A quick quiz (15 minutes)

Car engine quiz:  http://www.zoo.com/quiz/car-engine-quiz

Discussion Threads for January 14-21

There are four prompts for the STM 504 discussions designed to introduce best-practice methods and materials for secondary STEM instruction and assessment.  

Respond to each of the prompts, preferably in 300 words or less.  Then after reviewing others' posts, provide comments where inspired.

Discussion 1. Aligning teaching to national, state and local standards.

Imagine you are mentoring a new teacher in your school (in a subject area of your choice) who might be creating a new unit, lesson, or activity. Provide a succinct strategy for aligning their ideas with national, state, and local student performance expectations. 

Discussion 2. Planning the face-to-face session on January 22-23.

Specifically considering planning and assessment, describe topics from the readings relevant to your teaching or curriculum that you might like to learn more about.

Discussion 3. Reflecting on your own practice.

Describe how your teaching practices, and maybe changes you've made, are aligned with best practices described in your selected readings.

Discussion 4. Evolving perspectives on STEM-focused learning.

(OPTIONAL) Add any other reflections from your selected readings not solicited above, particularly if the readings revealed strategies you'd like to explore in your classroom or curriculum.

Readings for January 14-21

The following readings are available in our Schoology site, where you're encouraged to pick two to read for context for responding to Discussion threads throughout the week.

Adobe PDF Dahm, K. (2014). Combining the Tasks of Grading Individual Assignments and Assessing Program Outcomes in Project-Based Courses. Journal of STEM Education413 KB	Click to toggle options.
Web Link Elgart, M. (2015). Does Your Child's School ...	Click to toggle options.
Web Link Jolly, A. (2014). STEM vs. STEAM: Do the Arts ...	Click to toggle options.
Web Link Laboy-Rush, D. (2007). Integrated STEM ...	Click to toggle options.
Adobe PDF National Research Council. (2011). Successful K-12 STEM Education: Identifying Effective Approaches....pdf

Test your internal combustion engine knowledge

It's under the hood of every car, truck and SUV, but how many people really know how one works?

Start Quiz »  http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine-quiz.htm

---

Schedule for last two courses

The last two courses in our series are much more focused on building and extending your own ideas and initiatives.

STM 504-ST7 - please register! 

• Online instruction:  January 14 - 21, 2016
• Face-to-face instruction:  January 22, 2016 (5 – 8 PM) / January 23, 2016 (8:30–3:30 PM)*
• Online instruction: February 20 – March 5, 2016

*I am willing to meet longer on Saturday instead of Friday night if there is consensus.

STM 505-ST7

• Online instruction:  March 19-25, 2016
• Face-to-face instruction:  March 26, 2016 (8:30 – 5:30 PM)*
• Online instruction:  April 23-29, 2016
• Face-to-face instruction:  April 30, 2016 (8:30 – 5:30 PM)*
• Online instruction: May 1 – May 8, 2016

*Saturdays only

As always, I will work with you individually to make you successful despite schedule challenges. 

Jim

ACTE report: ESEA Reauthorization Bill Passed in House

Posted by ACTE: 03 Dec 2015 05:52 AM PST

The U.S. House of Representatives voted last night to advance the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), a bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) developed by a joint conference committee and backed by leaders in both parties and chambers of Congress. After debate and consideration on the House floor, ESSA passed through the full chamber by a vote of 359 to 64 and now awaits consideration by the Senate.

If the legislation passes both chambers and becomes law, it would mark the largest overhaul of federal K-12 education policy since the passage of No Child Left Behind in 2002.

Because of its significance for students nationwide and far-reaching implications for education policy, ESSA has received substantial media attention. Education Week, a national publication covering education topics, published a piece on its High School and Beyond blog that included reference to ACTE’s endorsement and a deep dive on the CTE-related components of the bill.

Final week - Wrapping Up

The only remaining task for you folks this week, other than putting finishing touches on the products of your projects, is to hyperlink them and provide a short (100-150 word) summary on this collaborative page at https://goo.gl/mmWDJ0  (also linked on the blog's right-hand menu.

I'm grateful that busy people can accomplish such good work. 

- Jim