Tag: childrensliterature

Teaching STEM Through Children’s Literature Training for 21st CCLC Staff

drdianascience@bellsouth.netSTEM Education

I had the pleasure of presenting at the 2018 Promising Practices- Proven Strategies Extra Learning Opportunities Conference in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The conference was open to schools with established 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC). I conducted a session entitled “Teaching STEM Through Children’s Literature“, the session was designed for afterschool staff working with 3rd-5th graders. During the three-hour workshop participants were introduced to approximately sixty plus STEM-themed children’s titles that are ideal for incorporating within STEM lessons. Titles included many from the NSTA list of Outstanding STEM Trade Books for 2017-2018. Participants conducted numerous hands-on-minds-on, inquiry-based STEM investigations during the training from materials science, to reverse engineering, engineering journaling, and exploring electricity-based kits and more.. Throughout the nation afterschool programs are continuing to incorporate more STEM experiences for the students within their programs. From conducting building engineering challenges to robotics STEM is making its way into afterschool programs.  For more information about the conference check out the following link.  The following photos were taken during the hands-on-minds-on, inquiry-based workshop. For more information about scheduling STEM professional staff development for 21st CCLC Staff and K-12 teachers complete the Contact Form on Contact Page.  

Using Children’s Literature to Inspire STEM Learning

drdianascience@bellsouth.netSTEM Education

I recently had the pleasure of partnering with the Van Andel Education Institute in conducting a day-long professional staff development teacher training for K-5 Michigan Teachers. During the training teachers were introduced to reflective journaling, STEM practices, incorporating low-cost technology, inquiry-based teaching practices, aligning lessons with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and of course having the opportunity to preview a wide-array of K-5+ children’s literature books with STEM themes. Teachers explored the nature of matter aka Materials Science using simple forms of technology, observed patterns and shapes in nature and in man-made designs, and designed, built and tested marble rollercoasters. It’s always interesting and exciting to see the revelations and transformations teachers make throughout a training. The Van Andel Education Institute is a proponent for quality, long-term and sustainable professional staff development that will enable teachers to feel confident and empowered to go back into the classroom and engage and empower their students. Check out a sampling of photos taken during “Using Children’s Literature to Inspire STEM Learning” professional staff development training.