Driving Data: Integrating Math into STEM Fridays at Rooted School Vancouver
Part 2: Integrating Math into STEM Fridays
The importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education cannot be overstated in our rapidly evolving world. Our partnership between the International STEM League and Rooted School Vancouver, funded by the Innovation Grant, implements the 5E Inquiry-Based Instructional Model in our STEM Fridays program to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. This framework, grounded in cognitive psychology, constructivist learning theory, and best practices in STEM education, engages students in a comprehensive learning experience. Here’s how we integrate the five E’s: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate, with a focus on the math involved.
Engage: Sparking Curiosity
The Engage session sets the stage with an intriguing science or humanities investigation. For instance, we begin with a simple yet captivating demonstration: a container of beans with hidden ping-pong balls. As the container is shaken, students observe the balls rising to the top, prompting questions about buoyancy and density. This initial spark of curiosity is crucial as it draws students into the subject matter, preparing them for deeper exploration.
Explore: Hands-On Learning in 3 Stations
Exploration is divided into three stations, each emphasizing different STEM aspects with a strong math focus integrated into all three:
Data-Driven Projects and Driving STEM Challenges: Students are given a challenge to be solved over the duration of the program. This challenge can be viewed as a group competition with weekly awards for their work at the end of each STEM Friday. During this session, students engage in activities like measuring RC car speeds and computing averages, discussing slope and other terms based on their Algebra teacher’s focus. For example, they conduct a “Walk, Run, Drive” relay, timing each activity and calculating average speeds using distance and time data. This hands-on experience helps students practice mathematical concepts like averaging, speed calculation, and interpreting linear relationships in a tangible context. The main purpose is to enable teachers to identify specific gaps in computational fluency.
Tech & Engineering: Activities over the 16-week project include working with Snap Circuits, creating wearable tech, making gear walls, prototyping gaming peripherals, game design, battery tech, and sustainable stadium design. Options are offered for individuals to choose Python Certification, Magic School AI certification, or a Data Analysis Certificate with Eisengard AI. Each activity integrates math skills such as calculating electrical resistance, measuring angles and lengths, and analyzing data sets.
T.E.A.M.S. (Art, Branding, Collaboration): Projects like creating sticky note Gantt charts for project planning involve calculating timelines and resource allocation, integrating mathematical reasoning into everyday tasks. Art, team branding, collaboration, presentations, career tapestry, and graphic design help students prepare for success in project-based environments. These tasks often require understanding ratios, proportions, and geometric transformations.
Explain: Synthesizing Knowledge
In the Explain session, teachers facilitate the synthesis of new knowledge. After exploring various stations, students share their observations and findings. Teachers then introduce more formal explanations and technical information, often using multimedia aids to enhance understanding. STEM Friday discussions center around the stories found in student data and teaching the power of data visualization. This is a time that we practice using mathematical language and focus on seeing the patterns and structures in graphs made by data collected during the day.
Elaborate: Extending Learning by Applying Math Skills
Students apply new skills in mathematical reasoning and problem-solving during station activities. For instance, the “Power Drag iNSL Performance Challenge” tasks students with optimizing their RC car’s performance by balancing opposing variables: speed and weight. They use the formula Score = 𝑊×𝐷/𝑇 (The Power factor Score = weight multiplied by distance divided by time) to calculate the weight at which they are getting maximum performance out of the batteries, carrying the most weight in the shortest amount of time.
This is a Goldilocks problem that mimics the underlying calculations of many industries. We give examples of these real-world scenarios each week as students work toward solutions. For example, a UPS truck is set up to deliver the most product in the shortest amount of time. This challenge is a simplified one-variable version of that problem. There is no way to guess the answer; only the data will supply a solution.
Evaluate: Continuous and Multifaceted Assessment
Evaluation is continuous and multifaceted. Formative assessments include logbook entries and completed challenges demonstrating students’ mathematical problem-solving progress. Students practice and refine their math skills by recording data, calculating averages, and graphing results. Weekly awards for group performance foster a collaborative learning environment and encourage continuous improvement.
Student Motivation and Engagement
A key component of our approach is fostering student motivation and self-management in learning math. By integrating competitive elements, such as weekly awards and group challenges, students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning. The RC car challenges, in particular, provide tangible goals that students can work towards, making math more engaging and relevant to their interests.
The variety of activities offered in the Tech & Engineering and T.E.A.M.S. stations also helps to cater to diverse interests, ensuring that all students find something that motivates them. By linking math skills to real-world applications and creative projects, we help students see the value of math beyond the classroom.
Through these strategies, we aim to develop not only students' mathematical skills but also their confidence and enthusiasm for learning. As students become more engaged and motivated, they are more likely to take responsibility for their progress, leading to better outcomes and a deeper understanding of math.
Real-World Application and Impact
The ultimate goal of our STEM Fridays is to create a seamless connection between tactile experiences and abstract mathematical concepts. Our journey with the Rooted School Vancouver T.E.A.M.S. exemplifies how the 5E Model can drive STEM education, especially for teachers not yet trained in project-based learning. Through engaging activities, exploratory stations, and continuous evaluation, we prepare students for a future where math and science are not just subjects but integral parts of their lives and careers.
