scholarly journals littleBits: Not Just for the Kids

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-129
Author(s):  
Andrea Pritt
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Student Interaction ◽  
Academic Setting ◽  
Library Collection ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Penn State ◽  
And Mathematics

The Penn State Harrisburg Library used grant funds to add two littleBits Workshop Kits to the circulating library collection. The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Librarian piloted a hands-on activity utilizing littleBits in the college classroom to better support the rapid prototyping skills of engineering students on campus, to promote science literacy to students, and to enhance librarian-student interaction. This article provides an overview of the workshops, which could be duplicated at other institutions, and shares the experiences of three different audiences of college students including challenges, successes, and opportunities for growth and future considerations in utilizing littleBits in an academic setting.

scholarly journals How STEM Academy Teachers Conceptualize and Implement STEM Education

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-58
Author(s):  
Teruni Lamberg ◽  
Nicole Trzynadlowski
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Teachers ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
Teacher Interviews ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Subject Areas ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Reading Activities ◽  
Science Activities

STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education has been gaining increasing nationwide attention. While the STEM movement has ambitious goals for k-12 education, a lack of shared understanding exists of what STEM is as well as how to implement STEM in the elementary classroom. This study investigates how seven elementary teachers in three STEM academy schools conceptualize and implement STEM in their classrooms. Teacher interviews were conducted. The findings reveal that the majority of teachers believe that STEM education involves integrating STEM subject areas. STEM activities consisted of student-led research and reading activities on STEM topics. Two teachers described STEM as involving “hands-on” science activities. Teachers at each STEM academy school conceptualized and implemented STEM differently. How STEM was implemented at each school was based on how teachers interpreted STEM and the resources they had access to. The STEM coaches played a central role in supporting the elementary teachers to plan and implement lessons. Teachers relied on them for ideas to plan and teach STEM lessons. The results of this study indicate that as more schools embrace the STEM movement, a unified understanding and resources are needed to support teachers.

A dialogue between Vygotsky’s learning theory and peer instruction in Astronomy classes

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S367) ◽  
pp. 57-60
Author(s):  
Jamili De Paula ◽  
Denise Pereira de Alcântara Ferraz ◽  
Newton Figueiredo
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Research University ◽  
Course Evaluation ◽  
Student Interaction ◽  
Peer Instruction ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Interactionist Theory ◽  
Before And After ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Social Interactionist

AbstractActive learning methodologies have been used to teach science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics at higher education institutions in several countries. We report the results of using peer instruction in an Astronomy undergraduate course taught at a research university in Brazil. The course syllabus covered topics on astrometry and celestial mechanics at an introductory level and was offered in the second semester of 2018. In order to better investigate the effect of the interaction among students, we have asked them to talk to their peers after the first poll regardless of the outcome. We have then analyzed the outcomes of all peer instruction polls, before and after student interaction, as well as the course evaluation questionnaires answered by the students at the end of the semester. From these analyses we were able to establish an approximation between peer instruction and some key elements of Vygotsky’s social interactionist theory.

Strategies to Increase Representation of Students with Disabilities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffry L. White ◽  
G.H. Massiha
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
College Students ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
College Attendance ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Personal Services ◽  
College Students With Disabilities ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Integrated Program

As a nation wrestles with the need to train more professionals, persons with disabilities are undereducated and underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The following project was proposed to increase representation of students with disabilities in the STEM disciplines. The program emphasizes an integrated program of interventions for college students with disabilities (SwD) majoring in STEM which centers on a system of continuous student monitoring with rapid access to academic and personal services, as well as professional development and degree enhancing experiences supplied during the entire period of college attendance.

Promoting STEAMH at primary school: a collaborative interdisciplinary project

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 234-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Cristina Oliveira da Cristina Oliveira da Costa
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Real Life ◽  
School Level ◽  
Pedagogical Intervention ◽  
Local Schools ◽  
School Collaboration ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Hands On ◽  
And Mathematics

