[Sagamore] [stem] Re: STEM Certification Work at Sagamore

[Dave Allen Barker Jr]

Principal Taylor, Ms. Miller, or others at the school, can you please
answer (or provide pointers to answer) the question quoted bellow? 
Please reply-all to include the Sagamore STEM discussion group (
stem at groups.sagamorehillspta.org ).  Thanks!

Here's a quote I like from the old Sagamore Hills ES website hosted
DeKalb County Schools from last year (the current site is completely
different):

    The long range goal of STEM education is to prepare students for a
    full range of college and career options, including aspiring to
    become the next generation of scientists, technologists, engineers,
    and mathematicians. Beginning at the elementary level we will build
    the knowledge and skills students need, including creativity,
    communication, and problem solving skills. We will integrate the
    disciplines of STEM in all content areas. Our students will engage
    in real-world collaborative problem solving activities.

    *What does STEM look like in the classroom for the students?*

      * Asking questions and defining problems
      * Planning and carrying out investigations
      * Analyzing and interpreting data
      * Using information and critical thinking assisted by technology
      * Constructing explanations and designing solutions
      * Gathering, evaluating, and communicating information

    Research tells us that students learn best when encouraged to
    construct their own knowledge of the world around them. Through an
    integrated approach to STEM education focused on real- world,
    authentic problems, students learn to reflect on the problem-solving
    process. Students at Sagamore Hills Elementary will experience
    projects that involve solving authentic problems, working with
    others, and building real solutions.


On 09/03/2014 02:30 PM, Marilyn Ratzel wrote:
> Sorry to sound uneducated, but can anyone on the list serve give me a
> brief idea of the STEM certification process and what, if certified,
> what it means in terms of every day instruction?   For example, will
> there be specific STEM related programs that are ability based or
> voluntary, or is it schoolwide instruction.  In a nutshell, how does
> it work, and why is it good, in broad strokes.  Thanks!
>
>
>
>
> On Thursday, August 28, 2014 11:05:39 AM UTC-4, Dave Allen Barker Jr
> wrote:
>
>     Myself and two other parents were invited to sit in on the first
>     monthly meeting of the school year regarding Sagamore's pursuit of
>     STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) certification.  I
>     was very impressed with what I saw, and you can get an impression
>     of what some of it is about by viewing the attached pdf scan of
>     the first few pages handed out at the meeting.  Hat's off to Ms.
>     Miller and all the teachers putting in so much time and effort to
>     make Sagamore, "be more", in this way.
>
>     To stay in the loop, subscribe to the fledgling Sagamore STEM
>     discussion group.
>
>      1. Email stem+subscribe at groups.sagamorehillspta.org
>      2. Reply to the confirmation email (don't follow the link (blue
>         botton))
>
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