Professional Learning Goals

• Developed a deeper understanding of Empowering Modern Learners document (PDSB, 2017); delved into the four core beliefs of the EML document, identified how the six Innovative Elements (i.e., Learning Culture, Informative Assessment, Access to Technology, 21st Century Competencies, Learning Environments, and Models of Learning) enhance learning
• Researched and developed STEAM activities and provocations that inspired students from kindergarten to Grade 5 to hypothesize solutions to scientific problems, use technology to assist with inquiry, use principles of engineering to build and construct, learn the principles of design and create artistic pieces, and solve mathematical problems
• Developed a portable STEAM Lab that makes it easy for teachers to conduct inquiries in their classrooms, in the library, or any other available space (i.e., storage has to be easily moved to various areas of the school)
• Selected activities and provocations that were integrated into the curriculum at various grade levels

Activities and Resources

At a staff meeting, we were given the opportunity to share our understanding of STEAM and to have staff try a variety of exploration tasks that we had a Grade 3 class try prior to the staff meeting.

The Exploration Tasks were as follows:

1. Exploration Task #1: Robots
2. Exploration Task #2: Green Screen
3. Exploration Task #3: Osmo
4. Exploration Task #4: Coding

Building With Makedo Cardboard Construction – Social Studies

A Grade 3 class investigated different artefacts used by Canada’s First Nations people. Pairs of students were given a project-based inquiry task card. The task card asked them to research and design one of the following:

• Transportation – Snowshoes
• Transportation – Canoe
• Homes – Teepee
• Homes – Wigwam
• Tanning

Students were given a design planning sheet, where they did the following:

1. Define the problem
2. Brainstorm possible solutions (choose one of the solutions)
3. Create a prototype using cardboard
4. Test their prototype

They created their prototype using the following materials:

• Cardboard
• Large sheets of plastic
• Makedo Cardboard Construction Kits
• Duct tape
• Masking tape
• Scotch tape
• Scissors
• Metre sticks
• String

To see samples of actual provocations used, please see the attached files.

Unexpected Challenges

• Budgetary constraints – equipping a STEAM Lab is costly (investment in technology, moveable storage units, materials such as Makedos, Lego, Microbits, Makey Makey)
• Weak WiFi connection (requires updating and improvements)
• Went through consumables very quickly (i.e., collected large quantities of cardboard and our stock was depleted after one project)
• Getting staff buy-in requires more professional development, pre-made provocations which link directly to the curriculum, more resources, and hands-on technological support

Enhancing Student Learning and Development

• Fostered curiosity and questioning disposition
• Established empathy amongst learners
• Triangulation of data (providing varied ways for learners to demonstrate their learning)
• Used technology to connect learners to the people, information and tools they needed for project-based learning
• Develop 21st century skills and competencies (i.e., Learning Culture, Informative Assessment, Access to Technology, 21st Century Competencies, Learning Environments, and Models of Learning)
• Build on their knowledge base
• Develop their design thinking and explore big ideas
• Made learning meaningful and the curriculum more authentic

Sharing

Colleagues

• Staff meeting presentation (re: What is STEAM?)
• Staff hands-on exploration of technology at staff meeting
• Lunch-and-Learns
• Collaboration with other grade teams
• Empowering Modern Learners Committee
• Working with administration to create a common vision
• Networking with other teacher-librarians and teachers who have Makerspaces or STEM Labs

Project Evaluation

Our take-aways (what we learned):

• Learned a great deal about inquiry-based learning and project-based learning, Makerspaces, STEM and STEAM
• How to engage students and empower their learning
• Learned that it is important to carefully think out the logistics of a portable STEAM Lab
• Came to the realization that we need to develop a three-year plan in order to make the STEAM Lab an actuality
• Importance of creating a committee to help make school-wide decisions and ensure equitable use of resources
• Deeper understanding of the Empowering Modern Learners document (PDSB, 2017)