1st Edition

10 Performance-Based STEM Projects for Grades 6-8

By Todd Stanley Copyright 2018
    176 Pages
    by Prufrock Press

    10 Performance-Based STEM Projects for Grades 6-8 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 6-8

    INTRODUCTION Why Project-Based Learning? Why STEM? Why STEM and PBL? How This Book Is Organized Project 1: Communicate Effectively Project Outline: Logo Art Installation Suggested Timeline Lesson: What Makes a Logo Successful? Lesson: Recycled Artwork Handout Product Rubric Project 2: Focus on Inquiry and Collaboration Project Outline: Hall of Fame Suggested Timeline Lesson: What Is a Hall of Fame? Handouts Product Rubric Project 3: Understand Multiple Content Areas Project Outline: You Be the Teacher Suggested Timeline Lesson: Effective Teaching Handouts Product Rubric Project 4: Explore Contemporary Issues Project Outline: The Role of Citizenship Suggested Timeline Handouts Product Rubric Project 5: Use Technology, Math, and Reasoning Project Outline: What If You Paid the Bills? Suggested Timeline Lesson: Budget Simulation Lesson: Budget Overview Handouts Product Rubric Project 6: Use and Analyze Models Project Outline: Escape Room Suggested Timeline Lesson: What Is an Escape Room? Handouts Product Rubric Project 7: Record and Analyze Data Project Outline: Math Portfolio Suggested Timeline Lesson: What Is Reflection? Handouts Product Rubric Project 8: Investigate Change Over Time and Patterns Project Outline: We Didn’t Start the Fire Suggested Timeline Lesson: What Is Cause and Effect? Lesson: Developing Timelines Product Rubric Project 9: Use Computer Models or Simulations Project Outline: Planning a Road Trip Suggested Timeline Lesson: Planning a Class Trip Handout Product Rubric Project 10: Construct and Explain Systems Project Outline: The Business Plan Suggested Timeline Lesson: Why Do We Have Businesses? Handouts Product Rubric DEVELOP YOUR OWN STEM PROJECTS REFERENCES ABOUT THE AUTHOR NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE 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.

    This work is for use in the middle grades and if the school district or school system has adopted the Common Core and STEM programs, then this work will tie well with they already have in place also for those who do not use the Common Core or STEM programs, this work will supplement the lesson plans already being used. The work has all the handouts and references to do all ten projects. It is well laid out and offers plenty of instruction on how the educator can complete the entire work in just one school year.,Lewie Dunn,Georgia Military College,10/23/18