NEW Wilbur STEM Lab Vision
What is STEM?
S.T.E.M. stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. STEM projects allow students to collaborate while coupling rigorous academic concepts with real-world problems [1]. Our emphasis is on the engineering process in which things don't always work the first time and the students must analyze what happened, redesign, and try again [2]. According to the Next Generation Science Standards (2014), there are three major phases to the Engineering Design Process:
- Defining the problem- A situation people want to change can be thought of as a problem that can be solved. The problem often includes criteria and constraints. Criteria are requirements for a successful solution and usually specify the function that a design is expected to perform and qualities that would make it possible to choose one design over another. Constraints are limitations that must be taken into account when creating the designed solution. In the classroom, constraints are often the materials that are available and the amount of time students have to work. [3, 4]
- Developing possible solutions- The first solution that comes to mind should not be implemented right away; designs should be thought through first, often with sketches or physical models to help shape ideas. Several alternatives solutions should be generated and compared systematically to see which best meets the criteria and constraints of the problem. [3, 4]
- Comparing different solutions and improving designs- Solutions should be built and tested to see how well it solves the problem or achieves the goal. Testing should be done "fairly" within a controlled experiment. Another means for improving designs is to build a structure and subject it to tests until it fails, noting where the failure occurs and then re-designed so that it is stronger. The broader message is that "failure" is an essential and even desirable part of the design process, as it points the way to better solutions. [3, 4]
See our students in action, below:Explore Careers in STEM below |
The Value of
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References
[1] California Department of Education. (2013). Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics. Retrieved from
http://www.cde.ca.gov/pd/ca/sc/stemintrod.asp
[2] Andrade, David. (2011). STEM- descriptions, ideas and resources for educators. Retrieved from
http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/blog/2011/11/10/stem-description-ideas-and-resources-for-educators/
[3] Next Generation Science Standards. (2014). K-2 Engineering Design. Page 22
[4] Next Generation Science Standards. (2014). 3-5 Engineering Design. Page 52
[1] California Department of Education. (2013). Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics. Retrieved from
http://www.cde.ca.gov/pd/ca/sc/stemintrod.asp
[2] Andrade, David. (2011). STEM- descriptions, ideas and resources for educators. Retrieved from
http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/blog/2011/11/10/stem-description-ideas-and-resources-for-educators/
[3] Next Generation Science Standards. (2014). K-2 Engineering Design. Page 22
[4] Next Generation Science Standards. (2014). 3-5 Engineering Design. Page 52