FULL STEAM AHEAD A D O D E A G R A N T A W A R D E D T O S I E - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

FULL STEAM AHEAD

A D O D E A G R A N T A W A R D E D T O S I E R R A S A N D S U N I F I E D 2 0 1 7 - 2 0 2 2

Sierra Sands USD’s “Full STEAM Ahead for Middle School Military Connected Students” project revitalizes and reimagines college and career readiness academic support through high quality programming in science, integrated technology, engineering project based learning, and integrated math instruction infused with art and music experiences. Delivery of services for sixth grade students is through a specialized STEAM approach including interdisciplinary studies and teaming as well as extensive project-based

• learning. Data and data-based decision making will inform the program and

measure impact on student math and science achievement.

YEAR 1 ACTIVITIES- 2017-2018

• Parent Input- Fall
• Middle School Staff Discussions
• Middle School Staff Professional Development
• Family Night Experiences- Coding
• Student Summer Experience- “Codechangers”
• Purchased Gizmos- Math and Science simulations

GIZMOS SAMPLE

Circumference and Area of Circles

This Wednesday is every math teacher’s favorite day, Pi Day! Whether your favorite pie is apple, pecan, pumpkin, or Key lime, you can prepare your students with the Circumference and Area of Circles

• Gizmo. In this Gizmo, students set the radius (and diameter) of a circle, then use the included arc

length tool to measure the circumference. Students see that the ratio of the circumference to the diameter is always a bit over three, or pi to be precise. Students can also use these tools to see how pi relates to the area of a circle. Measuring circles is a great classroom activity as well. Have students create circles of various sizes

• n thin cardboard or poster board, either with compasses or by tracing everyday objects like cans

and lids. Measure the diameter and circumference of each circle, and post the results on the

• chalkboard. Even better, measure the diameter and circumference of all the empty pie pans when

you’re done feasting. Happy Pi Day!

YEAR 2 PLANS- 2018-2019

• Elective revisions/ proposals- to be presented to the board this April

– Eliminate Creative Communications for 6th grade students – Implement- “Thinking Outside the Box” 1 semester elective

• Computer Science Fundamentals- Express
• STEAM activities

– Revise curriculum of existing computer courses to new “Computer Science Discoveries” curriculum – Provide increased access to specialized STEAM spaces, courses and projects. – Continue to reach out to elementary schools to provide STEAM experiences

FOCUS ON CORE STUDENT PRACTICES

• Problem Solving
• Persistence
• Creativity
• Collaboration
• Communication