Preparing STEM Learning Opportunities

Staff and and volunteers will prepare high-quality STEM activities for youth.

As a result of ongoing, consistent professional development efforts, staff and volunteers will be able to:

  • Understand that science learning begins with play and moves toward disciplined practice
  • Determine if STEM activities are well designed and suited to the unpredictable environment of out-of-school learning and to their specific program’s structure and needs.
  • Identify and employ strategies to create an environment of co-inquiry and learning together with youth

Resources

Creating a To-Do List

Participants will create a detailed lesson plan to learn to prepare for STEM learning.

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Getting Comfortable Selecting STEM Activities

Participants will reflect on their management of materials to learn to better prepare for STEM learning.

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How Do I Know if it is a Good STEM Activity?

Participants will evaluate Wonderful Junk in order to prepare high-quality STEM learning opportunities.

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Identifying a STEM Learning Goal

Participants will evaluate common STEM activities in order to prepare high-quality STEM learning opportunities.

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Our Perception of STEM

Participants will engage in the egg drop challenge to learn to plan and rate STEM learning opportunities on their quality.

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Prepare and Plan

Participants will prepare materials and contingency plans for common STEM activities in order to prepare high-quality STEM learning opportunities.

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Prepare to Say “It’s STEM”

Participants will engage in the straw rocket challenge to learn to prepare and plan STEM learning opportunities.

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Developing Focus Questions

Participants will watch the Using a Focus Question Video-Based Learning Module and develop a focus question for an activity they plan to facilitate.

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Using a Focus Question

Participants will develop a focus question in order to make learning objectives more apparent.

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