Middle School STEM Academy
Sheldon ISD 2017 - 2018
STEM Academy Details
What Does It Mean To Be A STEM Teacher?
"So what if I teach ELA or SS? Where is the place for my subjects in a STEM academy?"
There is also a need for ELA and SS to integrate with STEM subjects. Students need to be able to build their knowledge base through content rich text, and to be able to read, write, and speak about their ideas and work, all grounded in evidence. Students need to be able to construct viable arguments and critique reasoning of others, and engage in arguments using evidence. Students need to know where and how innovations in history came about to understand the need for innovative and critical thinking for our future. (See diagram below)
A large component of STEM education is project-based learning (PBL). Teachers selected to be a part of the STEM academy will be thoroughly trained in PBL and will receive PBL resources. Teachers will still teach all of their TEKS for their subject area, but it will be done in the form of project-based learning. Some cross-curricular projects will be expected, and the STEM academy teachers will work as a collaborative team. Characteristics of a STEM teacher include:
- A facilitator of learning
- Strong questioning skills that elicit desired student thought processes
- Well-planned and organized
- An excellent team member and communicator
- Flexible
- Technologically inclined and willing to learn more
- Problem solver
- Campus leader & role model
- Positive outlook with a no-excuses attitude
- Willing and able to challenge students, encourages students to fail and try again, motivates students to stick with it, and believes in students.
What Can A STEM Academy Teacher Expect?
- professional development in project-based learning
- on-going support in planning and execution of PBL activities
- to participate in field explorations that make real-world connections to learning
- to participate in and promote campus and district STEM events and activities