1st Edition

10 Performance-Based STEM Projects for Grades 2-3

By Todd Stanley Copyright 2018
    156 Pages
    by Prufrock Press

    10 Performance-Based STEM Projects for Grades 2-3 provides 10 ready-made projects designed to help students achieve higher levels of thinking and develop 21st-century skills while learning about science, technology, engineering, and math. Projects are aligned to national standards and feature crosscurricular connections, allowing students to explore and be creative as well as gain an enduring understanding. Each project is linked to national STEM education goals and represents one of a variety of performance assessments, including oral presentations, research papers, and exhibitions. Included for each project are a suggested calendar to allow teachers to easily plan a schedule, mini-lessons that allow students to build capacity and gain an understanding of what they are doing, as well as multiple rubrics that can be used to objectively assess the performance of students. The lessons are laid out in an easy-to-follow format that will allow teachers to implement the projects immediately.

    Grades 2-3

    INTRODUCTION Why Project-Based Learning? Why STEM? Why STEM and PBL? How This Book Is Organized Project 1: Communicate Effectively Project Outline: Create a Book Trailer Suggested Timeline Lesson: What Goes on the Back of a Book Cover? Lesson: How to Shorten a 2-Hour Movie Into a 2-Minute Trailer Handouts Product Rubric Project 2: Focus on Inquiry and Collaboration Project Outline: Paper Versus Plastic Suggested Timeline Lesson: Introduction to Debate Lesson: What Makes an Argument Effective? Lesson: Conducting Research Handout Product Rubric Project 3: Understand Multiple Content Areas Project Outline: An Origami Ecosystem Museum Suggested Timeline Lesson: What Is an Ecosystem? Lesson: Roles in an Ecosystem Lesson: What Is Origami? Lesson: Museum Displays Handouts Product Rubric Project 4: Explore Contemporary Issues Project Outline: Made in Taiwan Suggested Timeline Lesson: Locating Where Clothing Is Manufactured Lesson: Determining Distances Handout Project 5: Use Technology, Math, and Reasoning Project Outline: The Inkblot Test Suggested Timeline Lesson: What Do You See? Handouts Product Rubric Project 6: Use and Analyze Models Project Outline: A Bridge Too Far? Suggested Timeline Lesson: Types of Bridges Handouts Product Rubric Project 7: Record and Analyze Data Project Outline: Is the Weather Report Always Right? Suggested Timeline Lesson: How to Check the Weather Lesson: Recording Data Handout Product Rubric Project 8: Investigate Change Over Time and Patterns Project Outline: The Times Are Changing Suggested Timeline Lesson: How Does Technology Change? Lesson: What Is an Effective Display? Handouts Product Rubric Project 9: Use Computer Models or Simulations Project Outline: Redesigning the Classroom Suggested Timeline Lesson: Determining the Size of the ClassroomLesson: Rethinking the Classroom Product Rubric Project 10: Construct and Explain Systems Project Outline: So You Want to Be an Inventor? Suggested Timeline Lesson: Inventing Handouts Product Rubric DEVELOP YOUR OWN STEM PROJECTS REFERENCES ABOUT THE AUTHOR NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS ALIGNMENT COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS ALIGNMENT

    Biography

    Todd Stanley is author of seven teacher education books including Project-Based Learning for Gifted Students: A Handbook for the 21st-Century Classroom and Performance-Based Assessment for 21st-Century Skills.