Hi Everyone,

Thanks for viewing our video. This year, we focused our video on trying to show the impact that our STEM minor is having on our PK-4 teacher candidates. We've also started to collect data using surveys and interviews to better capture how these pre-service teachers are engaged in STEM and to more fully understand their STEM perspectives. We are still in the early stages of analyzing data, but hopefully the video helps to convey that our students are definitely having some very positive experiences. 

We received some good suggestions last year for additional resources, contacts, and venues for presentations, publications, and professional development related to preparing the next generation of PK-4 teachers. While we are still interested in gathering more of these, I am especially interested in things that are specific to the PK-K level, as this seems to be the level where there is the least research and development. If you have suggestions on contacts, sources, research, and resources for this level, please share. 

If you want more information about our project in general, you might also want to visit last year's video at http://stemforall2017.videohall.com/presentatio... where our research questions and overall project goals are discussed in more detail. 

Best,

Sharon

Hi Sharon and all,

What glowing reviews you have from your students! This is a very inspiring video. I'm interested to hear a bit more about the data collection you mention in your post. Do the data focus mostly on teachers' affective perceptions, or are you also looking at their content understanding of STEM subjects? How do content learning and enthusiasm work together in how you think about your impact?

It was really exciting to see the impact of the STEM minor on the perceptions of the teachers interviewed in this piece. I'd like to know if you prepare them for observing and assessing student learning in the STEM Lab activities. 

Hi Irene - Thanks for watching our video. The quick answer to your question is that we do spend some time helping them to assess student learning in STEM activities, which includes observation. But frankly, it's not as much as I'd like. As one example, they take a course in Product Design which puts a lot of emphasis on project-based learning pedagogy. They learn how to provide constructive criticism and learn strategies for collecting evidence of students' learning. There is a lot of emphasis on using design process documentation with pictures, reflections, and portfolios. They also take a course that focuses a lot on curriculum planning and design. Assessment strategies are integral to that as well. 

Great video, great program!

Thanks, Len. Much appreciated!

Hi Sharon,

I have been teaching for 6 years and although it doesn't feel like I graduated that long ago, seeing how much has already changed since I have graduated can be overwhelming.  My undergrad is in secondary education math from Penn State and listening to what your current students have said about the STEM program makes me already feel outdated!  It is amazing to see how much education can change and how quickly new and innovative approaches to instruction and learning can occur.  I am now pursuing my STEM endorsement through Millersville and watching this video is inspiring about the opportunities that STEM programs offer.  I teach in a public school that values a technology initiative but does not currently have a STEM program in place.  Do you find that many districts in the state of Pennsylvania are trying to find a place for STEM in their district?  In particular, do you feel that these programs are occurring more at the Elementary, Middle, or High School level?  Or perhaps, do you think that some districts feel that STEM opportunities are happening during after school electives?  I teach 8th grade and love the approach to STEM education but often struggle with the balance of time for inquiry based learning and the demands of our curriculum with standardized testing.  How do you encourage students in the Millersville program to handle this challenge after they graduate?

I too am pursuing the STEM endorsement certificate through Millersville University.  I am in the early stages of my coursework, but I am very impressed with the approach Millersville is taking in terms of preparing our teachers in STEM education.  I think the iSTEM4Toys program is fantastic.  The primary grade levels are so important in terms of cognitive development, and I believe we have to instill a STEM approach to learning at those grade levels.  If we can teach our young people to make metacognitive connections to solve problems, they will be better prepared as lifelong learners.    

Hi Sharon, 

Your program looks great! As you know, it is really important for early childhood teachers to have confidence in STEM areas so that they can encourage their students and instill a love for math and science.    

I have a couple of logistical questions.  How is STEM education approached at MU for future early childhood teachers who do not take this minor?  Do you get students who take some of the minor classes as electives without committing to the minor?  What percent of the early childhood educators select the minor?  The video showed your students interacting with children in a very resource rich environment, how do you address the reality of teaching STEM on a shoestring or nonexistent budget?

I thought I would share two of our papers that have some lower tech STEM activities for elementary students....

We recently were invited to present a fun lesson at the elementary expo at NSTA that you may like:  Demetrikopoulos, M., Thompson, W., Pecore, J. (2017) Save Beady Kid From the Sun.  Science and Children 55(4) p54-59.  

And we published another paper some time ago that has various opportunities for student exploration with easy to acquire materials.  Demetrikopoulos MK, Datta P, Pecore JL, Lamas C, Thompson WD, et al. Oceanography for Pre-K-Third Grade. Current: The Journal of Marine Education. 2007; 23(2):42-46

Keep up the fantastic work!   

Hello Melissa,

Thanks so much for sharing these resources. I will definitely acquire both of these published items. My colleague, Jen Shettel, will be at the STEM Expo with one of our STEM minors (and presenting there). Hopefully they can attend your session. I'll be sure to share the info with them. 

In response to your questions...

