We all know that engaged students are students that are ready and eager to learn. To help get your kiddos involved in their own learning try letting them use their smart phone or iPad to take pictures of items that are STEM related. Once they have gathered their pictures they can share them with the class by using STEM and Tell.
STEM and Tell is much like show and tell, but before the students share it is a good idea to Model how you want the activity to look. Introduce yourself and tell what you have brought. Tell the story behind the object and the significance it has to what they are learning. For example a picture of a chainsaw blade being sharpened can be tied to a lesson on angles since the tool has to be held at a 30 degree angle. The one picture showing 30 degrees can lead to other topical items such as complementary and supplementary angles. Remember STEM and Tell can be used as a science activity, as a social studies activity, as a math activity and writing is easily incorporated. Try having students take pictures of ten different insects and identify them for a science projects or the same can be done by collecting pictures of leaves and identify the type of tree it came from. And lets not forget that as the students orally present they are building valuable verbal communication skills. When the presentations are completed encourage your students to ask inquiry based questions.
For the more adventurous, try a STEM Fair in your school. You can develop it much the same as the Science Fair.
Join Chris Woods to hear other ways that you can bring STEM into your classroom.
You can always reach Chris Woods at:
Twitter:@dailystem
Email: cwoods@clkschools.org
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