ADV. STEM CONCEPT
Passion-based science education!
After seeing A.J. Juliani speak at the recent Learning and the Brain Conference about the Google 20% Project and Genius Hour, I was inspired to implement something similar in Advanced STEAM. A large portion of class time is dedicated to choice-based learning in addition to whole class engineering and problem solving challenges.
A STEAM framework integrated with the Next Generation Science Standards, students research, propose, design, engineer, invent, create, document, revise, interview, collaborate and produce a product. Students have the opportunity to choose from a selection of ideas or brainstorm and propose one of their own. Advanced STEM is a largely a self directed course under the guidance of the teacher.
Project Topics: Students choose 2-3 topics to cover in depth over the course of the trimester. Students are encouraged to propose alternatives that are passion-based yet related to scope of STEAM in 7th grade. All student proposals require teacher approval.
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littleBits and Engineering Challenges: Robotics and Inventions: Robotics and Inventions
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Environmental Ecology/Citizen Science/Pollution & Climate Change- identifying problems- designing/proposing solutions
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Field Study and Nature Journaling- in depth nature study using the Cavitt Nature Trail
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The Human Genome/ Biotech and Bioengineering
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Medical Detectives / Advanced Body Systems,/ Advanced Dissections
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The Art and Science of Folding- Origami Projects and Applied Sciences
littleBits & Inventions
What are littleBits?
Origami: The Science of Folding
Inventions: What's in our Future?
High Speed Transportation
Env. Ecology & Citizen Science
Environmental Ecology: Issues - Pollution; Endangered Species; Energy Sources; Ocean Pollution (gyres); Plastics; Global Warming; Sustainability; GMO’s; Water Quality; Clean Water Availability; Ecosystems and Niches
Resources: Open to proposals
Citizen Scientist Opportunities
Xerces Society- Invertebrate Conservation including Bees, Butterflies and Dragonflies
FIELD STUDY
Cavitt Nature Trail: Field/Nature Journal; Native vs Invasive Species Identification; Edible Plants; Erosion Control; Water Quality Sampling; Poison Oak Remedies
Plant ID app:
Garden Answers Plant Identification (free)
California Native Plant Society Sacramento:
http://www.sacvalleycnps.org/
USDA Plants Database:
Tending the Wild: Kat Anderson - UC Davis "Tending the Wild" shines light on the environmental knowledge of indigenous peoples across California by exploring how they have actively shaped and tended the land for millennia, in the process developing a deep understanding of plant and animal life.
https://www.kcet.org/shows/tending-the-wild
Animals:
Birds:
Insects:
"Pests": Insects & Bugs and other pests
The Human Genome
The Human Genome: Advanced Genetics and Epigenetics- Pedigrees; Human Traits; Behavioral vs Structural; Nature vs. Nurture; Gene Therapy; Cloning; Genetic Engineering; Bioethics
Biotech & Bioengineering
Epigenetics resources:
Genetics:
Biotechnology:
Bioengineering
Medical Detectives/ Adv. Body Systems
Explore more as a Medical Detective become a diagnostician
More from PLTW's program.
Agents that make us sick Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses and Protists
Mysterious Miscommunications and our Nervous System
Also advanced dissections: Brain, Earthworm, Rat, Fetal Pig
Exploratorium : Snacks
Choose at least 3 "Snacks" to explore and build.
The Art and Science of Folding
The art of paper folding is inspiring science
Researchers use various types of origami to tackle a host of problems Read about it!
6 ways the centuries-old art of origami is bringing us the future
The mathematical principles behind the art make it all possible.
Read more