• Students who do not choose the STEM minor do not get any formal coursework in STEM. However, I do know that various pedagogy classes they take do cover some of the basic STEM concepts and ideas. Jen Shettel, who I mentioned previously, might be able to answer that question better than me. I will invite her to weigh in on this.
• Our STEM courses are only open to STEM minors. We do not have enough seats in the classes to offer them to non-minors. We have a cohort system in place. We start a new cohort of 22 students each year and they take the courses in sequence with their cohort. We like to keep class sizes small because of all the hands-on work and the desire to provide lots of individualized attention. 
• We are serving only about 15% of the majors. 
• The vast majority of our work with students is not in a media rich environment. The media rich environment looks good on video and that was the only video we had because we didn't have video permission when doing the activities with children prior to preparing this year's showcase video. We only had still photos of our students working with children in the "regular" environments, which are largely activities on a shoestring budget using recyclable materials and typical items that you'd find in an elementary classroom. When we do the video next year, I am hoping we can have more video of these more typical sites to show the great things our STEM minors are doing in those more typical venues. The STEM lab featured in the video is primarily a space for college students to build their expertise and confidence. 

Thanks again for sharing your resources. I greatly appreciate it and I look forward to checking them out. I am always on the lookout for new ideas at this level. 

I spy some Ozobots in your video!  I've allowed some time within my high school math classrooms for students to explore, but have yet to use them in a more productive manor for curriculum concepts.  They are really engaging and fun!  I bet the younger students loved using them.

Is the TEC CENTRE open to the public?  Is the STEM lab at Millersville open to all MU students?

There are always exciting initiatives happening at Millersville! I just started the Online STEM Graduate Program last year. I actually heard about the program from a friend who is enrolled in the Undergrad STEM Minor Program. I have already learned so much and I love that I can take ideas from each course and better my teaching practices tomorrow. 

If you ever need students for the STEM lab, please let me know! My first graders would love a Millersville field trip!

I'm currently enrolled in the STEM endorsement program through MU and have learned so much already. Coming from a district that doesn't have a STEM program for the elementary level, I'm excited to see how these students are being exposed to this curriculum. What a wonderful experience for the undergraduates as well. Everyone seemed to be engaged and having fun. I wish I had this class years ago during my own elementary education program.  In the video, it mentions this is held at the Tec Centr on Saturdays. Is this in collaboration with MU or is it an independent organization?  I was just curious if there was any carryover in content to the regular school curriculum.  

Hi Sharon and Team,

I just finished an Engineering Principles class with Dr. DeLucca in the Spring semester as part of the ACTE program with the STEM endorsement. Our final assignment was to write a research paper on something in the field that we were interested in, and I chose to write about the need for more STEM programs at all levels. My belief in STEM is that it needs to be a holistic approach and not just counted because one or two of the subjects are being taught. Through my research I have seen that virtually all K-5 schools offer math and science with little to no technology or engineering. This STEM lab allows students to experience technology and exploration to build excitement in the different disciplines and become more imaginative about the possibilities in these fields of study. The video has inspired me to try to build a true STEM course at the elementary level in my district. Thank You.

STEM programs for educators are improving our ability to teach and opening many new avenues of learning for our students. Children engaging in STEM projects are fascinated with what they're learning and look forward to what's next. As a teacher, I also believe that incorporating STEM into your formal education is a worthwhile step and will be beneficial for you and your students.

Hi Francis - thanks for watching our video. You are exactly right about the status of the "T & E" in STEM at most elementary schools. And, I could not agree more with your statement about STEM needing to be truly holistic. I feel like I've pushed for this nearly my entire career -- even before "STEM" education was a term that anyone used. And, it wasn't just for integrating science and math...the focus was on integrating all subjects where appropriate through hands-on experiential activities (i.e., social studies, English language arts, art, physical education, music). Good luck with your graduate studies and let me know if you are ever serious about starting elementary STEM in your school district. I'd be happy to sit down and brainstorm with you.

Hi Sharon,

I am so excited to see that preservice teachers are getting confidence in their own content knowledge and their abilities to integrate STEM into PK-4 classrooms.  I am a second grade teacher and a graduate student working on my STEM endorsement, and this just thrills me that our new hires may have a STEM background.  The one undergraduate student in this video, Sarah Dean, made me smile so much. This quote shows that people are realizing that STEM doesn't have to be scary; it's not just for the "smart" people.  Millersville is obviously teaching growth mindset well!

“I was nervous to join it but I wanted to deepen my skills in those subjects.  So really it’s taught me that those skills aren’t scary.  They’re fun subjects to learn and they are things that other students should be passionate about.  Everyone can be an engineer if you want to be an engineer.  You can be any kind of job that you want to have.”

I noticed in previous comments that you are willing to brainstorm how to implement STEM into elementary schools.   My school is trying to find a vision and I'd love to hear what has been successful in areas around us.

Thanks so much!

I really love how Millersville has this STEM minor and endorsement series.  I am recently enrolled in the 12 credit endorsement series and the Science course is my first class and has taken me to this website and to you!  I love everything you are doing in your program and would love to know more!

How long do STEM minor students work with the students during the Saturday sessions?  Do they follow a set curriculum based upon grade level?

My district just purchased We-Do 2.0 for my STEAM class and I would love to know how you are integrating them into the Saturday classes.  Do you find students returning week after week so you can build on previous knowledge?  If so, what is the process you are following?