9444 Views (as of 05/2023)
  1. Kristin Cook
  2. Presenter’s NSFRESOURCECENTERS
  3. Bellarmine University
  1. Sarah Bush
  2. Associate Professor of Mathematics Education
  3. Presenter’s NSFRESOURCECENTERS
  4. Bellarmine University

Full STEAM Ahead: Best Practices for Integrated STEAM Instruction

S3668150018

2017 (see original presentation & discussion)

Grades K-6

Using an in-depth professional development model, Bellarmine University developed five Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) academies in the Jefferson County School District (JCPS) as a way to boost science and mathematics achievement. Our professional development (PD) efforts focus on targeting students identified as being in our state-defined gap group (in grades 3-5), and our project consists of workshops in which teachers share a common content and pedagogical experience organized around STEAM-centered problem-based inquiries. Stakeholders in the project are: Community partners including the Kentucky Science Center, Kentucky Center for the Arts, and the Speed Art Museum, school and district administrators, experienced teachers in STEM/STEAM, and higher education faculty in science, mathematics, and education. An annual MakerFaire event on BU’s campus will showcase to the community the STEAM work teachers and their students have been engaged in throughout each year. Results from Year One are:

           

Goal #1: To increase students’ science and mathematics achievement

Result: Improved scores on Cascade and K-PREP (Math)

  • Positive statistical significance on Math Cascade between Treatment and Control Groups
  • Raw percentages for K-PREP (Math) showed increases in Distinguished and Proficient among treatment group

Goal #2: To increase elementary teachers’ (grades 3-5) STEAM content understanding and pedagogical content knowledge, with a critical focus on standards-based mathematics and science knowledge and skills

Result: Statistically significant growth on both mathematics and science assessments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Goal #3: To increase elementary teachers’ STEAM self-efficacy

Result: Improved efficacy on both mathematics and science beliefs assessments

 

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Discussion from the 2017 STEM for All Video Showcase (16 posts)
  • Icon for: Kristin Cook

    Kristin Cook

    Lead Presenter
    May 14, 2017 | 08:45 p.m.

    Thanks so much for taking the time to watch our video! We would love feedback on the following:

    -What should assessment in STEAM learning look like?

    -In what ways does STEAM learning need to be supported to be most effective?

     

     

  • Icon for: Sue Doubler

    Sue Doubler

    Facilitator
    Senior Leader
    May 15, 2017 | 10:00 p.m.

    Kristin and Sarah, 

    Thanks for introducing your project. STEAM is relatively new to me and I'm interested in understanding ways that science, mathematics, and art are effectively integrated. Does your project have a set of organizing principles for integration? If so, could you say more about how these principles have informed your PD model?  

  • Icon for: Kristin Cook

    Kristin Cook

    Lead Presenter
    May 19, 2017 | 12:15 p.m.

    Thanks for the question, Sue. Our project utilizes problem-based learning and the Design Thinking Framework through which integration is maximized. We train teachers to begin with the central science and mathematics content and practices and then weave in meaningful technology and arts when applicable. Our goal is that lessons do not force fit content nor aim to "cover" too many standards. Instead, meaningful and intentional integration to complex problems that require drawing on various disciplines to solve is our central aim.

  • Icon for: Deborah Hanuscin

    Deborah Hanuscin

    Facilitator
    Professor
    May 16, 2017 | 12:19 p.m.

    Hi, Kristin and Sarah! What was the impetus for the partnership with the 5 schools- are there plans to expand district-wide

  • Icon for: Kristin Cook

    Kristin Cook

    Lead Presenter
    May 18, 2017 | 10:42 a.m.

    Hi Debi! Yes, we were able to work with 5 schools based on our available funds. Our district determined which schools were invited into the project, which was based on who had some initial beginnings of STEM/STEAM operations (i.e. lab) or interest. Now that our two-year PD has concluded, the district is using their portion of available funds to hire some of our trained STEAM teachers to conduct PD with other elementary schools in the district.  

  • Icon for: Kathy Kennedy

    Kathy Kennedy

    PISA2 Program Manager
    May 16, 2017 | 06:44 p.m.

    Hi Kristin & Sarah,

    Thank you for sharing your project. You have had impressive gains with both students and teachers. Can you speak about how you assessed the teachers as mentioned in goal 2? I am also interested to know if there were any pedagogical strategies that emerged as critical to support teacher growth.

    ~Kathy

  • Icon for: Sarah Bush

    Sarah Bush

    Co-Presenter
    Associate Professor, K-12 STEM Education
    May 19, 2017 | 12:19 p.m.

    Hi Kathy!

    Great question!! Our teacher assessment for mathematics PCK included DTAMS (http://louisville.edu/education/centers/crmstd/...) and for science PCK included an adapted version of the POSTT (http://stelar.edc.org/instruments/pedagogy-scie...). For mathematics and science teaching efficacy we used the MTEBI (http://stelar.edc.org/instruments/mathematics-t...) and STEBI (http://stelar.edc.org/instruments/science-teach...). Additionally, we collected qualitative data including observational data, teacher planning documents, teacher reflections, etc.

    Pedagogical strategies that emerged during our project included honing questioning skills, the use of empathy within the Design Thinking Framework, and an increased intentional focus on assessing the key mathematics and science content and practices aligned with the STEAM investigations.

    Thank you!

