• Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • 0 items
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Shop
    • My account
    • Checkout
    • Cart
  • TpT Store
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Teresa Kwant

STEM into Hands on Learning

STEM

3 Aug
ShareTweetGooglePinterestMail

 

When you think of the word “stem” what do you think of? Some of you may think of the stem of a plant but some of you may think of STEM. In STEM education, teachers focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. While all of these subjects are often taught individually, STEM education calls for all of these fields to be taught cohesively with real-world applications being the “test.”  One of the big reasons there is a stronger focus on STEM education is simple; STEM careers in the United States are on the rise but the number of people interested in pursuing STEM careers is down. Because there are fewer students pursuing STEM careers, there has been a much needed push towards STEM education in recent years. Teaching STEM can be overwhelming when you are first starting off because there is so much to think about, but there are several ways you can incorporate STEM into your classroom with ease.

To begin, there needs to be a focus on each individual subject with a real-world spin on it. I know, I said it needs to be all taught cohesively but we’ll get there at the end. Remember, it’s important to take baby steps and work your way into the bigger picture. Let’s start at the beginning of STEM, science.

You probably teach science standards every day in your classroom but are they mostly real-world applicable? While some of them may be, many may not. Here are some ways you can use science in a real-world way in the classroom.

  • Mix it Up: Science is all about how different things react together. One way you can create real-world science in your classroom is by having students make the same product with different recipes.
  • Clean it Up: A real-world problem will always be a mess! There are many natural and chemical components you can use to clean them up. Have students try to get a stain out using different natural and chemical components while hypothesizing what will work best.

Next we move on to technology. There are so many good ways to use technology in the classroom that I’m not sure I’m going to really be able to limit myself to just a few, but I will hold back (I suppose).

  • Write All About It!: In any grade or in any class you can have students write about something, anything really! Have students write out their hypothesis about the recipes or cleaners you are making. (Look you’re already combining them!)
  • Design It!: Have students create a logo or a family “Coat of Arms” on the computer using fun graphic design skills. You can use some engineering skills in there too later on if you’d like.
  • Research It!: Student often have so many questions about so many things. While it’s easy for us to spew out answers, sometimes it is better for us to keep our mouths shut and let students go forth and research.

The third part of STEM is engineering. Engineering, in my opinion, can be one of the trickier topics to cover and it may require quite a bit of patience in the long run, however here are a few ideas.

  • Create It!: In the technology section, I talked about making a logo or a family “Coat of Arms.” Once students have designed their logo or anything else for that matter, give them a chance to create that image using 3-D objects.
  • Build It!: You can also have students create structures that need to hold something up like a book. The real-world application here comes in when you think about building a shelf, a building, or anything else you are going to put weight on. Tell students they have been put in charge of creating a shelf that will need to hold “X” amount of books. How do they ensure the shelf is strong enough and will not bow?

The final part of STEM is mathematics. Math is used every single day and in more ways than just one. We use it when we are driving to keep a certain distance away. We use it when we are cooking or when we are simply trying budget our checkbook. Here are a few ways you can use math in the classroom and make it real-world relevant.

  • Beg, Borrow, Bargain!: Ask students to “buy” products from each other and bargain with each other. You can give each student different scenarios and say they need to buy groceries with X amount of dollars or maybe they need to buy a new car. No matter what they are buying they need to stay on budget and that may mean swindling down those top notch salesmen.
  • Check It!: It is so easy in today’s world to swipe your card and walk away. Challenge students by making them pay attention to all the things their parents buy and keep track of that dollar amount. Then discuss how not keeping track can really hurt you in the long run.

There are so many ways we can make STEM a part of our classroom at an individual level, but at some point we need to tie it all together. When that time comes for you, here is an idea. At any level of education, teachers can create a fun “sales pitch’ project that would incorporate many STEM ideas. We’re going to start with the engineering aspect of STEM. With this project, you can have students create their very own product; something completely new or an improvement on a product already on the market. Technologically, students can create an advertisement based on their 3-D engineered model which would also bring in more creativity! In upper grades, you can talk about persuasion in advertising and how colors often influence buyers. Scientifically, you can have students make a hypothesis about how well their product would sell and then create a poll for different classes to take. Finally, mathematically, students would need to figure out a price for their product by breaking down everything they would need to make it (more science and engineering) and then researching (technology) prices for that product.

