The STEM Mindset
“#STEM isn't just Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math. It's a mindset. It's a way of viewing the world.” Chris Woods (@dailystem)
Mindset Magic
When I was growing up, my dad had one of those magical basement workshops. As a science educator and principal by day, my dad’s evenings and weekends were filled with…well, tinkering! He could fix anything. Like many educators, he had a side gig—working with CB radios. We were in northern Vermont, and many people used “citizen band” radios to communicate.
His workshop was filled with wires, knobs, cords, circuit boards, screws, and every small tool you could imagine! It was a glorious disaster area, and I thought it was amazing.
As I grew older, I was lucky enough to have my dad as my 8th-grade science teacher. We did many hands-on labs, but the one that stands out was when we dissected a cow’s eyeball that had been donated by a local farmer. We were DOING science, not just reading about it in our textbook.
Since those early days, although we didn’t call it this back then, I have loved all things STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Integrating these four concepts in relevant and meaningful ways has always been the cornerstone of my classroom, and in the last decade of my career, the STEM labs I helped start.
In her book, Breaking the STEM Stereotype, Dr. Amanda Sullivan states:
“Adults may be surprised at what very young children can accomplish when given developmentally appropriate STEM tools to explore. For example, children as young as four years old can successfully build and program a simple robot and learn concepts of engineering design. Engineering and computer programming in early childhood education can be used to explore a range of interdisciplinary projects across STEM fields, but perhaps more importantly, it can foster the development of cognitive and social skills that are important for young children to practice.”
This month’s TIDE Newsletter is dedicated to helping readers reinvigorate the STEM mindset in their classrooms and schools. Although exhausted, I know many of you are already thinking ahead to next year—the curse of the dedicated educator! This newsletter is filled with links to already-created materials to get you started on day 1 (each link will take you to a template or forced copy that you can edit to meet your individual needs)! I hope it’s helpful. Grab it at the link below.
Picture Book Fun
As you all know, most of my STEM lessons begin with a great picture book. Thanks to friends in the writing community, I have acquired two hysterical new gems that have given me some fun ideas you could incorporate with your young engineers!
First up…
Monty and the Mushrooms by Dev Petty and Jared Chapman
A marmot’s peace and quiet gets disturbed by noisy mushroom neighbors in this delightfully zany picture book perfect for fans of Unicorns Are the Worst! and Dragons Love Tacos!
Everyone knows mushrooms are the loudest creatures in the forest. They’re why worms go underground and birds have wings—to get away from the noise!
Everyone also knows marmots love quiet, especially irritable ones like Monty. All is well until he gets boisterous, cheerful, mushroom neighbors, with their endless mushroom jokes, mushroom poetry, and mushroom songs. What’s a marmot to do? (Amazon)
Engineering Idea:
Have students create a device that Monty could use to muffle the noise of the mushrooms so he doesn’t have to move. Have them test the device using their ears to see how much it blocks sound waves. (Relates to NGSS 1-PS4-1 and 4-PS3-2)
And…
I Am Not A Dog Toy by Ethan T. Berlin and Jared Chapman
A toy bear insists that he's a kid's toy--not a dog toy--in this story that shows that a true friendship is always one that goes in both directions.
A fun bear, who wears a vest with many pockets, is the brand new toy for a little girl. Bear couldn't be more excited to play with the girl, but she is a little less than enthused. In fact, she throws him into the dog's water bowl. Splash! Bear doesn't take the hint. Dog, however, is very excited to play with Bear. But Bear insists he is not a dog toy, he is a kid's toy. So he keeps trying to get the girl's attention... to no avail. Will Bear ever realize that Dog is the better friend?
Kids making friends will see that friendship isn't really friendship unless it's reciprocated in this hilarious and sweet picture book. (Amazon)
Engineering Idea:
Challenge students to create a new toy that encourages cooperative play with a friend. Strategically or randomly (depending on your kids) match the kids up and test out their new toys with each other. (Relates to NGSS Engineering strands K-2-ETS-1 and 3-5-ETS-1 as well as the CASEL SEL Competencies of Relationship Skills, Social Awareness, and Responsible Decision-Making)
If you're interested in having me create a slide deck for either of these engineering lesson ideas, don't hesitate to get in touch with me for reasonable pricing.
As always, be sure to pass this newsletter on to anyone you think might be interested! I hope all my Northern Hemisphere educator friends have a wonderful and VERY well-deserved summer break!
Until next month,
Kim