STEM Concepts

Engineering : ●​ Use the Engineering Design Process : Define a problem, brainstorm, prototype, test, and improve (e.g., design a water filter from household materials). ●​ STEM Maker projects : Students use recycled materials, 3D printers, or laser cutters to build functional prototypes. ●​ Design under constraints : Introduce time, budget, materials, and environmental restrictions as part of a challenge (e.g., build a bridge from spaghetti that supports a certain weight). ●​ Collaborative planning with design logs : Students document and reflect on each iteration of their design process. ●​ Apply real-world data : Analyze and graph statistics from real-world datasets (e.g., weather, school energy use, sports analytics). ●​ Use math modeling : Students model real problems with equations or systems (e.g., optimize cost and area in a garden bed design). ●​ Integrate geometry into design tasks : e.g., calculate angles and surface area for packaging redesign. ●​ Simulation of probability and statistics : Run experiments (e.g., dice rolls, coding simulations) to explore chance and prediction. ●​ Project-based learning (PBL) : Students solve real-world problems that require applying concepts from all four disciplines (e.g., build a wind-powered vehicle that travels a set distance). ●​ STEM career role-play or simulations : Students take on professional roles (e.g., environmental engineer, UX designer) and work in teams to solve interdisciplinary tasks. ●​ Community-based design thinking projects : Identify local issues and use STEM to propose feasible solutions (e.g., redesign school waste system). ●​ STEM journaling : Students regularly reflect on processes, obstacles, and learning connections between the STEM domains. ●​ Cross-curricular lesson mapping : Explicitly point out where each STEM domain is contributing during an integrated unit (e.g., "Here's the math we're applying..." or "This tech tool helps us model the data"). Integrated STEM Practices (Cross-Disciplinary) : Mathematics:

Extension

●​ Community-Based STEM Project :

○​ Partner with the city or a nonprofit to redesign a public space for accessibility or sustainability. ○​ Use the engineering design process with constraints (budget, materials, zoning).