The Future of STEM Education? MAST-MSELA Conference November 13, 2014.

The Future of STEM Education?

MAST-MSELA ConferenceNovember 13, 2014

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My charge Stop talking about STE standards for a

moment Look ahead – what does the future look

like?

www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/12/10/bright_sign_for_tech_in_mass/

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Consider … then… Think about changes over the past 15

years: Genetics Climate change; global warming Communications systems Materials science Robotics Energy Food science; agriculture Severe weather prediction Health care Neuroscience Automobiles

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Consider … the future … What will our world look like 15 years from

now? Genetics Climate change; global warming Communications systems Materials science Robotics Energy Food science; agriculture Severe weather prediction Health care Neuroscience Automobiles

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Consider … now … When you ask students to draw a

scientist, what do they typically draw? When you ask students to describe the

value of science in their lives, what do they typically say?

When you ask students what they want to do after graduation, what do they say they want to pursue?

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STEM interest … now … Research indicates students identify with

STEM (or not) before they leave elementary school

Evidence that urban families see STEM as a way up/out Urban students tend to have higher interest in

STEM but lower preparation

Evidence that many MA students take STEM AP courses to avoid STEM later

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How is STEM education changing to meet a changing world? Jake’s predictions Based on what I am already seeing signs

of; nothing here is pure conjecture Looking out 5-10 years (*maybe 15)

Disclaimer: Not reflective of any particular action or initiative ESE is undertaking or supporting

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2 broad categories Changing opportunities for student

learning and engagement Changing strategies and structures

needed to provide those opportunities

www.nymetroparents.com/fairfield/article/Hamden-Hall-Country-Day-School-in-CT-Hosts-Engineering-Workshop-for-Elementary-Teachers#.VFo0pGewWTE

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Increased focus on science & technology/engineering Districts made transition to STE standards Increased attention to

technology/engineering More elementary science (focus on whole

child) Focus on teaching students*

More focus on student discourse, making thinking visible, engaging students with evidence to help revise how they understand the world

Changing Opportunities

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Increased opportunities for doing science and engineering Students doing and learning science and

engineering in relevant contexts More project- and problem-based

learning More performances

In classrooms, with community audiences, in local and state assessments, as part of district determined measures

Higher education institutions moving to doing* (vs. lecture) (e.g., AP redesign)

Changing Opportunities

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Addition of Computer Science Computer science standards and courses

All grades levels* App programming; Game development Robotics

Changing Opportunities

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Changing opportunities for student learning and engagement

Success depends on increasing the relevance, coherence, and

rigor of student opportunities and experiences

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More widely available STEM resources Sharing resources, units, lessons,

common assessments across classrooms, schools, and districts (even states)

Collaborative development of resources, units, lessons, common assessments (especially virtually)

Coordination of and access to dispersed STE resources (across community, industry, and education sectors)*

Changing Strategies

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Integration of STEM programming STE departments STEM programs, academies and schools Integration of STE with literacy and math

Work on maintaining integrity of each* Academic-CVTE collaborations* Articulated STEM pathway options

PKcareer* That do not track or limit choice

Changing Strategies

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Changing teacher roles

Increased teacher collaboration and PD time

Career ladder and instructional leadership opportunities*

Most experienced teachers with neediest students*

Changing Strategies

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New learning spaces

Science and engineering classroom design* MA School Building Authority

Maker spaces, Fab labs*

Promote flexibility, student collaboration and engagement, projects (investigations and design challenges)

Changing Structures

MSBA science lab specs (MS-HS)

www.massschoolbuildings.org/programs/science_lab/guidelines

Changing Structures

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Consider … the future … 10 years from now, when you ask

students to draw a scientist or an engineer, what will most of them draw?

When you ask students to describe the value of science and engineering in their lives, what will most of them say?

When you ask students what they want to do after graduation, what will they say they want to pursue?

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STEM interest … the future Help students identify with STEM early,

before they leave elementary school, then beyond

Help urban families access STEM opportunities

Help students see pathways through and to STEM opportunities

Work to increase the relevance, coherence, and rigor of student opportunities and experiences

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The ultimate goal

You will have prepared students to contribute to key social decisions and succeed in any career option

(most of which don’t exist today!)

Thank you!

Reactions or comments

Jake Foster781-338-3510

[email protected]

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