STEM, Creativity & Engaging InstructionSTEM for Teachers in Grades 4-8
Are you an educator in grades 4-8 who is struggling with STEM concepts and techniques for incorporating them into your classroom? Or are you new in the STEM field? As an educator, our STEM for Teachers in Grades 4-8 course will help you create, select, and adapt quality STEM lesson plans that will energize and help your students grow academically and as individuals. This course covers how to assess students’ understanding of concepts and procedures, how to utilize project-based learning styles, and how to focus on your students’ creative side so they develop important critical thinking and collaboration skills
Course details+
Are you an educator in grades 4-8 who is struggling with STEM concepts and techniques for incorporating them into your classroom? Or are you new in the STEM field? As an educator, our STEM for Teachers in Grades 4-8 course will help you create, select, and adapt quality STEM lesson plans that will energize and help your students grow academically and as individuals. This course covers how to assess students’ understanding of concepts and procedures, how to utilize project-based learning styles, and how to focus on your students’ creative side so they develop important critical thinking and collaboration skills.
After completing this course, you should be able to:
- Recognize basic STEM concepts for the middle grades and why STEM is important for students
- Recall how to analyze and adapt practical STEM lessons into your curriculum
- Identify the techniques for creating a STEM lesson and its impact on your students
- Describe how to integrate real-world problems and technology into STEM challenges
Syllabus & lessons+
Module 1 - STEM Education and Variations
Module 2 - Designing STEM Lessons
Module 3 - STEM Challenges
Module 4 - Incorporating STEM
STEM for Teachers in Grades 4-8 Module 1
STEM Education and Variations
STEM education relies on interdisciplinary factors for learning that incorporates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This module will describe why STEM is important for the middle grades and how it can provide real-world and relevant learning experiences for students.
- What is STEM Education?
- When We Teach STEM, We Are Teaching in a New Way
- STEM Variations
- STEM Minus Programs
- STEM Plus Programs
STEM for Teachers in Grades 4-8 Module 2
Designing STEM Lessons
In module two, we discuss important techniques for teaching STEM, including developing course objectives, challenges for students, ideas for collaboration, and integrating technology. We’ll also discuss how to develop and lead a STEM project.
- Designing a STEM Project
- Evaluating and Adapting Existing STEM Lessons
- STEM Lesson Specifications
- Diverse Students in STEM
- Leading a STEM Project
STEM for Teachers in Grades 4-8 Module 3
STEM Challenges
Module three is all about the engineering design process. You will learn how to define the problem, research, imagine, plan, create and test and evaluate. This module also discusses how to select STEM challenges and how to prepare for student project success.
- Engineering Design Process
- STEM Challenges
- Real-World Problems
- Project Success
- Design Tools
STEM for Teachers in Grades 4-8 Module 4
Incorporating STEM
STEM projects feature collaboration and teamwork, skills that all students need no matter their career paths. This module discusses how to organize teams and teamwork procedures. We also cover how to develop leadership skills in the field of STEM. Finally, we cover how to integrate technology in STEM projects and critical things students show know about technology.
- Student Teaming
- Life and Leadership Skills
- Integrating Technology in STEM Projects
- Technology, Students and STEM
- Assessing Student Progress
Instructor+
Erin Fouse
Erin has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Elementary Education from Potsdam State University, as well as a MS/P, Science of Psychology. She spent 15 years as a public school teacher in a variety of grade levels. She has taught academically gifted students, Spanish, reading and language arts. Erin has also worked in the online education field for a number of years, earning professional and national certifications through online education training programs.
Prerequisites+
No prerequisites required.
Instructional materials+
All materials included in course.
System requirements+
Internet Connection
- Broadband or High-Speed - DSL, Cable, and Wireless Connections
*Dial-Up internet connections will result in a diminished online experience. Classroom pages may load slowly and viewing large audio and video files may not be possible.
Hardware Requirements
- Processor - 2GHz Processor or Higher
- Memory - 1 GB RAM Minimum Recommended
PC Software Requirements
- Operating Systems - Windows 10 or higher
- Microsoft Office 2019 or higher. Also, you could use a general Word Processing application to save and open Microsoft Office formats (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx)
- Internet Browsers - Google Chrome is highly recommended
- Cookies MUST be enabled
- Pop-ups MUST be allowed (Pop-up Blocker disabled)
- The Kindle Reader App or VitalSource Bookshelf App are needed for many of our courses (No special equipment needed. This can be downloaded for FREE onto your computer.)
- PowerPoint Viewer (if you do not have PowerPoint)
- Adobe PDF Reader
- QuickTime, Windows Media Player &/or Real Player
MAC Software Requirements
- Operating Systems - Mac OS version 11 or higher
- Mac office programs or a Word Processing application to save and open Microsoft Office formats (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx)
- Internet Browsers - Google Chrome is highly recommended
- Cookies MUST be enabled
- Pop-ups MUST be allowed (Pop-up Blocker disabled)
- The Amazon Kindle Reader App or VitalSource Bookshelf App are needed for many of our courses (No special equipment needed. This can be downloaded for FREE onto your computer.)
- PowerPoint Viewer (if you do not have PowerPoint)
- Adobe PDF Reader
- Apple QuickTime Media Player
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