Track: STEM in Our Communities
Integrating & Innovating STEM across the Curriculum-Connecting STEM practices to core curriculum content and instruction through informal outdoor education.
How can outdoor learning experiences contribute to meaningful experiences in classroom? During this interactive learning experience, participants will gain knowledge about the unique and changing role of outdoor education in our changing society. The effects of outdoor education experiences on participants’ beliefs and attitudes about science mirror the STEM goals of increasing student interest, and identity in STEM. Participants will leave this session with concrete ideas about high quality, meaningful STEM integration in grades 3-8.
Outdoor STEM Centered Education Explorers (OSCE ) workshop gives teachers the opportunity to enmesh informal outdoor education techniques into their classroom/school yard.
During this session they learn specific outdoor education skills essential to bringing experiential learning into the classroom, learn practical planning an logistic skills to prepare them to design, implement and prepare set-up stations for hands-on activities, they gain a structured approach to inquiry-based lesson planning as well as resource gathering information that will enable students to make personal connections to the activities.
This creative event strategically curates workshops and experiences in three areas to give teachers the tools to succeed. Join us at Tonto Creek Camp, Payson AZ (and/or local venue TBA), for this game-changing experience. There are interactive group discussions and creative experiential lessons.
Interactive exercises:
Schoolyear Ecology Hike-Teacher will go outside to collect things to identify with nature and then make the connection to interest in STEM. This exercise leads to having students develop interest and identity in STEM.
Engineering Pathway: Genetic Engineering-Teachers will handle live Crayfish. E ach group will be assigned to observe one structure/behavior carefully. Draw structures and describe behaviors related to those structures. When scientists draw pictures to understand how something works it is called a model.
STEAM Machine-Teachers will work in teams to build a machine based on Rube Goldberg chain reaction but will have to also market it to the “Shark Tank.” Build all out of duct tape, PVC, mouse traps, wood, dominos etc. Prizes for the STEAM Machine.
Presenters
- Tom Fraker, CEO, Tonto Creek Camp