Attribute 8.3
applied learning for STEM teachers
Model: Over 75% of STEM teachers participate every-other-year in at least one applied learning experience to increase their STEM content or career knowledge.
Teachers take every opportunity to develop skills to help them teach STEM concepts and incorporate them in their classroom. The school improvement team has worked with our principal to outline and implement a year-long professional development plan meant to develop content knowledge and to engage teachers in the types of learning activities their students need. All teachers have participated in some STEM professional development together, but we value personalized goals, so our teachers also learn and participate in a variety of other learning experiences as individuals or small groups. Teachers have attended professional development at Discovery Ed Center, WRESA, NC Science House, NCCTM, Govenor Teacher's Network and ExxonMobile Teacher's Academy. This year, teachers had applied learning experiences at WLOS TV Station and Pardee Hospital Cancer Center. Teachers also visit STEM companies in our community. While visiting, teachers take a tour of the facility, talk about STEM connections in their industry, and discover activities they can incorporate into the classroom. Teachers invite these STEM professionals to be guest speakers in their classrooms.
The companies listed to the right are all partners that have worked with our teachers and students throughout the school year. Some have hosted our teachers for a day, provided authentic learning experiences through field trips, and have come into the school to speak to students about their industry. They have also provided materials to use in the classroom to aid in integrating STEM.
STEM teachers investigate new learning opportunities at The Discovery Education Center in Charlotte, NC.
The pictures below show some of the STEM partners our teachers have visited during the school year.
Research completed by 5th grade science teacher while participating in the Govenor's Teacher Network.
STEM teachers visited WLOS News studio where they toured the studio and observed the interesting technology use. While there, teachers discussed how to incorporate the new ideas into the classroom.
STEM teachers visited the NC Science House to gain new ideas for incorporating STEM in the classroom. Our school is also partners with the NC Science House.
Teachers attended the NCCTM Math Conference in Greensboro, NC.
Our 5th grade science teacher was chosen to attend the Mickelson Exxonmobile Teacher's Academy.
