Teachers will engage in collaborative inquiry through formal and informal meetings to strengthen and develop our professional knowledge on how to utilize STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) activities in kindergarten and the early primary classroom. We will investigate the use of different building materials to engage students in STEAM activities. We will explore various ways for students to demonstrate their learning using technology (iPads and Chromebooks). We will develop a STEAM resource that will be accessible to share with others.
Team Members
Terri Levitt-Chipman
Niagara Catholic District School Board
Melissa Maney Worden
Niagara Catholic District School Board
Theresa Stevenson
Niagara Catholic District School Board
Professional Learning Goals
- We researched and investigated various STEAM activities
- We developed and implemented STEAM activities in the kindergarten and primary classrooms that differentiated instruction and integrated curriculum expectations that supported inquiry-based learning
- We explored documentation tools such as Google Keep and Google Forms
Activities and Resources
Release time was used to meet as a team to investigate and later develop STEAM activities. Curriculum expectations were explored to promote inquiry-based learning for students and develop concrete ways to assess and support their learning with the use of iPads and Chromebooks. Team teaching was explored to implement inquir-based learning and STEAM opportunities.
We found knowing the curriculum expectations assisted us well in developing STEAM activities.
The resources purchased were open-ended building materials such as LEGO, Kapla Building Blocks, Tinkertoys, engineer block kits, magnetic tiles, magnetic tangrams, Playstix and Magnetic Stix. Having these materials at hand provided many opportunities for the students to engage in STEAM activities using a variety of materials.
We referenced many online websites, blogs and Twitter feeds which assisted in deepening our understanding of STEAM activities.
Unexpected Challenges
- Shortage of supply teachers in our board
- Choosing to keep the money in a board account and having conflicts with it being properly balanced
Enhancing Student Learning and Development
Students looked forward to the challenge of STEAM activities and enjoyed sharing their learning. There was an increase in student engagement.
Students who struggle with paper/pencil tasks had opportunities to excel in STEAM activities and meet curriculum expectations in a variety of ways. These STEAM activities promoted responsibility, collaboration, independent skills, organization, self-regulation and initiative. STEAM activities promoted innovative and creative thinking. Students developed perseverance.
Sharing
A STEAM Club was started with the Grade 1 teachers who invited the kindergarten students and the kindergarten teachers during afternoon recess. Grade 1 teachers led kindergarten students in STEAM challenges and modelled STEAM activities and extensions that they can bring back to their kindergarten classrooms.
STEAM challenge activity cards were shared with colleagues who we collaborate with from other schools, as well as school and board staff.
Project Evaluation
Our project was a success! We feel like we have met our goals of creating and implementing STEAM activities that differentiate instruction, integrate curriculum expectations, support inquiry-based learning, and develop assessment tools that supported teacher and student learning.
We know we have met our goals because we have created STEAM cards for the year that meet curriculum expectations. We had a successful STEAM Club where students were engaged regardless of their academic ability. We have developed assessment tools in Google Forms and tracked documentation through Google Keep. We have shared our learning with our kindergarten teachers for them to bring back to their classrooms. We have integrated curriculum expectations into inquiry-based learning into our daily plans which allows for students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways including the use of iPads and Chromebooks.
Resources Used
We also found the following websites helpful:
How to get into Play-Based Learning: Part 1 – What is Play?
How to Make Every Grade More Like Kindergarten
Makerspace and STEAM Lesson Plans
STEAM Powered Classroom
Enhancing STEAM Learning in Elementary
4 STEAM Projects That Blend Creativity and Technology
Tips to Create a STEAM Makerspace in Schools
STEM to STEAM: Resources Toolkit
5-Minute Film Festival: Genius Hour
Makerspace
Why Every Classroom Should Be a Makerspace
STEM to STEAM: Resources Toolkit
LEGO CHALLENGE CARDS
PRINTABLE WINTER STEM CHALLENGE ACTIVITY CARDS
40 STEM Activities for Kids
Simple STEAM Christmas Tasks
Wooden Plank STEM Challenges
28 Awesome STEM Challenges for the Elementary Classroom – Teach Junkie