There is a growing call on the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at the primary school level, aiming to motivate students to learn these subject matters, in order to correspond to the scientific and technological challenges of an increasingly demanding society. Recently, many studies sustain the importance of extending STEM to STEAM by adding Arts to the previous areas, to better prepare students for real life. In this article, we present a way to promote STEAMH, by integrating Heritage with STEAM. With a qualitative approach and an action research methodology, we intend to investigate how to develop a pedagogical intervention project that fosters STEAMH learning at primary school and local community. It is concluded that it is possible to implement a STEAMH pedagogical intervention project, being necessary to develop a collaborative partnership with local community and local schools. Keywords: STEAMH, hands-on, interdisciplinarity, primary school, collaboration

scholarly journals Parental engagement in children’s STEM education. Part I: Meta-analysis of the literature

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Milner-Bolotin ◽  
Carlos C. F. Marotto
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Parental Engagement ◽  
Informal Science ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Hands On ◽  
And Mathematics

This paper presents a meta-analysis of the literature on parental engagement with children’s formal and informal science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Five recurrent themes have emerged from the literature review: The challenges of supporting parents with children’s STEM education; STEM education as a bridge between school and family; STEM education as a gateway for children’s future economic success; STEM education as a vehicle for promoting student communication skills; and, the role of hands-on inquiry-based activities in enhancing student engagement. We also outline some international informal STEM education initiatives, their scope, challenges and impact.

scholarly journals Unpacking the Engineering Process: Resourcing Trade Books and Biographies

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Julie Jackson ◽  
Michelle Forsythe ◽  
Danielle S. L. Medeiros ◽  
Joseph Parthemore ◽  
Alexis Rix
Keyword(s):  
Learning Activities ◽  
Trade Books ◽  
Engineering Process ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Hands On ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Technology Resources ◽  
Design Challenges

Interest in engineering education is growing, and libraries are often the hub of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning activities in schools and communities. To enhance patrons’ experiences, many libraries have incorporated making, maker, and tinkering spaces that support STEM learning and engineering thinking. Making, maker, and tinkering spaces generally include opportunities for patrons to have hands-on experiences with a variety of materials, technology resources, and design challenges that encourage thinking like an engineer. This type of thinking is “goal-oriented thinking that addresses problems and decisions within given constraints by drawing on available resources, both material resources and human capital.” Thinking like an engineer, making, and tinkering are all part of engineering design-based learning.

URGENSI PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS STEAM BAGI ANAK GENERASI ALPHA DI MASA PANDEMI COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-104
Author(s):  
Yuni Dwi Suryani ◽  
Gustiana Yuantini
Keyword(s):  
Higher Order Thinking ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Higher Order Thinking Skills ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Scientific Investigations ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
And Mathematics

The Covid-19 pandemic is happening globally. The spread of the Covid-19 virus is so fast that it has finally caused major changes, especially in the world of education. Learning that was originally carried out face-to-face has now changed to learning from home. Early childhood who are growing and developing in the Covid-19 pandemic are included in the Alpha generation category. Alpha generation children are known as a digital natives. Since birth, Alpha generation children have a close relationship with the presence of technology. During the Covid-19 pandemic, technology was used for learning. Learning activities at home by float or do paper and pencil activities such as thickening letters make Alpha generation children tend to get bored easily. Alpha generation children like challenging activities by training their thinking power to be creative in getting things done. Based on the literature study conducted in this study, appropriate learning for Alpha generation children is STEAM-based learning. STEAM is integrated learning from the branches of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. STEAM-based learning is carried out by scientific inquiry. STEAM scientific investigations such as exploring, analyzing, and creating. Scientific investigations require children to use higher-order thinking skills in solving problems carried out by direct activities (hands-on minds on approach). This aims to encourage children to think critically, analytically, creatively, and innovatively and solve problems.Keywords: Covid-19, Alpha Generation, STEAM,

Navigating Uncharted Waters: First-Generation Native Hawaiian College Students in STEM

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franklin S. Allaire
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Native Hawaiian ◽  
First Generation College Students ◽  
Degree Programs ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
First Generation College ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Racial Ethnic

This qualitative study explored the experiences of 10 Native Hawaiian members of Hawai‘i’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) community to understand how they navigate their cultural and professional identities. This article explores one of the major themes—being first-generation college students—and the narrators’ inspirations, influences, and challenges as first-generation college students in STEM-related degree programs. Within this context, the participants explore the impact of support networks, going beyond the educational level of their parents, as well as feelings of inferiority, tokenism, and marginalization as one of the few Native Hawaiian students in STEM degree programs. These findings are substantial in that they offer understanding related to a distinct racial/ethnic minority that is underrepresented in higher education and the sciences.

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