    Sarah and Kristin

  • Icon for: Jennifer Shettel

    Jennifer Shettel

    Higher Ed Faculty
    May 17, 2017 | 01:49 p.m.

    I really enjoyed watching your video! I'd love to know more about the PRIME framework for PD - is this something you came up with or can I get more information?

  • Icon for: Sarah Bush

    Sarah Bush

    Co-Presenter
    Associate Professor, K-12 STEM Education
    May 19, 2017 | 12:28 p.m.

    Hi Jennifer!

    The PrimeD framework was created initially by another research team in which I am a member. This grant project has served as one of six projects across the country currently validating the framework.

    Kristin and I have manuscripts under review currently that talk about our journey and experience validating the framework, but nothing in print yet.

    To learn more about the framework, see this article the PrimeD research team published last fall. It's based off a previous project, but will contain the Framework itself and the supporting literature and impetus.

    Saderholm, J., Ronau, R. N., Rakes, C. R., Bush, S. B., & Mohr-Schroeder, M. (2016). The critical role of a well-articulated conceptual framework to guide professional development: An evaluation of a state-wide two-week program for mathematics and science teachers. Professional Development in Education. doi: 10.1080/19415257.2016.1251485

    Thanks!
    Sarah and Kristin

  • Icon for: Sarah Hampton

    Sarah Hampton

    K-12 Teacher
    May 18, 2017 | 12:34 p.m.

    In my experience, it is very difficult to mesh quality STEAM project-based learning inside of a traditional educational setting because the best projects are organically cross-curricular. Do you think a school would need to transition to a fully integrated STEAM model? If not, what strategies are effective for incremental implementation? I am especially curious about how the projects can be structured to meet the required content needs of all subject area teachers.

     

    I am also interested to hear others' thoughts on STEAM assessment. From our PBL/CBL this year, our main assessments were the project presentations. However, standardized tests typically are not performance assessments. What type of assessment did you use to measure learning gains?

  • Icon for: Kristin Cook

    Kristin Cook

    Lead Presenter
    May 19, 2017 | 12:32 p.m.

    Thanks for your comment and questions, Sarah. We agree it is challenging to do quality STEAM teaching and learning in traditional school settings (by this, we specifically point to structures that silo school subject areas- reading block, science block, etc...). Almost all of our schools started with a science/STEM lab and used that setting to embark on STEAM. One of our schools quickly began a lab because they wanted the classroom setting to teach foundational concepts and skills that could then be deepened and enhanced in the lab setting. We are not certain a lab is critical, as many our teachers do amazing problem-based learning in traditional classrooms; however, we did find that the lab offered a more flexible space for STEAM exploration.

    Regarding assessment, our teachers developed performance assessments relevant to their lesson and unit goals but they also gave district quarterly proficiencies and diagnostics as well as the state standardized exam in math and science . We were delighted to see that STEAM students in most cases outperformed their peers on the standardized assessments.

     
    1
    Discussion is closed. Upvoting is no longer available

    Sarah Hampton
  • Icon for: Sarah Hampton

    Sarah Hampton

    K-12 Teacher
    May 19, 2017 | 01:40 p.m.

    Thank you for your response. I like the idea of performance based assessments in conjunction with quarterly standardized assessments!

  • Icon for: Sue Doubler

    Sue Doubler

    Facilitator
    Senior Leader
    May 19, 2017 | 01:15 p.m.

    Kristin,

    Do you have hypotheses as to why STEAM students are outperforming their peers on Standardized assessments?

    Sue

     
    1
    Discussion is closed. Upvoting is no longer available

    Sarah Hampton
  • Icon for: Sarah Bush

    Sarah Bush

    Co-Presenter
    Associate Professor, K-12 STEM Education
    May 22, 2017 | 10:22 a.m.

    Hi Sue,

    Great question. Our hypotheses is that the STEAM students are extremely interested in what they are learning and are having a deeper learning experience than their peers. With the STEAM setting, students are making many connections within and between the content areas and to their life experiences.

    Sincerely,

    Sarah and Kristin

  • Icon for: Pam Pelletier

    Pam Pelletier

    Facilitator
    Director, K-12 STE, Boston Public Schools
    May 21, 2017 | 07:00 a.m.

    Kristin and Sarah--

    I applaud your efforts to strengthen instruction and student performance. After watching your video a few times, a  statement in the video caught my attention--(starts at 2:25) -- statement ends with "significant difference in math achievement and science learning." I am curious if that language choice deliberately meant something different -- math achievement vs science learning?

    A second question... are there structures in place to ensure that students have the opportunity to learn and develop understanding of the content appropriate to the grade level across all of the key disciplines? 

     

  • Icon for: Sarah Bush

    Sarah Bush

    Co-Presenter
    Associate Professor, K-12 STEM Education
    May 22, 2017 | 10:33 a.m.

    Hi Pam!

    We didn't mean anything deliberate regarding math achievement vs. science learning. We can say that due to shifts in the Kentucky state science assessment, we had more mathematics student achievement data available to us as compared to science.

    We love your second question! Yes, a critical focus on the grade level mathematics and science content and practices was at the very top of our priority list. Within our planning documents that teacher teams used, the first step was to identify the key science and mathematics content and practices being address AND assessed through the inquiry. Then technology and the arts are incorporated in ways in which it meaningfully fits.

    Thanks!
    Sarah and Kristin

  • Further posting is closed as the event has ended.