STEM - Science Technology Engineering Math

 I spent two weeks training at Wichita State University learning how to implement STEM using the 5E model and inquiry based learning.  It was AWESOME!  The instructors were fabulous.  The coaches were wonderful.  More than anything, it was great to meet new teachers from other schools, especially other fifth grade teachers.

What did I walk away with from the experience?

Here's my top 10:

10. How to plan a STEM lesson using the 5E model

9. Go Pro video camera!

8. a multitude of technology resources

7. tons of great lesson plans already made by fabulous teachers

6. the support we’ll get from our coach and WSU

5. NGSS Standards

4. the 5E’s and returning to Inquiry

3. the money - for materials and being paid to be here

2. meeting a tons of great teachers

1. knowing I’m not alone

Here's a lesson I created from MysteryScience.com :

Mystery Bridges
Topic Students will use engineering and problem solving skills to create a paper bridge		# of Class Periods 60 minutes
Resources Videos  and bridge challenge worksheets (2) http://mysteryscience.com/forces/mystery-2/balance-of-forces-engineering/43?r=715435#slide-id-0 paper, books that make 2 equal stacks, scissors, pennies, rulers,
Students Who Demonstrate Understanding Can… construct a bridge across a six-inch span of three-inch high stack of books that will hold as many pennies as possible. explain and draw a diagram of the forces that are at work which make the bridge support the pennies. Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.
Disciplinary Core Ideas 5-PS2-1. Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down. 3-5-ETS1-1 Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. 3-5-ETS1-2 Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. 3-5-ETS1-3 Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.	Cross Cutting Patterns Cause & Effect Scale, Proportion, & Quantity Systems & Models Energy & Matter Structure & Function Stability & Change		8 Practices Questioning & Defining Problems Developing & Using models Planning & Carrying out investigations Analyzing and interpreting data Using Mathematics Construct Explanations & Designing Solutions Evidence based Arguments Obtaining, Evaluating & Communicating information
Engage: giving students materials with the parameters of building a bridge between two stacks of books that supports as many pennies as possible in 5 minutes (or less)
Explain: watch first three mystery videos on SmartBoard discuss forces at work to make the bridge support pennies / cars, etc. **all four videos are about 16 min and 30 seconds
Elaborate: new challenge of building a paper bridge (video 4 explains this)