AP Computer
Programing
12. Quantitative Math (?) AP Computer Sci
Health
Sciences
CTE
Sports Medicine 13.
Tech Prep
(Lk Wa Tech)
Health pathway
Health
Sciences
CTE Certified Nursing
Assistant (14/15)
14.
Possible CHIS or
Tech Prep
Health pathway
Math CTE/STEM
(13/14 ?)
AP Statistics Quantitative Math CIHS/AP STEM pathway Currently devel
frameworks
Math
CTE/STEM
(14/15 ?)
Applications in
Mathematical
Reasoning
Quantitative Math CIHS STEM pathway
(13/14)
Math Pre Calculus Quantitative Math CIHS STEM pathway
Math Calculus/AP Calculus Quantitative Math CIHS STEM pathway
22. Rich District Professional Development Program including:
• CTE/STEM certification
CTE certification classes held locally,
fully supported with tuition and release time
• Observing Evidence of Learning
cross district collaborative PLC
that focuses on content
instruction and assessment
Regional STEM collaboration
• Externships Industry externships provide
professional development, hands-on
experience in the industry area and
follow-up training during the year
• STEM Fellows multi disciplinary teams,
including industry and higher education representatives work
collaborative to transform existing lessons
to include STEM elements
STEM building professional capacity
STEM
Learning for Life
23. New opportunities for excitement,
enthusiasm, passion and skill-building
necessary to develop STEM literacy and
interest in STEM careers
• Engineering is
Elementary
• Robotics elective at
middle schools
• Engineering/Science
research class
• Environmental Systems
Design
• Physics by Design
• Biotechnology
STEM expanding student opportunities
STEM
Learning for Life
24. STEM extended day opportunities
High school
Imagine the Future
Science and Engineering Research
Competition Technical Student Association
(TSA)
Environmental Student Groups
Skills USA
Boeing afterschool math and science
Engineers provide up 36 hours science and
math
over the course of the year.
Robotics
Elementary
Middle school –
North, Heatherwood, Gateway
High school FIRST Robotics –
Jackson, Cascade
STEM
Learning for Life
33. (Try to) stop being a prisoner
of a prisoner of time…
34. Engage in
argument from
evidence
Construct viable
arguments and
critique the
reasoning of
others
Write
arguments to
support claims
with clear
reasons and
relevant
evidence
Overlaps in CC State Standards & NGSS
37. STEM Tips….
Systemic approach to STEM
Focus on outcomes
Appeal to strong pedagogy
Connect with Common Core
Identify what has already been done
Empower others to act
Don’t make STEM something separate –
connect to what is already there
Who is in the audience?Are there some big questions that you have? Reoccurring questions? Took overview of Everett
To get into the context of the model I am presenting you, you really need to think about the big problem. Imagine if you were tasked with this problem. What is it going to take?
No matter what model you choose, you are initially faced with this problem. We were also. We had a grant from Boeing through Washington Association of Better schools to pull a team together to research this question. We researched districts, schools, and states that have taken a STEM approach . We were all building understanding, put we all had different perspectives depending on where we came from. Mistake: We have to have a unified, solid definition of STEM before we can move forward. In other words, we have to come to agree of what STEM is.
Career and Technical Education may define it as career skills/training. Elementary school person may say that it is hands on/project base. A science person might say that it NGSS.Somebody is going to say that it should be STEAM. STEAMR. Usually if you are with a like group, you can come up with a common definition. This is unlikely in a school system.
I don’t try to make the case through STEM pedogological theoryI don’t talk about outocomes. If you are going to do it systemically, you have to focus on the outcoems first, and then ask how are you going to get there.
Nobody can argue with these. Thought experiment. Backwards by design This creates a sense of URGENCY.
We can embed STEM in our curriculum w/o adding to the work, but rather by changing the work. This move will help us coordinate Common Core, 21st Century skills, and science standards implementation. The work will help de-silo the curriculum
Since we were dedicated to making a STEM program for ALL students, we needed to be clear about what this would look like.
Conditions necessary for these to happen.
If you want those outcomes and thoselemets in place,
If we are going to have a district wide STEM program K-12 there had to be a comprehensive approach. It can’t be just an extension of CTE classes, a commitment to early science education, or the inclusion of industry. Next couple of slides will describe this
Carl (slides 18-26 avoid extensive elaboration)The program is highly aligned with the letter and spirit of Everett’s strategic plan
Current state science standards include Inquiry and application (engineering designIs included in this), our current elementary, middle school, and high school science Instructional materials include opportunitiesfor integrated STEM lessons.
Notes from 10/15 Meeting: (integrate this story) Science came to the table inquiry and application. CTE had leadership and industry connections. We merged because the state changes the rulesAs a result we get a better science, CTE, and Math class.
CarlSSCC– coordinated to offered classes in Everett for Everett STEM teachers, planning to work with SSCC to tailor required courses to meet needs of experienced math and science teachers becoming CTE STEM certified. Example of benefits: anatomy physiology class at CHS—Intentional career connections are added. Every student in the class has an interest in a medical field but most do not have clear idea of the pathway. Biology content will introduced through the perspective of medical professionals. The class is enhanced by the inclusion of the professionals in related careers: 2 year and 4 year college will visit early in the year, as well as medical professionals all during the year. In October an ultrasound technician will talk during the histology unit.
Here are the schools in the Everett SD participating in the fall session of the Boeing After School Program: 4-5 MathJefferson ElementaryForest View ElementaryWoodside ElementaryMill Creek Elementary 6-8 ScienceEvergreen MSEisenhower MS 4-5 ScienceCedar Wood ElementaryWoodside ElementaryMill Creek ElementaryWhittier ElementaryPenny Creek ElementaryGarfield Elementary
Many of the pathways include support for postsecondary transition Authentic Student internship opportunitiesCollege in the HSIndustry CertificationTech PrepAP
Bob focus on cohort model and foundation for moving from inquiry to STEM
That is what we did last year and will continue to do. I am beginning work on two new ideas.
A true PLC focused on advocacy and grassroots infusion of the STEM vision. Build an army Teacher Leaders
There is a huge push to integrate, but not a whole lot of knowledge on how to do this. For example, 21st Century skills are very important, but I have never gone to a workshop that addressed how how you teach creativity in science or math. Industry standards need to be intentionally addressed in CTE-Science courses. How do you do this?
In other words argue that we need rigours classrooms, and STEM is an excellent for forum for this.
"you know what happens when you assume something? the ones that have it, will have it. Those who don't, never will" - Ohkee those that have the background and ability will get it.
There is TPEP, Common Core ELA, Common Core Math. It is difficult to compete. Science is definitely important. Especially if we think about the outcomes.
“-because of the emphasis of math common core and math science is being eroded. do not let the literacy standards mandate how science is taught. but, there are things in the literacy standards to help them learn science. science teachers do need to understand what it about since texts that make it hard to read.”
