2017-2018 Alvin ISD STEM Academy Parent Information Meeting What is STEM? Besides an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math… Problem solving ● Discovery and creativity ● Exploratory learning ● Depth and complexity ● Team work ● Leadership skills ● Communication skills ● Teaching the Whole Child ● Social and Emotional support ● Experience working independently and as a member of a team ● Study skills and independent learning expectations ● Supportive learning environment encourages and supports new ideas and risk taking. ● Field trips and classroom visitors that bring authentic learning into the classroom ● Out of classroom presentation opportunities STEM Qualifications ● STEM Identification Process ◦ MAP testing with a focus on innate math ability and algebra readiness ◦ Qualitative measures ◦ STAAR scores ◦ Class grades ● GT Identification and composite IQ score STEM Progression Building Concepts ● Engineering design process ● Introduction to many engineering fields ● Use of sensors and programming ● ERIK: Educational Robotics Invention Kit ○ Graphical interface then C-language ● Minds-i ○ Arduino (https://www.arduino.cc/en/Referen ce/HomePage) Let’s Take a Look at 6th Grade Let’s Take a Look at 6th Grade Let’s Take a Look... 7th Grade http://www.youtube.com/v/GzTSNoJhDo I Let’s Take a Look... 8th Grade