STEM 123 Full STEM Ahead:

Integrating STEM into the Classroom

Instructors:

Katie Campbell klrollins1106@gmail.com

Chris Humphries humphreys.cd@gmail.com

Sarah Tolson sarah.d.tolson@gmail.com

Lindsay Tucker ltucker712@gmail.com

M.Ed. in Educational Technology Candidates University of South Carolina & USC Aiken

Educational Technology Program

Office Hours: Instructors are available through email contact, as well as the discussion board. Please allow twenty-four hours for response. Instructors will try to be available when assignments are due, but it is also your responsibility to plan accordingly, providing your instructors plenty of time to respond before a deadline.

Course Description: STEM 123, Full STEM Ahead: Integrating STEM into the Classroom, will explore what STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education is, the benefits and drawbacks to integrating STEM into the classroom setting, current STEM research, and encourage students to utilize research and strategies to improve their classroom teaching.

Course Credit: Three (3) semester hours graduate credit.

Class Meetings: All requirements will be completed through the CourseSites Full STEM Ahead page. There will be four recommended (but optional) meetings using CourseSites Live. (See course schedule.)

Intended audience: Classroom teachers in the K-12 or higher education setting interested in learning more about STEM integration through project-based learning.

Course rationale, goals, and objectives: This course provides an in-depth look at STEM and STEM integration, as well as statistics and benefits (Why STEM? - http://changetheequation.org/why-stem).

We will explore what STEM is, different variations of STEM, critique current research, find and assess resources, critique and design STEM lessons, and discuss STEM integration into the classroom/whole-school setting.

Goals: 1) To be knowledgeable about integrating STEM effectively in the classroom. 2) To explore resources for STEM integration. 3) To critically examine STEM research and STEM-based lessons. 4) To construct effective STEM-integrated project-based lessons.

Objectives: The candidate will 1) Identify, examine, and present available STEM resources for teachers and students. 2) Read and critique current STEM research studies. 3) Critique a lesson developed by another teacher and available on the web. 4) Design and develop a project-based lesson integrating STEM to be implemented in a classroom. 5) Research and design a proposal to share with a school or district about STEM integration.

Prerequisite Knowledge: Candidates are suggested to have familiarity with the internet and Web 2.0 tools. There are no previous course requirements for the Full STEM Ahead course.

Academic and Course Requirements: This course requires extensive interaction with classmates and the instructors through the internet, specifically through the Full Steam Ahead course site, discussion boards, wikis, and email, at a minimum. Students may also collaborate with each other through social tools such as Google Hangouts, Skype, etc.

Students should have experience with wikis, such as from Wikispaces, or be prepared to complete independent research to find tutorials to assist with creating and designing your wiki.

Students will also be required to use Web 2.0 tools and applications, such as programs like Jing, SlideShare, Scribd, Prezi, and other tools for online content delivery. You will need a

basic understanding of the internet, as well as have competent computer and communication skills.

This course will require students to collaborate through the use of project-based group activities. Each candidate is expected to be actively involved and participating in every aspect of group assignments. Candidates from this course come from different backgrounds and classrooms and have many experiences to share. By collaborating frequently and openly, you will have the opportunity to learn vastly from other candidates.

It is also an expectation for you to collaborate with your instructors. Instructors will provide frequent feedback, as well as return assignments and grades within one week.

Your tasks, assignments, and materials are presented in modules, as presented on the class schedule. All requirements are provided in the module, which is presented weekly (with the exception of one two-week long module).

You will create lessons that are relevant to your classrooms based upon the knowledge we gain through readings and discussions.

This course will follow all USC/USCA Course Policies. (http://bulletin.sc.edu/content.php? catoid=36&navoid=3736)

Administrative Course Requirements: 1) You must have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection. 2) All assignments must be completed according to directions and submitted in the way designated by the module instructions. 3) All assignments must be submitted by midnight the Friday that the module is due (see course schedule.) 4) If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability which might affect your performance in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Services Office. The Disability Services Office will determine accommodations.

Netiquette: Online Etiquette: 1) Respect others and their opinions. 2) Tone down your language. 3) Pick the right tone. 4) Keep a straight face. 5) Consider others privacy. 6) Avoid inappropriate material. 7) Be forgiving. 8) Think before you hit the send button. 9) Test for clarity. 10) Brevity is best. 11) Stick to the point. 12) Frivolous email. 13) Read first, write later. 14) Netspeak.

Netiquette was written by Madison College.

See elaborations on the Online

Etiquette Guide (http://madison college.edu/online-etiquette-

guide).

Required Readings:

National Academy of Engineering and National Research Council. STEM Integration in K-12 Education: Status, Prospects, and an Agenda for Research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2014.

National Research Council of the National Academics. Successful K-12 STEM Education: Identifying Effective Approaches in

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. National Academies Press, 2011.

Both texts are available as free PDF downloads on the Course Information page.

Recommended Reading & Resources: Recommended readings and resources can be found under the Resources section of the class site.

Evaluation: Grades are determined as a combination of your score on assignments. You are expected to participate in all discussions and group work. Your grade may be docked due to not meeting these expectations, as evaluated with rubrics and group evaluations. Late assignments will not be accepted.

Rubrics, or other assessment tools, will be provided in each module so that all requirements are known.

Each week, there will be an assigned reading. You will discuss the reading with your classmates on the discussion board. More information and instructions can be found on the discussion board, along with a discussion participation rubric.

180-200 points = A 140-159 points = C 170-179 points = B+ 121-139 points = D 160-169 points = B < = 120 points = F 150-159 points = C+

Readings for Discussion: Week Reading Possible Points

1

STEM Integration in K-12 Educ. Chapter 1: Introduction

10

2

STEM Integration in K-12 Educ. Chapter 2: A Descriptive Framework for

Integrated STEM Education 10

3 STEM Integration in K-12 Educ. Chapter 3: Integrated STEM Education Experiences:

Reviewing the Research 10

4 STEM Integration in K-12 Educ. Chapter 4: Implications of the Research for Designing

Integrated STEM Experiences 10

5 STEM Integration in K-12 Educ. Chapter 5: Context for Implementing Integrated STEM 10

6 STEM Integration in K-12 Educ. Chapter 6: Findings, Recommendations, and Research

Agenda 10

7

Successful K-12 STEM Education: Chapters 6 & 7: What Schools and Districts Can Do to Support Effective K-12 STEM Education &

What State and National Policy Makers Can Do to Support Effective K-12 STEM Education

10

8

Successful K-12 STEM Education: Chapters 4 & 5: Three Types of Criteria to Identify

Successful STEM Schools & Summary of Criteria to Identify Successful K-12 STEM

Schools

10

Assignments: Module Assignment Possible Points

1 Survey 5 1 Introduction 5 2 Web 2.0 Tools 10 2 Chapter 2 Quiz 10 3 Research Critique 10 4 Lesson Evaluations 10 5 Chapter 5 Quiz 10 5 STEM Lesson Plan 20 5 Lesson Reflection 5 6 STEM Proposal 30 7 Reflection 5