When it comes to implementing new curricula, there are four needs that teachers have consistently told us over the years that could lead to a more comfortable adoption: efficiency/accessibility, onboarding training, materials, and time.
This list is in no way exclusive, but it might be a good starting point for administrators to start understanding how to successfully implement a new program or curriculum that teachers are excited about and will consistently use.
Read MoreYou’ve probably heard of Angela Lee Duckworth and her studies on grit: “passion and perseverance for very long-term goals”.
Duckworth found that grittier students were significantly more likely to graduate, and that the qualities to do well in school (and in life) include having stamina, sticking with goals, and persisting for a long period of time to fulfill these goals.
These findings may sound simple and common-sense enough, but what may involve more introspection is determining how educators perceive grit being dispersed in a class of students.
Read MoreInSight touched down on Mars on Nov. 26, 2018 after an almost seven-month journey from Earth.
Jim Bridenstine, a NASA Administrator announced that we have landed on Mars for the eighth time in human history, and that InSight will “study the interior of Mars and will teach us valuable science as we prepare to send astronauts to the Moon and later to Mars.”
Read on for five interesting facts shared by NASA that can be integrated with Design SySTEM’s Astronautical Engineering unit.
Read MoreWhen it comes to implementing new initiatives, one of the biggest challenges that schools, and even corporations, face is in getting people focused on a common goal.
This includes the challenges of having everyone understand what the new vision is, getting staff buy-in, providing adequate and effective training, creating a new culture to promote the vision, and developing metrics for success.
Although there seems to be consensus between schools that teaching “STEM” is a good thing, there doesn’t seem to be much agreement on the rest.
Read MoreSocial-emotional development refers to a child’s abilities to express and manage emotions, and to establish positive relationships with others.
It should come as no surprise that project-based learning and STEM done right may support healthy social-emotional development.
Read MoreReal talk: Even with the global focus on STEM education, not every child will grow up to be a scientist, mathematician, or engineer. And that’s okay.
Read MoreSummer is quickly approaching an end, and for some, it's already time to start planning for the first few weeks of school.
Read MoreContinuing to reinforce a STEM-State-of-Mind during summer vacation can be intimidating for parents, but it really can be simple and fun!
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