Summary
In the article “Getting Intentional About Stem Learning” by Michael MacEwan, the author discusses an afterschool program that incorporates STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Music) in their curriculum. He looks into the benefits of STEM in the curriculum and the challenges that he faces as well. MacEwan’s program serves an urban community located in a New Jersey school district. His program has more than 90 percent Latino and they are all fourth graders in the local districts elementary schools.
His staff was trained through professional developments. MacEwan believes that staff members do not need to have a STEM background in order to be effective just great training. His staff completes the STEM activities at staff meetings before they are given to the children to learn and anticipate any possible problems. During the meetings the staff also talk about strategies to help engage and challenge all of the children regardless of disabilities or lack of interest.
Reflections and Connections
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One of the factors, STEM, allows children to be actively engaged in lessons and in learning. When children are learning through hands on experiences keeps children excited about learning. I agree with MacEwan’s approach to his after school program curriculum. I know this because being a first year teacher I have had challenge trying to figure out creative ways to keep all of the students interested an involved in their learning. Many students believe that school is boring because all they do is worksheets all day. One of my former students mentioned to me that school is boring because of this reason. It is still a struggle but I make sure that I use STEM in my lessons and make sure that the students are creating their own experiences through learning “with their
It brings the four subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics together by using technology to create a way to practice, solve, and apply what has been learned. It was created to provide students with education and skills that would enable them to begin working directly after high school (Introduction to Teaching, 6th Edition). STEM schools have many pros to them. STEM schools provide greater job opportunities. In The Rising Popularity of STEM: A Crossroads in Public Education or a Passing Trend, Chen writes, ".The
While not many people think of it to be so, the dropout rates among young Hispanic adults is one of the biggest problems our community faces. If there is nothing done about this problem, our entire country will suffer in many ways. Therefore, we must come up with some solutions to lower these dropout rates before it is too late. A few solutions that have surfaced are programs in schools to prevent dropouts, educating parents about what an education will do for their children, and making a change in what is being taught in schools. As previously stated, the Hispanic population is one of the fastest growing ethnicities in our country.
Teachers need to be allowed to teach the students how they want so the lesson plan is more fun and exciting. Boredom is just an emotion and teachers shouldn’t have to feel that because of them, they are affecting the state of mind of students.. Teachers should able to engage the students with their own thought process. Teachers need freedom and should not have to worry about how fast they teach a subject because the government wants it done in a specific way at a specific time. Teachers understand that students all learn differently and many teachers want to help all of their students, but they are stuck in a school system that tells them how they must teach.
Boredom was everywhere in my world, and if you asked the kids, as often as I did, why they felt so bored, they always gave me the same answers: They said the work was stupid, that it made no sense, that they already knew it. They said they wanted to be doing something real, not just sitting around. They said teachers didn’t seem to know much about their subjects and clearly weren’t interested in learning more. And the kids were right: their teachers were every bit as bored as they were
Stiggins, R., & Chappuis, J. (2008). Enhancing Student Learning. Retrieved from July 2009 from, http://www.districtadministration.com/viewarticlepf.aspx?articleid=1362.
So as to improve the K-12 education, the United States needs to redesign the high schools. The initiative by the president to redesign the high schools is significant in encouraging the schools to use the available resources. Schools together with their partners should take into using the resources that exist effectively. These resources are in the local, state and the federal so as to transform the experience in the high schools for the youth through energy of the whole school redesign. This effort of redesigning the high schools will help challenge them and their partners in rethinking learning and teaching. These reforms should constitute of learning that is personalized and college and career exploration that will ens...
According to Sandars (2009, 685), reflection is a process of turning back thoughts in order to
Much too often in America today, modern music and art programs in schools are perceived to many as extracurricular activities rather than important subjects that are vital to a students learning and skill development. The truth of the matter is that encouraging music and art education in public schools has a much larger impact on student’s grades, academic performance, and the economy than the majority people realize. Within the next year city school budgets will be dropping by twenty five percent, and despite the fact that music and art programs have been showing a dramatic contribution to student’s learning, this substantial drop in funding for the programs will lead to no dedicated money for art or music programs (Mezzacappa). There is no doubt that a cut in funding for art programs will take a huge toll on students overall grades and test scores. Research has found that the studying of music and art facilitates learning in other subjects and enhances children’s skills in other areas (Brown). Furthermore, providing students with a creative outlet can do great justice in reducing the stress from many other classes and even offer insight for students in possible career paths involving the art field. The art industry today currently supports 4.1 million full-time jobs (Dorfman). By increasing the funding of music and art programs for students preschool through twelfth grade we can see a dramatic increase in the education of children across the United States, assist with skill development in young students, and greatly benefit the economy at the same time.
...her ups, and then once their ideas of education update, so can school systems, then teachers themselves. Maiers “Keys to Student Engagement” shows the raw potential that school systems already have. It also shows that students need the drive and ambition to succeed. Tristan’s article on edutopia provides ideas that are already in motion. His ideas and tips have already started to work in public high school in his community. With the guidance and vision of these three authors public school issues could cease to exist. Even though there’s a lot involved getting administrators (and some teachers) on board, it is possible, and in the near future, a reality.
engaging, you wont have discipline problems” (Boyd 2012). The truth is, you may have fewer student
ways as I have explained in this essay. It is a fact that The Mirror
They are not getting the most out of their education. Students if you are bored shouldn’t you merely do your work so you are not bored. The teacher’s claim the students are rude disrespectful and only interested in their
Going to school and getting a great education is important for a successful future in today’s world. Years ago, many children did not go to school and many young adults opted to work instead of attending college. In today’s society, gaining a high level of education is almost always mandatory for many jobs. There are many changes being done to the education system along with new items and ways of teaching in the classroom. There is a growing amount of changes in the classroom such as technology, teaching time, teaching styles, and freedom of space.
As educators we wish to have the students gain knowledge, through our efforts, and continue to expand their minds using the basics we have taught them. In an era when so many outside interests often cloud the minds of our impressionable youth, we often wonder how we can accomplish this task.
In the United States, many lack the skills necessary for college. Unfortunately, the education system fails to prepare some of its students for work or higher learning. Despite these circumstances, teachers and bureaucrats seek improvements to obtain higher success. In spite of the pressure for success, the current situation is not yielding the desired results. Moreover, in the recent State of the Union Address in early 2014, President Barack Obama stated the need for improved education, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM fields. Yet, what should reformers pursue? Researchers have observed recurring problems to direct the improvement of education. The information presented, particularly over the past ten years, has revealed a need to involve the students that lag the most. Education risks excluding k-12 boys and minorities, as well as remedial education collegians, in higher education.