These are just a few ideas of millions out there. What really matters when you are creating a STEM project is this:

  • Create a real-world problem for your students.
  • Ask questions for students to explore possible solutions
  • Start developing solutions to the problem.
  • Start exploring! Let students get their hands on a project and see what good thinking does for them.

As one of my favorite teachers, Ms. Frizzle, one said “Take chances, get messy, make mistakes!” That’s what STEM, and life, are all about.

Need more STEM ideas? Want to incorporate the latest escape room trend? Check out my STEM escape rooms!

        

 

 

Leave a Comment

« 5 Ways to Say Goodbye to Reluctant Writers
Organizing Silly Rainbow Sentences »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Privacy Policy * for Click to select the duration you give consent until.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search

Shop by Category

Let’s Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Flash Back

  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • July 2017
  • May 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
Family ski days are my favorite!!! #TeresaKwant # Family ski days are my favorite!!!

#TeresaKwant #TeachersofInstagram #teacherspayteachers #TeachersFollowTeachers  #teachersengaging #iteach345 #teachergram #iteach #UtahUnique #FamilySkiDays
Some days are better than others. This applies to Some days are better than others. This applies to teaching as well.
‍
As adults, it’s easy for us to understand that we have good days and bad days.
‍
However, it is hard to remember that our students are just like us, and they will occasionally have a bad day too.
‍
Classroom management can be one of the toughest things to tackle as a teacher, but it is the MOST important...
‍
Read more on the blog about Promoting Positive Behavior.
‍
How do you promote positive behavior in your class?
‍

#TeresaKwant #TeachersofInstagram #teacherspayteachers #TeachersFollowTeachers  #digitalteachingresources #distancelearning #virtuallearning #iteachsecond #iteachthird #iteachfourth #iteachfifth #teachersengaging #iteach345 #teachergram #iteach #TeresaKwantBlog #promotepositivebehavior
Monday Night Mantra 💗 Monday Night Mantra 💗
Spring is coming!🙌🏻 🐓🐄 Spring is coming!🙌🏻 🐓🐄
Confession- I have been OBSESSED with Harry Potter Confession-
I have been OBSESSED with Harry Potter since I was 11.
‍
During quarantine, I read the 1st and 2nd books to my kids and then we had a Harry Potter party!
‍
Are you team Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff?!
‍

‍
#TeresaKwant #TeachersofInstagram #teacherspayteachers #TeachersFollowTeachers  #digitalteachingresources #distancelearning #virtuallearning #iteachsecond #iteachthird #iteachfourth #iteachfifth #teachersengaging #iteach345 #teachergram #iteach #harrypotterfanatic⚡️🤓
Do you have a difficult time getting your students Do you have a difficult time getting your students to write, especially during this time of year? 📝
‍
Check out the blog for 3 ways to make journal writing fun!
‍

#TeresaKwant #TeachersofInstagram #teacherspayteachers #TeachersFollowTeachers  #digitalteachingresources #distancelearning #virtuallearning #iteachsecond #iteachthird #iteachfourth #iteachfifth #iteach345 #iteach
‍
*Click Link Tree in profile then Blogs
Make Math FUN!! 🙌🏻 ‍ ‍ #TeresaKwant #Te Make Math FUN!! 🙌🏻
‍

‍
#TeresaKwant #TeachersofInstagram #teacherspayteachers #TeachersFollowTeachers  #digitalteachingresources #distancelearning #virtuallearning #iteachsecond #iteachthird #iteachfourth #iteachfifth #teachersengaging #iteach345 #teachergram #iteach #HiddenPictureTiles
‍
*Link to store in blog
Happy Valentine's Day to all of my friends and fam Happy Valentine's Day to all of my friends and family!
‍
I hope your day is filled with love, happiness and lots of chocolate :)
‍

