Session Summary:

At the heart of any good STEM curriculum is a problem solving mindset. But how do you take your youngest learners — many of whom are still learning how to “do school” — and build a culture of independent problem solving?

As daunting a task as that feels at times, it’s easier than you think! Come learn about how you can lean into the research on play-based learning while simultaneously challenging students to develop lifelong engineering skills such as critical thinking, grit, creativity, collaboration, and communication.

Leave with strategies on how to ensure all students, regardless of their background, find a love of STEM and confidence in their problem solving skills..

About:

PreK-4 STEM Specialist

Brittney Tarr works as a PreK-4 STEM specialist at Thomas Metcalf. She holds a master's degree in special education and a graduate certificate in STEM Education and Leadership, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in teaching and learning from Illinois State University.

Her research interests include early childhood STEM education and STEM identity. Her professional goals aim to ensure access to high-quality STEM education for all students, particularly those from underrepresented groups.

Social Media: 

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Session Summary:

In this session, participants will explore how to use 3D printing to make real-world connections, foster creativity, and extend learning in the literacy curriculum.

We’ll focus on using Tinkercad to design custom models that combine literacy and the design process.

Participants will leave with ready to use lesson ideas and templates and knowledge on how to construct engaging lessons based on the books they’re teaching and the goals they have for their students.

We’ll also cover practical tips for 3D printing and offer alternatives for educators without access to a 3D printer.

About:

Technology Teacher

Melanie Sowa-Li is an experienced technology teacher and library media specialist with over 11 years in education, specializing in integrating educational technology, coding, 3D design, and makerspace activities into K-5 and intermediate-level curricula.

She has presented at numerous district, regional and state conferences where she has led sessions on topics such as 3D printing, AR/VR in the classroom, and gamification.

Melanie is passionate about collaborating with fellow educators to create engaging, tech-enhanced learning experiences that foster creativity and student success.

Session Summary:

STEM is a natural, authentic, and meaningful opportunity to embed the nonfiction reading and writing standards.

Reflective writing is a powerful way to foster metacognition, perseverance, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication after engaging in the engineering design process.

This session will show educators classroom examples of quick-writes, diagramming, anchor charts, and sentence stems! We'll discuss ways to integrate more literacy with STEM!

About:

K-5 STEM Specialist, Author/Illustrator

Ekuwah Mends Moses is a national award-winning educator, published author-illustrator of two nonfiction picture books, and an international keynote speaker. Ekuwah is a specialist who teaches K-5th grade Engineering to approximately 750 students on a seven-day rotation.

She was selected as the 2023-2024 National Life Group LifeChanger of the Year grand prize winner. Ekuwah is the 2023 Educator of the Year at D.L. “Dusty” Dickens STEM Academy of Engineering and Design. She received the 2023 City of North Las Vegas Mayor’s Innovative Teaching Award.

During her 24 years of teaching in the Clark County School District, she previously worked as a Family Learning Facilitator, Performance Zone Instructional Coach, K-5 Literacy Specialist, Learning Strategist, and an elementary classroom teacher.

Her debut children’s book, My Name is an Address, is featured in the School Library Journal.

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Website

Session Summary:

In this session, I share my insights on how I incorporate books within my STEM lessons and build off of my previous session Teaching STEM Con Books.

I will mainly focus on how I utilize STEM and stories with Kindergarten - 2nd Grade students along with a couple of lessons for 3rd grade - 5th grade students.

I will share lesson ideas for Back To School STEM and many more stories that you could incorporate into your classroom.

Lastly, I am going to speak on how I meet the needs of my bilingual students and help them better comprehend our lessons.

You will be able to walk away with teacher slides and ideas to utilize in your classroom.

About:

K-5 STEM Teacher

Alma Torrez is a K-5 STEM teacher in Texas. She currently is the only STEM teacher at an elementary level in her district. Her students have worked on coding all sorts of robots and do a lot of engineering with recycled materials.

Alma is always eager to bring in new ideas to her classroom and find what works for her students. She also schedules and assists in their school garden where they successfully have grown lots of onions, peppers, and more.

Many of Alma's students come from low-income families, so she is passionate about educating them about careers in STEM while creating memorable lessons.

Alma also loves to utilize literature that her students can see themselves in as her school is over 90% Latino/Hispanic. She is no celebrity but her students sure do make her feel like she is when she walks the halls.

 Social Media:

Instagram

Yes. Contact [email protected].

A least 21 Hours of Professional Development. 

The Elementary STEM Teachers Club Membership is for K-5 teachers.

However, we do have many middle school teachers who have joined and love it!