What STEM Can Do for Your Classroom

Author and educator Jason McKenna describes how teaching STEM education in his elementary school changed his classroom and his life, improving his students’ and his own approaches to problem solving, collaboration, and general motivation to learn. Offering examples, tried and tested classroom projects, and collaborative strategies, this innovative resource opens up STEM education in K–6 classrooms in exciting and expansive new ways. K–6 educators will: Understand the benefits and importance of STEM in elementary schools Build resiliency and curiosity in students Discover a variety of classroom instruction strategies to approach STEM assessment Read vignettes discussing STEM implementation across grade levels Use new strategies to engage and motivate student learning through voice and choice Contents: Part 1: Start STEM Early Chapter 1: Inspiring Students With STEM Narratives Chapter 2: Teaching STEM in Elementary School Part 2: Discover STEM Learning Principles Chapter 3: Focusing on Authentic Engagement, Choice, and Collaboration Chapter 4: Creating Risk Takers Part 3: Explore STEM Pedagogy Chapter 5: Exploring STEM Teaching and Guided Discovery Learning Chapter 6: Making Assessment Student Centered in Elementary STEM Classrooms Chapter 7: Exploring STEM and Creativity Chapter 8: Bringing It All Together Epilogue References and Resources Index