The new school year is on the horizon and STEM teachers are going to be caught up in the whirlwind of preparation before Day One. As you prepare to engage students in exciting STEM lessons, Anne Jolly offers 5 lesson principles to keep in the forefront.
Guest expert Dr. Susan Pruet stresses the need to stretch beyond simple arithmetic to incorporate more challenging math content in STEM lessons. Pruet also cites the supports middle grades math teachers will need to spark student engagement in STEM careers.
Lots of lessons you find on the Internet don’t meet the minimum criteria for a good STEM learning experience. In her latest STEM By Design post, expert Anne Jolly explains how to take a potential STEM lesson and boost its power. Lesson sources included!
STEM By Design / STEM Program Design
by Anne Jolly · Published 03/15/2015 · Last modified 11/29/2019
Access to STEM education is more than an economic issue. It’s a matter of equity as well. Anne Jolly highlights the story of an urban district where an intentionally disruptive program is successfully involving all middle school students in STEM studies.
What makes a lesson or unit STEM-worthy? Expert Anne Jolly evaluates two actual lessons that have been given the STEM label. Each incorporates science, math, group work and technology, but one fails the ultimate STEM test. She details the reasons why in this insightful article.
STEM and the Future / STEM By Design
by Anne Jolly · Published 01/20/2015 · Last modified 11/26/2019
Will 2015 be the year when we decide what STEM programs should and shouldn’t be? STEM consultant Anne Jolly peruses the field of current middle school programs and compares the many permutations to STEM criteria defined by the initiative’s originators.
With the winter “read by the fire” season in full force, we offer a selection of 20 MiddleWeb posts that have garnered thousands of views apiece. They represent the wisdom & expertise of middle grades educators with a wide range of teaching experiences.
In a season filled with celebrations, MiddleWeb celebrates teachers by sharing some insights into the teaching life, offered by our bloggers and guest writers. We begin with the wonderful 2014 book, Teaching with Heart.
The curriculum tug of war between proponents of STEM programs and those who advocate for STEAM is in full force. Whichever side you may be pulling for, Anne Jolly has some facts, insights and questions that can help determine which way we should go.
STEM curriculum expert Anne Jolly sees considerable potential for connecting sports to a variety of engineering challenges and attracting otherwise disengaged students to STEM programs. She shares a range of good resource sites, from NASA’s STEM Mania to the SF 49er STEM Zone.