#TeresaKwant #TeachersofInstagram #teacherspayteachers #TeachersFollowTeachers  #digitalteachingresources #distancelearning #virtuallearning #iteachsecond #iteachthird #iteachfourth #iteachfifth #teachersengaging #iteach345 #teachergram #iteach #valentinesday2021❤
❤️Truth-I sure miss being able to help in my s ❤️Truth-I sure miss being able to help in my son and daughter's classrooms for Valentine's Day parties this year!
‍

#TeresaKwant #TeachersofInstagram #teacherspayteachers #TeachersFollowTeachers  #digitalteachingresources #distancelearning #virtuallearning #iteachsecond #iteachthird #iteachfourth #iteachfifth #teachersengaging #iteach345 #teachergram #iteach #valentinesday2021
Are you scrambling to find some Valentine's Day ma Are you scrambling to find some Valentine's Day math ideas for your 3rd, 4th and 5th graders that still challenge them while being fun for the holiday? There are some ideas up on the blog!
‍
*Click on Link.Tree in profile then Blog*
‍

‍
#TeresaKwant #TeachersofInstagram #teacherspayteachers #TeachersFollowTeachers  #ValentinesDayMathIdeas
Do you have your students do journal writing daily Do you have your students do journal writing daily?
‍
These Daily Doodle Journal Writing Prompts for February were created to be printed or done digitally for virtual learning (or in-class fun!)
‍
There are enough prompts for every weekday of the month and they all have February themes! 💜
‍

‍
#TeresaKwant #TeachersofInstagram #teacherspayteachers #TeachersFollowTeachers  #digitalteachingresources #februaryjournalwriting
fun fact: My dog is one of the loves of my life! H fun fact:
My dog is one of the loves of my life! He is named Trooper after storm troopers (We are Star Wars obsessed!)
‍
Any other golden doodle mommas out there?! 🐕🐩
‍

#TeresaKwant #TeachersofInstagram #teacherspayteachers #TeachersFollowTeachers  #goldendoodleloversclub
It's my husband's favorite day of the year !!! 😆😆
‍
🏈 We are rooting for Kansas City all the way in our house!
‍
Who are you rooting for tonight?!
‍

‍
#TeresaKwant #TeachersofInstagram #teacherspayteachers #TeachersFollowTeachers  #digitalteachingresources #Superbowl2021 #kansascitychiefs
💕 Will your class escape in time?! 💕 ‍ Thi 💕 Will your class escape in time?! 💕
‍
This game is unique from my other escape rooms, because it focuses on STEM. Students will be learning about rockets, as well as designing and engineering a balloon rocket.
‍
Suggested materials teachers should have on hand for the STEM project:
regular balloons
long, skinny balloons
tape
straws
finishing line
scissors
‍
*link in bio*
‍

#TeresaKwant #TeachersofInstagram #teacherspayteachers #TeachersFollowTeachers  #digitalteachingresources #STEM #valentinesdaystemfun
Mother, teacher, wife, stay at home mom, work from Mother, teacher, wife, stay at home mom, work from home mom, working mom... the list goes on...
‍
it doesn't matter.
‍
YOU ARE IMPORTANT! Just do your BEST job! 🧡
‍

#TeresaKwant #TeachersofInstagram #teacherspayteachers #TeachersFollowTeachers  #TeacherQuotes
Fun Fact: My husband and I love to play in the "gr Fun Fact:
My husband and I love to play in the "greatest snow on earth" in the Utah mountains.
‍
❄️ What's your favorite place to ski?! ❄️
‍

#TeresaKwant #TeachersofInstagram #teacherspayteachers #TeachersFollowTeachers  #TeacherLife #TeachersofUtah #UtahUnique
Follow on Instagram

Sign Up For My Newsletter

Sign up to stay up to date with all the latest!

privacy policy

Copyright © 2018 — Teresa Kwant • All rights reserved.
Site customised by Laine Sutherland Designs

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.