Putting STEM into

Action
Nature and Scope of STEM Professional
Development Plan
By Ashley Blystone

What Research Says...

STEM is more than just a grouping of
subject areas. It is a movement to
develop the deep mathematical and
scientific underpinnings students
need to be competitive in the 21stcentury workforce(Jolly).
The primary driver of the future
economy and concomitant creation of
jobs will be innovation, largely
derived from advances in science and
engineering (NRC,p.9).

STEM goes far beyond preparing students for

specific jobs. STEM develops a set of
thinking, reasoning, teamwork, investigative,
and creative skills that students can use in all
areas of their lives. STEM isnt a standalone
classits a way to intentionally incorporate
different subjects across an existing
curriculum (Jolly).
By engaging all young people in science and
math through a collaborative, hands-on,
problem-solving and project-based approach
to education, STEM education does not just
inspire and prepares for our future job
market (Carnegie Science Center).

Why we are pairing up with the Carnegie Science Center

STEM Pathways to Excellence

The Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway

Steps for Holy Sepulcher to Lead the way in STEM Education
1. (August) School selected a STEM steering
committee (4 teachers and the Principal
Leader)
2. (Sept.) Steering Committee collaborated with
members of the Carnegie Science Center to
form a plan and gain more knowledge and
resources on STEM
3. (Sept.) Steering Committee used the online
Pathway tool to evaluate current
Science/STEM program and develop an
action plan from there.

The Steering
Committee has done
their initial part and
that brings us to .

You, the creative

and inspiring
teacher leaders!

Using Poll Everywhere, wed like to know what words come to mind when you
hear/think/feel/invision STEM the classroom?

Using your cell phone, text LEFTDOOR569 to

22333 to add to the real time word cloud.

What is STEM video

Why we are implementing High Performance STEM

Education?
1. Inquiry-Based Science
and Math Education
2. Integrated Cross-Curricular
Curriculum
3. Project-Based Group
Learning

4. Spark Creative and Innovative

thinking
5. Develops a Growth Mindset
6. Creates Risk-taking
experiences
7. Career Awareness
8. Family Engagement

Based on the evaluation results, we have deemed the

following three areas as are target areas to grow for this
school year.
Professional Development
Action Steps: Our S.M.A.R.T
Goal #1
Today, all teachers in
Kindergarten - 8th grade
will complete professional
development training in
which they will investigate,
evaluate, and propose
STEM inquiry-based group
learning activities as part of
a school-wide development
plan.

Curriculum Integration

Family Engage

Action Steps: Our

S.M.A.R.T Goal #2

Action Steps: Our

S.M.A.R.T Goal #3

By the completion of the

2016-2017 school year,
each student will have
participated in three
inquiry-based group crosscurricular STEM activities.

By June 1, 2017, we will

plan and host a school-wide
Kindergarten - 8th grade
STEM Showcase to engage
the parish and school
community.

Why we need STEM in our classrooms...

Great Teacher Resource

Stemisphere Website

Take about 15 minutes and explore all that is website has to offer.
http://stemisphere.carnegiesciencecenter.org/
You can also use Pinterest, Education World, Scholastic, PBS Kids, and
http://www.stemschooldr.com/stem-websites-resources/ to gain insight and ideas.

departmental timeline for students complete

Now that you Develop
Smart Goal #2:
have gathered
some ideas,
we will break Create a list of STEM project ideas that fit your curriculum
up into
Begin planning for first STEM project
departmental
groups to
Share initial planning in the school-wide STEM Google
discuss and
classroom
plan the
following.

By the completion of the 2016-2017 school year, each student will

have participated in three inquiry-based group cross-curricular STEM
activities.

Add to the compiled list on the school-wide Google Classroom

This can be done in individual classrooms or by pairing up with other

classrooms

Give feedback to at least two other teacher/groups

Resources

Jolly, A. (2016). Six Characteristics of a Great STEM Lesson.

Retrieved November 23, 2016, from
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/06/17/ctq_jolly
_stem.html

Successful K-12 STEM Education Identifying Effective

Approaches in Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics

Planning for STEM Excellence. (n.d.). from

http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/stemcenter/stemce
nter-stemisphere-carnegie-stem-excellence-pathway/