How to Start a STEM Course/Makerspace for Middle School & High School 

Do you have the task of starting a  STEM class (e.g., full-half year course, elective, or club) or Makerspace  at the middle or high school level? Are you Science teacher looking to integrate Engineering practices and Core Disciplinary Ideas from NGSS into your classroom?  Teachers from various content areas (including media specialists) will receive an introduction to design-based pedagogy and necessary skills for facilitating a safe and effective project based, 21st Century Learning Environment aligned to Next Generation Science Standards. Participants leave with sample curriculum outlines and strategies for adaptation within their own school(s); as well as sample instructional, curricular and assessment materials.  An integrative STEM course, club and/or elective is an excellent way to acquaint all students to the engineering practices and other conceptual shifts that they will begin to encounter in science, as well as other content areas Grades 6-12. If you are running a makerspace, you’ll certainly need to introduce students to a sequence of activities before they can use the space autonomously!  Each participant will be issued a certificate for 30 hours of PD. Major topics addressed through hands-on, constructivist experience and group reflections:

Major Topics & Lessons

• Engineering Design Process
• Facilities/Safety
• 2D/3D Sketching and Drawing
• Tools/Machines/Processes
• 3D Modeling
• Color Theory
• Creativity, Invention and Innovation
• Alignment to NGSS and Common Core
• Engineering Core Disciplinary Ideas
• Formative Assessments, Portfolios and Engineering Notebooks
• Co-curriculars Events and Competitions, TSA Club, Robotics Clubs
• Budgeting, Vendors, Donations, Grants
• Nature of Technology, Human Impacts, Systems, Product Life Cycle
• Areas of Designed World: Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation, Communication/Information, Biotechnology, Power & Energy

Trainers include Chris Anderson and Chris Better