IMSA-STEM
Tiger STEM Newsletter - OCTOBER 2021
Science - Technology - Engineering - Mathematics
Becoming a STEM Certified School
STEM School Certification is a rigorous and multi-step process. While there are many components to the Indiana Dept. of Education (IDOE) STEM certification application, much of the evidence required for submission come from four Domains. They are:
- Domain 1 - Culture
- Domain 2 - Curriculum
- Domain 3 - Instruction
- Domain 4 - Partnerships
In STEM, Culture is defined as the way teachers and staff members work together and the set of beliefs and values they share.
For this component of STEM certification, IMSA West will demonstrate a collaborative approach for decision-making in implementing STEM and receiving feedback from the staff on the STEM program.
Common work time is provided to teachers so they may plan for STEM learning opportunities and work with teachers across content areas to provide connections for student learning.
Equity is crucial for a strong STEM program and our goal is for 100% of our IMSA West students to participate in STEM instruction and programs at our school.
STEM is all about being creative and innovative (thinking outside the box!), problem-solving (not just math problems!) and understanding the world around them - all skills and habits of mind that are essential for life and the workplace.
To support STEM at home, check out these links!
DISCOVER Engineering - activities to do at home
TED-Ed - A great site for students to explore areas of STEM interest
Imagine the possibilities with STEM! (Lindenwood Univ video)
Eli Lilly Day of Service
In 7th grade volunteers helped students during the mummy presentation and asked students questions and provided feedback on student projects. The 8th graders did a demonstration on how matter undergoes physical changes with the addition/loss of heat energy. Students observed the three phases of water. In 6th grade the Lilly staff demonstrated energy flow within an ecosystem.
Each class had an opportunity to ask the Lilly volunteers MANY questions about their jobs and science. It was an informative and inspiring day for both students and the volunteers!
Eli Lilly Company Facts for Kids
Photo Credit: Ms. Sondra Harris, 6-8 Science
1st Grade - Animal Adaptations
For a short video on animal adaptations, click HERE!
Photo credits: Allen and Leary
It's Electric in 4th Grade!
Ms. King reports that the crew in 4C planned and constructed a string of lights using parallel circuits. We just finished up our investigation into energy and circuits in which students constructed different series and parallel circuits to discover how energy is transferred and which materials conduct or insulate electricity.
Think about holiday lights...which is better to have; lights on a series circuit or parallel circuit? Why? Watch the video below (3rd photo) to find out!!
Photo Credit: Ms. King, 4/5 Science teacher
4C Crew
Types of Circuits
Click the photo above to see how lights are made!
6-8 News!
Sixth grade just finished their owl pellets lab (Coughing up Clues). Owl pellets can This activity is their introduction to food webs and energy exchange through an ecosystem.
The seventh graders are using their knowledge gained from their mummy project (see last month's newsletter) to create a full scale mummy today.
The eighth grade modeled atoms using M&M’s. They are also going to make colonial cookies (social studies connection!) to learn about colonial cooking and the differences between chemical and physical changes.
What are owl pellets? Click HERE!
How are mummies made? Click HERE!
What is a recipe for Colonial Cookies? Click HERE!
Photo Credit: Ms. Harris, 6-8 Science
Students work with owl pellets
Tools used during owl pellet activity
New Teachers and Instructional Coaches
IMSA West continues to build a strong team of educators who love the profession, helping students, and who are lifelong learners. Over the next couple of months we'll be introducing the new members of the IMSA team.
Sian Rhodes - 2nd Grade
Ms. Rhodes: "I love teaching because I have always loved to learn and want to foster that love for learning in my students. I feel at home in the classroom and love challenging students and seeing them grow academically, socially, and emotionally. I wanted to work in a school that cared about its students, values well-rounded education, and provides students opportunities for STEM-focused education. I'm excited to get to know families and students and to learn more about our community from them."
Outside of school Ms. Rhodes loves to read, listen to podcasts, go for walks, and cook. She is recently a new cat mom so she likes to spend lots of time with her new kitten.
Justin Kirby, K-2 Instructional Coach
He has been teaching for 7 years and this is his first year as an instructional coach. Mr. Kirby states, "I chose to be an instructional coach because I wanted to be a positive support person for the teachers who serve our students. As an IC, I hope to share my passion for STEM with all our educators and have that passion radiate to our students."
For self-care Mr. Kirby likes to play soccer for Indy City Futbol and spend quality time with his wife, Emily and 9 month old daughter, Charlie.
Georgia Ross, K-8 Math Instructional Coach
Her experience includes teaching math in urban, rural, and suburban schools from Washington D.C. to Tonganoxie, Kansas! Mrs. Ross states, "I support our STEM efforts by helping teachers recognize and incorporate strong connections between math and science in their daily lessons. I absolutely love the teamwork and high energy enthusiasm of both students and staff at IMSA! They have been so welcoming as this is my first year at IMSA!"
For self-care Mrs. Ross enjoys traveling with family, hiking with her husband and dog, yoga, and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs and KU Jayhawks.
NEXT STEM NEWSLETTER WILL BE NOVEMBER 2021!
Email: west@imsaindy.org
Website: https://west.imsaindy.org/
Location: 4575 West 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: (317) 298-0025
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imsawesttigers